The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners voted to advance conceptual design work for the permanent redevelopment of the Hilltop property west of Paycor Stadium, approving budget and consultant actions to produce design options and cost estimates.

The administration said the site currently operates as an interim lot surfaced with recycled asphalt and striped for parking. Staff presented a conceptual-design authorization to balance the city’s preference for something more than a “pure asphalt parking lot” with the county’s operational need for event parking and riverfront access. The conceptual task will include options, current cost estimates for each option, and consideration of bike-path connections and green elements.

Why it matters: The Hilltop property is county-owned and directly linked to stadium and riverfront activity. Commissioners said they want a usable, durable long-term solution that does not saddle taxpayers with a large, nonrevenue-generating public amenity. Commissioner Alicia Reese cautioned the project could grow into a large capital commitment, noting the county already paid to acquire the property and warning against unchecked design costs and construction obligations.

Key points from the discussion
- Interim condition: The county has striped and paved the property with recycled asphalt for an interim parking lot; administration said the lot currently provides parking capacity (exact transcript number unclear).
- City input: City officials asked that the permanent design include streetscape elements—trees, islands and green features—rather than a bare asphalt lot.
- Design scope and costs: Commissioner Reese called attention to an estimated $300,000 design cost mentioned in the discussion and said the county should resist open-ended obligations that would increase taxpayer burdens. Administration responded that conceptual options will include cost estimates so the board can assess trade-offs.

Vote and outcome
- Motion to approve byleave items authorizing design work and related agreements: approved. Vote recorded as Commissioner Driehaus — yes; Commissioner Stephanie Summer O'Dumas — yes; Commissioner Alicia Reese — abstain.

Quotes from the meeting
- Phil (county staff): “When the city approved the notwithstanding ordinance, they wanted something other than a pure asphalt parking lot.”
- Commissioner Alicia Reese: “I don't want this to become a $100,000,000 … project. I appreciate green space, but we don't make any money off of green space. We make money off of greenbacks.”

Discussion versus decision: The vote approved advancing design work and conceptual options with associated cost estimates; it did not commit the county to a construction budget or final design. Commissioners asked staff to return with cost estimates tied to each conceptual option so the board could make an informed construction decision.

Clarifying details
- The administration will produce conceptual options and attach current cost estimates for each option before seeking approval to construct.
- The interim lot was created using recycled asphalt and striped for parking; the administration described its capacity in the meeting but the exact number was unclear in the transcript.

Proper names
- Hilltop property (parcel west of Paycor Stadium)
- Paycor Stadium

Next steps: Staff will present conceptual options and their price estimates to the board for further direction before any construction appropriation is requested.