Bellbrook reviews expanding Community Reinvestment Area to spur downtown revitalization

The Bellbrook City Council on Jan. 13 heard an informational presentation on a housing survey and a possible expansion of the city’s Community Reinvestment Area meant to encourage downtown revitalization.

Resident Bob Heidler urged council to pursue outside funding and consider tools such as a new community authority, saying the city should be “actively pursuing these types of funds” to make the downtown “an attractive destination for both residents and visitors.”

City Manager Rob (City Manager) and planning staff member Mikaela presented a housing-survey report that staff said is a precursor to updating Bellbrook’s Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) ordinance. Mikaela said the existing CRA dates from about 1982 and has been “relatively underutilized,” and that the survey’s purpose is to show whether proposed expansion areas meet the requirements in the Ohio Revised Code and to inform elected officials about housing…