Hamilton County staff review ‘Reconnecting Communities’ plan, highlight three priority projects
Loading...
Summary
County planner Chris Snyder told Hamilton County officials on March 24 that the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods plan — funded by a $300,000 federal grant plus a $75,000 regional match — is nearing a final draft that focuses on three priority projects to improve east–west connectivity, rail safety and economic access in six study communities; cost estimates will be included in the April–May 2026 final report.
Chris Snyder, a planner in the county’s Community Planning Division, told Hamilton County officials on March 24 that the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods planning grant is nearing completion and that the consultant narrowed about 15–20 ideas to three priority projects.
The plan covers six municipalities — Arlington Heights, Evendale, Lincoln Heights, Lockland, Reading and Sharonville — and the county’s analysis focuses on east–west connectivity where I‑75 and multiple rail lines create barriers. “We’re nearing the end of the process,” Snyder said, summarizing the contractor’s work and public engagement.
Why it matters: the study area is the site of several economic development opportunities — including the incoming Givaudan Corporation, the Project Forge site, the Lincoln Heights school project and the AeroHub/AeroHub campus — and improved connections could increase access to jobs and investment in historically cut‑off neighborhoods.
The three projects Snyder highlighted are: converting the I‑75 Laughlin Split northbound viaduct corridor into a shared‑use trail or linear park once the viaduct is removed; building a bridge to connect Shepherd Road to Columbia Avenue and span the railroad to avoid prolonged train stoppages; and improving north–south connections around the Arrowhub/AeroHub and Glendale Milford area into Lincoln Heights, including potential reuse of the firing‑range site when that facility relocates.
Snyder said the plan emphasizes three goals: mobility and connectivity for vehicles, bikes and pedestrians; health and safety at railroad crossings (he warned that “we have evidence of children and people climbing through stopped trains”); and economic vitality to better connect neighborhoods to job sites.
Cost estimates and funding: the project began in fall 2025 with a $300,000 planning grant; Snyder said the consultant is preparing conceptual designs and preliminary cost estimates that will appear in the final draft expected in April or May 2026. He identified USDOT as a potential funding source and said the regional planning commission provided a $75,000 match to support deliverables. Snyder and commissioners noted that grant programs and administrations change over time, so staff and local advocates will monitor and apply for future opportunities.
Questions from commissioners focused on equity and outcomes for Lincoln Heights and other impacted communities. Commissioner Driehaus praised the public‑input process and asked whether the third priority was primarily about better access to existing assets or about positioning communities to benefit from future projects such as the aerospace development; Snyder said both are factors. Driehaus also asked about cost estimates; Snyder said the numbers are in progress and will be shared with commissioners when finalized.
Property and implementation: commissioners asked who owns parcels in the Arrowhub area and whether private landowners or ODOT right‑of‑way would control redevelopment. Snyder said ownership varies, many parcels are private and some are ODOT rights‑of‑way, and recommended the final report encourage local jurisdictions to consider adoption or approvals appropriate for them. Commissioners suggested combining public‑space ideas with revenue‑generating uses on privately owned parcels where appropriate.
Next steps: staff will finalize the existing‑conditions report, include conceptual designs and cost estimates for the three priority projects, meet with the six communities and their elected officials, and then pursue funding opportunities. The final draft is expected in April or May 2026; Snyder said having a plan generally improves scoring on grant applications.
Votes at a glance: at the meeting’s close the board voted to enter executive session pursuant to RC section 121.22(g)(3) to confer with the public body’s attorney about pending litigation; the motion passed with recorded yes votes from Commissioners Summer Adumas and Driehaus (the transcript did not specify who seconded the motion).
