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Loveland announces Clean Ohio grant, conservation easement to protect downtown parcel
Summary
City officials said a Clean Ohio grant was formally awarded after the Little Miami Conservancy agreed to purchase an easement and a local family accepted less than appraised value to reduce the city match; staff will develop a plan tying the site into the Veterans Memorial and downtown park system.
Loveland City Manager Dave Kennedy announced the city has received formal notification of a Clean Ohio grant award and credited the Little Miami Conservancy and a local landowning family with making the application successful. "The Little Miami Conservancy working with us on the easement . . . changed every narrative in that grant application," Kennedy said.
Kennedy said the Scheler/Shelder family agreed to accept under the appraised amount, which reduced the city's local match, and that the easement will protect a portion of the property "that we will not be able to touch anyway." He said staff has already interviewed planning firms and will bring a planning proposal to council soon to connect the parcel with the Veterans Memorial and the city's premier park.
Councilmembers praised staff and the landowners during the meeting. Mr. Hart called the award "a pretty momentous occasion" and expressed appreciation for staff work and the family's cooperation. Vice Mayor Baitman said the announcement "feels like an acceptance letter" and urged a more robust public communication to match the award's significance.
Next steps, as described by staff, include creating a plan for land and water conservation and seeking additional funding for trail and park connections; specific consultant contracts and project timelines will be presented to council for approval.
