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Committee advances a package of grants and TIF‑funded neighborhood projects, including $5M ODOT trail grant and $4M Port acquisition
Summary
The committee placed a set of funding and transfer actions on the full council agenda: an ODOT pedestrian and bicycle solicitation grant (up to $5 million) for a 4.5‑mile Ohio River Trail segment; $949,000 reappropriated for a Neighborhoods in Focus Avondale pilot; $450,000 for Pleasant Ridge property acquisition; $360,000 for a Clifton Heights acquisition; and $4 million with the Port to acquire a West End parcel at 1141 Central Avenue.
The committee heard several development and grant items and placed them on the full council agenda.
Staff described an Ohio Department of Transportation pedestrian and bicycle solicitation grant of up to $5,000,000 to acquire rights of way for a 4.5‑mile Ohio River Trail segment connecting Sawyer Point to Carroll Street. "It is up to $5,000,000, which would be designated for the Ohio River Trail," the presenter said.
The Department of Community and Economic Development outlined a $949,000 transfer and appropriation to move capital‑eligible funds into operating accounts for a Neighborhoods in Focus pilot in Avondale. Staff said $674,000 would support single‑family housing initiatives (working with Avondale Development Corporation) and $275,000 would go to buildings & inspections (including $200,000 for the Harbor program and $75,000 for landscape maintenance assistance). DCD staff said quarterly updates on outcomes and percentage complete would be provided.
The committee also advanced a $450,000 funding agreement for Pleasant Ridge Development Corporation to acquire property at 6110 Ridge Avenue (with $425,000 for acquisition and $25,000 for staffing), and a $360,000 TIF funding agreement with Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation to acquire 119 Calhoun Street ($330,000 acquisition; $30,000 staffing). Council members praised Pleasant Ridge and Clifton Heights as examples of TIF‑driven neighborhood investment.
Finally, a $4,000,000 funding agreement with the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority was presented to acquire 1141 Central Avenue (the former Freestore Food Bank site). Several members described the parcel as a pivotal site for future mixed‑use development or potential arena‑related assemblage.
All of the above items were put on for passage to full council or the relevant consent agendas; council members asked for communications updates and implementation reporting where specified.
