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Cincinnati council approves HUD lead-paint grant, parks grant, in-kind space and a package of ordinances
Summary
Council passed a series of ordinances and first readings including acceptance of up to $4.2 million in HUD lead-hazard funds, a $57,000 parks foundation grant for a comfort station at Lytle Park, an in-kind office-space donation, a $49,750 internal transfer for outdoor dining maintenance, acceptance of state cannabis tax revenue, and several zoning and development approvals; all items passed on roll call.
Cincinnati City Council advanced a slate of ordinances and first readings covering public-health grants, parks improvements, zoning changes and budget transfers during the business portion immediately after the citizens forum.
Key votes at a glance
- HUD lead-hazard grant (first reading): Council approved an ordinance authorizing the city manager to accept up to $4,200,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for lead-paint abatement. Council member Jeffries highlighted there are at least 65,000 homes in the city with lead paint and said the funding addresses childhood health impacts.
- Parks Foundation grant, Lytle Park comfort station: Council authorized acceptance of $57,000 from the Cincinnati Parks Foundation to fund construction of a comfort station (bathroom) at Lytle Park. Council discussed the purpose and confirmed the facility is a restroom.
- In-kind office space donation: An emergency ordinance accepted an in-kind donation of office space (valued up to $50,000 per year) from the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation and Urban Sites to create a satellite Act for Cincy office in Over-the-Rhine.
- Parking meter fund transfer: Council approved an emergency transfer and appropriation of $49,750 from the parking meter fund to an enterprise services account to maintain and repair outdoor dining areas in the public right-of-way.
- Cannabis tax revenue acceptance: Council adopted enabling legislation to accept cannabis tax revenue from the State of Ohio; staff said the city does not yet have an estimate of the amount that will flow to Cincinnati.
- Zoning and development approvals: Council approved a rezoning in Avondale that will allow a first phase of a multi-phase project on Burnett Avenue with roughly 344 units, and approved a major amendment to the Uptown Gateway concept plan to allow mixed uses including hotel and residential near the Digital Futures site.
Council approved each item by roll call. Most measures were presented with brief council discussion emphasizing public-health benefits, housing production and continued investment in neighborhood infrastructure.
Several council members praised city staff and neighborhood partners who supported the Avondale project and noted demand for housing and momentum for investments near transit corridors. The meeting record does not show any recorded no votes or abstentions on the items considered that day.
Next steps for each ordinance vary: first readings will follow the council's standard legislative process where required; grant-acceptance items and emergency appropriations are effective per their adoption language and department implementation.
