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Council authorizes funding agreement to pursue control of former Freestore Foodbank site in West End
Summary
Council approved a funding agreement with the Port of Greater Cincinnati to acquire a strategic downtown property (former Freestore Foodbank site) to secure public control over the site; mayor and council emphasized this is not for any specific project and said obtaining site control will help guide future development.
Cincinnati City Council voted to authorize the city manager to execute a funding agreement with the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority to facilitate acquisition of a high-visibility parcel in the West End — identified in the meeting as the former Freestore Foodbank site on Central Parkway.
Mayor Aptap Duvall and multiple council members framed the authorization as securing 'public control' over a key parcel to guide future development in and around the downtown, the West End and OTR. Council repeatedly stated the acquisition is not a purchase for any specific project and specifically denied that the action was an arena purchase, while acknowledging public conversation about possible future projects. Members said the step will allow the city to determine what uses best serve long-term neighborhood and downtown interests.
Speakers noted the broader $600 million convention-center investment and related downtown development work, and councilmembers connected the acquisition to prior committee support and unanimous committee passage. The ordinance passed by roll call.
