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Committee advances renaming of Mercy Health Place to Patricia McCollum Way
Summary
The Equitable Growth and Housing Committee advanced a proposal to rename the street serving the former Mercy Health headquarters in Bond Hill to Patricia McCollum Way after a planning presentation and community outreach; the item was filed for council consideration without objection.
The Cincinnati City Council Equitable Growth and Housing Committee advanced a proposal to rename the street that serves the former Mercy Health headquarters in Bond Hill to Patricia McCollum Way, putting the item on for passage and filing it for City Council consideration without objection.
City planner Sofia Ferris Roe, representing the Department of City Planning and Engagement, told the committee that Mercy Health opened the Bond Hill headquarters in 2016 after receiving $36,700,000 in city support intended to spur catalytic development. Mercy Health initially planned to employ about 1,250 people at the site, but Roe said pandemic-related changes left roughly 100 people in the building by September 2024. On Sept. 3, 2024, the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners voted to purchase the building and relocate several county departments, including Jobs and Family Services.
Roe described Patricia McCollum as “a dedicated social worker and children’s advocate” who fostered more than 70 children and adopted several; she said McCollum’s death in October 2024 prompted county leaders and McCollum’s family to seek a public commemoration. Roe said Hamilton County officials engaged McCollum’s family about the renaming and later met with the Bond Hill Community Council; after discussion and a proposed compromise that included other recognition opportunities on the campus, the community council decided not to oppose the street-name change.
Roe said the committee of names reviewed the proposal Oct. 13, found the name appropriate under council criteria, and that the City Planning Commission recommended approval. Committee members expressed support. “It takes a very special kind of person to foster any kids, let alone 70, which is really remarkable,” Chair Mark Jeffries said, endorsing the proposal.
The committee advanced the item for passage and filed it as item number 1 on the council docket. The City Planning Commission recommendation and the county’s outreach to McCollum’s family and the Bond Hill Community Council will be part of the file forwarded to the full council.
