Committee advances extension of DORA at the Banks, citing private funding and safety coordination

Chair Mark Jeffries introduced an ordinance to extend the DORA at the Banks and invited Tracy Schwegman of the Banks Community Authority to explain how the district has managed safety and events. Schwegman described a privately funded initiative that created a 21-and-over plaza area on the easternmost block of Freedom Way, coordinated with Cincinnati Police and supported by private stakeholders in the area's HOA. She said the private initiative "had a tremendous impact, quite frankly, positive impact on the businesses, as well as the residents and then other stakeholders down there."

Councilmembers asked how the 21-and-over approach interacts with youth curfew and event schedules (for example, post‑Reds game egress). Schwegman said the authority coordinates with large stakeholders and can adjust start times for 21-and-over enforcement to accommodate event release times; minors accompanied by a parent are allowed during the hours when food service is active. Members praised the privately funded security and operations work and asked the administration about the process for rolling out additional DORA slots in other neighborhoods. Director Carter said the administration is discussing application process design, pedestrian infrastructure integration, and how to use the two remaining DORA authorizations under state law.

The committee moved the DORA-related item (item number 5) forward 'without objection' for passage; staff and private stakeholders said they will continue discussions about expansion and the application process.