Is Classen Park for sale?

A rumor has been circulating around Clifton Heights that Classen Park is for sale to developers.

The one-acre park, at the corner of Calhoun Street and Jefferson Avenue (BIRD'S EYE), abuts the University of Cincinnati, Old St. George Church and two redevelopment sites owned by the Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation and the Uptown Consortium.

Both corporations have named Towne Properties as their preferred developers.

In a communication to Councilmember Laketa Cole, member of the CUF Neighborhood Association Board of Trustees Julie Murray says that the rumors make absolutely no sense when one considers the amount of still-undeveloped land that was taken by eminent domain.

"It is totally unacceptable to us in the CUF neighborhood association to think that the City Administration would even consider selling any of our green space or parks for more retail development," she writes. "This park is one of the gateways into the CUF neighborhood and is highly prized by all our residents."

Murray adds that the park is a popular spot for students from Corryville Catholic, who have no other place to play.

Last summer, City Council passed an ordinance creating a new parks and recreation (PR) zoning district for properties owned or maintained by the Cincinnati Park Board or the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, effectively stopping those lands from being developed without public hearings.

Classen Park is fully under the control of the Park Board.

A report on the rumor from the City Manager's office is expected before City Council in early May.