Cincinnati resolves to deconcentrate social services

Cincinnati City Council has passed a resolution stating that it will be the City's policy, as permitted by law, to de-concentrate social service agencies.

Councilmember Chris Bortz originally proposed the resolution in April, which asked the City administration to adhere to a policy that social service agencies and programming shall not be concentrated in a single geographic area, and shall not locate in an area that is deemed impacted.

The specific targets of the legislation are Over-the-Rhine and the West End - site of the proposed CityLink project at 800 Bank Street.

Following a May meeting of social services providers and neighborhood residents, a 24-member Social Service Committee was established to develop zoning text amendments addressing definitions, locations and concentration issues.

The committee will be charged with researching best practices from around the country, and will report its findings to the City Planning Commission and to council.

Bortz believes that with the City's 27 percent poverty rate, the concentration of these facilities hurts the ability of the City to provide economic opportunity, workforce development, and jobs.

In March, the City lost its two-year battle to stop the project when the Ohio Supreme Court refused to hear arguments on the case.

The 98,000-square-foot CityLink is expected to include long-term transitional housing, a jobs center, a health center, a gym, a cafe, a day care and a barber/beauty salon.

The One City Foundation, the developers of the social services complex, now say that the $10 million to $15 million renovation of the former Club Chef property could begin by the end of this year and should take about two years to complete.

Councilmember Cecil Thomas was the lone "no" vote on the resolution.

Image credit: One City Foundation

Previous reading on BC:
Bortz resolves to de-concentrate social service (4/16/08)
CityLink legislation could lead to zoning changes (1/28/08)
Burke defends CityLink (12/27/07)