The projects include:
- $350,000 for the Mount Lookout Community Development Corporation for completion of the Mount Lookout Square revitalization project;
- $250,000 for the Mount Adams Business Guild for streetscape improvements along St. Gregory Street, between Pavilion and Jerome streets; and
- $200,000 for the Northside Business Association to buy and stabilize the Landman Building on Spring Grove Avenue, which may become offices for Cincinnati State's culinary program.
All three neighborhoods applied for funding through the City's Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program (NBDIP) last year, but missed the cut. Cincinnati Neighborhood Business Districts United, the non-profit that administers $2 million in NBDIP grants annually to more than three dozen business districts, recommended all three projects as "shovel-ready" and deserving of funding.
Councilmember Laure Quinlivan found the funding in an account dedicated to the redevelopment of Jordan Crossing Center in Bond Hill. That project stalled after failing to win an Ohio Job Ready Sites grant.
"It makes no sense to extend Mt. Lookout's square revitalization project over 3 summers, when we could finish it this year," Quinlivan said. "In the end, that's less expense and more efficient for taxpayers. I'm also glad this funding will finish the Mt. Adams streetscape this summer, and help Northside convert a vacant eyesore into a new space for the fast-growing Cincinnati State."
Previous reading on BC:
Cincinnati seeks $3.5M in state funds for Jordan Crossing (3/30/10)
Northside funding request would eliminate South Block blight (11/4/09)
City creates account for Oakley Square improvements (3/19/09)
Advance means St. Gregory streetscape can begin this spring (3/11/09)
Cincinnati adopts Mount Lookout design standards (8/13/08)
