Walnut Hills / E. Walnut Hills

Cincinnati ‘doing good, and getting better’

"Doing good, and getting better."With those words, Cincinnati city councilmember and chair of the Vibrant Neighborhoods Committee Laketa Cole opened the seventh annual Cincinnati Neighborhood Summit at Xavier University's Schiff Conference and Banquet Center."That's going to be my motto for this year," Cole said.  "And that's what we're doing here in the City of Cincinnati."Hundreds of residents, community leaders, and local officials spent the day attending breakout sessions on such topics as housing, economic development, crime prevention, and community building."It really does speak to the passion that you have for this city, and the effort that you want to put into transforming this city," said Cincinnati Mayor, Mark Mallory.The biggest news of the day may have been the official launch of the city's new comprehensive master plan, the first for the city since 1980."We are working on a plan for the plan," said Charles C. Graves III, director of the Department of City Planning.  "We'll be holding an in-house retreat with city staff over the next couple of weeks."At this year's summit, Hamilton County leaders were on hand to share their programs and services with community stakeholders.Hamilton County Commission president David Pepper took the opportunity to remind Cincinnatians that they are part of the county, too."You guys don't call the county enough," he said.  "Sometimes we don't see nearly as many of you [at commission meetings] as I know show up at council meetings.  You're welcome to come!"Planning for next year's summit has already begun."This job does not end today," Cole said.  "It actually begins.  Because once this summit is over, they take all of the survey results, they compile them, and they start talking about them and planning for the next year."Writer: Kevin LeMaster Photography by Kevin LeMaster

Seventh annual Neighborhood Summit focuses on ‘Growing Cincinnati’

The 7th annual Cincinnati Neighborhood Summit 2009 will be held January 24 from 8 AM to 2 PM at Xavier University's Schiff Banquet and Conference Center."Growing Cincinnati" will give citizens and community leaders the opportunity to interact with elected officials from the city, county and state and to learn how their colleagues are addressing community challenges in the areas of housing, economic development, and community building.Laketa Cole, Cincinnati councilmember and chair of the Neighborhoods Committee, will open the summit with an introductory greeting, followed by Mayor Mark Mallory, who will lead a session on the importance of the Census to the community.Breakout session topics will include: Housing: Section 8 and CMHA, reuse of foreclosed and abandoned properties, promoting homeownership, organizations addressing the foreclosure crisis, and the Neighborhood Stabilization ProgramEconomy and Work Force Development: 2010 Census and Shop 52, Agenda 360, the upcoming 2009 Comprehensive Plan, the future of transportation, and work force developmentCommunity Collaboration and Best Practices: Developing a neighborhood art center, community collaboration, form-based codes, reducing violence, and making your neighborhood more green Registration for the Neighborhood Summit is required by January 16.On January 23, Congressman Steve Driehaus will speak at a kickoff dinner about the promising changes on the horizon for the City and how we can all play a role in its growth.Community volunteers also will be presented awards for their efforts.Reservations are also required for the dinner, at a cost of $20.The Cincinnati Neighborhood Summit 2009 is sponsored by Invest in Neighborhoods, Inc., the Community Building Institute, and the Cincinnati Department of Community Development.  Support is provided by Xavier University and the Murray & Agnes Seasongood Good Government Foundation.Writer: Kevin LeMasterSources: Jason Barron, City of Cincinnati; Laurel Bauer, media relations coordinator, Xavier University

Soapdish: Cranes and sidewalks

Soapdish columnist, Casey Coston is back from holiday hiatus with a lot on his mind including his love for center city sidewalks as well as the number of riverfront cranes popping up in the face of the economy.

A love letter, or how to find your place in Cincinnati

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Soapdish: 52 Card Pickup

Cincinnati is the home of 52 individual and unique neighborhoods that, some say, serve as the the "key to city's success." But how did we come to have such a rich, quilted patchwork of localities and how will these 52 different personalities work to create a charged and united region? Soapdisher turned explorer, Casey Coston takes us on a quick tour...

Choosing Independently

Whether it’s shopping for gifts, updating your wardrobe or choosing a great spot to dine, Cincinnati offers an ever-increasing choice of independent businesses that help citizens reengage with the social fabric of their community.

Owl’s Nest master plan coming to fruition

With the delivery of thousands of cubic yards of fill dirt to the site, work officially has started on the first phase of the Owl's Nest Park renovation in Evanston and East Walnut Hills.The dirt, which is coming from the Hoff Academic Quad construction site at Xavier University, will bring the former ball field area up to the level of Fairfax Avenue.The site will continue to be filled for the next several weeks, with construction beginning next spring.The Cincinnati Park Board, the Owl's Nest Advisory Council, and neighboring community council worked together to develop the park's master plan.The master plan for Owl's Nest includes: An entrance plaza at Fairfax AvenueA nature study area and amphitheatreA continuous pathway systemNew lightingImproved picnic and seating areasRenovation of the ball fieldsNew half-court basketball areas Funding for the project is coming from the Park Board, the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund, and private donors.Writer: Kevin LeMasterSource: Cincinnati Park Board Photography by Kevin LeMaster

Coalition formed to apply for up to $1M in brownfields funds

New regional transit agency in the works

Cincinnati and Hamilton County have reached an agreement on a new regional transit agency that could give more say to suburban governments - if they are willing to pay.The Greater Cincinnati Regional Transit Authority would consist of a 13-member board, with seven being appointed by the City of Cincinnati and six from Hamilton County.Butler, Clermont and Warren counties would be able to directly appoint board members if they formally join the new agency, and could gain a majority of the board seats if they contribute more than 50 percent of the agency's budget.Both the City of Cincinnati and the Hamilton County Commission are likely to consider resolutions on the matter this month.Read the full article here.