ANNUAL REPORT
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2018
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2018 IN REVIEW 4
DIRECTOR’S OFFICE
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HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES & HUMAN SERVICES
• DCED Impact Map
• Leveraging Competition for Increased Affordable Housing • Structuring New Affordable Housing Resources • Impactful LIHTC Projects • Shepherding Human Services Funding • CDBG, HOME & Federal Funds Management
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NEIGHBORHOOD & REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT • Harnessing Collective Effort for Neighborhood Impact • Focused on Building Communities • Putting Vacant Property Back to Work • Major Projects, Major Progress
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J O B CREATION
• Investing in Workforce • Building Long-term Success
MAYOR John Cranley
COUNCIL MEMBERS Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman President Pro Tem Tamaya Dennard Greg Landsman David Mann Amy Murray Jeff Pastor Chris Seelbach P.G. Sittenfeld Wendell Young
CITY MANAGER Patrick Duhaney
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Philip Denning
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SENIOR STAFF Dan Bower Morgan Sutter Bob Bertsch Lindsey Florea Daniel Fortinberry Roy Hackworth Victoria Kroger Kevin Osborne Clifton Pendergrass
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DEAR FELLOW CINCINNATIANS, By any measure, 2018 was a year of community and economic development success in the City of Cincinnati. New job creation, diverse housing opportunities, and exciting real estate development projects continue to move forward and accelerate. As the City Manager and elected officials work through difficult budget decisions, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has risen to the challenge of delivering higher levels of service with greater efficiency. In the face of this challenge, our work is better and more rewarding than ever. Our Department has made it easier to invest in the City, while bringing consistency, predictability, and a comprehensive approach to the use of incentives. Behind the scenes, we’ve been overhauling and modernizing the Department with new approaches to legal compliance, lease monitoring, and our role as a good steward of Federal funds. We’re continuing our efforts to increase public data availability and transparency. In 2018, DCED tripled our property disposition efforts with more than a dozen solicitations for vacant, blighted, and under-utilized City-owned property. This acceleration has reduced tax, legal, and budget liabilities to the City. With an understanding of the connection between land use policy and economic development outcomes, we successfully advocated to eliminate parking requirements for development in the urban core, further lowering obstacles to density and affordability. Lastly, our parking system has balanced increased revenue projections with the implementation of higher meter rates while decreasing meter down-time. Smart, effective implementation of multi-space meters and higher utilization of pay-by-cell technology solidified our parking system as the foundation of healthy economic activity. DCED’s staff is an incredible group of dedicated professionals. They come to work every day focused on making each of the City’s neighborhoods economically healthy places of opportunity. For every property sale, job creation agreement, or development project approved by City Council, there are hundreds of hours of advocacy, underwriting, technical facilitation, and plain-old hard work to make sure those opportunities become reality. I look forward to seeing what we accomplish in 2019! Sincerely,
Philip M. Denning 4
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2018 IMPACT MAP HARTWELL
COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA & TAX INCREMENT FINANCING
NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM CARTHAGE
JOB CREATION
NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORT PROGRAM
ROSELAWN
AMERICAN DREAM DOWNPAYMENT INITIATIVE
COLLEGE HILL
WINTON HILLS
NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY
KENNEDY HEIGHTS
NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT SUPPORT FUND
BOND HILL MT. AIRY
PLEASANT RIDGE
SPRING GROVE VILLAGE PADDOCK HILLS
NORTHSIDE
ROLL HILL SOUTH CUMMINSVILLE EAST WESTWOOD WESTWOOD
SAYLER PARK
NORTH AVONDALE
MADISONVILLE
CLIFTON
OAKLEY
MILLVALE ENGLISH WOODS CAMP NORTH WASHINGTON FAIRMOUNT
AVONDALE CORRYVILLE
EVANSTON HYDE PARK
CLIFTON HEIGHTS
SOUTH FAIRMOUNT
MT. LOOKOUT EAST WALNUT HILLS
CUF WEST PRICE HILL
LINWOOD
MT. AUBURN WALNUT HILLS LOWER PRICE HILL EAST PRICE HILL
WEST END
COLUMBIA TUSCULUM MT. ADAMS
QUEENSGATE
PENDLETON OVER-THE-RHINE
SEDAMSVILLE
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
EAST END MT. WASHINGTON
RIVERSIDE
CALIFORNIA
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HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES & HUMAN SERVICES 1,532
H O U S I NG U N I TS A P P R OV E D
4.3M
$
N O FA F U NDING AWAR DE D
$
45.6M
P R I VAT E F U NDING L E V E R AGE D BY NO FA
193
NO FA U NITS AP P R OV E D
155 A F F O R D A B L E U N I T S 8
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES & HUMAN SERVICES The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) aims to activate and encourage proactive and targeted housing development. To position the City as a thriving urban center, we support quality and diverse housing options as well as supportive housing services for a variety of income levels. In 2018, our efforts resulted in the creation of 1,532 housing units across the City. Our Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) program competitively awards a variety of loans to worthy affordable housing projects. In addition, DCED spent much of 2018 structuring a new program to access Ohio Housing Finance Agency funds (FHAct50) and working to ensure that Cincinnati is utilizing Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) as much as possible in our pursuit to increase affordable housing in Cincinnati. As a steward of Federal funds, DCED managed the expenditure of more than $12.6 million during the calendar year to further our goals and mission, including Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funding streams. DCED also shepherds the City’s Human Services funding allocations, touching the lives of tens of thousands of Cincinnatians every year.
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LEVERAGING COMPETITION FOR INCREASED AFFORDABLE HOUSING Our newly revised Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) program provides residential development projects with creative and flexible financing that would not be accessible in the private market. The program provides resources for transformative housing projects that will make positive, visible impacts on our neighborhoods.
Developed and administered by DCED, the NOFA
In Pendleton, 8K Construction Co. will save a
serves as our Department’s primary avenue to
historic building at 509 E. 12th St., creating six new
facilitate the development of affordable housing.
apartments and dedicating two as affordable. The $1.1
Demand for this program continues to grow, with
million project was awarded up to $195,000 of NOFA
DCED receiving more than 14 letters of interest that
funds. Further north, the Model Group partnered with
resulted in 8 awarded projects.
Talbert House on a $11.5 million renovation project of the Logan Towers building on Central Parkway
Improving our responsiveness and facilitating
in Over-the-Rhine. When complete, the project will
broader utilization of this program, DCED doubled
create 63 units for households making less than 30%
access to NOFA funding by making two rounds of
of area median income. The project was awarded
NOFA funding available for the promotion of low- to
$987,500 in NOFA funds.
moderate-income housing development. In 2018, a total of $4.3 million was awarded, leveraging an
In Over-the-Rhine, 3CDC partnered with Over-the-
additional $45.6 million of non-City capital. These
Rhine Community Housing to create 32 units of
awards will deliver 193 housing units (155 of which will
affordable housing. The project entails renovation of
be affordable to households earning less than 60% of
three existing historic buildings and construction of a
Area Median Income (AMI)) in six neighborhoods.
new structure on the vacant lot located at 1507 Vine St., targeted for households earning less than 60% of
Capable developers with realistic and highlyleveraged projects competed for available NOFA funds in 2018. Awards included Historic and Urban Renovation projects.
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AMI. It was awarded $750,000 in NOFA funds.
In Walnut Hills, the Model Group is creating 60 units
On Bogart Avenue in Avondale, the Avondale
of affordable housing for senior citizens. The project
Development Corporation will embark on two
involves the rehabilitation of two buildings as well
projects made possible by NOFA awards. First is a $1.1
as the demolition of three existing structures on-site
million project to create four infill single-family homes
to make way for the new construction of an 18-unit
for moderate-income home buyers. On Hale Avenue,
residential building. The units are for seniors who
the Avondale Development Corporation will begin an
earn from 30% to 60% AMI annually. The project was
anticipated $2.2 million project that will create seven
awarded $1 million in NOFA funds.
townhouse-style homes for moderate-income home buyers. Collectively, these projects will utilize a NOFA
The College Hill Community Redevelopment Corp.
award of nearly $562,000.
is renovating an existing mixed-use building into 16 affordable apartments in the heart of the College
To the east, the Madisonville Community Urban
Hill Business District. All the units are targeted for
Redevelopment Corporation was awarded $300,000
residents earning at or less than 80% of AMI. The
in NOFA funding for a similar project that will create
project was awarded $560,000 in NOFA funds.
five infill single-family homes for moderate income home buyers on scattered sites at a total cost of $1.1 million.
Our 2018 NOFA awards also included new construction projects.
DIXON BUILDING Awarded: $560,000 Total Development Cost: $2.8M Number of Units: 16 Rental Affordability: Less than 80% AMI Organization: College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corp.
BOGART INFILL HOUSING
MADISONVILLE NEW HOMES
Awarded: $290,000
Awarded: $300,000
Total Development Cost: $1.1M
Total Development Cost: $11.1M
Number of Units: 4 Single-family Homes
Number of Units: 5 Single-family Homes
Affordability: Less than 115% AMI
Affordability: 115% AMI
Organization: Avondale Development Corp.
Organization: Madisonville Community Urban Redevelopment Corp.
HALE AVENUE TOWNHOMES Awarded: $271,904
LOGAN TOWERS
Total Development Cost: $2.2M
WALNUT HILLS SENIOR CAMPUS
Number of Units: 7 Townhomes
Awarded: $1,000,000
Affordability: Less than 115% AMI
Total Development Cost: $12M
Organization: Avondale Development Corp. & Uptown Consortium
Number of Units: 60 Rental for seniors Affordability: 30–60% AMI
Awarded: $987,500
Organization: The Model Group
Total Development Cost: $11.5M Number of Units: 63 Rental Affordability: 30–60% AMI Organization: Talbert House & the Model Group
509 E 12TH STREET Awarded: $195,000 Total Development Cost: $1.1M Number of Units: 6 Rental
15TH & VINE
Affordability: Less than 80% AMI (2 Units)
Awarded: $750,000
Organization: 8K Development
Total Development Cost: $13.6M Number of Units: 32 Rental Affordability: Less than 60% AMI Organization: Over-the-Rhine Community
2018 NOFA Awarded Projects
Housing (OTRCH) & 3CDC
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Madisonville New Homes Madisonville
STRUCTURING NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESOURCES In 2018, the Ohio Housing Finance Authority (OHFA) significantly modified the allocation of housing tax credits throughout Ohio’s three largest cities with the introduction of the Fair Housing Act 50 Building Opportunity Fund (FHAct50). Designed and managed by OHFA, the FHAct50 Fund was developed to encourage building mixed-income communities by delivering tax credit subsidy and leveraging private investment in a more targeted approach.
OHFA has set aside a total of $9 million in housing
Although this pioneering program is still in early
tax credits to be accessed over a three-year period.
stages of deployment, the investment is expected
Each city will be permitted to draw up to $3 million
to generate approximately $30 million in private
to fund eligible local projects pursuant to program
equity for each city. In 2018, DCED worked with
requirements. The credits must be targeted to a
OHFA to build a local framework compatible with
single neighborhood in each city where market trends
the program, accepted applications from interested
indicate that affordable housing is most at-risk and
neighborhoods, and began the process for selecting
the private market is looking to expand the number of
the neighborhood that most closely matches the
available units.
State’s guidelines.
To meet OHFA’s leveraging qualifications, each affordable housing unit created through the FHAct50 must be matched by a separately-produced marketrate housing unit within the same neighborhood as evidenced by building permits and/or certificates of occupancy.
Update: In April of 2019, Over-the-Rhine was selected as Cincinnati’s target neighborhood for FHAct50 Funding.
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IMPACTFUL LIHTC PROJECTS The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program is a Federal subsidy used to finance construction and rehabilitation of low-income affordable rental housing. The LIHTC tool is an increasingly important and highly competitive component of maintaining and creating affordable housing opportunities in Cincinnati.
Encouraging and incentivizing private development entities to utilize LIHTC credits is a critical responsibility of DCED. Federal lawmakers created LIHTC as a method for private developers and investors to finance the increasingly expensive cost of developing low-income affordable housing options. Without the incentive, affordable rental housing
Scholar House will provide apartments to low-income, single parents pursuing postsecondary education.
projects do not generate enough profit to attract investments that make a project feasible. In 2018, DCED leveraged the use of LIHTC to facilitate important projects in Walnut Hills and the West End. As a condition of LIHTC financing, owners of these projects must keep the units rent-restricted and available to low-income tenants for 30 years.
post-secondary education to secure full-time, sustainable employment. It will also include a 9,400 square-foot early childhood development center for their children. Cincinnati Union Bethel, Christ Church Cathedral, and The Model Group joined in a partnership to develop and operate Scholar House. Ultimately, the project aims to break the cycle of poverty by directly leveraging housing and education
Located on East McMillan Street in Walnut Hills,
to facilitate more economic security in these
Cincinnati Scholar House is part of the ongoing
households.
redevelopment of Peebles Corner. Once completed, the project will feature a new construction building with five-stories of mixed-use development space. It will include 45 affordable housing units and more than 3,800 square feet of first-floor commercial space.
With a total project cost of $12.8 million, Scholar House received a variety of supportive incentives from the City of Cincinnati. These included sale of land, investment of federal HOME and City capital funding provided through our NOFA program, and
The Scholar House is a LIHTC project that will provide
a 15-year Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) tax
apartments to low-income, single parents pursuing
abatement.
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Scholar House Groundbreaking Walnut Hills
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In the West End, the 821 Flats project will create
homelessness. Tender Mercies and Over-the-Rhine
permanent supportive housing on Ezzard Charles
Community Housing are co-developers of this $10.6
Drive. This LIHTC project involves the demolition of a
million project.
vacant, non-historic YMCA building, and construction of a new asset offering 57 units of housing for
Tender Mercies reports that this project expands their
individuals with mental illness who have experienced
capacity by 27% - making it possible for this agency to serve 210 men and women at any given time.
In the West End, the 821 Flats project will create permanent supportive housing on Ezzard Charles Drive.
821 Flats West End 16
Residents will be supported with housing subsidies that ensure they won’t pay over 30 percent of their income toward rent. Tender Mercies and Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services will also provide on-site case management and health services.
SHEPHERDING HUMAN SERVICES FUNDING An important component of DCED’s day-to-day work is our oversight of the City’s Human Services Fund. In 2018, City Council allocated a portion of the annual budget for programs that increased gainful employment, reduced homelessness, and promoted violence prevention.
In Fiscal Year 2018, DCED developed individual
Lighthouse Youth & Family Services,
contracts with service providers to deliver 43 programs to more than 16,000 residents. Our work
Lighthouse Collaborative for Homeless Youth 896 Residents Served
managing these varied contracts and organizations
Lighthouse’s program for homeless youth includes
directly supports DCED’s broader mission to promote
street outreach, two emergency shelters, transitional
housing stability and economic opportunity. Three of
and permanent housing, and mental health and
these programs are highlighted below:
substance abuse treatment. All services are based on individual needs and a youth-driven plan.
Dress For Success Workforce Development – 328 Residents Served
Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Dress for Success Cincinnati empowers women
Youth Councils 2018 - 86 Residents Served
to achieve economic independence by providing
The Urban League’s program educates communities
a network of support, professional attire and
on the use of crime prevention tools, and trains
development tools to help them thrive in work and in
adults and youth on a nationally recognized violence
life. They work to eliminate the lack of professional
prevention model that provides youth with a common
clothing as a barrier to employment, as well as
language and code of conduct that creates safe,
providing assistance during the initial stages of a job
supportive environments. They engage communities
search and ongoing support throughout one’s career.
as a component of Place Based Investigations of Violent Offender Territories (PIVOT) and the
Priority Goal
City Funds
Leveraged Funds
Total
Increasing Gainful Employment 22 programs • 20 agencies
$1,500,000
$10,800,000
$12,300,000
Reducing Homelessness 16 programs • 13 agencies
$1,500,000
$11,500,000
$13,000,000
Violence Prevention 5 programs • 5 agencies
$425,000
$975,000
$1,400,000
Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV). City funding catalyzes and supports additional
$26,700,000
fundraising by partner agencies. The resulting leverage these agencies secure from outside sources is noteworthy, yielding nearly $6.80 per City-dollar contributed.
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CDBG, HOME & FEDERAL FUNDS MANAGEMENT DCED leverages other sources of funding and incentives with federal funds to promote quality housing, revitalize struggling neighborhoods, help disadvantaged residents and support human services programs in Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods.
The City of Cincinnati is designated as an entitlement
Development Advisory Board (CDAB). The CDAB is
community under U.S. Housing and Urban
a volunteer citizen group appointed by the Mayor and
Development (HUD) guidelines. This designation
approved by the City Council, with a mission to advise
allows the City to develop its own programs and
and assist the City Manager in planning the allocation
funding priorities for allocations received from federal
of certain federal funds.
community development initiatives. In 2018, DCED helped thousands of people through Federal funds are awarded annually upon HUD
these federally funded programs, and produced
evaluation and approval of the City’s program
area benefits impacting 30,000 more. Community
strategies and prior successful performance. DCED
Development Block Grant funds directly assisted over
is responsible for program administration, contract
5,400 households, with an additional 5,800 through
management, reporting, and compliance with
ESG and 240 through HOPWA. In addition, 144 units
entitlement fund requirements associated with
within HOME-funded projects completed construction
each of the four federal programs: Community
in 2018.
Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency Solutions
Throughout 2018, the City of Cincinnati funded
Grants (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons
seven service providers, totaling $1.3 million, to
with AIDS (HOPWA).
expand job readiness for low-income residents. These seven providers trained over 480 hard-to-
To best deliver these funds to our neighborhoods
hire participants, and at the time of this report, 246
and vulnerable residents, DCED undertakes public
had gained employment. The City recognizes that
engagement and resident input processes to assess
factors other than job training factor into systemic
community needs, set priorities, and evaluate
poverty and in 2019 DCED will implement improved
program success. Input is solicited through regular
reporting metrics that provide better data on the
outreach and surveys by DCED personnel and is
continued barriers to employment facing program
also formally solicited through the Community
participants, such as access to reliable transportation
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and childcare. Using that information, DCED hopes
As part of our Federal HUD compliance reporting,
to implement new initiatives that supplement job
DCED submits an annual Consolidated Annual
training by reducing other obstacles commonly faced
Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). This
by low-income residents.
thorough report, available on the City’s website, provides specific and detailed information about
In 2018, DCED provided $1.5 million to repair 1,394
each of the CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA
units through its Housing Repair Services program,
programs managed by DCED. This report is a crucial
which is an emergency housing repair program for
requirement of all HUD entitlement communities.
low-income owners. We also provided $155,000 to
The CAPER evaluations from HUD are resulting in
repair 21 units through the Compliance Assistance
overall compliance. Maintaining compliance with
Repairs for the Elderly program.
HUD regulations and keeping the City in good standing with federal dollars is a critical responsibility
Federal funds are also utilized to advance workforce and small business growth. DCED and its grantees
of the Department of Community and Economic Development.
provided $100,000 to assist 52 start-ups or small businesses in 2018, and $1.3 million was allocated to the Hand Up Initiative, which helped 440 low-income people with job readiness and job training.
336 BUILDINGS
HAZARD ABATEMEN T PROGRAM (BUILDINGS & INSPECTIONS) $6 9 1,000
128 HOUSING UNITS
LEAD HAZA RD TESTING PROGRAM
111 HOUSEHOLDS
E ME RGE NCY MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $ 1 1 3 , 000
(HEALTH DEPARTMENT) $3 00,000
461 INDIVIDUALS
TE NANT RE PRE SENTATION SE RVICE S
1,986 HOUSEHOLDS ASSISTED
$ 1 5 0, 000
FAI R HO USING SERVICES $1 40 , 000
25 LOW-INCOME HOME BUYERS 1 NEW PROGRAM
WEST PRICE HILL ARE A D EVELOPMENT PROGRAM
DOWN PAYME NT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $ 1 00, 000
AT LEAST 51% OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS SUBSTANTIALLY RENOVATED TO LOW-INCOME HOME BUYERS
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NEIGHBORHOOD & REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT 58
AC T IV E P R OJ E C TS ADMINIST E R E D
$
64,715,528
C IT Y INV E ST ME N T LOANS & GRANTS
237
PART IC I PA N TS
DCED SMALL BUSINESS EVENTS
607,520,031
$
P R I VAT E F U NDING & E Q UIT Y
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NEIGHBORHOOD & REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT At the heart of DCED’s mission is catalyzing and sustaining economic vitality through the facilitation of real estate investment and the creation of jobs. Our staff is dedicated to serving the needs of residents and businesses through urban redevelopment initiatives, small business assistance, implementation of public infrastructure projects, and the revitalization of Cincinnati’s neighborhoods.
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With City-provided funding, DCED’s neighborhood-
Parking Facilities Management increased on-street
focused grant program (NBDIP) made 18 community
parking capacity by more than 100 spaces throughout
projects a reality. In addition to those grants, our
the Central Business District, Over-the-Rhine and
close connections to community development
Neighborhood Business Districts to meet rising
corporations and neighborhood councils continue to
demand. Through staffing and improved technology,
bear fruit with more neighborhoods than ever sharing
the division reduced the meter repair turnaround time
in development activity.
from 5.17 days to 1.86 days. Overall, on-street parking system uptime increased from 98.78 percent to 99.27
Our participation in market-led real estate
percent, one of the best in the nation.
development projects in 2018 was also notable. With a new $250 million stadium currently under
Cincinnati’s parking system is an extension of our
construction, DCED staff spent much of 2018
economic development efforts. DCED works every
working to structure terms that resulted in Cincinnati
day to meet the evolving needs of residents and
being awarded a Major League Soccer team. We
businesses by providing professional management
accelerated our property disposition efforts (RFPs),
of the City’s parking assets and high-quality service
and focused on unfreezing stubborn development
delivery to parking customers. Cincinnati joined a
projects while continuing Cincinnati’s infill and historic
small group of forward-thinking urban centers in 2018
development momentum (Major Projects).
by eliminating parking minimums for all development projects in our urban core (Parking Minimums).
Paramount Building, Future Home of Esoteric Brewery (Walnut Hills) 22
HARNESSING COLLECTIVE EFFORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT The Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program (NBDIP) is an innovative program that provides resources to community groups to catalyze development in Neighborhood Business Districts across the City.
Projects include façade improvements, property
Through the 2018 NBDIP program, DCED made
acquisition, streetscapes, parking improvements, or
possible 18 diverse, community-focused projects in
building renovations, among others. DCED provides
neighborhood business districts through $1.3 million
indirect benefits by funding other projects, such
awarded to community organizations.
as wayfinding signage or market studies, to make business districts more appealing to customers
Projects included the acquisition of the U.S.
and residents and to spur new businesses in
Chili building in Camp Washington, parking lot
neighborhoods.
improvements in Pleasant Ridge and Roselawn, and building acquisition and stabilization projects in
Throughout the application process, DCED works
College Hill and Evanston.
with neighborhood organizations to provide technical assistance. Neighborhood organizations are encouraged to work closely with their assigned Development Officer to brainstorm strategic and impactful projects. Once a project is identified, applicants are expected to undergo a due diligence period before final applications are submitted. For less experienced, smaller capacity organizations, DCED helps explain City processes, factors for consideration, project budgeting and scoping of work, and other due diligence materials for various
18 diverse communityfocused projects funded in neighborhood business districts through $1.3 million awarded to community organizations.
projects. DCED and award applicants continue to work together to bring projects to fruition.
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Perhaps most innovative is the structure for awarding
Additionally, DCED provided $611,000 for operating
funding. Each year, Neighborhood Business Districts
support to 15 Community Development Corporations
submit proposals that further neighborhood goals.
(CDCs) through General Fund, CDBG, and HOME.
Along with technical facilitation from DCED, dozens
These support dollars enhance the capacity of the
of community volunteers collectively review, score,
local CDCs to transition from a volunteer-based
rank, and vote on which projects are most impactful
organization to paid staff. By helping to relieve
to an NBD across the City.
the financial burden, CDCs can put dollars towards tangible projects rather than operational expenses. As
These efforts foster cooperation and collaboration
communities begin to grow, these funds also facilitate
among neighborhoods, building neighborhood
the growth of our CDCs to hire additional staff
capacity and social capital at once. The program also
members to handle the growing need for community
gives community organizations a significant voice in
development.
the development of their neighborhoods.
COLLEGE HILL
ROSELAWN
Major Project: Lighting Improvement
Minor Project: Reading Rd Safety Corridor
Project Category: Streetscape
Project Category: Study
Funding: $88,504 (CDBG)
Funding: $30,000 (Capital)
Minor Project: Building Stabilization
Minor Project: Parking Lot Improvement
Project Category: Stabilization
Project Category: Parking Lot
Funding: $29,928 (Capital)
Funding: $29,535 (Capital)
MT. AIRY
PLEASANT RIDGE
Major Project: Co-Op Housing
Major Project: Corner Restaurant
Project Category: Acquisition
Project Category: Parking Lot
Funding: $70,000 (Capital)
Funding: $125,000 (Capital)
MADISONVILLE Major Project: Facade Program
CLIFTON HEIGHTS CAMP WASHINGTON Major Project: U.S. Chili Building Project Category: Acquisition & Stabilization
Minor Project: Identity
Project Category: Facade
Project Category: Gateway Signage
Funding: $100,000 (CDBG) Minor Project: Retail Study
Funding: $26,688 (Capital)
Funding: $295,000 (CDBG)
SAYLER PARK
EVANSTON
Project Category: Study
Major Project: Montgomery North Revitalization
Funding: $30,000 (Capital)
Project Category: Stablization Funding: $236,000 (CDBG)
Minor Project: Identity & Visibilty Project Category: Wayfinding Signage
WEST END
Funding: $30,000 (Capital)
Minor Project: Neighborhood Gateway
EAST END
Project Category: Gateway Signage
Minor Project: Business District Branding
Funding: $30,000 (CDBG)
Project Category: Wayfinding Signage Funding: $30,000 (Capital)
WALNUT HILLS
LOWER PRICE HILL Minor Project: Landscape Architecture Project Category: Streetscape Funding: $30,000 (Capital)
Major Project: Peebles Corner Streetscape
MT. WASHINGTON
Project Category: Streetscape
Major Project: Building & Parking
Funding: $250,000 (Capital)
Project Category: Acquisition & Parking Lot Funding: $120,000 (Capital) Minor Project: Neighborhood Activation Project Category: Study Funding: $30,000 (Capital)
NBDIP Funded Projects 2018
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FOCUSED ON BUILDING COMMUNITIES DCED works with a variety of Community Development Corporations, neighborhood stakeholders and community councils on a regular basis to help make Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods more vibrant while staying aligned with the types of development that residents desire.
DCED partnered with Westwood Works to help
In College Hill, DCED took the lead in acquiring and
develop the Westwood Town Square concept, which
preparing a once-blighted property on Marlowe
is underway and expected to open by summer
Avenue for new development. In conjunction with
2019. The project encompasses redevelopment of
the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment
key portions of the Westwood Business District,
Corporation, the City helped create a new mixed-use
renovating park areas around Westwood Town Hall,
project that will have 53 affordable housing units
and adding new amenities such as a community
designed for senior citizens.
gathering space and a dog park. In Madisonville, DCED worked with the Madisonville In Walnut Hills, DCED has partnered with the Walnut
Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation
Hills Redevelopment Foundation and others on the
to build new single-family homes on Ravenna and
purchase and renovation of the Paramount Building
Peabody Avenues. This project, made possible
at historic Peebles Corner, located at the McMillan
through a NOFA award, is one of many community-
and Gilbert intersection. The site will include 39
led efforts to improve quality of life for Madisonville
apartments, with a portion set aside for low-income
residents
residents. The renovated building will include 50,000 square feet of commercial space that will house Esoteric Brewing, the region’s first African Americanfounded brewery.
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PUTTING VACANT PROPERTY BACK TO WORK DCED is dedicated to expanding access to opportunities within the City. In 2018, we concentrated specific efforts toward disposition of City-owned property and conducted a series of Request for Proposals (RFPs) that sought applications from people interested in improving the built environment through development of these sites.
In 2018, DCED released 13 RFPs to the public. Seven
size and zoning. Properties that were sold are in Bond
received responses and either have been, or soon will
Hill, the Central Business District, Over-the-Rhine,
be, awarded to the applicant.
Walnut Hills, and Westwood.
The RFPs represent an opportunity for developers,
By selling these vacant, blighted, or under-utilized
especially first-time and small-scale developers,
City-owned properties, DCED has also reduced the
to participate in the local real estate development
tax, legal, and budget liabilities to the City and saved
market. Properties spanned seven neighborhoods
taxpayer money.
plus the Central Business District, with sites varying in
2018 RFPs RFPs Released: 13 Neighborhoods: 8
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MAJOR PROJECTS, MAJOR PROGRESS Ingalls Building
Eighth & Main Tower
Total Project Cost: $20M
Total Project Cost: $28M
Number of Units: 140
Number of Units: 125
Sq Ft: 75,000
Retail Sq Ft: 1,070
DCED played an integral role in negotiating the final
A few blocks north of Fourth & Race Tower, North
terms for redevelopment of the Ingalls Building,
American Properties and NorthPointe Group are
located in the heart of the Central Business District.
building a $28 million apartment tower at the
Built in 1903, this 16-story building is historically
southwest corner of Eighth and Main streets in
significant because it is the first reinforced concrete
the Central Business District. This project seeks
skyscraper in the world. This project will revive
to encourage the city’s goals of repopulating and
the long-vacant and deteriorated property by
encouraging more density within the urban core. The
converting the structure into a 140-room hotel. The
13-story tower will contain 125 residential units and
hotel conversion project will achieve a LEED Gold
1,070 square feet of commercial space. While the
standard, and was granted a LEED Tax Abatement
City Council approved the use of some TIF-related
from the City. The developer, SREE Hotels, LLC, will
revenues, it is the first mid-rise project in recent
invest approximately $20 million, and anticipates a
history that didn’t include any cash incentives.
completion in March 2021. The Marriott-branded hotel will also create 35 new full-time employees with an
In addition, numerous formerly vacant buildings are
associated annual payroll of $950,000.
being renovated and returned to activity throughout Downtown and Over-the-Rhine. They include: The Provident Bank building on Vine Street, which is being converted from vacant office space into 160 apartments; a nine-story building at 37 W. Seventh St., which is being converted into a boutique hotel with 94 guestrooms, a full-service restaurant and coffee bar; the Ingalls building on East Fourth Street, which is being converted into a 140-room hotel; and the Duttenhoffer building on East Sixth Street, which is being converted into a 130-room hotel.
8th & Main Tower Central Business District
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FC Cincinnati Total Private Investment: $250M Stadium Capacity: 21,000
In DCED’s 2018 portfolio, the largest amount of private investment leveraged in a single project was the FC Cincinnati soccer stadium. In this project, $250 million of funds were committed to the West
Collaboration to Modify Parking Regulations Neighborhood: Over-the-Rhine
End with the City’s use of a grant totaling $8.8 million combined with the Convention Facilities Authority revenues and area-restricted TIF District funds. The awarding of a Major League Soccer franchise to FC Cincinnati officially elevated Cincinnati into a small group of cities with three professional sports teams. This incredible investment will generate tremendous impact on Cincinnati’s talent attraction, culture, and
As part of a comprehensive review of parking in
amenities. The story of our City’s continued rise will
Over-the-Rhine, DCED’s Parking Division collaborated
reach an expanded audience, both nationally and
with other City departments and divisions to create
internationally.
an Urban Overlay Parking District. The initiative was designed to address unintended consequences of zoning code mandates for car-parking in this denselybuilt neighborhood. Specifically, the new parking district removed minimum parking requirements for residential, commercial, and other structures in this area. Benefits include the ability to construct new buildings more affordably, reducing rents, recognizing the inherently unique nature of the City’s urban areas, encouraging pedestrian activity, and increasing the viability of historic renovation projects. Together with a new Special Parking Permit Program, these efforts balance the competing needs of residents, business owners, and new real estate development projects.
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FC Cincinnati is currently constructing a 21,000-seat stadium in the West End to house the team. Included in the project are various public improvements including demolition of existing structures, site preparation, parking facilities, and infrastructure to facilitate the stadium’s construction. As part of the project, the team entered into a Community Benefits Agreement with West End residents. The independently negotiated agreement calls for numerous contributions including $100,000 annually for community building initiatives; $100,000 annually for a West End youth soccer program; and a $20,000 one-time payment to support entrepreneurship training for neighborhood residents.
FC Cincinnati Stadium Groundbreaking West End 29
JOB CREATION 2,380
J O B S C R E AT E D
2,600
J O B S R E TA I NE D
59,174
$
AV E R AGE ANNUAL E A R NING S OF NEW JOBS CREATED
179
B U S I NE SS E S S E RV E D
C D B G, B U S I N E S S R E T E N T I O N & EXPANSION VISITS
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JOB CREATION DCED is dedicated to serving the needs of residents and businesses and maximizing opportunities to deliver benefits through our work. Our department uses a wide array of economic development tools and resources to improve the local economy and enhance quality of life. In 2018, DCED facilitated deals to bring more highly-skilled, well-paying jobs to Cincinnati. Our efforts to drive job creation have paid off with 162% more jobs created in 2018 than in 2017, and 431% more jobs retained in the same time period.
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INVESTING IN WORKFORCE The Kroger Co.
Equator Design Inc.
Total Investment: $5M
Total Investment: $1M
Jobs Created: 590
Jobs Created: 50
Jobs Retained: 93 Equator Design Inc. is a “design-to-shelf” packaging design and branding firm specializing in grocery retail As part of a Job Creation Tax Credit (JCTC)
and consumer products. From its flagship office in
agreement, The Kroger Co. will establish a technology
Chicago, Equator sought to expand its unique design
campus in the Atrium Two building on East 4th
and delivery model by establishing its second office in
St. This new digital headquarters reflects the
the United States, with two additional award-winning
City’s progress supporting a thriving technology
offices already located in the U.K. Cincinnati was a
environment as well as efforts to embrace our home-
competitive choice due to market strengths in the
grown businesses throughout their expansion into
consumer goods and grocery sectors.
new business segments. The company was ultimately persuaded to locate Kroger’s growth in Cincinnati involves diversifying
here and invest $1 million in a new 12,000-square foot
retail services, analytics, and technologies that
graphic design center in the Empower Building on
improve customer experiences. Kroger is investing
East 14th St. The project received tax credits from
more than $5 million in the new space, which will
both JobsOhio and the City. The Company commits
house more than 1,000 workers during the next three
that its entry into Cincinnati will create 50 new full-
years. Approximately 600 of these employees will be
time jobs including roles in creative design, artwork,
coming from within and outside the City, and Kroger
photography, and support functions. Annual payroll is
is expected to create an additional 590 new jobs
estimated at $3.5 million per year, and at least 75% of
with an annual payroll of $40 million. To facilitate
the new hirings will be City residents.
this investment, City Council approved a five-year, 40 percent JCTC agreement, valued at nearly $1.7 million over the term of the agreement. The City will receive more than $6.7 million in new Earnings Tax revenue from the project over the 10-year term. The company will be required to maintain the jobs within the City for an additional five years after the incentive is complete.
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the Carthage facility made an expansion project more
Sims-Lohman
expensive than other options, and the Company
Total Private Investment: $250M
headquarters location.
Jobs Created: 30 Jobs Retained: 156
had undertaken a regional search to find a new
This department partnered with JobsOhio to ensure the new headquarters space, pursued by various Midwestern and Southeastern peer cities, was built in Cincinnati. The expansion resulted in $2.8 million
Sims-Lohman is a single-source supplier of cabinets and countertops that was locally-founded in 1971. The Company grew to become the nation’s largest provider of these materials to building professionals,
invested in the current site and commitment to create 30 new full-time equivalent jobs and $1.5 million in new payroll, as well as the retention of 156 full-time equivalent jobs and $9.8 million in payroll.
with 19 showroom locations across 6 states as well as 3 regional distribution centers and 5 countertop
Offsetting the additional costs of site construction,
manufacturing plants.
the City provided a 15-year property tax abatement estimated to save the company approximately
DCED was contacted by Sims-Lohman to discuss the operational challenges at the Company headquarters in Carthage. Sims-Lohman was growing and had an
$440,000, while Sims Lohman received a six-year Job Creation Tax Credit from JobsOhio, valued at $95,000.
urgent need to expand. Site conditions surrounding
30 NEW JOBS
1.5M NEW PAYROLL
$
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2,210 JOBS RETAINED
400 NEW JOBS
19.2M NEW PAYROLL
$
U.S. Bank is a key contributor to the City’s continued
U.S. Bank
strength and future growth in this sector. In 2018,
Total Private Investment: $250M
renovation of its existing office space, located at
Jobs Created: 400
accommodate the addition of 400 new positions in
Jobs Retained: 2,210
U.S. Bank committed to undertaking a $9 million 425 Walnut St. in the Central Business District, to the City. These newly-created jobs will generate an estimated annual payroll of $19.2 million. As further commitment to the City, U.S. Bank will retain 2,210 existing jobs with $160.7 million in annual payroll.
The financial services sector is the largest payroll creator in Ohio and is critical to the local and regional
Pursuant to the terms of a Job Creation Tax Credit
economy. This industry, with major operations centers
(JCTC) agreement approved by the City, U.S. Bank
and headquarters predominantly situated in the City,
must create the jobs within the next five years. The
supports more than 40,000 employees in Greater
tax credit is valued at $3 million. The term of this
Cincinnati.
JCTC will be for five years and the company will be required to maintain the jobs within the City for an additional five years after the incentive is complete.
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BUILDING LONG-TERM SUCCESS Hill. DCED won two awards, including the highest
Nehemiah Manufacturing
honor for Excellence in Economic Development,
Total Private Investment: $12.5M
successfully delivering a new 180,000 square-foot
Jobs Created: 50
The end user, Nehemiah Manufacturing, committed
Jobs Retained: 76
for its role remediating a one-time brownfield and headquarters and manufacturing facility to the City. impressive private investment as well as job retention and creation metrics. The Company’s workforce development model, re-engaging hard to hire individuals through second-chance employment,
Our department was also pleased to have been
demonstrates successes as a private sector-led
recognized by the International Economic
initiative. The City collaborates with Nehemiah in
Development Council for our coordination of the
expanding this model locally to address workforce
Nehemiah Manufacturing project in Lower Price
needs in other businesses.
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Two Centennial Plaza 805 Central Avenue Suite 700 Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513)-352-6146
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Learn more about our team at choosecincy.com