$77 million OTR development moves forward without guaranteed affordable housing
Council voted along unusual lines to secure streetcar funding at the expense of subsidized units. Freeport Row at Liberty and Elm streets in Over-The-Rhine. (Source: Kean Ventures/City of Cincinnati) By Brian Planalp | February 3, 2021 at 8:37 PM EST - Updated March 17 at 8:44 PM
CINCINNATI (FOX19) - Cincinnati City Council voted 5-4 to advance a massive new development in Over-The-Rhine Wednesday.
The $77 million project moves forward without guaranteed affordable housing over the strong objections of some community members as well as the minority voting block.
The issue divided council along strange lines, with Republicans backing more money for the streetcar and Democrats voting against it.
Controversial Over-the-Rhine project hits snag, debate in Cincinnati City Council Sharon Coolidge and Randy Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer
Development of a controversial project at the corner of Liberty and Elm streets in Over-the-Rhine is on hold.
The vote was 7-2 with Republican Councilmembers Steve Goodin and Betsy Sundermann voting no.
Mayor John Cranley, who does not vote, but presides over Council, weighed in for the first time and gave council a tongue-lashing for being anti-development.
His points: Elm and Liberty is a vacant lot and nobody is being displaced; the streetcar is hailed for bringing economic development, and that s exactly what this development is; and the incentives being offered on the project are the same as for other projects.