Designing the future of downtown Cincinnati

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Nine men and two women stand around a podium in front of a glass wall.
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and other city leaders announce the development of a new downtown plan.

Written and edited by

Ann Thompson

Cincinnati city leaders have announced plans to create a roadmap for the further development of downtown, where according to Mayor Aftab Pureval, stakeholders can help design a “growth in housing, a growth in jobs, and a growth in tourism.” 

During an August 28 news conference at the Contemporary Arts Center, the Mayor said the city must adapt to the change it is seeing. “In the last five years we have turbo-charged our housing development…and live events, but rather than being grateful that we are getting all this national investment, it’s our vision and our commitment to be intentional about designing the next chapter of downtown.”

The last formalized downtown plan was created forty years ago. More recently, in 2002, 3CDC designed the Center City Plan to combat economic decline following civil unrest.

Timeline for the new plan

Beginning this summer and lasting until next Spring the city has laid out a timeline:

  1. The city will hire MKSK Consulting (funds still being identified).
  2. Over the next 14 months residents can weigh in by answering questions at this link and signing up to stay involved.
  3. In October and November there will be small group conversations, pop-up events and a large community meeting.
  4. Late this fall there will be initial results from the community engagement.
  5. The framework of the plan will be ready for review in the winter of 2027.

The city is focused on greenspace, infrastructure, walkability, quality of life, transportation, parking, housing and more.

New culture of collaboration and partnership

In the past, Mayor Pureval says, “We have had a difficult time getting the stakeholders on the same page…on the various developments downtown. What we have seen in the last five years is that we are very much on the same page…there is a new culture of collaboration and partnership.”

City leaders hope this momentum will continue. Chair of City Council’s Housing and Growth Committee Mark Jeffreys says, “When the city collaborates and we get on the same page, when we row the same direction, we are unstoppable.”

Business leaders and residents say downtown is growing and needs a plan

Gary Lindgren, President of the Cincinnati Business Committee, says in the last ten years downtown residents have increased 68 percent, Cincinnati’s office vacancy rate is half that of Columbus and Cleveland, and new investments are driving up hotel occupancy.

According to Lindgren, “Today’s announcement makes it very clear that the strong commitment of the city, the business community and downtown residents will ensure this continues for another 25 years. This starts with the recognition that public safety is at the center of every vibrant and successful city.”

Chase Mosijowsky, vice president of the Downtown Residents Council, sought out a plan like this two years ago when it came time for the community budget request process and says he’s excited to partner with the city and business leaders. “Of all neighborhoods, downtown has certainly changed a lot post-COVID and a lot in 40 years…and we need an updated neighborhood plan.”

Councilmember Jeffreys says this is not a normal neighborhood plan because of all the stakeholders involved. He says, “We have momentum. What this is about is accelerating the momentum.”

A white woman in her 50's with shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes wearing a maroon leather jacket stands on a neighborhood street.

Ann Thompson – Host, Producer

Over the last thirty years in Cincinnati, Ann Thompson has brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting. She has reported and anchored for WVXU, WKRC, WCKY, WHIO-TV and Metro Networks and freelanced for NPR, CBS and ABC Radio. Her work has been recognized by the Associated Press and she has won awards from the Association of Women in Communications and the Alliance for Women in Media. She is a former News Director and Operations Manager. Ann has reported from India, Japan, South Korea, Germany and Belgium as part of fellowships. Ann thinks of the Brick by Brick project as “journalism for good.” She serves as host and producer. Ann lives in Anderson Township with her husband Scott. They have two boys. Jake graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2022 and Kurt attends West Point.