Hamilton County Planning + Development Awards Planning Grants

Hamilton County Planning + Development (HCP+D) has awarded four jurisdictions a total of $100,000 in mini-planning grants from Hamilton County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

HCP+D solicited projects from jurisdictions which participate in the County’s HUD grant programs in the county, but outside of the City of Cincinnati, as they receive their own CDBG grant. Funding was awarded for four projects outlined below:

1. City of Cheviot: Examine its transitioning business districts where properties are currently coming up for sale. Their request would fund an Urban Land Institute-Cincinnati Technical Assistance Panel that would analyze the business climate and make recommendations to spur development. $20,000.

2. City of Madeira: Complete a traffic study of Miami Avenue along its business district to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists through traffic calming based on recommendations from the City’s comprehensive plan. $25,000.

3. City of Sharonville: Follow up on themes from its Sharonville 2030 plan to examine improvement of streetscape and public spaces in the Downtown Loop which supports the broader goal of a more pedestrian friendly downtown. $25,000.

4. Village of Silverton: Study the creation of a Beer and Wine District on two blocks of Plainfield Road which will help create a downtown like district for the Village. $30,000.

The Mini Planning Grant Program started in 2015 and helps jurisdictions with limited funding and planning expertise identify transformational projects to address strategic planning and development opportunities. The grants can be used for planning activities like market studies, community visioning, strategic planning and targeted redevelopment plans. 

Past planning grants awarded in 2018: 
1. Colerain Township completed the Northgate Mall Redevelopment Study, a marketing study to understand the potential for a residential development at Northgate Mall.

2. City of Deer Park completed the Blue Ash Road Business District Implementation Plan, market study and perspective rendering of the four blocks included in the business district.

3. Amberley Village completed the Amberley Green Connectivity Plan to study and plan the pedestrian and vehicle connectivity to the Amberley Green property.

4. City of Reading completed their Master Plan Update, updating the 2008 City of Reading Master Plan to help position the city for future growth and redevelopment.

5. City of Mt. Healthy completed the Main Theater Planning Study, a package of planning studies that represent the first stage of the process of renovating the Main Theater to a mixed-use entertainment venue.

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