Hamilton County Commissioners Award $600,000 in HUD Funds to Five Community Economic Development Projects


CINCINNATI – HCDC and Hamilton County Planning + Development are pleased to announce that $600,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds were awarded for five projects through the Community and Economic Development Assistance Program (CDEAP). These funds, $150,000 in loans and $450,000 in grants, will leverage an additional $13.9 million in immediate project investment, or $23 for every $1 in CDBG funds, as well as future tax generation once redevelopment is complete.

The County and HCDC utilized a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to solicit applications for community and economic development projects from 40 communities outside of Cincinnati who participate in the County’s CDBG program. 

The Board of County Commissioners approved funding for five projects listed below as recommended by the CEDAP Advisory Committee:

Delhi TownshipMap of Delhi Township
A $125,000 grant will be used to demolish the former Remke shopping center with 130,000 square feet of space. Delhi anticipates a final project investment of $3.7 million for mixed used redevelopment on this site.  Community engagement efforts are underway to determine the desired outcomes for the space including new housing, restaurants, retail, office space, community recreation space, and more. The scope may include elements of the “Plan the Pike” initiative connecting Mt. St. Joseph University to this critical business corridor.  

Loveland
Loveland will receive two CEDAP awards to increase parking options in the historic business district. The first award of $35,000 in grant funds will be used to demolish buildings on parcels between First and Second Streets for a $7.2 million parking facility to be constructed soon. The second award of $60,000 will be provided as a loan to demolish buildings between Second Street and East Loveland Avenue to construct a street for secondary access to the parking facility and adjoining parking lot.

Reading
Reading will receive $200,000 as a grant funds and $90,000 as a loan to extend North Reading Road to provide access to an 11.4-acre land assemblage owned by the General Tool Company and the City of Reading.  Total project cost is estimated at $669,000. 

The City and GTC are jointly soliciting a preferred developer for three phases of projects: new 30,000 square foot advanced manufacturing facility for GTC; and one parcel for a 14,000 square foot build to suit building; reconfiguration of the City’s Service Yard; and two additional build to suit buildings of 33,000 and 36,000 square feet respectively.  The City is encouraged to apply for State of Ohio funds through the Roadwork Development 629 Account funds for this project. 

Springfield Township
Springfield Township will receive a $90,000 grant to pay for engineering and other pre-development costs for infrastructure improvements along Galbraith Road estimated to cost just over $1 million. The Township received permission from the County Engineer’s office to complete improvements and will be applying for Local Transportation Improvement Program (L-TIP) funds in 2020 for construction in 2021.  The project is expected to improve access to vacant land that is under contract for a medical office development which create 80 new full-time jobs.  The Township can apply for additional CEDAP funds in 2020, as well as State of Ohio funds through the Roadwork Development 629 Account funds for this $1,055,000 project. 



Posted on 10/16/2019