Building A Better Cincinnati

By Akiva Freeman

The challenge facing the city is how to attract and retain the families who select Northern Kentucky and the surrounding suburbs over Cincinnati.

The most recent census results reveal a 9.2% decline in the city?s population over the past decade. Plainly stated, this means that people are leaving the city of Cincinnati.

The surrounding area has outpaced the city in amenities and ?bang for the buck.? Available land is the major resource that tips things in their favor. The decrease in population has negatively impacted the tax base in the city, without diminishing the demand for city services. Schools have also been hurt by urban flight, as the talent pool is relocating.

The challenge facing the city is how to attract and retain the families who select Northern Kentucky and the surrounding suburbs over Cincinnati.

ISSUES

City services:

Mandate that the administration improves customer service at the initial point of contact, and follow-up on issue resolution. Charge the administration to look for ways in which it can tighten its belt to become more lean and maintain (or increase) efficiency.

Civil Rights:

The rights of all citizens should be protected from harm, harassment, and discrimination, no matter the source.

Community Reinvestment:

Continued and improved funding, support and marketing of neighborhood redevelopment corporations. Streetscape improvements to neighborhood business districts. Utilize a more focused and diligent approach to the upkeep of parks and recreation centers.

Crime:

Through CNAS, re-engage block watches, the COP program or similar initiatives to combat crime, empowering citizens to work in concert with police. Though the city has decreasing crime statistics, we need to improve public safety efforts.

Downtown Development:

Establish a vision of downtown that is inclusive in regards to events and activities. Also, the relationship between the city and the business sector, in regard to development, should be improved. Parking must be adequately addressed on a permanent basis.

Homeownership:

Rental properties are the dominant units in the city. Historic homes are costly to maintain or renovate, and available land is a scarcity. Real estate tax abatements and incentives to encourage home ownership in the city should be a priority. Efforts to retain land ownership with land-lease agreements to develop housing communities should be exhausted. CitiRama should continue, but not be confined to the downtown area.

Police Relations:

Of primary concern is the disconnect between police and the community. Re-emphasis on ?Protect and Serve? motto. Better, more community based training. End ?us vs them? perception. Encourage officers to live in the city through incentives. Support officers taking cars home. The City should sponsor a Police and Neighborhood Night Out Program.

Program Funding:

Some programs that have historically received funding may have outlived their usefulness, and city funding should be discontinued. Council, along with the Mayor and Administration, should review these programs to free up sufficient finances for new projects. Note: this is not a seek and destroy mission, but rather an effectiveness, efficiency, and impact study.

Taxes:

Look for ways to relieve tax burden through administrative savings, as opposed to cutting programs and services. Investigate and eliminate wasteful spending. Ensure tax laws are equitable as they relate to individuals and businesses.

Technology:

Continue to expand the support given to the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce initiative to promote Cincinnati as a technological core for the region.

Unions:

Maintain current union agreements. Partner with union trades for apprenticeship programs on city projects to reduce costs. Work cooperatively to create cost savings on future city projects.