College Hill

Cincinnati Comprehensive Plan Community Input Meeting
October 15, 6:00 PM
College Hill Recreation Center
5545 Belmont Avenue
For information 513-352-4845

A description of one of these meetings is on the Explore Cincinnati show.

I posted this on the Community Calendar. I hope there is a better turnout than at Meet the Candidates night. I talked to several council candidates at the Mt. Airy Forest Festival today. One in particular was very disappointed in our turnout.

This meeting, one of only 4 that will be held in Cincinnati is scheduled this coming Thursday at the Recreation Center at 6:00 pm. Having it in COLLEGE HILL says allot about our community. When they had the first one in the Corryville / Clifton area it was packed. For those of you thinking about attending, it will be around a two hour long session. They first explain what they are doing with a film and then some information from Charles C Graves III, Director of the City Planning department. Since this session is to help Cincinnati, they will not be looking for or addressing any local community issues unless it effects the entire city. The last time a "Plan" was put together was in 1980, so it has been a long time and certainly over due. You will be seated at tables with a monitor at each table to gather your comments. I think it is based around 4 basic questions: what would help Cincinnati, pressing issues, what is your key issue and another topic. You will be given an opportunity to get involved later with one of the topics you are most moved by, if you want to.

My take on this is that the City needs input from the people who live in the city to make it better and plot a course for what Cincinnati will look like in the future. THIS IS GOOD............This is also a good way to "give" residents the impression that you are actually listening to what the general public cares about. There could be some lip serive involved here as well but it is better than not asking. THERE are "NO" guarantees that any of the arrived suggestions will be used. I was checking out Citicable channel and some questions were raised about the results. Charles C Graves III indicated that "if we felt that City Council was not following the suggestions offered from these town meetings, we could go down to City Hall and schedule your 2 minutes and make your statement be known." This some how seemed liked a "cop out to me". Even though "what" happens to the results may be questionable, it is still a great opportunity to tell / share your ideas about the city you live in.

I think the approach of this planning group is good in that it provides an opportunity for the public to participate in the early phases of a comprehensive plan. The last such plan was written in 1980.

The discussion questions at the meeting were:
1. What makes a great city?
2. What are the most pressing issues for Cincinnati?
3. How do we make Cincinnati a great city?
4. What would be the one thing you would change?

You can comment on Plan Cincinnati by going to their website.