Summary

Council approves five-year Banks refreshment area

CincinnatiFeb 4, 20262 min read

At a glance

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Cincinnati City Council approved continued operation of the designated outdoor refreshment area known as DORA at the Banks for five additional years. Council also adopted motions to launch an Office of Strategic Growth within 90 days and create a neighborhood planning cycle spanning approximately 10 years.

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Cincinnati Development Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Community Development CUF/Heights TIF Economic Development

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Cincinnati City Council

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TransportationBudget & TaxCommerceHousing

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What this means

The Banks outdoor refreshment area can continue operating for another five years. Council also directed the City Manager to establish an Office of Strategic Growth within the existing 2026 operating budget and to develop long-term neighborhood planning. Other adopted actions seek reports on zoning barriers, tax-abatement programs, sidewalk snow removal, and city reserves.

Key decisions

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Approved emergency legislation continuing DORA at the Banks for an additional five years.
Adopted a motion directing the City Manager to launch an Office of Strategic Growth within 90 days using the 2026 operating budget, with reports on staffing, funding, and a strategic development review due within 90 and 120 days.
Adopted a motion directing the Department of City Planning and Engagement to design a neighborhood planning cycle covering approximately 10 years, with each neighborhood or neighborhood group receiving a new or updated comprehensive plan approximately every 10 years.
Adopted a motion requesting a report within 60 days on zoning and building-code restrictions affecting development, including minimum lot sizes, setbacks, single-stair rules, and accessory dwelling unit restrictions.
Adopted a motion requesting a report within 45 days establishing success measures for existing tax-increment-financing districts.
Adopted a motion requesting an evaluation of the city's sidewalk snow and ice removal policy, including compliance and enforcement.
Adopted a motion beginning the annual review of the City Manager.
Adopted a motion requesting an analysis within 60 days of maintaining a 2.0% General Fund Contingency Account and 16.7% overall reserves in the carryover Waterfall, including whether expenditures should be used instead of revenues to calculate reserve balances.
Supported working with the administration to identify resources for the $87 million Burnet Square project, which includes approximately 300 mixed-income residential units and retail space; the motion was referred to the Budget, Finance & Governance Committee.
Passed emergency legislation designating the Brinker Building at 4030 Glenway Avenue as a local historic landmark.

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