Cincinnati City Council Approves 15 New Special Tax Districts for Poor Neighborhoods

Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer

December 18, 2019

City Council approved 15 new special tax districts Wednesday that will shift some money from property taxes to struggling Cincinnati neighborhoods.

Construction of the Washington Park underground parking garage spurred development documented in the “Rebirth of Over-the-Rhine” film

Proponents of the tax increment financing districts, known as TIFs, say they will help poor neighborhoods repair streets, build sidewalks and encourage private investment and development.

Critics, though, say TIFs steal money that otherwise would go to schools and other public services.

Council voted 7-1 to create the new districts, with Councilwoman Tamaya Dennard voting no on all but the one in the West End. She said she spoke to community leaders in that neighborhood and was comfortable the money would be well spent.

TIFs also will be created in parts of these neighborhoods: Camp Washington, College Hill, the eastern riverfront, Mount Airy, Mount Auburn, North Fairmount, Northside, Pleasant Ridge, Riverside, Roselawn, South Cumminsville, South Fairmount, Spring Grove Village and Westwood.

Click here for more details about TIF districts, what they do and why some people object to them.

Reprint provided as a Government Affairs service

of the Cincinnati Area Board of REALTORS®.