Bond Hill affordable housing gets initial Council approval over some community opposition

Community members voiced concerns about increased traffic, parking issues

The Cincinnati City Council approved a plan Monday night to build 58 units of affordable housing in Bond Hill, despite opposition from some community members who raised concerns about traffic and parking.

The development, which will be built on a vacant lot at the corner of Reading Road and Paddock Hills Avenue, will include a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Twenty percent of the units will be reserved for people with disabilities.

Opponents of the project say it will increase traffic and parking congestion in an already crowded neighborhood. They also worry that the affordable housing units will attract crime and lower property values.

Supporters of the project say it will provide much-needed affordable housing in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. They also argue that the development will create jobs and boost the local economy.

The City Council voted 7-2 to approve the project, with Council members Jeff Pastor and David Mann dissenting. Pastor said he was concerned about the impact the development would have on traffic and parking, while Mann said he was not convinced that the affordable housing units would be truly affordable.

The project is expected to cost $14 million and will be funded through a combination of public and private funds. Construction is expected to begin in early 2024 and be completed by the end of 2025.

In other news

The Cincinnati Police Department is investigating a shooting that left one person dead and another injured in Over-the-Rhine early Sunday morning. The shooting happened around 2 a.m. in the 1500 block of Elm Street.

The Cincinnati Reds lost to the Chicago Cubs 5-3 on Monday night at Great American Ball Park. The Reds have now lost five of their last six games and are 15-28 this season.