Brent Spence Bridge

Tonight is the first of two Open Houses hosted by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) for the Brent Spence Bridge segment of the I-75 rebuild. The segment is from the Dixie Highway interchange in Kentucky to the Western Hills Viaduct in Ohio.

Tonight's Open House is at the Gardens of Park Hills, Vista Room, 1622 Dixie Highway, Park Hills, Kentucky from 4-8 pm. Tomorrow's is at Lincoln Recreation Center, 1027 Linn Street from 4-8 pm. Displays and staff from each agency will be at both to explain the proposed alternative bridge locations and the connections to Covington and Cincinnati.

This is an opportunity for anyone interested in the proposed alignment of the new bridge to learn about the alternatives, ask questions, and submit comments. It's all part of a very extensive process that ultimately will produce a new bridge and the reconstruction of I-75 through Cincinnati.

The City of Cincinnati has taken a very active role in influencing the recommended alternatives. We have adamantly opposed any new bridge through Queensgate because of the severe impact on businesses, future land development and major utilities. Fortunately, we were heard and ODOT and KyTC have recommended the elimination of the Queensgate alternatives for the bridge.

BUT, it is not a done deal. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) must accept the recommendations. The comments from residents and businesses will form an important part of the public record.

To make sure residents and businesses in Cincinnati have an opportunity to comment, Cincinnati City Council's Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 12 from 5:30-8 pm at the Quality Inn at 8th and Linn in Queensgate.

Businesses, residents and other community stakeholders along the corridor should come and comment on:

W what criteria the City should use in evaluating the alternatives and on the proposed alternatives themselves.

The report is available at: http://www.brentspencebridgecorridor.com/studydocs/ConceptualAlternativesStudy.html.

If you are interested in more background go to: I-75/Brent Spence Rebuild.

So, attend one of the Open Houses and learn more. Then attend the public hearing on May 12 from 5:30-8 pm at the Quality Inn in Queensgate to provide formal testimony to the City Council's Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The city will include your comments in our formal response to the proposed alternatives.

Human Services and Priority Setting

The Health, Education and Environment Committee of Cincinnati City Council will hold a special meeting this Thursday, May 7, at noon to hear from residents and from human services organizations and clients about the city's Human Services funding priorities. It's an important meeting because City Council will use these priorities to shape Human Service funding decisions for 2010 and possibly beyond.

Some agencies were surprised this past March by the city's dramatic change in its approach to funding Human Services. The intent of the changes were to be more strategic and focused with limited dollars available from the city for Human Services. This effort is similar to what most major funders in the Cincinnati community have done as everyone focuses on measurable outcomes for clients and the community. Unfortunately, the implementation of the city's changed review and award processes resulted in 50 of 76 programs being cut with one day's notice.

Cincinnati's Human Services funding levels are very small in comparison to the major community funders. Once Human Services funding was set at 1.5% of the city's operating budget. Today, it is less than 1% of the operating budget. We will spend a little over $3 million in 2009 on Human Services.

Priority setting is just the first step for City Council. Then the members must establish goals and criteria and do so using a very tight time line so that we can announce grant awards by October 1, 2009 for 2010. Our last effort was marred by how it was implemented. This time around it is very important as we proceed that we ask for and accept help from the United Way and other community funders to insure that we implement any changes equitably, transparently and reasonably.