Cincinnati’s growth and vibrancy remain closely tied to issues of public safety, housing, and downtown activation. At the Chamber’s recent Monthly Member Briefing, Mayor Aftab Pureval and city partners outlined the steps being taken to strengthen these areas, while highlighting opportunities for business and civic leaders to collaborate.
New Plaza at the Convention Center to Become a Downtown Hub
The new plaza space adjacent to the Duke Energy Convention Center is already being positioned as a centerpiece of activity in the city’s reimagined downtown. Christy Samad of 3CDC described the vision, noting, “We wanted to really dub this core district and so calling it Fountain District within this area, we’ve got about $80 million of business that’s coming in every year.”
For the Chamber, the plaza represents an opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the city and 3CDC to create a steady flow of events and community programming. Samad emphasized that the project isn’t about shifting existing activity but rather broadening Cincinnati’s appeal. “We are not—as we bring on the convention center, as we created the Fountain District—looking at this as, you know, we didn’t move the ice rink from Fountain Square to Elm Street Plaza. We’re really expanding our winter destination, right?”
Housing and Jobs Remain Central Priorities
Housing and connectivity were also central themes in the discussion. Mayor Aftab Pureval stressed the city’s focus on maintaining a thriving urban core, remarking, “We have been very intentional about making sure that our urban core continues to have people living there, have people shopping there, and have people playing there.”
The Chamber has an important role to play in advancing that vision, from advocating for policies that encourage density and affordability to partnering on new development projects, particularly along transit corridors. By engaging employers and workforce initiatives, the Chamber can help ensure that housing solutions are closely tied to job opportunities across the region.
Chamber President & CEO Brendan Cull reinforced the importance of collaboration in these efforts. “So much of what happens in this community gets done because of partnerships, and we appreciate very much how you have approached so many of those partnerships,” he said.
Public Safety Reforms Underway
Mayor Pureval also highlighted a series of public safety reforms, which he framed as essential to Cincinnati’s growth. “If we don’t get public safety right, this population growth, this vibrancy, you know, it does hang in the balance,” he said. “We take that very seriously, and we’re making strong moves in order to set the tide.”
The city has expanded police visibility through more foot and bike patrols, created a street crimes task force to focus on quality-of-life concerns and illegal guns, and strengthened inter-agency partnerships, including with the Ohio Highway Patrol. These changes, Pureval said, are designed both to improve safety and to strengthen public confidence downtown.
Cull noted the regional implications of these reforms: “Everybody knows, no matter where you live, whether you’re in Florence or Forest Park, that how the city of Cincinnati goes is critically important to the growth and the future of our region.”
Building Momentum Together
Throughout the session, the theme of partnership resonated. Leaders pointed to opportunities not only in physical development but also in branding and messaging that position Cincinnati as a strong destination for talent and investment. Jay Janson of Cincinnati Experience reminded members of the tools already available, noting, “Brandcincy.com is the digital branding and asset library that delivers easily accessible tools and vibrant photos and videos, key messaging, marketing examples and recruitment tools all free, all free for our region to start using right away.”
From housing and transit to public safety and placemaking, the Chamber’s role as a convener will be central to building on this momentum. As the city continues to invest in its future, Chamber members are being called to the table to help shape what comes next for Cincinnati.
Whats Next
Join us virtually on Ocotber 9 at 8 a.m. for our Monthly Member Briefing – Registration opening soon! To view past Monthly Member Briefing episodes, click here