A new plan for Cincinnati’s riverfront is up for review by the city’s planning commission this week.
The official Banks Urban Design Plan Update, released in April, revealed broad proposals for the five remaining lots in the district. Those lots represent over 8 acres of vacant space.
Key aspects of that plan are being implemented as a proposed major amendment to the existing planned development zoning designation for The Banks. That’s what the city’s planning commission and eventually, the nine-member City Council must approve before any developers are brought in for new buildings.
The planning commission will meet to vote on the proposal this Friday, May 15 at 9 a.m. at City Hall, 801 Plum St. The meeting will be livestreamed via CitiCable.
What is The Banks?
The Banks entertainment district is the long-time home of the Cincinnati Bengals’ Paycor Stadium and the Reds’ Great American Ball Park. It also connects to the Heritage Bank Arena, and Smale Riverfront Park, and houses apartment buildings, a hotel, a concert hall, as well as a slew of restaurants and bars.
The 130-page document outlines details like future building heights, setbacks, materials and uses. This is the third masterplan update in The Banks’ history.
According to a staff report created by the city’s planning department, not all changes cited in The Banks Urban Design Plan Update will be implemented at once, nor will they be included in this zoning amendment.
“While features such as a new signature plaza or the close of certain streets are not part of this major amendment, they could be part of any future amendments,” the report reads.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: City planning commission to vote on Banks plan update
Reporting by Sydney Franklin, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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