Forgive us for being excited!
Strickland/Fisher agenda for cities, smart growth

Ohio’s Governor-elect Ted Strickland has a lengthy page on his transition website outlining his plans for Revitalizing Our Cities and Towns. Part of the Strickland/Fisher Administration “Turn Around Ohio” plan, there are so many items directly related to Greater Ohio’s Principles, Policy Agenda, and acclaimed Candidates’ Briefing Book, it’s hard to know where to begin.

Let’s start with

• “Smart Growth” policies that direct state funding toward redevelopment and areas designated for new development
• Make “Fix-It-First” a priority for state infrastructure investments
• Establish a Governor’s Office of Urban Development and Infrastructure charged with assuring that all departments and commissions recognize the priorities of Ohio’s cities and towns
• Work with local governments to create a statewide development and redevelopment plan, targeting areas for job development, infrastructure renewal and farmland preservation
• Establish an Ohio Community Charter that would reward communities that agree to “no poaching” and other steps toward regional collaboration

Other standout items

• Supporting the Ohio Main Streets Program and Historic Preservation Tax Credits (the latter still pending in the closing days of the 126th General Assembly)
• Address abandoned buildings and land, both industrial and residential
• Creating an Urban Markets Tax Credit
• Make Ohio a gateway to international commerce and a hub for national freight traffic
• Make the Job-Ready Sites Program city-friendly
• Strong support for the arts to boost Ohio’s creative cities
• Build assets in our neighborhoods and combat predatory lending and foreclosures

Finally, under “Lead by Example,” Ohio’s Governor-elect pledges to site future state facilities with a priority on locations close to transit and in core urban areas, to reuse abandoned buildings, and to adopt other strategies to bring pedestrian traffic back to urban centers.

Ohio aiming for leadership

Best of all, these issues are broadly supported by Ohioans, as shown in professional polling and focus groups conducted for a number of organizations, including Greater Ohio. It’s an ambitious list, but given the broad support who knows what Ohio can do!

Check out the Strickland/Fisher vision to learn more about these Smart Growth proposals— found primarily under “Jobs in Vibrant Cities,” part 1. of the Cities and Towns link—along with others on clean energy, economic and job growth, education, health care, affordable housing, BroadbandOhio and more.