Cleveland Heights was recognized nationally last week as the community with the best complete streets policy passed in 2018 by the National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America.
Ohio House overwhelmingly approves budget plan, Ohio Senate debate now underway
The Ohio House gave final approval yesterday to a nearly $69 billion two year budget plan. House Bill 166 is now before the Ohio Senate, where lawmakers have been conducting informal hearings on the budget since late April. The final budget agreement must be approved and submitted to Governor DeWine by June 30 and will take effect on July 1, when the new state fiscal year is set to begin.
MORPC Corridor Report Calls for Denser Development, Investments in Transit
Last week, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) released the Corridor Concepts Scenario report. The report concludes that the Columbus region could accommodate more than half of its predicted population growth into five major corridors through denser development and coordinated investments in improved transit.
Update on Opportunity Zones – US Treasury releases second round of proposed guidelines & State of Ohio promotes Opportunity Zones through showcase portal
Last month, the Treasury Department issued its second round of proposed Opportunity Zones guidelines. These guidelines follow an initial round issued by the Treasury Department in October 2018. Both sets of guidelines aim to answer questions raised regarding investments in Qualified Opportunity Zones through Qualified Opportunity Funds.
Regional Planning can bolster Smart Growth efforts
Scenario planning has the capability to better inform public officials and development authorities of the costs associated with different development models. Vibrant NEO 2040 and insight2050 are examples of regional planning in Ohio providing collaborative and forward thinking models for regional development planning bolstered by data-driven inquiry and neighborly support.
Rethinking Downtown Portsmouth Summit Creates a Blueprint for Change
Last week the Scioto Foundation brought together community leaders for a two-day community strategic planning session for downtown Portsmouth. The “Rethinking Downtown Portsmouth” summit sought to create a vision for downtown Portsmouth and to identify preliminary steps that could be taken to achieve that vision.
Columbus to Establish Community Land Trust
Toledo’s Ebeid Neighborhood Promise uses Community Development Strategy to Improve Health Outcomes
Brownfield Legislation Drops in Ohio House
Last month, State Representative Steven Arndt (R – Port Clinton) introduced HB168, which is brownfield regulatory reform legislation that Greater Ohio Policy Center helped to champion. HB168 addresses an important gap in Ohio law that puts Ohio at a competitive disadvantage to neighboring states with regard to brownfield redevelopment
