We all know about 3CDC (Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation), but what do you know about 2CDC (Cincinnati Community Development Corporation)—the rumors of which have started burbling to the surface?  If you like our City’s planning being heralded by private corporations with no transparency, then read no further—2CDC might be the plan for you.  But if you are like the rest of us, concerned at the hyper-privatization and corporatizing of public interests, then maybe it’s time to get ahead of the curve on the 2CDC rumors.

We first heard the name 2CDC on October 15, 2006, when Michael Earl Patton left this comment on an article he had written:

And, as of the publication of this article, that comment is the single hit we can find when searching the internet for “2CDC.” So, we decided to start asking some questions.

Councilmember Chris Bortz, whose father sits on the 3CDC board, said there was not yet a plan for 2CDC.  “The idea is to explore what neighborhood level development corporations need to get projects implemented,” said Bortz.  “Some early research showed that most CDC’s lack money, skill, and time (since they are generally staffed by volunteers).  A larger CDC that had the whole city in its mission could provide those skills as needed.  GO Cincinnati will explore the idea in greater depth as we finalize our agenda. “

Sarah Petrie, from The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, recently distributed an email newsletter to the Hamilton County Homeowner Preservation Group.  In it, she announced an upcoming event with Chris Bortz, who she called one of the authors of the 2CDC plan:

The details are admittedly sparse, but Petrie seems overly fixated on Bortz’s role as author of a plan that does not yet exist.

We had heard that Councilmember Leslie Ghiz had some involvement in the 2CDC plan, so we contacted her and asked.

“It was a concept floated by Berding and Bortz, and I wasn’t really involved,” said Ghiz.  “It looks like it may be rolled into City Hall Works (which is on-going).”

We were able to locate an August 4th letter signed by Bortz and Berding, addressed to Mayor Mark Mallory.  The letter indicates their desire to use money from the sale of the Blue Ash Airport in establishing 2CDC:

So if, like us, you have been hearing rumors about a 3CDC-like corporation to take over development for all of Cincinnati’s neighborhoods, then here is the latest we have been able to uncover. 

Socializer!

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1. anon says:
   15 Dec 2006  at  11:09 am | #

   And old saying I heard years ago from Outward Bound “It doesn’t matter how far down the wrong road you have gone, turn back.”

   Corporate development in Cincinnati has given us such congruent structures as the Kroger Condos, The tragedy on Calhoun, and the cookie cutter west side. With the rich history and architectural beauty left to us by past generations it is tragic to see it destroyed by placing cheaply constructed boxes that lack character and style in the mix. They are highly profitable for the corporations but it is a cancer in our midst.

   Realistically, all old buildings cannot be saved because some have been neglected too long. Save our city by getting someone with taste and sensitivity about our city and people or fund the communities to help themselves. The top down approach we have experienced in the past lacks public input and transparency. Enough corporate welfare has been doled out already and we don’t need any more so some politically connected rich people can get richer. Who is looking out for you?

2. 4CDC says:
   15 Dec 2006  at  02:51 pm | #

   Bortz and Berding seem to believe in the cult of experts. The public has offered many solutions to our problems, but they fall on deaf ears.

   Just look at our side of the purple people bridge and remember we paid $400,000 for some lights, yellow polls and a little bit of paint. Citizens had offered many solutions that would have been cheaper and nicer. We can thank the Mayor Mallory and Commissioner Pepper for that.

   The real numbers for the Fountain Square remodel are going to be well over $100 million in lost revenue and yet the 3CDC owned politicians will tell you it was a windfall for the city even though they can’t give you any projections of the real cost.

   Top down development isn’t the only kind of development, despite what the “experts” think. They have a horrible track record, yet feel they have been ordained by god and more importantly those that pay to own our government to do what they think is best. You can go to public forums or to their offices but they already have an agenda and it doesn’t involve you, just your tax dollars.

   “Trust us, this is a great deal! This is going to be a “catalyst”, just like the stadiums.

3. jill from Price Hill says:
   15 Dec 2006  at  07:43 pm | #

   The current community development department and the entire system is not working--ask those of use who are working to try and create development in neighborhoods. Don’t be so skeptical of change.

4. says:
   16 Dec 2006  at  06:10 pm | #

   Being skeptical of change, and being skeptical of private corporations with no transparency are two different things.

   Why hide, if there is nothing to hide?

   Why back down from public oversight?

5. Dagney Taggart says:
   16 Dec 2006  at  11:20 pm | #

   Do other non-profit development companies offer more transparency than 3CDC? ...
   ...
   I didn’t think so.