<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4ZMirp_1DyI2Sie00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4ZMirp_1DyI2Sie00" width="800" height="450" >CINCINNATI (WKRC) - In 2022, a fire destroyed the Western Hills Sports Mall on Ferguson Road.It has been vacant ever since. Now, a Louisville-based developer has plans to demolish the building and turn the site into affordable housing, and some residents are pushing back.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3RMFLQ_1DyI2Sie00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3RMFLQ_1DyI2Sie00" width="800" height="450" >It comes as Cincinnati City Council considers rezoning the area to make the project possible. The proposed "Westline Flats" would include 167 units across four separate buildings."Concentrated poverty is not the answer. We have been told that by our city leaders," said concerned resident Sue. "Please give Westwood and Price Hill a chance to make a development that truly helps our families.""We need opportunities for people to become homeowners," said another concerned resident Kelly.Residents are also concerned about increased traffic and added strain on schools and emergency services.Not everyone is against the idea. One woman who lives in the neighborhood told Local 12 she believes more affordable housing is necessary, a sentiment echoed by the Westwood Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (WestCURC)."We are in need of housing in this city and affordable housing," said Gregory Kissel, vice president of WestCURC. "This project fits both of those requirements."WestCURC helped Louisville-based LDG Development find a property for the project. The organization says developers have made adjustments and have been responsive to community concerns. Despite that, transparency remains an issue."We have been told many inconsistencies in the last few months," said Sue.Todd Zinser is suing the Cincinnati Planning Commission, claiming members violated Ohio's Open Meetings Act when the group went into executive session during a meeting last month before approving the development plan."What happened is that the meeting became very deadline-driven in order to accommodate the developer's need to apply for a LIHTC award by June 8. The meeting was on June 5. So, there was a great deal of confusion about whether or not to proceed," Zinser explained during the committee meeting. "Several members of the commission, or at least three members of the commission, indicated that they would like a delay in order to let West Price Hill engage on the issue. Well, at that point, the chairman called for an executive session. It was unanimous; they went in. I don't know how long they were in there, 15 minutes, maybe, maybe 20. They come out; no more discussion about accommodating Price Hill. They wanted to accommodate the developer. And so I think they deliberated in that executive session, which also would not be proper. So, we filed the complaint, and I just wanted to give you the courtesy of knowing that."Members of the council's Housing and Growth Committee did not vote on the rezoning request. They plan to revisit the proposal next month, but any action could be delayed by the lawsuit.</div></body>

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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - In 2022, a fire destroyed the Western Hills Sports Mall on Ferguson Road. It has been vacant ever since. Now, a Louisville-based developer has plans to demolish the building and turn the site into affordable housing, and some residents are pushing back. It comes as Cincinnati City...

$57M affordable housing project faces pushback on Cincinnati's West Side

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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - In 2022, a fire destroyed the Western Hills Sports Mall on Ferguson Road. It has been vacant ever since. Now, a Louisville-based develo

$57M affordable housing project faces pushback on Cincinnati's West Side

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