Roxanne Qualls answers your questions

WCPO accepted questions for mayoral candidate Roxanne Qualls during an hour-long online chat.

3rd & 7 37yd

You're tired of hearing about streetcars and parking???!!! Among the many important issues I have worked on and will lead as Mayor are: aggressive investment in neighborhood redevelopment, the construction of the I-71/MLK interchange to bring jobs and economic investment to the Uptown neighborhoods and allow the continued expansion of the hospitals in the area(more)

by Roxanne Qualls 9/18/2013 4:32:04 PM
and making sure as we continue to invest in development that our entire community can participate in the jobs and benefits of ot

by Roxanne Qualls 9/18/2013 4:32:49 PM
Absolutely!!!! In fact, We have learned it takes a strategy, the tools and the resources to be effective. Many of our neighborhoods either have effective strategies in place or are developing them (places like Westwood, Madisonville, College Hill, Evanston, Avondale East Price Hill...the list goes on.) (more)

by Roxanne Qualls 9/18/2013 4:35:04 PM
I have led the effort to give them the tools they need to make sure their strategies capitalize on what is the strong demand for urban living-mixed use walkable neighborhoods that are safe and clean. These tools include alternatives to conventional zoning and new street standards that focus on people and not cars. (more)

by Roxanne Qualls 9/18/2013 4:36:41 PM
Finally, council has established the Focus 52 fund that uses casino dollars to bond private neighborhood-based development. This is a first. We also are seeing new partnerships emerge because of the strong leadership of the Port Authority that are assisting our neighborhoods to have the expertise to put in place transformative projects.

by Roxanne Qualls 9/18/2013 4:38:46 PM
Over the many years council/mayor have built but failed to maintain many City improvements. How do you feel about placing PRIORITY on maintaining existing City initiatives before venturing into new ones.

by curious 9/18/2013 4:38:57 PM
Do you have examples you are referencing? Maintenance is always important, but investing in job growth, business and residential development that generate new revenues also is important. It's a balance.

by Roxanne Qualls 9/18/2013 4:41:06 PM
We will come back to that question if examples are provided.

by WCPO Admin 9/18/2013 4:41:33 PM
You said yesterday that the first thing you'll do on the streetcar is ask the federal government for funding of the 2nd phase. I assume that will only cover part of the cost -- just as it does in the 1st phase. How will you pay for the portion of phase 2 that the feds don't cover?

by Conor 9/18/2013 4:41:37 PM
Phase 2 will start with a study to determine cost and routing to make sure it optimizes the residential, retail, and commercial development in the Uptown neighborhoods and for the medical-university area of Uptown. Once we have the cost estimates, (more)

by Roxanne Qualls 9/18/2013 4:44:33 PM
the benefit analysis, and the expected increase in property values and revenues from the investment I will work with the institutions of Uptown, the federal government to develop a realistic funding plan.

by Roxanne Qualls 9/18/2013 4:46:35 PM
While the revitilization of Dowtown/CBD is pretty impressive, what (if anything) can be done about the emptiness of Tower Place?

by Miller 9/18/2013 4:46:42 PM
There are plans already underway for the conversion of Tower Place. The street level on Fourth and on Race will be retail or, maybe residential. The interior will be converted to parking to support further residential development.

by Roxanne Qualls 9/18/2013 4:48:10 PM
The old Corryville Kroger site is being redeveloped with a terribly inappropriate, suburban style Kroger that will have vast, windowless brick walls facing the street creating a poor relationship with the neighborhood. The same negative street relationship exists in Walnut Hills where E. McMillan Street is poorly impacted by (yet again) Kroger. How can you (through policies, appointments or otherwise) improve the new development that is happening in our neighborhoods where the local community councils don't seem engaged enough (or will approve any design as long as something is coming in) to demand quality architecture to complement our great business districts?

by RL 9/18/2013 4:48:29 PM
Great point and great question... I have led the effort to give our neighborhoods new tools that support the preservation of neighborhood character and that reinforce walkable, mixed use neighborhoods. These tools, known as form based codes, are voluntarily adopted by neighborhoods...and we are just beginning to see their adoption. They will help. (more)

by Roxanne Qualls 9/18/2013 4:51:22 PM
As for the specific instance you cite, city staff worked very hard all the way back in 2008 to encourage a more urban. less suburban design. The efforts were not successful.

by Roxanne Qualls 9/18/2013 4:52:47 PM
3cDc, Homeless to Homes, Strive, and other public-private partnerships have delivered remarkable results for our city. Can these kinds of partnerships (exisiting or new ones) be formed to address other pressing community problems?

by Greg Harris 9/18/2013 4:53:08 PM
What do you bring to the table that mr cranley doesnt

by Matt 9/18/2013 4:57:01 PM