Meeting summary:

  • Cincinnati City Council is invested in and passionate about the Wasson Way project.
  • Traffic safety is a priority for the council.
  • The council will not tolerate street takeovers in Cincinnati.

Documenter’s follow-up question:

  • What is the actual timeline for completion of the Wasson Way project? What are the specific complexities of its construction? 
  • Will the council’s efforts to address recent street takeovers deter “outsiders” from bringing this activity to Cincinnati? Why is Cincinnati a hotspot for these street takeovers?

Notes

Meeting Agenda:

https://cincinnatioh.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1408247&GUID=14ADA2CB-9004-43E7-9A32-1F108B94A128&Search=

Meeting Attendees:

Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney

President Pro Tem Scotty Johnson 

Council Member Anna Albi

Council Member Jeff Cramerding

Council Member Ryan James 

Council Member Mark Jeffreys 

Council Member Evan Nolan

Council Member Meeka Owens

Council Member Seth Walsh

Mayor Aftab Pureval was not present, as he represented Cincinnati at the U.S. Council of Mayors event, according to Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney. Kearney led the meeting in his absence. 

2026 West End festival 

The city will contribute $20,000 to the 2026 West End Festival. This event will overlap with the Cincinnati Music Festival, and, according to Council Member Anna Albi, is meant to provide kids with activities in a fun, safe environment while parents/adults attend the music festival.

City of Cincinnati will receive a “trilogy of grants” to support traffic safety 

The Ohio Department of Public Safety will provide the city with what Council Member Jeff Cramerding referred to as a “trilogy of grants” to support traffic safety. The grants will be used to reduce traffic deaths and impaired driving and increase law enforcement training for impaired driving related offenses. Details regarding the amount of each grant can be found in items 67-69 in this meeting’s agenda.

Phase 7 of Wasson Way project 

Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will provide the City of Cincinnati $500,000 to support the construction of Phase 7 of the Wasson Way project. 

Council Member Mark Jeffreys attributed the frequent discussion regarding Wasson Way to the “complexity” of the project. This phase will include an extension of the current path’s end at Blair Avenue in Avondale to Reading Road. Construction on Phase 7  will begin next year, according to Jeffreys. 

In response to a public comment regarding the need for Wasson Way to be connected to the West Side, both Jeffreys and Cramerding mentioned plans to connect Lick Run to Westwood and Price Hill, as well as the Western Hills Viaduct’s connection to downtown Cincinnati. 

Council addresses recent street racing, stunt driving and street takeover in Cincinnati 

Council members issued an emergency ordinance to reevaluate laws and penalties regarding street racing, stunt driving and street takeovers in response to an incident that occurred this week. According to Jeffreys, there was a social media post from a Columbus resident inviting the public to come to Cincinnati to participate. Jeffreys added there was also a street takeover in March involving over 100 cars. Kearney highlighted those recently arrested for these traffic-related offenses as residents of Hamilton, Middletown, West Chester and Mason – “not from Cincinnati.” 

Jeffreys mentioned penalties for these offenses, including fines and car impounds for six months. Scotty Johnson referred to the social media advertisement and the behavior of the participants as “disrespectful, rude [and] irresponsible,”  and expressed his desire for an increase in fines and impoundment. Most of the council made this stern, simple request for those interested in street takeovers: Do not come to Cincinnati. 

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcincinnati.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

Find more Documenters’ notes here.