The development in Hyde Park Square has turned into a downright debacle. Currently, a development stands to be created in Hyde Park Square. This development, sought by local development group HPSRD, LLC, (comprised of PLK Communities, Loring and North Pointe), includes a seven-story, 85.5-94-foot-tall apartment building and hotel, intended to be on the south side of Hyde Park Square. Residents of the city are concerned about the massive changes such a development may bring to Hyde Park Square, like increased traffic, diminished aesthetic value of the Square, increased risk to pedestrians and more.
Often when these debates on development in the city emerge, it seems only two positions are available — yes to all development without consideration of how working-class people in the city can benefit, or no to all development, no matter how badly the city needs new affordable housing and infrastructure to grow. However, there are guardrails that the city can put in place to create a more equitable solution for development. In fact, these measures are used throughout the country and in the state of Ohio already: Land Project Agreements/Project Labor Agreements and Community Benefit Agreements.
Land Project Agreement/Project Labor Agreements
A Land Project Agreement (“LPA”), Project Labor Agreement (“PLA”) or a Development Agreement (“DA”) is a contract typically between a city and a developer. This contract sets standards and conditions that govern how the property is developed. LPAs can provide certainty for the developer that the project will be insulated from changes in zoning laws over the course of the development. At the same time, LPAs require the developer to provide benefits to the city (including infrastructure improvements, public spaces or monetary payment into certain funds).
We can turn to Cleveland for an example of what a powerful and holistic LPA/PLA could look like in Hyde Park. The goal of an LPA/PLA is to promote labor peace, quality workmanship and effective use of public funds; in Cleveland, this is accomplished by mandating that all public infrastructure projects totaling over $500,000 require a PLA/LPA. This imaginary LPA/PLA for the Hyde Park Square development can ensure, contractually, that all workers on the project are unionized employees known to provide high-quality craftsmanship. This LPA/PLA can also dictate the limitations of the development, potentially reigning in the size and scope of the development.
Community Benefit Agreement
Community Benefits Agreements (“CBA”) are voluntary but legally binding contracts between a developer and community representatives, such as the city government, that commit the developer to fulfill specific obligations for the benefit of the community through the construction of the development. In exchange, the community provides their support or permission for the proposed development project. Though many development projects often create new jobs and economic growth, they do not automatically yield local economic benefits. CBAs are a tool state and local governments are increasingly looking to help bring sustained benefits to communities.
In a potential CBA for Hyde Park Square, the developers could be contractually obligated to provide certain benefits to the community in exchange for building there. This can manifest in the form of rent-controlled units within the apartments, a limitation on the size of the development, financial incentives for local small businesses within the Square and so forth.
Cincinnati’s future — development rooted in community
With a basic understanding of these tools, it’s clear LPAs and CBAs are powerful methods for holding developers accountable to the communities they wish to develop. Instead of providing developers carte blanche approval to construct however they want, LPAs can ensure that union labor is utilized for all aspects of the development process, ensuring development is not just benefiting corporations, but also unions. CBAs provide a method by which a city can realize the goal of any development for the city’s working class: the growth or revitalization of a community. By laying out a shared understanding of the aims of the development, we hold both developers and the community accountable for the results of the project.
By no means will all our development woes be solved by implementing LPAs and CBAs. However, the utilization of LPAs to secure unionized labor from the beginning to the end of a development will strengthen the local working class. And through CBAs, the communities in which these new developments are being built can prioritize a new future that brings about investment and an infusion of life. We know development is sorely needed in Cincinnati, but there are reasonable concerns to keep in mind. We do not need, for example, luxury housing when our city’s median income is approximately $4,300 a month; we need affordable housing, and units that are priced at over $3,000/month are not reasonably affordable for over half of Cincinnatians.
Using both these tools, the city of Cincinnati can be an active partner and participant in development projects that are made for the working class of Cincinnati, not for the wealthy.
Sol Andrew Kersey (they/them/theirs) is a community organizer and activist who is running for Cincinnati City Council. Their educational background includes an MA from the University of Cincinnati in Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies along with a JD from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Professionally, Sol first worked under Kimberlé Crenshaw, one of the foundational authors of Critical Race Theory. Currently, Sol serves as the Intake Coordinator for Equality Ohio Legal Clinic. They reside in Westwood with their husband and three cats.
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 10, 2025.