Cincinnati City Council has approved a neighborhood plan for Hyde Park that will be kept on file for use going forward to help guide future projects.
Plan Hyde Park was approved unanimously by Cincinnati City Council on April 1, marking the culmination of a yearslong effort to guide future development in the neighborhood.
The plan presentation, made at the March 31 City Services, Environment and Infrastructure meeting, outlined several priorities, including improving pedestrian and bicycle safety, enhancing public transportation and maintaining green space and tree canopy. It also identifies smaller, near-term projects such as creating gateway features at key entry points and maintaining flags and banners in the business district.
At the city council meeting, council member Mark Jeffreys thanked the steering committee that has worked on this neighborhood plan over the previous seven years.
Four members of the committee addressed council during the meeting, with city planner Emily Burns presenting an overview of the plan’s goals and priorities. Burns said the proposal is designed to create a more connected, vibrant neighborhood while preserving Hyde Park’s character.
“There’s a full set of needs across four key focus areas within the plan,” committee member Sean McCory told council, emphasizing the group’s effort to prioritize projects based on feasibility.
Council discussion focused in part on Hyde Park Square. Council member Evan Nolan asked about maintenance of the square’s fountain and how the plan would ensure consistency among buildings of different sizes and styles during the subcommittee meeting.
Committee Chair Jen Buening said existing design guidelines would continue to shape development, helping new projects align with the neighborhood’s established aesthetic.
Another committee member, Dave Hapner, said Hyde Park has lost between 20% and 30% of its population since 1983, a trend the plan aims to correct by making the neighborhood more attractive to residents and visitors.
Work on the plan began in 2017, with a draft released in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed progress that spring. The final version was made public in January.
The adopted plan will be kept on file to guide future planning and development decisions in Hyde Park.
