CINCINNATI -- City officials have determined four sites meet the most criteria for housing the future District Five police headquarters.
Officers moved from the former Ludlow Avenue location in January amid allegations the building's conditions contributed to higher-than-normal cancer rates among employees. Six workers contracted cancer between 2015 and 2016, Fraternal Order of Police president Dan Hils said, but there has been no proof that the building caused those illnesses.
Now, city officials are considering sites in Clifton, Northside, College Hill and Camp Washington. A new District 5 building could be built along Central Parkway, at Dane Avenue and Knowlton Street, on Hamilton Avenue or along Spring Grove Avenue.
Officials started with 20 sites, which they presented at public meetings. Members of the public suggested 17 more sites. Officials then analyzed each site based on constructability, police operations and potential community development impact.
Officials first narrowed their site search down to 11 -- and then nine -- before chipping the list down to four.
The site of District 5 must have at least three acres of land with appropriate zoning and sufficient utilities. Police must have easy access to all neighborhoods, especially the busiest: Mt. Airy, College Hill and CUF.
Police Chief Eliot Isaac will take public opinion into consideration before making a site recommendation to the City Planning Commission. Property acquisition should begin fall 2018, with ground breaking in spring 2019. The goal is to have the facility open by fall 2020.
City officials want the public’s input as they move forward with site selection. Those who have questions or concerns should visit the city’s website.
View the map below for the approximate locations for proposed sites.
