Sharonville City Council took up an ordinance Tuesday night to accept federal Community Development Block Grant funds that would help demolish a blighted building in the city's downtown business district, a step toward a mixed-use redevelopment project.
Ordinance 2026-35, placed on the Aug. 11 agenda for a first and only reading with immediate effect, authorizes the city to accept CDBG dollars administered by Hamilton County and amends the city's CDBG appropriations account.
The money is earmarked for the Downtown Loop Redevelopment Project. Hamilton County filed its release-of-funds request with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development around July 31, seeking federal approval to demolish the former Cheviot Bank building at 11186 Reading Road and 11177 Main Street. HUD had 15 days to object before the dollars could flow.
The demolition would clear space for shared parking that supports existing businesses and new development. The broader Downtown Loop plan with developer Elevar calls for roughly 200 residential units and 20,000 square feet of retail space.
Council first authorized a cooperation agreement with Hamilton County for the project at its June 23 meeting via Resolution 2026-R-06-E. As we reported July 22, the city named a new development director as the Downtown Loop neared its federal funding deadline.
The rule suspension allowing a single reading with immediate effect meant the ordinance would not need to return for a second or third reading before taking effect.
Fire department honored with military support award
John Niemczura presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve award to the Sharonville Fire Department during the meeting. ESGR is a Department of Defense program recognizing employers who go above and beyond in supporting employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.
The honor is Sharonville's second ESGR recognition in 2026. Mayor Kevin Hardman presented an "Above and Beyond Award" to police Chief Jim Nesbit and Officer Altman at the Jan. 13 council meeting for the police department's support of military-serving employees.
The fire department handled 6,934 calls in 2025, up from 6,451 in 2024 and 5,951 in 2023, according to the department's annual report presented to council in February.
Centennial proclamation and county auditor visit
Mayor Hardman also proclaimed Alice Beebe's 100th birthday at the meeting. That's a century in Sharonville.
Hamilton County Auditor Jessica Miranda appeared on the agenda under Mayor's Reports and Communications. The specific dollar amount of the CDBG funds accepted under Ordinance 2026-35 was not listed in the published agenda.
