Hamilton County will ask the federal government to release block-grant money for Sharonville's Downtown Loop redevelopment as early as July 31, and residents have until July 30 to weigh in.
The Community Development Block Grant funds would pay to demolish a blighted structure on the corner of Reading Road and Main Street, addressed as 11186 Reading Road and 11177 Main Street. The city plans to replace it with shared parking that will support existing businesses and the planned mixed-use development downtown.
Hamilton County has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the project, meaning a full federal environmental review is not required. Written comments must reach the Hamilton County Community Development Division at 138 East Court St., Room 1002, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, by July 30.
Demolition well underway
The CDBG-funded parcel is one of the last to come down. According to the city's project page, structures at 11121, 11125, and 11141 Main Street, 3370 Walnut Street, and several Reading Road addresses were demolished between late May and late June 2026. The 11186 Reading Road site, a former Cheviot Bank property that once housed a gas station, requires removal of underground storage tanks and contaminated soil under Ohio EPA standards. Demolition there is scheduled for the third or fourth quarter of 2026, pending release of the federal funds.
200 units, 20,000 square feet of retail
Mayor Kevin Hardman told Sharonville City Council at its March 31 meeting that "approximately 200 residential units and 20,000 square feet of retail space are the agreed-upon parameters with developer Elevar." Specific layouts are still being finalized.
Council authorized a development agreement with Elevar Design Group and co-developer The Mayerson Company on Dec. 16, 2025. The project is a mix of public and private funding, with plans for retail, amenity, and residential spaces.
The concept dates to Sharonville's 2010 Downtown Strategic Plan and became a top priority after 2019 public engagement sessions for the Sharonville2030 Plan, which included a community survey that closed Dec. 14, 2025.
Historic society finds new home nearby
On July 17, the city and the Society of Historic Sharonville announced that 3431 Cornell Road, a Craftsman-style house near the Loop, will become the organization's permanent home. The city acquired the property and an adjacent church as part of the redevelopment; the church is relocating to the former tax office on Chester Road.
In that July 17 announcement, the city and the Society said they had heard from residents who wanted the historical group to stay in the downtown area. No opening date has been set; the city said the public is welcome to visit the property during renovations.
How to comment
Residents who want to weigh in on the CDBG environmental review can submit written statements to Hamilton County Community Development Division, 138 East Court St., Room 1002, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, by July 30. Hamilton County plans to file its fund-release request with HUD on or about July 31.
