Springdale City Council voted 7-0 on Sept. 2 to back a state grant for demolishing the former Tri-County Mall. Council also extended a tax-increment financing agreement tied to the site's redevelopment.

Resolution R10-2026 supports the city's application for Fiscal Year 2027 Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program funding. The grant targets remediation and demolition of the former mall at 11700 Princeton Pike, according to the council meeting record. The site is a 76-acre parcel, per city Planning Commission records. A 2022 city application noted the site contains buildings with asbestos.

Council also passed Ordinance 36-2026 on a 7-0 vote. The ordinance amends a 2018 TIF agreement to extend the tax exemption period and approve additional compensation for the local school district during the extension. Law Director Braun updated the ordinance language between its first and second readings to align with new charter references to the Finance Commissioner role.

Mayor Hawkins told council that state and county elected officials had written support letters for the brownfield application. Council President Jeffrey Anderson said he discussed the grant with State Rep. Brownlee at Pretzel Fest.

"Anything we can do to keep that project moving certainly is worthy of our support," Anderson said.

A previous city application in 2022 noted the state brownfield program could provide up to $10 million for demolition and remediation. The current application's requested amount was not disclosed in the Sept. 2 meeting record.

Redistricting on the horizon

Anderson also opened a discussion on redrawing Springdale's four council districts. The city charter requires no more than a 10% population difference between the largest and smallest district. New boundaries must be in place by May 2029, ahead of that November's district elections.

Anderson said growth from The Array, the Row on Merchant Street and the mall redevelopment could force changes beyond the minor border adjustments the city has made in the past. No formal action was taken.

Children's services levy briefing

Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus briefed council on the county's Children's Services Levy, which expires at the end of 2026 and must go before voters for renewal. The county's Tax Levy Review Committee had recommended a 75% increase, but the board reduced the ask to about 38%.

"It's about as low as we can go to do what we need to do for kids," Driehaus said.

The increase would cost roughly $39 per year for a homeowner with a $100,000 home. The agency serves about 13,000 children per year, with roughly 2,200 in care at any given time.

If the levy fails, Driehaus warned, the funding drops to zero rather than reverting to current levels. The county would then need to absorb about $100 million per year from its General Fund.

Driehaus also noted Springdale has received about $569,000 in county partnership grants in recent years, covering recycling incentives, federal Community Development Block Grant funds and sidewalk revitalization dollars.

Springdale City Council meets Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Springdale Municipal Building, 11700 Springfield Pike.