It’s time to rebuild what holds our city together. Cincinnati’s infrastructure is the backbone of daily life—and right now, that backbone is cracking. From pothole-riddled roads to aging water lines, digital divides, and neglected public facilities, the signs of long-term disrepair are everywhere. The Charter Committee believes infrastructure isn’t just about concrete and cables—it’s about equity, safety, opportunity, and trust. We are committed to fixing the foundation so every neighborhood can grow, thrive, and connect.
Shockingly, City Hall hasn’t treated this crisis with the urgency it deserves. The Mayor’s most recent State of the City didn’t even mention the condition of our roads or bridges. Meanwhile, neighborhoods like Evanston sit with shuttered, decaying facilities and no plan for renewal. As Vice Mayor Kearney herself put it, “a lot of neighborhoods have not been invested in”. We agree—and we’re ready to act.
Our Fix the Foundation plan focuses on three clear priorities: Repair, Modernize, and Invest.
Repair
We will immediately address the most critical infrastructure failures impacting safety and quality of life:
- Launch a citywide blitz to fill potholes, resurface roads, and rehab dangerous stairways and bridges.
- Accelerate lead water line replacements and other overdue public health upgrades.
- Restore deteriorating public assets, like pool houses, parks, and recreation centers.
- Prioritize need over politics, ensuring long-neglected neighborhoods finally get their fair share.
Modernize
We won’t just patch the old—we’ll build a smarter, stronger Cincinnati for the future:
- Expand bus rapid transit, protected bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly street design.
- Install adaptive signal control systems to reduce congestion and improve commute times.
- Advance green infrastructure, like permeable pavement and rain gardens, to manage stormwater and prevent flooding.
- Continue upgrades to the Metropolitan Sewer District to meet EPA standards and protect our waterways.
- Invest in public EV charging stations and partner to ensure affordable high-speed internet in every neighborhood.
Invest
We’ll secure the long-term funding needed—without asking taxpayers to shoulder it alone:
- Ensure the $1.6 billion railroad trust fund is managed transparently, with every dollar used for real infrastructure improvement.
- Pursue federal infrastructure grants and matching state funds through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- Explore infrastructure bonds and public-private partnerships to support parks, community centers, and digital access.
- Offer grants and tax credits for LEED-certified or passive house construction, especially near transit hubs.
- Engage the public in planning to prevent displacement and ensure all investments reflect local priorities.
This isn’t about ribbon-cutting photo ops. It’s about doing the work. Fixing our foundation means tackling the unglamorous but essential projects that determine how we live, grow, and thrive. A Cincinnati with safe streets, clean water, strong bridges, modern buses, and equitable internet access is within reach—but only if we commit to it.The Charter Committee is ready to lead the charge.
Let’s fix the foundation—so Cincinnati can rise, together.