My simple recommendation, which I know is not popular, is to annex into the City of Cincinnati (let's be honest here Delhi...you are in the city more or less now).  After that start working with the city, apply for CDBG funds, look for Cincinnati investment in social/youth programs.

 

And maybe by coming into the city...Cincinnati could work on something Delhi DESPERATELY needs, and thatis access to something/anything.  Right now Delhi is sooo inaccessible, and it really hurts that business district along Delhi Pike.  The city is looking into the terrible Oasis Line.  That route might actually start looking good if it went all the way from the western 'burbs to downtown to the eastern 'burbs.  But I know that Delhi residents are too "proud" to ever annex into Cincinnati.

How do Delhi's property taxes compare to Cinci's? Would portions of Delhi students be forced to go to Cincinnati Public Schools (West High?) If Delhi has a weak tax base, are you sure it would be beneficial to Cincinnati, even with federal funding from an added population? Delhi already gets federal funding, how would funding being in the hands of Cincinnati make it any better?

School Districts are NOT tied to jurisdictional boundaries.  So if you are in Oak Hills School District now (as much of Delhi is) then you would remain in Oak Hills...however if you're currently in CPS (as some of Delhi is) then you would remain there most likely.  The point is that the school argument is irrelevant.

 

The tax base in Delhi is not strong, but it isn't weak either.  Cincinnati would not gain much from the process other than some additional population numbers.  That is reason enough, because Cincinnati already provides police/fire coverage along the entire southern/eastern borders of Delhi Twp.  So it would actually be very little for service costs, and the additional costs for some of the other services would be stemmed by the additional (albeit minor) tax base they would pick up.

 

Delhi residents would be able to have more extensive social/community programs, more/greater reinvestment opportunities through the federal government and more political clout being a part of a possible 350,000-390,000 city. (depending on what population estimates you believe)

I think you could make similar arguments for Columbia Twp and most of the small towns that surround Cincinnati. Unfortunately, most people in geographic organization of society rather other forms such as social organizations.

I think you could make similar arguments for Columbia Twp and most of the small towns that surround Cincinnati. Unfortunately, most people in geographic organization of society rather other forms such as social organizations.

 

I'm sorry, but I was with you all the way until the second sentence.  I have absolutely no clue what you're trying to say there. :wtf:

It was late. What I was aiming at was the fact that Americans have increasingly chosen to organize themselves geographically in relatively small governmental units in lieu of the type of social organization (Masons, Elks, church organizations, sporting organizations) that dominated where the country was either rural or big city. Whereas city folk create all kinds of organizations to provide services and fulfill needs that the always overstretched government cannot, suburban types create geographic organizations that fulfill the same needs. The services that come with living in a place like Blue Ash is a good example.

^Man...you're sounding a lot like Charles Tiebout.  :laugh:

Delhi Road plan due to trustees next month

BY HEIDI FALLON | [email protected]

 

More safety features, better access and a more inviting entrance to Delhi Township Park all will be among the recommendations for a Delhi Road improvement project.  About two dozen residents and township officials attended a June 10 project update by JMA engineering consultants.

 

Township trustees hired JMA to complete the comprehensive analysis of the pike. The firm will present its final study and recommendations to trustees in July.  "The study is going well and quickly," said Bill McCormick, JMA engineer. "We have a September deadline we have to meet in order to apply for the grant to fund the project."

 

Read full article here:

http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080610/NEWS/806100362/1086/RSS1107

Delhi Pike plan headed for approval

By Eric Bradley, Cincinnati Enquirer | December 2, 2008

 

A state grant application for the $1.7 million Delhi Pike thoroughfare plan may get the green light Friday, but at least one trustee said he’ll be voting no if the project comes back for approval.  Trustee President Jerry Luebbers has voiced his opposition to the plan that would widen Delhi Pike between Greenwell Avenue and Anderson Ferry Road.

 

Even with the prospect of a hefty Ohio Public Works Commission grant of $1.5 million to cover the majority of costs, Luebbers is not convinced the township should establish a precedent of using township funds to pay for upgrades to a county road such as Delhi Pike.  “The minute we start that, rest assured the county engineer is going to expect participation on future county road projects in Delhi Township,” said Luebbers.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081202/NEWS01/312020097/1056/COL02

Delhi Pike upgrade plan faces opposition

By Eric Bradley, Cincinnati Enquirer | December 23, 2008

 

If Delhi Pike is looking under the Christmas tree for its first makeover in 23 years, it may be disappointed.  At least two of three Delhi Township trustees have decided a $1.7 million plan to upgrade Delhi Pike isn’t good economic sense even though the township was this week awarded a $1.5 million state grant for the work.

 

The swing voter on the issue, Trustee Mike Davis, said Tuesday he would like to see the county’s contribution toward improving Delhi Pike, a county road, equal or greater to what the township would give to the overall project.  “If not, then we do what every other jurisdiction in the country is doing in pulling back,” Davis said. “It’s a tough economy. These are tough times, and I think people have more on their list of priorities than spending $300,000 on a road that’s not even theirs.”

 

Read full article here:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081223/NEWS01/312230055

Delhi Pike upgrade plan faces opposition

 

If Delhi Pike is looking under the Christmas tree for its first makeover in 23 years, it may be disappointed.  At least two of three Delhi Township trustees have decided a $1.7 million plan to upgrade Delhi Pike isn’t good economic sense even though the township was this week awarded a $1.5 million state grant for the work.

 

The swing voter on the issue, Trustee Mike Davis, said Tuesday he would like to see the county’s contribution toward improving Delhi Pike, a county road, equal or greater to what the township would give to the overall project.  “If not, then we do what every other jurisdiction in the country is doing in pulling back,” Davis said. “It’s a tough economy. These are tough times, and I think people have more on their list of priorities than spending $300,000 on a road that’s not even theirs.”

 

Read full article here:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081223/NEWS01/312230055/1055/NEWS

Whoa cool!    Didn't even know thier was a Pike thread already.

Delhi Pike is in fact a county road (CR 196 to be exact). The thing is though that Hamilton County is responsible for the maintenance of not just the mileage of Delhi Pike but also another 500 centerline miles ranging from busy roads like Harrison Avenue (CR 457) to the low volume rural roads like Paddys Run Road (CR 60). The county roads are almost entirely through routes, and money allocated to the county engineer for road maintenance and improvements are generally just to ensure that the network continues to flow as intended.

 

It's unfair for the engineer funds to be allocated to streetscape improvements of one road when there are hundreds of other Hamilton County Roads that could be clamoring for these funds just for necessary operational or safety improvements. In addition, there are many other Hamilton County Roads that could also be considered for streetscape improvements. The thing is that when streetscape improvements happen on county or state routes they are generally done by the township. Montgomery Road's streetscape was funded by by Sycamore Township. The numerous streetscape improvements in Butler County are done using TIF funds. In the event of Union Centre Boulevard, it was entirely financed by the Butler County Transportation Improvement District. The truth is that in southwest Ohio there just isn't a precedent of the county engineer using his general funds for streetscape improvements. Why should Delhi Township feel privileged? There is no reason that Delhi Township should expect the county to foot the bill for aesthetic improvements when operational needs of the network are many.

 

Not to open another can of worms, but I think the county NEEDS to recognize areas of middle class density (albeit 1st gen. burbs on the westside) and work on reversing that negative pop. trend NOW.  IMHO!  The housing stock is huge in this area too and retaining that populous is going to require some innovative thinking in the coming years. 

ANYTHING that can distinguish it from a Colerain Ave or Tylersville Rd gets a big "Do It!" from me!     

 

I feel Delhi could support a unique look like what has been done in Montgomery by doing a 180 from what they have been striving for and start focusing on the small business and the structures that might be required to attain them. 

 

Delhi has always struck me as always wanting to be a "Little Glenway".  (Albeit, as sad as that sounds.  Not like theirs much to envy on Glenway)  but, I always used to hear that from Delhesians working 10 years on Glenway.  "When will they put this or that  in Delhi?" 

 

35,000 people in a topo that really won't support any more than that.    I'd be happy with that and start focusing on what would set Delhi apart.  When it comes to major big box stores, their probably going to start looking for retail space on Glenway.    Soooo,

 

!st-  Rip all of those parking lots up along the pike and start moving new development towards the Pike itself.  Parking behind.

 

2nd-  Put the Pike on a Road diet.  (Jake, I know you know more about this subject than me, but I think on street parking COULD work.   

 

Anyway, I think a streetscape, if done right would be nothing but a boost to the local morale.    I'm biased in my opinion but their is no escaping the fact that the Pike needs a big facelift.  (Albeit, who forks the bill for it.)

 

Could Form Base Codes work for this area?

Planning & Zoning will be best at making the future of Delhi Pike bright for the community. As much as planners and engineers often seem at odds with each other, we all need each other. Proper planning can develop a small area plan for Delhi that creates a vision for the community. Innovative zoning can make the the vision a reality.

 

The thing though about zoning is that it tends not to be retroactive, so unless some philanthropist buys all of Delhi Pike and makes it a location to be proud of you'd see the Pike evolve over time.

 

The future of Delhi lies well beyond transportation improvements. It suffers from poor connectivity and an aging population. From an attraction standpoint, there really isn't anything in Delhi that would draw visitors to the township (aside from maybe the Farm and Embshoff Woods). Their main commerical district is completely forgettable, and would fit in well with Colerain Avenue or northern Glenway Avenue. The sheer number of accesses onto Delhi Pike discourage pedestrian traffic even though sidewalks lie on both sides of the street. It has completely lost its identity as the Floral Paradise of Ohio. It lies on the often forgotten about West Side of Cincinnati. Delhi has a lot of things that run against it.

 

At the same time, one has to look at the glass half full. Delhi Pike's potential for redevelopment is tremendous. Use zoning to sculpt that the township's vision. Brand the township as a hamlet, something to be experienced. Promote the proximity to Cincinnati. It has home rule, for better or worse.

 

Delhi needs to think big, and innovate who they are, and what they want to be. The cards seem at times stacked against them, but if the vision is shared their future can be bright.

 

Also, pretty certain a road diet wouldn't work on Delhi Pike, the road essentially dumps out most of Delhi onto River Road. 23000 vehicles a day drive on Delhi East of Anderson Ferry, and that's a bit more than a three lane facility can handle. That said, a streetscape project that involved access consolidation and a landscaped median would have done wonders for the road. Too bad they killed it.

Geez!  Would never have guessed 23000.     

 

I think they do need more community involvement than they have now!

 

Interesting stuff none the less.

Vote expected on Delhi Road project

By Heidi Fallon, Cincinnati Enquirer | January 3, 2009

 

Delhi Township Trustee Mike Davis said businesses and residents will know next week whether the Delhi Road project will go forward.  "We'll decide one way or the other at the Wednesday, Jan. 14, meeting," Davis said.

 

Plans have been in the works since last summer to improve the pike. Those plans include eliminating some curb cuts and adding a lane at the Anderson Ferry and Delhi road intersection.  The township, via a state grant, received a $1.5 million grant and the county has put up $75,000, leaving the township to commit $300,000.

 

Read full article here:

http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20090103/NEWS09/901030310/