Enquirer / October 26, 2013
More jobs, more residents and a balanced budget are quantifiable outcomes that, over the last three days, we’ve urged Cincinnati’s new mayor and council to prioritize.
But city leaders need to work on intangibles, too. Even as officials fund the pension plan and recruit new businesses, they must make efforts to create a city that’s attractive and livable. People need reasons to come to Cincinnati, whether for an evening, a few years or forever.
Cincinnati must balance the nuts and bolts of removing blight and improving infrastructure with supporting amenities like good libraries and parks. In an era of dwindling resources, sometimes the most important role for city government is as a facilitator, making connections and drawing attention to efforts that benefit the city.
Cincinnati Public Schools has a great model for student and community improvement in its Community Learning Centers. City Hall should promote their use and create alliances with schools, because good schools and strong neighborhoods go hand in hand.