2025 Year In Review

January 

UCI Becomes a Managed Entity of The Port
At the start of 2025, Uptown Consortium, Inc. (UCI) became a managed entity of The Port, strengthening our ability to accelerate economic growth in Uptown’s five neighborhoods. Uptown is the region’s second-largest economic engine and a hub for research and innovation. By combining resources and expertise, the partnership aims to catalyze transformative growth across one of Cincinnati’s most dynamic districts.

February 

Concord Construction Begins
Construction officially began on homes along Concord Street in Walnut Hills, marking a major milestone for this housing development. The project includes eight new construction homes supported by City of Cincinnati American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investment and designed for households earning up to 120% AMI. Half of the homes include solar features, and by the end of 2025, seven of the eight are already sold or under contract. 

Queen City Pitch
Queen City Pitch returned, bringing together entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders. Participants received mentorship and guidance while sharing ideas with the potential to transform neighborhoods. The event continues to foster collaboration and support inclusive economic growth. 

Alms Garage Demolition
Demolition began at the long-vacant Alms Garage to prepare the site for future redevelopment. Through the Ohio Department of Development’s (ODOD) Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, the Hamilton County Landbank cleared a structure that had become a significant safety concern. This work opens the door for future investment and community benefit.  This is one of many impactful landbank transformations that have taken place in 2025. 

March 

Rosemary’s Babies Grand Opening
Rosemary’s Babies celebrated the grand opening of its Holloway House and Resource Center in North Avondale, providing critical resources and support for families in the community. The Landbank, a managed entity of The Port, previously stabilized this historic structure in partnership with the City of Cincinnati. Designed by Samuel Hannaford in the late 1890s, the home has been beautifully restored to provide resources for teen parents, including housing and support services, workforce training, financial coaching, health and wellness resources, and so much more. Local partners, families, and Port staff gathered to mark the occasion. The opening reflects our continued commitment to community-centered development. 

United Way Recognition
The Port was named to United Way’s Tremendous 2024 Workplaces That Care list. This recognition highlights our focus on employee well-being, professional development, and workplace culture. It reflects the values that guide how we support both our staff and our mission. 

April 

Jose Garcia Designed Homes Completed
Cincinnati-based architect and builder Jose Garcia partnered with The Port to bring 11 new, thoughtfully designed homes to Avondale. Built on a formerly vacant Landbank lot, the homes offer expansive views overlooking Uptown. The project demonstrates how strategic partnerships can activate underutilized land. Our Communications and Marketing team also produced a Port Short focused on the Avondale Residential Development, highlighting this project. 

7 West 7th Ribbon Cutting
We celebrated the ribbon cutting of 7 West 7th, bringing 341 new apartments to Downtown Cincinnati through the conversion of the former Macy’s headquarters building. Projects of this scale require vision, strong partnerships, and sustained support. The Port supported this project through its public finance practice and is proud to have played a role in delivering new housing to the urban core. 

The Frank Ribbon Cutting
In Lower Price Hill, we joined partners to celebrate the grand opening of The Frank, a new deli and grill on State Ave. The project revitalizes a historic commercial space, with future plans to convert the upper floors into residential units. The Landbank was proud to support this effort alongside the City of Cincinnati and Price Hill Will. Our Communications and Marketing team also produced a Port Short highlighting this fantastic restaurant and overall project.  

OLBA Landbank Conference
Some members of our team attended the Ohio Land Bank Association (OLBA) Conference to share best practices and learn from peers across the state. Sessions focused on redevelopment strategies, financing tools, and community engagement. Insights gained will help inform future Port and Landbank initiatives. Click here to read about some of our key takeaways. 

May 

Crossroads Groundbreaking
The Port joined the Crossroads Center and project partners for the groundbreaking of a new facility on Reading Road. UCI, a managed entity of The Port, allocated $10 million in federal New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs), with PNC Bank contributing an additional $1 million in federal NMTCs. The project will create 200 construction jobs, 16 new full-time positions, and retain 60 existing jobs while expanding critical services in Uptown. 

YWCA Ribbon Cutting
We celebrated the opening of YWCA Greater Cincinnati’s new domestic violence shelter in Avondale. Designed with trauma-informed principles, the shelter provides safety, privacy, and healing for survivors and their families. UCI, a managed entity of The Port, supported the project through $5 million in NMTCs, helping bring 20 living units that are beautiful, safe, and most importantly secure, places for survivors to heal from trauma, serving 600 adults and children each year. 

June 

Northgate Mall Sears Demolition Begins
Colerain Township partnered with The Port for technical expertise on acquiring and managing the demolition of the former Sears building. The Hamilton County Landbank, a managed entity of The Port, acquired the building with Township funding and secured additional resources from ODOD to abate environmental hazards and demolish the structure. Demolition began in June 2025, marking a major milestone for the Township and Hamilton County and showcasing how regional collaboration can advance complex redevelopment projects. 

July 

The Port Moved
The Port officially relocated to a new downtown office, creating a refreshed and collaborative workspace. The move positions the organization for continued growth and impact heading into 2026. 

Mercantile Ribbon Cutting
The Port celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Mercantile Building, a transformative project converting the historic Mercantile and Formica Buildings into 172 market-rate apartments and roughly 60,000 SF of retail and amenity space, including an expanded home for the Mercantile Library. The Port was proud to play a role in making this project possible, utilizing its Public Finance tools to help finance the conversion. Office conversion projects like this preserve history while repositioning spaces for the future, bringing new residents and businesses to the heart of our city. 

Cozy Homes
Cozy Home Construction LLC continues transforming vacant Landbank lots into energy-efficient homes across Cincinnati. Founded by Sarwar Shareef and co-led by his children, the company carries a generational legacy of purpose-driven building. Three homes were completed this month, with more on the way, each one an investment in stability and community.

August 

Brownfields Conference
The team participated in the National Brownfields Conference, sharing and learning best practices in redevelopment. Conversations focused on innovative approaches to reclaiming underutilized land. These insights will continue to inform The Port’s brownfield work. 

Constructing the Future Event
The Port and Queen City Developers co-hosted Constructing the Future, an event centered on networking and real estate development opportunities. The event sparked new connections and meaningful conversations. We look forward to seeing these relationships grow into future projects. 

Tax Relief Program Announcement
The Port, through the Hamilton County Landbank, partnered with the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office, the City of Cincinnati, and Working in Neighborhoods to launch a one-time property tax relief program. The City-funded initiative helped eligible homeowners avoid foreclosure by retiring approximately $100,000 in delinquent property taxes and providing free financial counseling.

September 

1 More Bite Grand Opening
1 More Bite celebrated its grand opening in the Bond Hill Business District. The new business adds energy to the corridor and supports local entrepreneurship. Community members now have a new neighborhood dining option. 

Business Courier’s 40 Under 40 Alumni Event
We joined the Cincinnati Business Courier to celebrate the launch of its first-ever Forty Under 40 Hall of Fame. President & CEO Laura N. Brunner was honored as an inaugural inductee, and her continued leadership in equitable development remains an inspiration across the region. 

50th CARE Home Sold
The sale of the 50th home under The Port’s CARE (Creating Affordable Real Estate) Initiative marked a major milestone in expanding access to safe, quality housing. This achievement reflects strong partnerships and sustained commitment. Staff and partners celebrated the impact of this work. By the end of 2025, more than 60 CARE homes will have been sold. 

October 

Yellow Bridge Ribbon Cutting
Port staff joined the Experience Mill Creek launch and opening of the Yellow Bridge Pocket Park and access point. Executive Vice President Philip Denning serves on the Experience Mill Creek executive committee. The project improves connectivity and access along the Mill Creek corridor. 

Talbert House Ribbon Cutting
We celebrated the opening of the Talbert House Hamilton County Crisis Center in Avondale. The facility will provide mental health stabilization, addiction treatment, and recovery services to an estimated 1,500 individuals each year. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Nikki Boehmker highlighted how UCI, a managed entity of The Port, supported the project through $5 million in federal NMTCs and $1 million in state NMTCs. 

November 

State Ave Ribbon Cutting
State Ave Lofts officially opened in Lower Price Hill, transforming a once-blighted property into 12 units of affordable housing. The buildings were stabilized through the Hamilton County Landbank before redevelopment by Kaiker Development + Construction. The project highlights the power of public–private partnerships. 

Duke Energy Visionary Award
The Port was honored with the Duke Energy Visionary Award for leadership and innovation. The recognition celebrates projects that deliver lasting community and economic impact. It reflects our continued commitment to forward-thinking development. 

Elm Street Plaza Ribbon Cutting
The Port’s Executive Vice President & General Counsel Andrew Garth shared remarks at the Elm Street Plaza ribbon cutting. He highlighted The Port’s role in acquiring the site and supporting the project from day one. The plaza brings new energy to Cincinnati’s convention district.  

Mural Installation
Following our move downtown, we partnered with artists Lucie Rice and Courttney Cooper to install three murals in our new office. The artwork reflects The Port’s mission and the communities we serve. Together, the murals bring creativity and a strong sense of place into our space. Learn more about the artists here. 

December 

NMTC Project Closed
UCI, a managed entity of The Port, allocated $7 million in federal NMTCs and $1 million in state NMTCs, to support Cincinnati Children’s infusion pump fleet replacement on the Burnet Campus in Avondale. The investment will fund 3,100 new smart pumps, improving patient safety and care. The project strengthens healthcare infrastructure, serving more than 32,000 unique patients, while supporting 3,700 jobs and the creation of 100 new quality jobs, specific to Nurses, PCAs, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, in Uptown. 

Allez Bakery Ribbon Cutting 
We celebrated the ribbon cutting of Allez Bakery in Madisonville, one of our historic stabilization projects  located at 6012 Madison Road. This stunning property has a rich history and sits in a prime neighborhood location. We’re excited to see it brought back to life and into the community. Be sure to stop by and visit Allez Bakery!

Uli Emerging Trends 
The Port’s Philip Denning was one of more than 20 speakers at this year’s Urban Land Institute Cincinnati Emerging Trends event. A packed room at TQL Stadium heard insights on real estate trends and forecasts, including some of the region’s largest development investments planned for 2026 and beyond. Top development thinkers from across the tri-state shared perspectives on the projects shaping our region’s future, and the outlook is bright.