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We’ve moved! Find us at 221 East Fourth Street,
Suite 200, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
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NEWS FROM THE PORT
Edition No. 26 | September 2025
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Lincoln Institute Leads Accelerating Community Investment (ACI) Convening in Cincinnati
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In July, The Port hosted the Accelerating Community Investment (ACI) National Community of Practice Convening, an initiative of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. The two-day gathering brought community leaders, investors, and practitioners from across the country to Cincinnati to exchange ideas and advance strategies for mission-driven investment.
For two days, attendees participated in panel sessions and peer exchanges that highlighted innovative approaches to financing community development, with examples from New Orleans, Cleveland, and Dallas, as well as insights from the Brookings Institution and other national partners.
The convening also highlighted Cincinnati’s leadership in place-based investment. The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) shared local strategies to align capital with community priorities, and participants toured Port and Landbank projects, including renovated CARE homes, the Lunkenheimer building, and Emerge Manufacturing. The final day featured remarks from Mayor Aftab Pureval, who thanked attendees and reaffirmed the City’s commitment to expanding the impact of investment and building an economy that provides opportunity for all.
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Pictured: Port staff enjoy an architectural tour of Chicago on kayaks.
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Port Staff Attend National Brownfields Conference
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In August, The Port’s team attended the 2025 National Brownfields Conference in Chicago, the nation’s largest event focused on redeveloping contaminated sites. They returned to Cincinnati with fresh insights from sessions on remediation, funding, equity, and housing, and renewed energy to apply bold ideas. It was a valuable opportunity to connect with peers and partners driving change nationwide.
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Constructing the Future: Building Connections with Local Contractors and Developers
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On August 13, The Port welcomed contractors, developers, and real estate professionals to ‘Constructing the Future,’ a networking and information session focused on upcoming opportunities in our region. During the event, our Real Estate Services and Landbank teams highlighted upcoming bid opportunities and shared ways for partners to get involved in future redevelopment efforts. The event brought together professionals to collaborate, exchange ideas, and connect as we continue to build The Port’s growing network.
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Pictured: A building in Sedamsville with visible water damage and an overgrown side yard before work began.
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Revitalization in Sedamsville
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The Port has kicked off the next phase of revitalization in Sedamsville. Internal demolitions and clean-outs are underway on 18 single-family homes slated for renovation into new homeownership opportunities. Construction is expected to begin before the end of the year, with phased completion of all 18 homes by the fourth quarter of 2026. Project funding is made possible through the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County ARPA resources, and the State of Ohio’s Welcome Home Ohio program.
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Renovated homes are expected to sell between $120,00 and $180,000. With nearly three-quarters of Sedamsville residents living at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), this project is especially critical to ensuring affordability and fostering long-term neighborhood stability.
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Celebrating the Mercantile Building Ribbon Cutting
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In July, Port staff were thrilled to join Model Group for a ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the historic Mercantile Building. This transformative $90MM redevelopment breathes new life into two of downtown Cincinnati’s most iconic buildings.
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This vibrant, mixed-use community features 172 apartments, 60,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, and an expanded home for the Mercantile Library, a treasured cultural institution serving Cincinnati for over 200 years.
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The Port was proud to play a role in making this project possible, utilizing its Public Finance tools to help finance the conversion of the Mercantile and Formica Buildings. Office conversion projects like this preserve history while repositioning spaces for the future, bringing new residents and businesses to the heart of our city.
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Congratulations to Model Group, the City of Cincinnati, the Mercantile Library, project financing partners, and the many visionaries and advocates who made this project a reality.
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The Port Welcomes Two New Team Members
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Nikki Boehmker has joined The Port as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In this role, she will lead financial strategy and contribute to updating the organization’s Strategic Plan. A CPA with extensive experience at PwC and Cintrifuse, Nikki is known for aligning innovation with operational excellence.
She brings a strong focus on strategic investments, thoughtful planning, and advancing bold ideas.Â
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Chelsea Boyer joined The Port in August 2025 as Director of Human Resources. She brings deep HR experience from Medpace, Skyline Chili, and Alternate Solutions and is SHRM-SCP certified, with a business degree from Wright State.
Chelsea is dedicated to strengthening employee engagement and streamlining HR processes.
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