Monzel Ups The Ante Against Queensgate

Chris Monzel's pushing a new motion against the proposed Queensgate barge terminal along the river. Remember, he picked up the ball on this one after John Cranley stepped away from leading the issue because he works for a developer whose East Price Hill project overlooks the Hilltop Concrete Co. site where Queensgate wants to do its river-to-rail operation.

First, Monzel asked that a previous resolution against the Queensgate project be heard by council's economic development committee. But Chris Bortz, chairman of that committee, said that resolution was moot because it was specifically tied to a proposed Queensgate lease that council already rejected. He said there was nothing to talk about or act on because nothing's pending before council.

So Monzel jumped in with a motion that any lease proposed in the future with Queensgate be rejected and the space be kept as greenspace and made into a place for recreation.

His accompanying statement: "Cincinnati's western neighborhoods are in the early stages of a renaissance that will reshape and reposition these communities as never before. In an unprecedented turn of events, all community councils representing the Price Hill area are in agreement that this land should not be reverted to industrial use. It is important that we as (a) body take a firm stand and support the neighborhoods in their desire to see this site utilized in a way that maximizes the recreational benefit for all of Cincinnati's residents."





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