New bike trail, green programs discussed Tuesday | Environment

CINCINNATI (FOX19) – The citizens who are working on the Wasson Way Hike/Bike Trail Plan will make a presentation at Cincinnati Council’s Strategic Growth committee at Noon on Wednesday in Council Chambers at Cincinnati City Hall.

The plan entails the creation of a hike and bike trail alongside the 6.5 miles of unused railroad tracks that extend through the Cincinnati neighborhoods of Evanston, Hyde Park, Oakley, and Mount Lookout, as well as the surrounding communities of Norwood, Fairfax, and Mariemont. 

Jay Andress, President of the Wasson Way Non-Profit Corporation, will introduce the project details, and Rails-to-Trails Developer Eric Oberg will discuss successful projects in other cities.  Dr. Christopher Bolling, National Program Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Provisional Section on Obesity will explain the health benefits of hike/bike trails, and Dr. Rainer vom Hofe, professor at the University of Cincinnati School of Planning, will present the economic benefits of such trails.     

The Committee, chaired by Council Member Laure Quinlivan, will also discuss The Green Cincinnati Plan in Tuesday’s meeting.  This 2008 plan provides recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Cincinnati.  The Office of Environmental Quality’s Director Larry Falkin and Sustainability Coordinator Steve Johns will update committee members on the City’s progress in reducing its GHG emissions.  Falkin and Johns will also discuss plans to revise the document in order to keep Cincinnati on course toward achieving all goals outlined in The Green Cincinnati Plan. 

Architect Shawn Hesse of emersion DESIGN will present a proposal for a Cincinnati Green Jobs Task Force.  Similar to models in other cities, this task force would be charged with making concrete policy recommendations to City Council to promote and retain “green jobs” in the City.  The proposed group would be made up of key business, environmental, and political stakeholders from the community. 

The Strategic Growth Committee oversees issues related to arts & culture, economic development, education, the environment, human services, and marketing & tourism.  The public is encouraged to attend.  

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