Uptown Transportation Study - OKI

Planning Study ReportPart B: Interstate 71 Access Improvement Study, PID 77628Estimated Costs and ImplementationResponsibility for providing sufficient mainline capacity within the study area based on theexisting access lies with the ODOT. Further analysis of the need and configuration ofadditional mainline capacity would be undertaken as part of the recommended PDP steps 5through 7 for the conceptual alternatives developed to modify the existing Taft/McMillaninterchange and/or provide access at ML King Drive. If future steps of the PDP determinethat additional mainline capacity is required only to support modified interstate access, thenthe costs for adding such capacity will be included in the overall project costs for the accessmodifications.It is estimated that the construction costs for the recommended mainline capacity would beapproximately $8.5 million in 2006 dollars. This reflects the assumptions noted above,namely no additional rights-of-way required and no major impacts to the existing overpassbridges.7.4. Secondary Recommendations7.4.1. City of Cincinnati Zoning Classification ReviewThe current zoning classifications for the land within the study area generally reflect theexisting light industrial and residential land uses. It is assumed that in order to fullycapitalize on improved access to I-71, future land uses would be significantly different fromtheir present use. Existing light industrial and residential uses would be likely be replacedby office, institutional and mixed use development as has been the case in the vicinity ofother interchanges located along the I-71 corridor from the Grand Baldwin development inthe southern portion of the study area to the Keystone Parke office complex now in thepreliminary stages of development near the Dana Avenue interchange at the northern edgeof the study area. It is recommended that a comprehensive review of the existing municipalzoning classifications be performed with the intent to revise the classifications as necessaryto reflect the desired future land uses that could be supported by improved interstateaccess. This process would be lead by the City of Cincinnati in conjunction with Uptownand neighborhood stakeholders.The City of Cincinnati has formed a task force that will discuss the reestablishment of theDepartment of City Planning, which was eliminated in 2003. If the City Planning Departmentis reestablished, or if the planning functions continue to be administered by otherdepartments, this task should be a priority for the City of Cincinnati.7.4.2. Preservation of Public Right-of-WayDuring the past several years, publicly-owned parcels within the study area have been soldby the City of Cincinnati and/or the State of Ohio to private interests. All publicly-ownedproperty within the immediate vicinity of the I-71 limited access rights-of-way should be helduntil such time that the nature of future access improvements and/or additional needs formainline capacity is more fully defined. Transferring public property to the private sector canlead to increased costs for right-of-way acquisition and potential residential or commercialdisplacements that could otherwise be avoided. This moratorium on vacating or sellingUptown Transportation Study 78URS CorporationNovember 2006