What is a Special Improvement District?

A Special Improvement District (SID) is a structured method of raising funds in a geographical area in order to manage and deliver critical services above the level of services provided by local government. According to the Urban Land Institute (ULI), it:

  • Is a system by which multiple unrelated property owners cooperate to share the costs of common problems.

  • Creates a sustainable funding system, making possible multiple year funding plans and budgets.

  • Is authorized by government through legislation that defines the organization’s purpose, governing structure, functions, and limits.

OTR South SID

OTR South Special Improvement District boundaries.

As redevelopment continues to flourish in Over-the-Rhine, neighborhood partners realized the vital importance of maintaining the safety and cleanliness of the neighborhood to drive patron traffic and attract new businesses.

In 2017, a working committee of neighborhood stakeholders began revisiting previous potential for SID creation; created a steering committee to assess viability and leveraged 20 years of experience from the downtown SID (Downtown Cincinnati Improvement District). After the OTR South SID was officially approved and established in October 2020, the property owners held their first meeting to elect the new Board of Trustees for the new SID on December 21, 2020. For more information on the Board of Trustees, click here.

The OTR South SID Board of Trustees provide oversight and guidance for how funding is allocated to services provided within the SID and detailed in the Services Plan. The Services Plan is an aggressive strategy employed by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), which has a management agreement with the OTR South SID, to assist in the overall revitalization of the SID through cleanliness, safety, and patron interaction, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.

The OTR South SID ensures several key enhancements to the neighborhood:

  • Clean and safe services throughout the entire SID, not just main thoroughfares and high-traffic areas

  • A community-driven effort, led by a Board of Trustees elected by the property owners within the SID

  • A sustainable funding source for beautification efforts, streetscape improvements and other projects as directed by the SID Board of Trustees