Cincinnati Office of Environment & Sustainability

The City has successfully completed asbestos remediation for the former Shillito’s Department building in downtown.

With funding help from two Brownfield Remediation Grants from the Ohio Department of Development totaling $1,963,080, the City has invested over $2.5 million to remediate asbestos-containing materials from the former Shillito’s Department Store building. Formerly a department store, this long-vacant property is at a key corner in the downtown central business district in Cincinnati and part of the national register historic district. Now that the asbestos has been safely removed and properly disposed, the City will continue to explore options for the building’s rehabilitation for redevelopment.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was widely used for building construction materials due to its fiber strength and heat resistance qualities. The material has since been banned due to the risk of developing lung disease if the fibers are released and inhaled. Buildings constructed before 1988 may have asbestos-containing building materials and it can be costly to remediate the materials that are often found in insulation, flooring tile, and adhesives.

Learn more about asbestos here: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos

Cincinnati Climate Week is right around the corner! From community conversations, to film showings, to breakout sessions during the MRSS, OES is excited to be part of so many great events taking place during Climate Week. Check out the full calendar of events and register today.

https://climateweeknetwork.org/cincinnati-26/events

Check out the new Climate Migration Readiness Plan 👉https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/oes/resilience-and-climate-adaptation/social-cohesion/climate-migration/

In a time of intensifying climate pressures, the impacts of climate change may influence where people move. These people, called climate migrants, may choose to move to Cincinnati. The foundation of our city, our housing, public transit, schools, and city services, could face new demand if population changes. With this potential future in mind, the City should prepare to meet newcomers' needs while still serving long-time residents.

Read more about the plan: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/oes/news/climate-migration-readiness-plan-published/

Out with the old, in with the new!

Thanks to the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant from the US EPA, OES has been awarded $4.9M to feed into our city’s recycling program.

Not only will funds go to replace approximately 80,000 recycling carts, but the award will also spur new initiatives to increase recycling access for residents.

“We’re using it to close real gaps in recycling access, pair new infrastructure with genuine community engagement, and build toward the city’s long-term diversion goals. The new carts are just the start of a bigger recycling conversation.” Howard Miller, OES Environmental Manager.

Read more here: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/oes/news/cincinnati-awarded-nearly-5-million-epa-grant-to-modernize-and-expand-recycling-program/

Keep calm and ride on with 10 new bike repair stations 🚲

Find them at:
-City Hall
-Lunken Playfield
-Bramble Recreation Area
-Roselawn Sports Complex
-Winton Hills Recreation Center
-Hawkins Recreation Area
-North Fairmount Recreation Area
-Evans Recreation Area

Two more repair stations are forthcoming at Mt. Auburn Pool and the new Mt. Airy Mountain Bike Skills Course.

Repair stations include a bike work stand, air pump, and all the tools needed to fill your standard bike repair needs.

Special thanks to the The Devou Good Foundation for their generous donation, Tri-State Trails for their maintenance partnership, and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, Cincinnati Parks, and City Hall for hosting this bike infrastructure at their facilities.

🐝🌿 Refresh your pollinator patch or start a new one this season!

Native gardens support healthier local ecosystems and help pollinators thrive. With a few simple guidelines from the Office of Environment and Sustainability, Department of Buildings & Inspections, and 311Cincy, you can responsibly maintain a beautiful native garden at home.

Here’s to positive pollination all season long! 🌼

Join New America and OES June 9th for a scenario planning session to explore how Cincinnati's communities and housing can prepare for potential climate migration.

We're looking to bring together a diverse group of community members, nonprofit leaders, researchers, planners, and policymakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities that climate migration could create for Cincinnati. If this sounds like you, learn more about the session here and register today. https://events.newamerica.org/preparingcincinnati-housingcom

As the impacts of climate change intensify in the coming decades, millions of Americans could move away from the regions most severely impacted and towards less vulnerable areas, like Cincinnati. Cities like Cincinnati must balance planning for potential newcomers with addressing current challenges around affordable housing, transportation, and infrastructure.

Want to learn how to save money on your utility bills? Have questions for your local utility providers? Don’t know where to start with making your home more efficient?

Attend the Smart Savings Utilities Fair and engage with local experts to understand all things utilities.

Tuesday, May 19th

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency, 1740 Langdon Farm Road

Learn more here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1497020605119947/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22search_results%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark_search%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D