Greater Cincinnati voters to decide levy for new city buildings as opposition pushes back

READING, Ohio (WKRC) – A proposed levy that would fund new city buildings was met with resistance and opposition in a Greater Cincinnati city.

Voters in Reading, Ohio will decide on a proposed levy in the upcoming primary election that would fund new city and fire department buildings, expand space for the police department and renovate the city’s football stadium as part of a land swap with the school district — but the plan has drawn organized opposition.

A proposed levy that would fund new city buildings was met with resistance and opposition in a Greater Cincinnati city. (WKRC, Provided)

The current Reading city building, built in 1902, houses city offices along with the police and fire departments. Mayor Robert “Bo” Bemmes said the building is not big enough or suitable to house everything it currently does.

Under the proposed levy, the city would move the fire department and city offices into new buildings a few blocks away.

“So, we’re going to get a new city hall. Our fire department will triple their space. Our fire department will get new modern quarters to house their entire department,” Bemmes said.

The police department would remain in the current building but would have more room to spread out, Bemmes said.

“It will triple their size for their operations. They’ll be able to have more trainings here, park police cars when they’re not being used inside, drop off prisoners inside as they’re supposed to. You know, that will help with recruitment and retention,” he said.

The levy also includes renovating the football stadium, replacing the field with artificial turf and upgrading the track for an estimated cost of $5 million to $7 million. The stadium work is tied to a land swap: The new city hall and fire department would be built on property the school district would hand over, and Reading Local Schools would receive the renovated stadium land in return.

The $27 million, 28-year levy would cost homeowners $206 per $100,000 of appraised home value.

Campaign signs for and against the levy quickly popped up around town. Michele Naish, one of the organizers pushing for a “no” vote, said her group supports the services involved but opposes the current proposal.

“We are pro police, we are pro fire, we are pro children, we are pro school, we’re pro administration. We’re just not for this plan this way,” Naish said.

Naish said opponents want the new fire and city buildings separated from the stadium.

“Almost everyone in the community has said they’re for police and fire and admin. They’d like to see it closer to Reading Road or on Reading Road. As it stands now, the trade will put it in a residential area [and] separate [fire, police and administrative services]. We would prefer they were together,” she said.