The REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati (RAGC) is proud to announce it has secured a $15,000 Smart Growth Grant from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to support a bold new housing initiative aligned with Cincinnati Councilmember Mark Jeffreys’ “Big Audacious Housing Goal” to add 40,000 new housing units over the next decade.
This effort draws inspiration from the success of Atlanta’s BeltLine project, which transformed underused rail corridors into a dynamic trail system—generating over $1 billion in economic development and catalyzing walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods across the city. Similarly, this initiative will focus on leveraging The CROWN—Cincinnati’s 34-mile urban trail loop—as a catalyst for equitable, connected, and sustainable housing growth.
In partnership with Councilmember Jeffreys and a coalition of local leaders, RAGC will lead early-stage strategic planning, zoning analysis, and community engagement aimed at unlocking infill development opportunities along The CROWN corridor.
Key Activities Include:
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Hosting community focus groups and industry roundtables to assess housing needs, zoning barriers, and redevelopment potential along The CROWN
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Engaging local REALTORS® as trusted communicators and educators in public engagement sessions
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Bringing in modular housing experts and Smart Growth leaders to provide best-practice guidance
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Conducting a preliminary zoning and policy audit of adjacent neighborhoods to align regulations with housing goals
“This project is about building more than homes—it’s about building momentum for smart, inclusive growth,” said Mary Huttlinger, RAGC Government Affairs Director. “Just as Atlanta’s BeltLine became a national model for trail-based urban revitalization, The CROWN offers Cincinnati a chance to reimagine how mobility and housing intersect to strengthen communities.”
RAGC 2025 Advocacy Chair, Heather Kopf (Kopf, Hunter & Haas) added, “We have an opportunity to do something transformational here. By aligning land use, housing, and active transportation infrastructure, we can create communities that are more affordable, more connected, and more vibrant.”
The initiative will support key Smart Growth principles such as:
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Mixed land uses
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Walkable neighborhoods
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A range of housing options
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Development focused on existing communities
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Fostering a strong sense of place
Thanks to NAR’s support, this project will provide the groundwork for real solutions—connecting vision to execution—and positioning REALTORS® as key partners in shaping Cincinnati’s housing future.
For more on the Smart Growth Grant program, visit www.nar.org.
For local inquiries, contact [email protected]