Council Member (at-large)· 2026–2027
Ryan James
Cincinnati
About
Ryan James's campaign focused on urban development and density, emphasizing thoughtful execution of growth initiatives as he made history by becoming the youngest Black man elected to the Cincinnati City Council.
Campaign promises (1)
- developmentJames advocated for urban density, stating it can be a positive asset for the city if executed properly.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 58
- Total speaking time
- 2:45:16
- Avg per meeting
- 2:51
- Segments
- 3231
Want every word James has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has James said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)(Development)
Homelessness Prevention and Bridge-Loan Funding
$840,000 plus $300,000 moved out of an eviction-prevention fund, with rental assistance leaders saying they need about $100,000 a month and will face a January shortfall.
Nehemiah Manufacturing Commercial Development and Tax Exemption in Lower Price Hill
A $6.74 million private investment, with property taxes on the improvements exempted for 15 years.
City West Affordable Housing Preservation and Debt
$1.5 million from the Housing and Economic Development Capital Project Reserve — on hold for now.
Westline Flats Multi-Family Development in Westwood
The total project cost is approximately $57 million.
Midpointe Crossing Development funding in Bond Hill
Up to $2 million in state grant funds, additive to $6.5 million in city commitments.
Surplus property sale in Oakley
$15,500 in sale proceeds to the city.
Neighborhood Cleanliness and Litter Abatement
Cost recovery from property owners jumped from $39,000 to over $481,000, shifting abatement costs onto violators.
Affordable Housing and Developer Engagement
Habitat utilizes a zero percent interest mortgage model, second subordinated forgivable mortgages, and private-public subsidies to finance housing development.
Buildings and Inspections Staffing and House Bill 361
Establishes salary ranges for three new classifications; total cost not stated.
530 Walnut Street mixed-use renovation
$2.9 million from the Downtown/OTR East TIF fund.
2260 Vine Street acquisition and demolition
$310,000 from the Mount Auburn TIF fund.
Demographic Composition of City Project Workforce
About $123 million in project payroll, most of it leaving the city.
College Hill property acquisition at 5911 Hamilton Avenue
$402,500 from the College Hill Equivalent Fund.
The Banks Urban Design Plan and Expansion
Estimated at $800 million in total project investment.
Mill Creek Corridor and Camp Washington Redevelopment
The project utilizes previously allocated city funding of $150,000 for phase one, $275,000 for phase two, and $500,000 for the build phase, alongside potential philanthropic partnerships.
Downtown Plan Kickoff
Funded primarily through special improvement districts, private fundraising, and city contributions.
Building Code Enforcement and Chronic Violator Tracking
Costs associated with staff time required to compile the updated municipal code enforcement report.
Honorary Street Naming: George and Ruby Malone Way
Minimal administrative cost for street signage.
Over-the-Rhine Mixed-Use Redevelopments (Finley Flats)
Involves multi-million dollar TIF appropriations and 15-year 100% CRA tax exemptions.
Homelessness Outreach and Generosity 513
Program funding has grown to $638,000 through district contributions, board support, and city funds.
Decisions during term (35)
Recorded while James was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
SD Creek development agreement, Winton Hills
Rezone 5707/5711 Madison Road to Planned Development District No. 107 (Veterans Village)
Item 6: Reappointment to Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority
Item 27: Funding Agreement for 530 Walnut Street Redevelopment
Item 37: Development Agreement for Estecreek Road Cold Storage Facility
Development Agreement for 5051 Estecreek Road
REAPPOINTMENT: Roxanne Qualls to Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority
DOJ Community Policing Development Microgrant Acceptance
202602717 ORDINANCE submitted by Sheryl M. M. Long, City Manager, on 9/10/2026, ESTABLISHING new permanent improvement program project account no. 980x232x272317, “Tri-State Trails Development” to provide resources to Tri-State Trails to…
Recommend Rezoning for Westline Flats Planned Development
202602708 ORDINANCE submitted by Sheryl M. M. Long, City Manager, on 9/10/2026, AUTHORIZING the City Manager to apply for a grant of up to $1,825,000 from the Federal Transit Administration Transit-Oriented Development Planning Pilot…
File Report Item 4 (Workforce Development Programs)
202602513 ORDINANCE (EMERGENCY) submitted by Sheryl M. M. Long, City Manager, on 8/3/2026, ESTABLISHING new permanent improvement program project account no. 980x105x271039, “1520 Madison Road Redevelopment - TIF,” to provide resources for…
202602481 ORDINANCE (EMERGENCY) submitted by Sheryl M. M. Long, City Manager, on 8/3/2026, AUTHORIZING the City Manager to appropriate $292,132.50 in 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program income from the unappropriated…
202602484 ORDINANCE (EMERGENCY) submitted by Sheryl M. M. Long, City Manager, on 8/4/2026, AUTHORIZING the City Manager to execute a Lease with Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation, an Ohio not for profit corporation, pursuant to…
Reappointment of Amy Spiller to the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority
202601739 ORDINANCE (EMERGENCY) submitted by Sheryl M. M. Long, City Manager, on 6/3/2026, AUTHORIZING the City Manager to accept and appropriate $10,925,956 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development…
202601740 ORDINANCE (EMERGENCY) submitted by Sheryl M. M. Long, City Manager, on 6/3/2026, AUTHORIZING the City Manager to accept and appropriate $2,596,978.03 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Home Investment…
202601741 ORDINANCE (EMERGENCY) submitted by Sheryl M. M. Long, City Manager, on 6/3/2026, AUTHORIZING the City Manager to accept and appropriate $972,328 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Emergency Solutions…
202601742 ORDINANCE (EMERGENCY) submitted by Sheryl M. M. Long, City Manager, on 6/3/2026, AUTHORIZING the City Manager to accept and appropriate a grant of $2,043,145 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing…
Voting record (8)(Development)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.