The Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) will have a strong, 24-hour presence at when the project's first phase opens next spring.

Cincinnati City Council passed unanimously an ordinance creating a new capital improvement program project account for a new Police Welcoming Center, to be staffed by relocated personnel from the department's Downtown Services Unit and Special Events Unit.

To finance buildout and technology installation at the new 4,100-square-foot space, $475,000 in funding will be diverted from an existing capital improvement program project account for City facility renovations and repairs. That funding was originally targeted for roof replacements at the District Four facility at in Paddock Hills, which will now take place in 2011.

While project development partners Carter Real Estate and are providing the space rent free, it will require annual operating costs of approximately $45,000. The developers have pledged a monthly rent contribution to the City.

The move was needed to give the police a more centralized location in CPD District One and will give the new neighborhood much-wanted police visibility and a greater sense of safety.

The new center will not result in a reduction of patrols in the rest of District One.

Phase 1 of The Banks will include 180 Walnut, an office building with 200,000-250,000 square feet of office space; 300 luxury apartments; 80,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space; and a 200-bed boutique hotel.

When completed, the 3 million-square-foot, $800 million project is expected to include up to 300,000 square feet of Class A office space, up to 1,800 residential units, the hotel, and a 1,600-space parking structure. Estimates are that the project will drive $600 million in private development.

Previous reading on BC:
Banks developers create new website, branding (4/27/10)
General contractor selected for The Banks (11/9/09)
Stimulus funding for The Banks moves up schedule, costs (6/17/09)
First street poured at The Banks (5/26/09)
Cincinnati passes three funding ordinances for The Banks (3/30/09)