Rebirth or death spiral?

The top issue in the city of Cincinnati in recent years – the only issue in many residents’ minds – has been crime. Specifically, it is the perception that crime is on the rise, symbolized by an increase in homicides.
So it’s natural that Mayor Mark Mallory would devote much of his State of the City Address, delivered Tuesday night, to public safety. Mallory ticked off a number of initiatives and trends that he said shows the city is serious about fighting crime – from increased forfeiture and seizure to federal prosecution of gang members to a mayors’ coalition against illegal gun trafficking.

But that wasn’t the main message Mallory hoped to convey during his address at the Aronoff Center downtown. He was there to tout the “new” Cincinnati, particularly in the city’s core. “Cincinnati is experiencing a rebirth,” he said. “The state of our city is strong and growing stronger.”

He cited: a blight-fighting initiative in neighborhoods; the downtown condo boom, with a near-doubling of residents since 2000; the Fountain Square renovation, with several new restaurants opening nearby; the expanded Convention Center, with the NAACP convention booked next year; a functioning Banks Working Group; new transportation plans, including a streetcar study; new business and job developments in neighborhoods.
“Much of the city’s progress last year was overshadowed by the number of homicides,” the mayor said, “(but)we are seeing the signs of progress.”

Is Mallory correct? Is Cincinnati on the upswing or in a downward spiral? Read his speech and our stories on it, and tell us what you think, either on the SpeakUp! feature on the online stories at Enquirer.Com (click on the Local News or Opinion tabs) or by email to letters@enquirer.com.