Mayor Pureval cheers on downtown, regional growth
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Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval speaks about local development with Axios Cincinnati reporter Kristen Swilley. Photos: Casey Weldon/Axios
Missing out on the World Cup and Sundance has fueled new hotel projects to land the next big event, Mayor Aftab Pureval told Axios Cincinnati.
Why it matters: The city's growing, not wallowing, and is taking an intentional approach to attract new businesses, residents and tourists, Pureval said at Thursday's newsletter launch party.
The intrigue: He's set to formally announce Friday the first comprehensive downtown plan in 40 years.
- It comes amid a bevy of hotel projects — like the Downtown Marriott, the Moxy and Fidelity Hotel — plus a broader transformation of the Convention District and conversion of the Atrium One office building into apartments.
- Cincinnati is what Nashville, Austin and Denver were 20 years ago, Pureval says in predicting further growth and encouraging companies to "buy low" on the city.
The big picture: The two-term mayor isn't salty about continued development in suburban communities, which includes a rising population and plenty of business investment.
- "I cheer on that our northern communities are growing faster," he told Axios readers, local leaders and business professionals at Cincinnati Lager House. "We're a team as a region."
1 fun thing: Pureval is a native of Beavercreek, the center of a trademark lawsuit between powerhouse chain Buc-ees and local convenience store Beaver's Mini Mart.
- The mayor called it a "ridiculous story" and says he stands with his hometown.
- "I don't understand the idea of growing market share and growing your business by pissing everybody off."
