City and convention center leaders on Monday gave a lukewarm review to a national planning group's recommendation that a revitalized downtown include a smaller convention center expansion.

        It was the first chance for local leaders to dissect an Urban Land Institute study released in March that suggested the city rethink its downtown development goals.

        “No matter how many goals we make, none of them work without a financing plan,” said Cincinnati City Manager John Shirey.

        The city hired ULI this year to figure out a way to revitalize the Race Street area after upscale retailer Nordstrom dropped plans for a store at Fifth and Race.

        Rather than just suggesting a use for the Nordstrom site, the urban experts urged the city to scrap its convention center expansion plan and do a better job of linking nearby neighborhoods such as Over-the-Rhine and Clifton.

        “Our goal was to get you thinking,” said Jon Wellhoefer, who heads the ULI panel. “I think we accomplished that.”

        The controversial report sparked considerable debate about the proposed $325 million expansion of the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center.

        A task force appointed by Mayor Charlie Luken had concluded a convention center stretching across Interstate 75 was the best solution. But after the ULI planning group suggested otherwise, city and expansion boosters agreed to rethink their plan.

        The city hired a consultant to study whether a smaller convention center would lure technology and international conferences. The study's outcome could affect what direction the convention center is expanded, said Mike Wilson, president of the Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau.

        Mr. Wilson said a smaller expansion to the east would create several problems, including:

        • Acquiring and demolishing the Regal Hotel, which just completed the first part of a multimillion-dollar remodeling.

        • Figuring out an easy way for large trucks to drive through downtown to reach the convention center. If expanded over Interstate 75, the convention center's loading docks would be built on the other side of the freeway.

        • Ensuring there's enough space to snare large conventions. That means large, continuous space. If the convention center is built east, the city would have to build over Elm Street to ensure a large block of exhibit space.

        Mr. Wellhoefer said the city should reconsider its convention strategy altogether because competing cities such as Indianapolis and Louisville have bigger centers better suited for larger meetings. Smaller centers that can host more lucrative meeting groups could be the answer, he said. A smaller center also would be less expensive.

        Figuring out a way to pay for the convention center has been the chief problem. Expansion advocates studied the issue intense ly over the last decade but have yet to come up with a plan that government and business interests agree with.

        Mr. Shirey also questioned whether Cincinnati has developers willing to risk building a for-purchase condo project, another ULI recommendation.

        Mr. Shirey agreed the city needs to do a better job of mapping downtown development projects and reaching out to nearby neighborhoods. But he said limited resources have prevented his staff from completing an ambitious downtown plan.

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