Mayor Charlie Luken said he will appoint a seven-member commission to study development in Cincinnati, despite his misgivings about another panel on the issue.

        City Council voted 5 to 4 Wednesday to urge creation of the panel, with council members narrowly divided on language urging it to examine an independent development authority.

Luken

        In 2000, a similar commission recommended the creation of a Port Authority to kick-start economic development. But after months of debate, City Council stripped the authority of any power to seize property by eminent domain or to issue bonds. Its jurisdiction was limited to the riverfront and abandoned industrial sites.

        “I'm troubled by the prospect of a blue-ribbon committee going out, working hard, coming back and getting shut down,” Mr. Luken said after the vote. “I'm concerned we'll just be setting up another fight. We've debated this .. Why don't we just do it?”

        Councilmen John Cranley and David Pepper proposed the study, supported by Pat DeWine, Chris Monzel and James R. Tarbell. Voting against were Paul Booth, Minette Cooper, David Crowley and Alicia Reece.

        Also approved, 7-2, were regulations aimed at major city-funded projects. Mr. Cranley and Mr. Pepper said their proposals would further open the bidding process to minority-owned businesses.

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