The $2.9 billion pumped into the Ohio River's banks along Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky in the form of new stadiums, highways, retail and commercial developments will pay off handsomely for the region, says an economic impact study performed by the University of Cincinnati Economics Center for Education and Research.

        Called “Renaissance on the River,” the study was commissioned by the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. It lists 18 projects — some of which aren't really along the riverfront and some of which do not yet have funding in place — to make the point that public and private investment in the region will generate $5.4 billion in economic impact and create 59,425 jobs.

        Nick Vehr, vice president of economic development for the Chamber, said the chamber plans to use the study to show the community is on the move and to attract businesses and more development.

        “We intend to shout to the mountaintops the benefit to this community of public investment on both sides of the river,” Mr. Vehr said. “That's a message that goes to corporate executives, real estate executives, site location consultants, young professionals coming out of college or working for great companies. We have confidence as a community in our future, and are investing massive amounts of money to make this an attractive place to work, to live and to play.”

        Among the projects listed are a handful that have either not been completed or have not been started at all:

        Expansion of the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center, listed as a $175 million project. The expansion was originally a $198 million deal, announced in January, that has been stalled ever since. The plan had a major setback last month when Delta Air Lines announced it would not buy the naming rights for the larger center. That has left city officials scrambling to come up with a new plan. City officials are scheduled to unveil a scaled-back plan on Monday, in the range of $160 million. But state and corporate contributions to that plan still have not been secured.

        Central Riverfront Park, listed as a $70 million venture. City, county and park district officials have been searching for funding for the park since 1999. Design drawings for the park have been created, but funding has not been secured.

        The Banks, a combination of housing, office, retail along the riverfront, which is pegged at $788 million. This plan has been in existence since 1999, but Hamilton County is having a difficult time finding the $70 million needed to build the infrastructure to make the development happen.

        Great American Ball Park, a $330 million project. Construction is under way and the ballpark is scheduled to open next year.

        The Underground Railroad Freedom Center, listed as a $45 million project. The Freedom Center is under construction.

        George Vredeveld, a UC economist who helped manage the study, said it looks strictly at construction costs and how much money was brought into the community because of the projects.

        Mr. Vredeveld said the figures are less reliable for projects that either have not started or are still under construction.

        “These are estimates of what costs will be and, in some cases, if they ever happen,” Mr. Vredeveld said. “The numbers don't give us heartburn, as long as people understand that the probability of them happening is less than 100 percent. And also they have to recognize that this is what we think costs will be or what other people think costs might be, but that might be wrong.”

        Mr. Vehr defends the study by saying that most of the projects — Paul Brown Stadium, Fort Washington Way, Aronoff Center for the Arts, Port Bellevue and Newport Aquarium, to name a few — have been completed.

        Even those not completed will be, he said.

        “It's important to note that there is little disagreement that they are important projects and that they should occur, even if there is legitimate discussion about how and when they should occur,” Mr. Vehr said.

        The study also divides the projects into categories, the largest of which is “commercial/mixed use,” at $1.3 billion. Recreation/parks weighs in at $977 million, while cultural/arts/tourism ($388 million) and transportation ($311 million) are also listed.

        “I'm not aware of another city in American that has made such a commitment to invest in the urban core,” Mr. Vehr said. “We really are preparing ourselves as a region for the next economic upswing. And we'll be glad we made these investments in the decade to come.”

        But the investments do constitute a gamble, Mr. Vredeveld said.

        “We're investing in things that we hope will attract people. I think we have pretty good reason to believe they will,” Mr. Vredeveld said. “But we're also placing a bet that the location that we're building on is best located for that area. The stadiums are a good example, along with retail.”

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