The city of Norwood has formally entered the bidding to land a $60 million freestanding heart hospital.

Norwood's community development committee on Wednesday approved a 10-year, $1.9 million enterprise zone tax agreement for the proposed Cincinnati Heart and Vascular Hospital at the former General Motors lot near Montgomery Road and the Norwood Lateral.

The move follows Sharonville's offer of $2.7 million in grants and other incentives to persuade Ohio Heart to build the hospital on an 18-acre site near Interstate 275 and Reed Hartman Highway.

The Norwood offer would eliminate half of the hospital's taxes on items such as equipment, furniture and fixtures. Furthermore, Norwood is negotiating a deal to use property tax dollars to pay for a parking garage and other public improvements.

Ohio Heart officials have said they will review the two offers and could make a decision on where to locate by the end of this month.

The specialty, for-profit hospital has triggered debate among medical officials and lawmakers about whether it will help - or harm - health care in Greater Cincinnati.

Ken Alltucker