By Kevin Aldridge
The Cincinnati Enquirer

After nearly two years of debate, Cincinnati City Council appears to be on the verge of releasing $267,800 in development funds for the West End, one of the city's poorest neighborhoods.

Members of Council's Finance Committee on Monday detailed a plan that would turn the money into a loan fund overseen by Fifth Third Bank and a publicly appointed board of trustees.

The dollars represent the final payment made by Automatic Data Processing Corp. Under a 20-year deal, the firm agreed to give a portion of its property taxes for public improvements in the West End.

The city suspended funding to the community over questions about how the money was spent.

Residents contend that there is new and more responsible leadership in the community. They have been trying to get the city to release the money for two years. City officials first wanted to see how the money would be spent.

Negotiations with neighborhood leaders, headed by council members Christopher Smitherman and John Cranley, have produced a compromise that appears to have the votes need for approval on Wednesday.

"The new leadership in the West End has worked diligently to say that this is a new day," said Councilman David Crowley.

The compromise calls for creation of a West End Development Fund comprised of a five-member board that would oversee development projects.

Two of the board members would be appointed by the mayor and two by the West End Community Council. The fifth will be a joint appointment - Frank Dawson, the city's former finance director.

Fifth Third Bank would house and manage the account. The bank would determine the creditworthiness of applicants and make recommendations to the board of trustees before any loan is given.

The board would have final say on the loans.

"Ultimately the West End community will be making the decision about the dollars even though there is some city oversight," Smitherman said. "The goal of this money is a vision of a larger pot. That it becomes much bigger than $267,000."

Dale Mallory, president of the West End Community Council, said he was relieved to finally bring closure to the issue so that the neighborhood could move forward.

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E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com