City Gospel move survives court challenge

The City Gospel Mission’s move to Queensgate survived another challenge this week after an appeals court ruled the City of Cincinnati properly issued building permits.

Neighboring Queensgate property owners had challenged the validity of the permits.

Opponents of the move suggested the project constituted a “religious assembly” or “community service facility”, which would be prohibited under the property’s current zoning.

The 1st District Court of Appeals sided with the city in finding the city properly issued building permits to City Gospel Mission for the renovation of a special assistance shelter at Dalton Avenue and the construction of a mixed-use facility at York Street which will house various support providers.

It’s the second court win for the city, which also prevailed in a case challenging how the city put the zoning in place.

Last month brought another sigh of relief for the agency when the Department of Housing and Urban Development told officials as long as it complied with federal nondiscrimination laws, officials didn’t need to worry.

The deeds to the two parcels of land on Dalton Avenue and York Street – where City Gospel Mission is moving – had fair housing restrictions that included requirements that forbid the owner from discrimination based on a host of reasons, including religion or gender.

Those prohibitions threatened to block the City Gospel Mission's move because it's a men-only shelter.

But since, upon further review, the agency is complying, the project got the go-ahead.

The organization’s move is part of Cincinnati’s “Homeless to Homes Plan,” a community-based effort designed to move the homeless into permanent housing.

The city of Cincinnati is contributing $10 million to move the shelters.