The Oakley Community Council is a non-profit entity for the purpose of preserving and improving the neighborhood of Oakley for its residents, businesses, institutions, and other community organizations.
Oakley will be a safe, friendly, vibrant, attractive and diverse community, where people and families live, learn, work and play, and quality of life is valued.

The Oakley Community Council supports the people of Oakley in their desire to experience an inclusive environment that embraces resilient neighborhoods through civic engagement, education, awareness and community building.

Oakley's unique charm and appeal lie in its family-friendly residential mix, diverse business district, walkability, and distinctive character, all of which solidify its standing as an ideal urban residential neighborhood. The variety in housing options, from historic homes to modern eco-friendly dwellings, creates an inclusive environment for families and individuals alike, fostering a sense of belonging and community.

The vibrant business district further enriches the neighborhood, showcasing local businesses, restaurants, boutiques, and cultural venues that highlight Oakley’s entrepreneurial spirit. These establishments not only drive the local economy but also enhance the neighborhood's walkability, making it a welcoming and accessible area for residents and visitors.

Preserving Oakley’s character and strengths requires a balanced and community-focused approach. Engaging residents and local stakeholders in planning and decision-making ensures that their voices and insights shape the neighborhood’s future while honoring its past. Adaptive reuse of historic structures, community-driven urban planning, and continued support for local businesses are crucial strategies to ensure that modernization complements the neighborhood's traditional appeal. Enhanced pedestrian infrastructure can further sustain Oakley's walkability while maintaining its charm.

By fostering active community participation and prioritizing these efforts, Oakley can continue to thrive as a family-friendly, culturally rich, and economically vibrant urban neighborhood, retaining its appeal for generations to come.

Oakley, a neighborhood known for its vibrant business district, welcoming residential character, and enviable walkability, stands as a leading urban residential area. However, to maintain its forward momentum and ensure it remains a model of urban living, there lies an opportunity to capitalize on its strengths through implementation and ongoing review of our Oakley Master Plan.

Oakley’s diverse business district is already a cornerstone of the neighborhood's appeal, offering a mix of local shops, eateries, and services. To build on this success:

• Encouraging small business growth.
• Upgrading infrastructure.
• Hosting community events.

Oakley’s residential mix is already a draw for families, professionals, and retirees. To further enhance this aspect:

• Increasing affordable housing options.
• Preserving green spaces.
• Encouraging multi-generational living.

Walkability is one of Oakley’s most prized features, and there remains room for enhancement:

• Completing sidewalk networks: Ensuring all streets are equipped with well-maintained sidewalks can make walking safer and more enjoyable.
• Introducing pedestrian zones: Certain streets in the business district could be made car-free during specific hours to promote foot traffic and reduce congestion.
• Improving public transport connectivity: Expanding bus routes and ensuring convenient access to transit hubs can complement walkability and reduce car dependency.

To maintain its position as a sought-after urban residential area, Oakley must focus on long-term sustainability and inclusivity:

• Sustainable development:.
• Fostering cultural identity:.
• Community involvement.

By leveraging its existing assets and addressing areas for improvement, Oakley has the potential to further solidify its reputation as a thriving, family-friendly, and walkable urban neighborhood. Through thoughtful consideration and collaborative efforts, this vision can become a reality, ensuring that Oakley continues to be a place where businesses flourish, families thrive, and the community grows stronger together.

Mission/Role

• Mission Statement:
• The Oakley Community Council is a non-profit entity for the purpose of preserving and improving the neighborhood of Oakley for its residents, businesses, institutions, and other community organizations.
• Oakley will be a safe, friendly, vibrant, attractive and diverse community, where people and families live, learn, work and play, and quality of life is valued.
• The Oakley Community Council supports the people of Oakley in their desire to experience an inclusive environment that embraces resilient neighborhoods through civic engagement, education, awareness and community building.
• Primary Role:
• Represent the residents of Oakley in most issues that involve the city: Development, zoning, allocation of city neighborhood fund programs, pedestrian safety.
• Educate residents on the resources available to them.
• Key Links:
• Oakley FAQs
• Community Resources
• Business District Improvements
• Phase I: Western Gateway/Geier Esplanade Redesign
• Phase II: Streetscape – Widened sidewalks, lamp posts, tree wells
• Note: OCC pays for annual tree well maintenance, which is property owner responsibility
• Phase III: Eastern Gateway/Pedestrian Bridge
• Phase IV: Gateway Signage/Map
• Oakley Guide app
• Future/Current Initiatives:
• Gateway Mural Project
• Geier Esplanade Pavilion
• Oakley Pedestrian Tunnel
• Oakley Master Plan
• Approved Oct 2019
• Comprehensive master plan for the community
• Planning Department considers it the “gold standard”
• Pedestrian Safety
• First neighborhood to officially adopt Vision Zero
• Safe Intersections app/project
• Open forums for residents to report issues, suggest potential traffic calming projects; transparent approval/ranking process.
• Implemented community approved Traffic Calming projects:
• Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at each end of the business district – Eastern Gateway and Madison/Romana
• Raised crosswalks – Madison/Flaggs USA, south/north side of Geir Esplanade
• Speed Cushions - Brotherton, between Madison & Sherel Ln
• Promotion of 311Cincy, has resulted in resident initiated calming measures such as 4 way stops, new crosswalks, speed humps.
• Community Assets
• New Eastside Recreation Center
• Upgraded/relocated basketball/tennis/pickleball courts
• Upgraded Oakley Pool & Playground
• Oakley Transit Center
• Community Events
• Oakley After Hours/Oakley Celebration of Community Day
• Community Cleanups
• Community Yard Sale
• Holiday Lights
• Manufacturing Hub to Retail/Residential Transition
• Biggest challenge in the past 15-20 years: Managing the transition from Manufacturing center to retail/residential community.
• Leading Manufacturing center in the US, primarily machine tools and railroad industries through the 1970s.
• Technology & industry evolution led to plants closing and/or leaving Oakley; consequently, had glut of vacant property/land.
• Proximity to downtown and other amenities made Oakley hot spot for developers.
• OCC worked hard to use the influence we had to balance the growth and community concerns/identity.