Project Information
The goal of BuildReady is to create pre-approved middle housing plans that are:
- Contextual: Respect and enhance the context of Cincinnati’s neighborhoods
- Attainable: Offer practical designs that keep costs within reach for many residents
- Scalable: Make it possible for developers of all sizes to build these homes efficiently
The project will contain three parts: an open-call design competition, creation of pre-approved plans, and a demonstration project.
Open Call Design Competition (Summer 2026)
To kick off the project, the project team will host an Open Call Design Competition for innovative, yet practical middle housing designs. Submissions would be open to anyone, and would likely include a conceptual plan, rendering, and narrative. The purpose of this competition is to push creative and new ideas for middle housing in Cincinnati, generate interest from the local development and design community, and be a tool for community engagement that will inform criteria for the later RFP.
Pre-Approved Plans (Fall and Winter 2026-2027)
After the Open Call Design Competition, the City will solicit a qualified team or firm of professionals through a Request for Proposals (RFP) to develop a set of pre-approved building plans for two-, three-, and four-family buildings in Cincinnati. The requirements for RFP submissions will be informed by learnings from the Open Call Design Competition and tailored to the specifications of the PRO Housing grant.
There will be six plans created in total, two for each building type. The plans will be complete construction drawings, except for items pertaining to specific site conditions like a foundation. The purpose of the pre-approved plans is to lower soft costs and speed up the permitting timeline for middle housing, while ensuring compatibility with existing neighborhoods.
Demonstration Project (2027)
Following the completion of the plans, DCED will award City land and funds to a qualified team or firm to construct two demonstration projects using the pre-approved plans. The grant funds will help with site preparation and development costs. The demonstration project will serve to provide price comparisons for developers, lenders, and realtors, and create definitive material quantities and cost itemizations, minimizing uncertainty for prospective users of the plans.
Where Are We Right Now?
BuildReady is in the very early stages and actively developing. The team is currently soliciting feedback from professionals and the public to:
- Refine the process for the design competition and the RFP for pre-approved plans
- Ensure broad participation in the design competition and usage of pre-approved plans
- Further understand existing barriers to construction of this style of housing overall
- Design meaningful engagement with residents and the local development community
A project timeline and further details will be provided once final.