Get to know us
Uptown Consortium, Inc. (UCI) is a nonprofit development corporation dedicated to revitalizing Uptown Cincinnati. Founded in 2004, UCI’s members include some of the region’s largest employers and the leading tourist attraction: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, UC Health, University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
Uptown Cincinnati is a collection of five neighborhoods located immediately north of downtown/OTR, between Interstate I-71 and I-75 including: Avondale, Clifton, Clifton Heights, University Heights and Fairview (CUF), Corryville and Mt. Auburn. The area boasts a mix of educational, regulatory, and healthcare institutions, with a population that cuts across all social categories. Over 46,000 people reside in Uptown, and 1,099 businesses are located here. Anchor Institutions and Auxiliary Businesses located in Uptown neighborhoods contribute $8 billion in economic output annually and employ nearly 75,000 people with earnings of over $5 billion.
Catalytic and comprehensive development distinguishes the unique work of UCI. UCI has invested member capital and federal New Markets Tax Credits to advance over $3 billion in real estate, community planning and economic development projects throughout Uptown. UCI’s investments and initiatives create jobs, attract talent and build a livable community to accelerate economic growth for the city and region.
UCI is leading transformational efforts at the MLK & Reading Road Redevelopment Area in the Cincinnati Innovation District, a 65-acre mixed-use district designed to stimulate private investment, increase housing choices and attract new jobs and business opportunities. When fully built out, over $2.4 billion in investment, more than 2.5 million sq. ft. of mixed-use development and 7,800 jobs will be retained/created with $635 million in total earnings. To date, more than 1.1 million sq. ft. of new space totaling more than $1 billion of investment is complete or underway.
Beth Robinson | President & CEO
Since 2009, Robinson has been playing a leading role in helping revitalize and grow Uptown Cincinnati, greater Cincinnati’s second largest economic engine and the region’s center of research and innovation. During her tenure, UCI has successfully brought local neighborhood, civic and institutional leaders together to encourage conversation, partnership and action to spur comprehensive development and revitalization in Uptown.
To date, Robinson has overseen UCI’s facilitation of $1.4 billion in development projects (redevelopment, new construction, and neighborhood improvements) in Uptown, inducing over $2.4 billion in total project investments throughout Uptown. As a result, the Uptown area has transformed into a thriving, urban district that features world class innovations in healthcare and education and five diverse, vibrant neighborhoods.
Robinson has more than 25 years of experience in community and economic development with specialization in neighborhood revitalization, development financing, and business attraction and retention. She is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council and holds a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional designation from the National Development Council. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of Cincinnati. Follow her on LinkedIn.
UCI Team
Beth Robinson, President & CEO
Melissa Taylor, Executive Assistant to Beth Robinson
James Mathes, Corporate Controller
Rick Lopez, Director of Finance & Accounting
Jackie Smith, Accounting Analyst
Franz Stansbury, Director of Real Estate
Brooke Rapp, Director of Community Development & External Relations
UCI Board
Beth Robinson, President & CEO, Uptown Consortium, Inc.
Neville Pinto Ph.D., President, University of Cincinnati
Ryan Hays, Executive Vice President, Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer, University of Cincinnati
Steve Davis MD, MMM, President & CEO, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Paul Jenny, Sr., Vice President, Finance & CFO, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Cory Shaw, President & CEO, UC Health
Katrina English, Executive Vice President & COO, UC Health
Thane Maynard, Executive Director, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Dave Jenike, Vice President & COO, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden