BY SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP -- Visitors to this year's Homearama in Mason need simply to cross the street into Liberty Township for next year's show.
The Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati has officially chosen the Four Bridges subdivision on Butler-Warren County Line Road as the site of the 1999 Homearama.
It's the first tour of upscale homes to be held in Liberty Township and the end of a streak for Mason, which has hosted the event the past three years.
This year's show starts Saturday at Heritage Club on the Mason side of Butler-Warren County Line Road.
Bob Rhein, principal owner of Heritage Land Co., developed both the Heritage Club and Four Bridges golf club communities. His decision to move into Liberty Township reflects a popular trend.
"The latest rankings show it as one of the fastest-growing areas in the Tristate," said Alex Tarasenko, president of Heritage Land Co. "It has good access to interstates and a lot of job growth out there with well-paying jobs needing executive housing," he said.
The Homearama tours draw about 100,000 people in two weeks. Four Bridges homes will be more affordable than Heritage Club, and membership in its golf club does not require initiation fees. Heritage Club's sign-up fees are $32,500, with monthly dues of $325.
Belonging to Four Bridges' golf club will cost $4,000 a year. It includes access to the community's restaurant and sports facility, which holds a swimming pool and basketball, volleyball and tennis courts.
The prices of the 18 Homearama homes range from $450,000 to $650,000. They will sit along the 18-hole golf course.
The entire subdivision will hold 434 single-family homes ranging from $240,000 to $650,000; 266 luxury one- and two-bedroom apartments; and 180 townhomes.
"We have many beautiful subdivisions under construction or already built," Liberty Township Administrator Nell Kilpatrick said. "Certainly this is a jewel in our crown." This year's Homearama starts at noon Saturday and runs through June 28. The tours are open from noon until 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 4 to 11 p.m. on weekdays.
