BY DAVE ECK
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SPRINGBORO -- Council Thursday unanimously adopted a long-range comprehensive master plan to enhance the historic area and build a new city hall at Ohio 741 and 73.
"This is just another milestone in a long community building project," said Springboro Mayor Raymond Wellbrock. "It's a living document. It's a philosophy."
The plan was years in the making and officials say it will work if the focus remains on the historic district, a six-block stretch of Ohio 741. The plan calls for hiring a professional administrator to manage the district and treat it as a cohesive entity. Backers hope that businesses offering products and services conducive to pedestrian shoppers will locate there.
A key component of the plan is to build a new city hall complex to anchor the historic district. Officials have said space in the current city building is limited.
Other elements call for preserving green space where possible; encouraging development of office campuses instead of large office buildings; developing a network of trails and sidewalks throughout the city; and creating gateways at entrances to Springboro.
Several hundred people showed up at a public meeting earlier this month to get a first glance at the plan, and earlier Thursday it was presented to business owners and residents in the historic area.
The plan will be shown to developers and Realtors at future meetings, Mr. Wellbrock said.
"We want to share the plan with everyone and modify it when appropriate," he said. The plan was developed by architect Mark Feinknopf, and several hundred residents had input.
"We have to start the process to make it official," said City Manager Edward Doczy. "This plan basically reflects the vision that came out of strategic planning."
