BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT -- The proposed Woodstock Cafe restaurant on Third Street is behind schedule, but developers moved a small step closer to a start date with tentative approval from the city commission of a relocation plan for nearby property owners.
The relocation plan is a guideline for the city in implementing the Woodstock Cafe Community Development Block Grant project. Areas covered in the plan include one-on-one replacement for low-cost housing units lost to the development and payment of relocation benefits where necessary.
The city has been awarded a $1 million federal block grant to help pay for acquisition of property and construction of a parking lot for the restaurant.
The $5.5 million project, described by developers Eric Haas and Nick Ellison of Fort Thomas as an entertainment-restaurant concept similar to a Planet Hollywood or a Hard Rock Cafe, is tentatively scheduled to open by summer 1999 on the south side of Third Street between Washington and Saratoga streets at the site of the former Dennert Distributing Co.
However, the developers had planned to begin work on the project by May, and so far none of the 19 buildings to be demolished has been removed, nor has ground broken for the cafe or the parking lot.
James O'Hara, who owns three pieces of property on Third Street between Saratoga and Washington in the path of the parking lot, said the proposed relocation plan has nothing to do with acquisition of his property.
"As I understand it, the relocation benefit payments don't apply if I reach an agreement with the developers or if my property is taken under eminent domain," he said Tuesday.
Newport City Manager James Parsons emphasized that the relocation plan "has nothing to do with eminent domain."
"At this point, we are planning to acquire property through regular channels of negotiation."
He also pointed out that in past land acquisitions near the riverfront, for the new aquarium and related sites, property owners have never received less than the fair market price for their land and - or buildings. "I thought I was really close to a deal with the developers to sell my property, but then they wanted to wait until after the (block grant) hearing," Mr. O'Hara said. "Now we can't agree on some wording in the proposal I had originally liked.
"All I want is a fair shake," he continued. "I think I'll eventually be driven out. It's just a matter of time."
Developers could not be reached for comment.
A final vote on the relocation plan is expected at the commission meeting Aug. 10.
