BY AMY HIGGINS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
UNION TOWNSHIP -- Miami University is planning a 20-acre higher education center here on the site of the former Voice of America (VOA) radio relay station.
University spokeswoman Claire Wagner said the Oxford-based university may use the site for "distance learning," where students take classes via phone linkups.
Construction on class buildings could begin in 18 to 36 months, depending on approval by the National Park Service and the Ohio Board of Regents.
While the West Chester site would not be a regional campus like the ones in Hamilton and Middletown, credit and outreach classes would be taught there, Ms. Wagner said.
She said Miami will be the lead institution, but the university hopes the project will be a cooperative effort with other local colleges, such as the University of Cincinnati, Xavier University and Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.
"What they envision is, a lot of universities reaching a bigger clientele in Butler County and parts of Warren County," Ms. Wagner said.
UC already has "distance learning" sites in Dayton and Cleveland.
It telecasts engineering, business and technical classes to 15 classrooms in Dayton and telecasts classes to the NASA Center in Cleveland.
UC also is exploring possible distance learning sites in eastern Ohio, said Greg Hand, university spokesman.
"It works well in cooperation with other entities," Mr. Hand said. "But the experience has been mixed when we don't have a partner at the other end."
The higher education center will serve one of the Tristate's fastest-growing suburban areas. The population in Union Township is about 47,000, and has more than doubled since 1980. Among Butler County communities, Union Township trails only Hamilton, which has 62,000 residents, and Middletown, with 54,000.
The site also is close to Mason and Deerfield Township, which also are experiencing booming growth.
The largest chunk of the VOA site -- about half -- will be a Union Township park. Construction on baseball and soccer fields already has begun at the new 300-acre Freedom Park.
Another 200 acres will be deeded to the county parks system. MetroParks of Butler County plans to build an 18-hole public golf course. Parks spokeswoman Rhonda Smith said three retention ponds already at the site will be incorporated into the course.
Ms. Smith said the county doesn't have a timetable for the golf course construction because the federal government hasn't yet conveyed the land.
The remaining 75 acres, likely frontage on Cox Road, will be auctioned to a commercial developer, said Union Township Administrator Dave Gully.
He said he expected the National Park Service to transfer the land next year. Enquirer reporter Steve Kemme contributed to this article.
