Wednesday, January 12, 2000
Forest Park looks to reel 'em in
Bass Pro promises it'll be spectacular
BY SARA J. BENNETT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FOREST PARK — When representatives of Bass Pro Shops talked with city leaders this week about plans to put an anchor store in Forest Fair Mall, their message was clear:
This will not be your average sporting goods shop.
Bass Pro specializes in creating a theme park atmosphere for outdoor enthusiasts. Waterfalls, aquariums with demonstrations by pro anglers, rustic wood interiors, an array of merchandise from reels and rifles to camping equipment all make for an attraction people will drive hours to experience.
The Forest Fair store, scheduled to start construction in March in the former Parisian department store, is one of three Bass Pro stores that will open this year. The company already has nine locations nationwide.
A Bass Pro property can mean big things for a community, architect Bruce Adibyazdi told City Council on Monday. The company's 300,000-square-foot headquarters in Springfield, Mo., is Missouri's No. 1 tourist attraction, bringing in 4 million people a year.
Bass Pro also could help breathe life into Forest Fair Mall, a languishing shopping spot that is reinventing itself as a value center.
“Bass Pro is the Midas Touch” said David Aaronson, chair of Forest Park's Economic Development Commission. “There are so many companies that follow Bass Pro, that when they go into a market, they just fill it up. That entire wing will be full.”
The Forest Fair mall store, called Bass Pro Outdoor World, will include boat and RV displays, a laser shooting arcade for kids, a fly fishing specialty shop, golf supplies with an indoor putting green and driving range, an archery shop and range, hunting and camping gear, plus aisles filled with rods, reels, lures and other fishing necessities.
Project Manager Jeff Gray said the store should open in November and bring 200-300 jobs to Forest Park.
The Forest Fair store marks Bass Pro's first time converting an existing building into an Outdoor World, Mr. Adibyazdi said.
To give the old Parisian Bass Pro's signature rustic look, the project will require significant changes to the facade of the building. It also will require that boats and RVs be shown in a section of parking lot.
That's enough of a change to Forest Fair's development plan to require approval from the city planning commission and council.
The planning commission has recommended approval. A public hearing will be Tuesday, and council is expected to vote on the plan Feb. 7.
In addition to its Missouri headquarters, Bass Pro has locations in Dallas; Houston; Charlotte, N.C.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Auburn Hills, Mich.; Chicago; Atlanta; and the Florida Keys.
Stores will open this year in Nashville, Tenn., and Orlando, Fla.
Bass Pro decides to locate in a community based on the number of hunting and fishing licenses issued in the area, Mr. Adibyazdi said.
FWW bridge needs a redo
It's politics as usual in county race
Golfers, skiers enjoy wacky weather
Race agency defends work
St. Vincent DePaul stops special shopping
Toxic emissions down 8%
Last magnet scramble Feb. 5
Maccabi Games to attract 2,500 to Tristate in August
Penguin eggs surprise aquarium
Rumpke rewards county for cracking crime
Screening TV for kids
One family's rules for kids' 'screen time'
Two firms accused of holding checks
Woman may be second homicide
Auditor doesn't trust prosecutor to be her counsel
Fatal blaze caused by coffee maker or circuit
GET TO IT
Hot Summer Nights forms 'Chorus Line'
Loveland grad bases TV series set on her old school
Annexation plan dissected
Blaze routs 10 families
City OKs loans for renovations
City could sell downtown lot
Forest Park looks to reel 'em in
Kenton surplus may help boost bailiffs
Mall planners push zone change
Mid-Miami vote likely a welcome for Lebanon
OSHA studying fallen wall
Time up for children's board to quit or be fired
Tornado relief streamlined
Training chases many EMTs
TRISTATE DIGEST
Voucher rule OK'd by Senate
Witness testifies she saw shooting
