Thursday, February 17, 2000
City likes development ideas
Forest Park looks at plans for two ends
BY SARA J. BENNETT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FOREST PARK — More jobs and more attractive entrances to the community could be created, thanks to major development projects planned for separate ends of the city.
Union Central Life Insurance Co. and Cincinnati United Contractors this week announced plans to create a complex of offices, high-tech commercial buildings and warehouse/distribution centers on 120 acres the insurance company owns at Waycross and Mill roads on Forest Park's west side.
The project could involve $42 million in new construction and take six years to complete.
Meanwhile, Forest Fair Mall at the city's north end announced plans by new anchor Bed, Bath & Beyond to build a 23,500-square-foot addition to the mall. The linens and home furnishings retailer is the latest in a string of tenants the once-languishing shopping spot has secured in an attempt at revitalization.
City leaders have expressed enthusiasm for both projects. They've put the Bed, Bath & Beyond plan on a fast track toward final approval so it can be finished in time for an October opening.
And they praised the Union Central Life proposal as a chance to revitalize nearby Hamilton Avenue, considered a gateway to Forest Park. Despite Hamilton's link with Interstate 275, the city has had a tough time finding the right mix of businesses there.
“We see this project as key to opening up that whole gateway,” said Paul Brehm, Forest Park's economic development director. “This allows for road improvements, which could help us attract new tenants — this is the first step, but it's a huge step in redeveloping that whole western area.”
The Union Central Life project is in the early stages. The landowner and developer brought it to a council work session Monday to gauge support because the development will require considerable help from the city.
The land would have to be rezoned to allow more than just offices. The city would have to consider using new property taxes generated by the development over a period of time to pay for a road through the complex. And enterprise zone agreements would have to be considered to recruit some tenants.
Bed, Bath & Beyond, however, is ready to break ground once City Council gives its final approval. The vote is scheduled for March 6.
Bed, Bath & Beyond, which also plans to open a store in Norwood's new Rookwood Commons, wants a 35,500-square-foot space in Forest Fair Mall. A big chunk of it would be housed in a new addition between Elder Beerman and Ruby Tuesday.
Just off of I-275 at Forest Park's north entrance, the mall already has a lot of vacant space. But Bed, Bath & Beyond wants the addition so it can have a specific floor plan, Councilman James Lawler said.
The addition plans come just as Bass Pro of Missouri prepares to renovate the former Parisian store into an Outdoor World hunting and fishing megastore. Burlington Coat Factory and a National Amusements Cinema also plan to locate in the mall.
Two other major anchors will be announced soon, said James Goldsmith, president of Gator Investments, which owns Forest Fair.
Both Bass Pro and Bed, Bath & Beyond provide proof that Forest Park's northernmost tip is bouncing back, said Cassandra Clement, the city's community development director.
“In terms of economic development, it is good for two separate issues,” she said. “The first is that we can see the revitalization of the mall, and the second is the retail opportunities that are coming.”
Search on for stadium solutions
Commissioners learning costly lessons
Debacle could delay other projects
Lessons will be put to use on Reds park
County signs up public relations support
Let's recruit Mike Brown for our team
Albright vows help to Blue Ash dad
Cities push change in school funds
Police, media mobilize for kids
Organ donation opinions diverse
Rivers on the rise, but not too much
Supreme Court asked to look at public defender pay
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Writer lives his love story
Some pols dismiss what's best for area
Birds will fly up and be counted
GET TO IT
Here's how to join the bird count
Net increases isolation, study asserts
Georges Haidon cooks as a signer of books
Agency may revoke permit for chickens
Charter school shut for 3rd day
City likes development ideas
Downtown falcon lacks mate
Ex-guard step ahead of police
Fatal hit-skip remains mystery
Flack concert to promote breast cancer awareness
Ignorance of gun law no excuse
Lawsuit against village tossed
Mason chili cook-off heated
Mayor's city jail talk raises fuss
Park plans bandied about
Site prepared for Silverton CVS
Strip club site taken
TRISTATE DIGEST
