Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Megamall forum runs one way
Pro-mall side likely to be unrepresented
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MONROE — A public forum today at which panelists pro and con were expected to discuss a proposed megamall here might end up being just an anti-mall meeting.
Apparently not one of about 20 mall proponents invited to serve on the panel plans to attend the 7 p.m. meeting, at the Union Hall, 913 Lebanon St. Co-sponsors include the Hamilton-Fairfield Area and Oxford Area League of Women Voters, which will moderate; the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society of Oxford, and the Alliance for Responsible Growth.
A flier calls the meeting a public forum to discuss the mall's impact on local schools, taxes, traffic congestion, businesses, water and air quality, farmland, greenspace and quality of life.
Some people, including Monroe Mayor Elbert Tannreuther, who planned to attend then changed his mind, expect no objective dialogue.
“I've had many, many people come up to me and say, "Don't take a knife to a gunfight,'” Mr. Tannreuther said. “I'm absolutely in favor of this mall. But I'm not going to stand up in a situation like this, when the audience is loaded with all anti-mall people. They have their preplanned agenda, and nothing I say would have any impact.”
Peggy Collins, president of the Hamilton-Fairfield League of Women Voters. said she hopes that's not the case. The league got involved because it's supposed to be an open discussion to help clarify whether the mall is a good use for the land, she said.
“People may be worrying needlessly, but we need preliminary input, not after everything's decided,” Ms. Collins said. “This may be the best use of the land in the long run, but there are a lot of unanswered questions, and the people making these plans should be there to answer ques tions.”
Michigan-based Taubman Co. has 360 acres under option in the Corridor 75 Park at Ohio 63 and Interstate 75. The company is considering an initial investment of more than $200 million to build an estimated 1.4 million-square-foot mall, with about 200 stores, including 14 anchors, plus themed restaurants and entertainment centers. The mall could bring about 3,000 jobs early on.
“We feel this is the most important development sprawl issue facing Southwest Ohio, because of the scale and location of the proposed development,” said Glen Brand, director of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sierra Club. “As it stands now, we're looking at the largest commercial development in the area, the largest tourist attraction.”
The Sierra Club objects to the use of tax dollars for a proposed new I-75 interchange to help with mall traffic. “It could very well be the spark that ignites out-of-control sprawling development, stretching from Cincinnati to Dayton,” Mr. Brand said.
“The fact that no public official is willing to speak in favor of this ... tells us that the project is not one in the best interest of the general public,” Mr. Brand said. “What are they afraid of?”
He said representatives of Monroe, Butler and Warren counties, the developer and Corridor 75 declined invitations to speak at the forum.
But officials say Mr. Brand is misrepresenting the facts. Their reasons for not attending are varied, including scheduling conflicts.
David Daugherty, president of the Mid Miami Valley Chamber of Commerce, said he told Mr. Brand immediately he had an important meeting that night.
“I think myself and others are willing to listen to alternatives, but in an exchange of honest, open conversation,” Mr. Daugherty said..
Joe Hart, Taubman manager for development, said the meeting is premature, and the company is in the early stages of evaluating the site, and not in a position to provide detailed information.
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