Wednesday, May 10, 2000
City council concerned about Warren store
By Lucy May
The Cincinnati Enquirer
With Nordstrom Inc.'s announcement that it will open a store in a new Warren County mall in 2003, Cincinnati Vice Mayor Minette Cooper and Councilman Charlie Winburn are ready to dump the retailer and spend the city's money on something else.
“There would be no need to build a Nordstrom downtown,” Mr. Winburn said. “The people who live in Indian Hill, Kenwood and Amberley Village are going to go to Warren County where there's plenty of parking.”
Added Ms. Cooper: “We need to try to find something that's kind of neat and special.”
Other council members were not willing to go that far Tuesday. But many voiced concern that a Nordstrom in Deerfield Township would hurt any similar store built downtown.
“I think we have to keep an open mind as far as any deal that's on the table. But it certainly makes it less attractive to have a competing store out in the suburbs,” Councilman Phil Heimlich said.
Councilwoman Alicia Reece said her support for the deal hinged on the idea that a downtown Nordstrom would be the only one in the region — not one of two.
“I think we're at the point where each of us needs to be presented with the hard numbers,” she said.
Councilman Jim Tarbell said he would not rule out Nordstrom downtown, but he thinks the city should consider other retailers that would be unique, such as Marshall Field or Lord & Taylor.
But no other retailer has the ability to bring with it other, quality retailers, said David Ginsburg, executive vice president of Downtown Cincinnati Inc., the downtown advocacy group.
Mayor Charlie Luken has said the city should continue to pursue Nordstrom for Fifth and Race streets no matter what.
Other council members question — at the very least — whether the city should have to spend as much now to get a Nordstrom downtown.
“We know now it will not be unique in the region,” said Councilman Todd Portune. “That raises questions about what level of public subsidy is necessary.”
Officials have been pulling together a $50 million incentive package to get the store downtown, with most of that money coming from the state and city.
Councilman Paul Booth said a downtown Nordstrom is not worth that much to him with another planned for Warren County.
Councilman Pat DeWine said he's going to look more closely at the level of subsidy proposed.
“It's an awful lot of money,” he said.
Deefield ponders/Nordstrom's cost
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A closer look at Nordstrom
City council concerned about Warren store
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