An advisory group urged city officials Thursday to block a proposed $10 million Walgreens store in downtown Cincinnati until the city figures out what to do with the Nordstrom site across the street.

        The Urban Design Review Board, a group of volunteer architects appointed by City Manager John Shirey, said a corner lot at Sixth and Race is too valuable to settle for a drugstore topped by 30 apartments.

        The prescription: hold up development until a group of national planning experts comes to Cincinnati in March to devise a plan for the ailing Race Street retail corridor and the empty Nordstrom space.

        It's the latest skirmish in a war between Walgreens and the city that has seen the national drug retailer booted from one location, promised two other sites but ultimately left without a store as its rival, CVS, captures downtown's business.

        “Sure, it's frustrating,” said Steven J. Massicot, a consultant representing Walgreens developer, Eagle Realty. “There is a clear lack of city planning. That's why it's so frustrating to develop something here.”

        The site was chosen based on the assumption that upscale retailer Nordstrom was going to build a store at Fifth and Race. Because financial troubles led Seattle-based Nordstrom to drop plans for a Cincinnati store in November, board members said it's time to reevaluate the entire area.

        “I think the last thing the city needs is another drug store,” said Steve Bloomfield, representing the city's Historic Conservation Board.

        “It doesn't add to the vitality of downtown ... It could be a very, very big mistake.”

        Mr. Bloomfield and other board members favor blocking the pharmacy until the Urban Land Institute comes to Cincinnati on March 18 to study the post-Nordstrom future of the Race Street area. Meanwhile, the city will pave the Nordstrom lot for parking.

        Mr. Massicot wanted to start demolition next month of several older buildings at the corner to make way for the pharmacy.

        It will ultimately be up to Mr. Shirey and Cincinnati City Council to decide whether to follow the design board's recommendation. It may not be legally possible because the city already agreed to hand over the site as part of a $3.7 million settlement.

Crowd mourns Braun's passing
Museum getting $1M
Coroner inquiry proceeds
One twin born on I-275, other in parking lot
RADEL: Art matters
Trucker not guilty in deaths
Baby shaker adjudicated a killer
Kings Island keeps price
Thespians provide vest for K-9 cop
Antiques show tries new lure
Cops want murder suspect's bail revoked
Police cruiser hits, injures suspect
Villa Hills to discuss mayor
Who was the skeleton? State expert to tell today
Three-year average to decide farm payments
Barge eateries shuffle on
City Council wants review of arbitration
Feds eye 23,000 W. Ky. acres as good spot for wildlife refuge
Gas users complain to city, utility
Goodbye, President Clinton: We love/hate to see you go
Jackson backing strong locally
Kentucky's McConnell to play central role in swearing-in
Planner offers ideas for downtown Covington
Property owners get tax break
Proposed UC mansion draws fire
Racetrack owner reaches a deal to return to NTRA
School leaders outline changes
Shirey won't get pay raise
Spill prompts study
Walgreens can wait, city told
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report