WEST CHESTER TWP — Amid complaints about the proposed 1 million-square-foot Market Square project, its developer has decided to back off — at least temporarily — on seeking a county tax break.

        Columbus-based Steiner and Associates is teaming with Showcase Cinemas and sporting goods retailer Gaylan's in its proposed West Chester Market Square project at Cincinnati-Dayton Road and I-75. The complex would eventually include more than 1 million square feet of shops, restaurants and entertainment.

        Construction is expected to start this summer even though vital details of the project still must be worked out, such as a proposal to use property taxes generated by the development to build two parking garages.

        But after Union Centre Boulevard business leaders objected last week to Butler County and the township granting the tax incentive proposal — ranging from $30 million to $40 million over 30 years — the developers pulled back the proposal. They said they will come back to officially request it once their tenants have signed leases.

        Steiner executive vice president Barry Rosenberg said the proposal to Butler County officials was a preliminary one, never an official request.

        “We are not asking the county or anyone to put up any dollars until we finalize our agreement and demonstrate that the project is going forward,” he said.

        Several representatives from Union Centre Boulevard businesses told trustees they located at Union Centre because the township's master plan shows retail and other upscale, lifestyle-type development will be focused there.

        “We ask that you remain faithful to your covenant with us and your original land-use strategy,” said Kevin Horne, general manager of Frontgate Catalog Retail Outlet Store and president of the Merchants Association of West Chester Central Business District.

        “We can't compete with our own community,” Mr. Horne said. But some merchants in the Olde West Chester area on Cincinnati-Dayton Road, near where the Steiner development would rise, said they would welcome the complex.

        “Are people afraid of a little competition around here?” said Nyla Kramer, owner of Nyla's Flowers for 20 years. “There's enough for everybody. There's more to life than Union Centre Boulevard.”

        Trustee Catherine Stoker said trustees are having a hard time getting past the fact that a town-center concept isn't consistent with the township's master plan.

        “We would not deviate from our plan unless there was a compelling reason,” she said. “I sense a unity on the board in this issue. Steiner is in the position of having to convince us that our vision is flawed and their vision is the right one and that will take an awful lot of convincing.”

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