By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NEWPORT - One of Northern Kentucky's premier home shows is likely to return in 2003 to this city's same hilltop neighborhood that hosted the show this year.

Area home builders are close to deciding on Newport's Wiedemann Hill for next fall's Citirama, which this year featured eight homes ranging from $600,000 to $1.2 million that offer stunning views of the Cincinnati skyline and Ohio River valley. Wiedemann Hill is accessible from Newport's Vine Street and visible from Interstate 471 near the Memorial Parkway exit.

Dan Dressman, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky, confirmed Monday that the organization clearly wants to bring Citirama back to Wiedemann Hill in fall 2003.

"If we get enough participation, and that means builders buying lots, then that's where we'll hold the next Citirama," Mr. Dressman said. "We really don't expect that to be an issue, though. We expect even more participation (from builders) next year because this year's show was such a success."

All eight homes featured in the show were sold. The show allows builders to showcase their abilities, designs and work to prospective buyers.

Mr. Dressman revealed few details about the plans, including the exact location of the lots where the Citirama homes would be built. He said the association is holding a meeting Jan. 6.

"We've already had a few builders moving to acquire some of the acreage, so the interest has already been strong," Mr. Dressman said.

Mr. Dressman did say that the homes in the 2003 would be similar in price to the homes sold in the 2002 show.

"The views are a real selling point; and when you put a luxury home in that location, they are going to sell," he said.