By Susan Vela
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NORWOOD - Council members are inching closer to making one of the toughest choices they've ever faced.

On Saturday, they will hold a town meeting about Rookwood Exchange - a proposed $125 million complex that could boost this city's image at the expense of 79 businesses and homes.

IF YOU GO

What: Town meeting. When: 1 p.m. Saturday. Where: Norwood High School, 2020 Sherman Ave. Why: To discuss Rookwood Exchange, a $125 million project that could boost the city's image.

Elected officials admit they need residents' help. Many feel caught between developers - Anderson Real Estate and Miller-Valentine Group - who are promising up to $3.5 millionin earnings tax revenues if the project comes to fruition, and about 25 residents who refuse to sell their homes and businesses.

The developers might ask council to take those holdout properties by eminent domain if they can't get them to sell. In February, council will review the developers' request for a blight study, which would make the pursuit of eminent domain possible.

"People are going to have to say if they support this development. I'd like to have as much information as we can get our hands on," Councilman Will DeLuca said. "We'll see what is the outcome of this meeting and go from there."

The coveted properties are bounded by Interstate 71 and Edwards and Edmondson roads. Just north of Rookwood Commons, Rookwood Exchange would include offices, condos, apartments, and trendy shops and restaurants.

Planning commissioners already have said they want a planned unit development overlay placed over the targeted property. If approved by council, planning commissioners would have control over many aspects of the development, including paint colors and parking spaces.

Mr. DeLuca warned that developers' success in getting sales agreements with residents could help determine whether council members pursue the blight study.

"It's a big a difference if Anderson says he has 20 percent under contract versus 70 percent," he said. And "if you have people who are asking $500,00 or $600,000 for a home ... that's a bit exorbitant."

Brian Copfer of Miller-Valentine said he's constantly trying to negotiate with residents, but "in the same breath, it's clear to us that there are a few people (who) have made it clear that they have no intentions of selling."

He warns that council probably will have to make some uncomfortable decisions.

"They will decide whether the project will move forward or whether the project will fall apart," he said.

Members of Citizens Against Eminent Domain Abuse planned to spend today passing out fliers throughout Norwood and the nearby Cincinnati neighborhoods of Oakley and Hyde Park.

Co-leaders Joe Horney and Nick Motz want at least 100 people to appear at Saturday's meeting and urge council members to not pursue the overlay or an urban renewal study.

"They should think about the seriousness of what they are getting into," Mr. Motz said. "Norwood needs to decide what they're going to do with the two issues before them."

E-mail svela@enquirer.com