By Susan Vela
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NORWOOD - Developers want their properties for a proposed $125 million development and, after a unanimous Council vote Tuesday, some residents said the forced surrender of their deeds seems inevitable.

Norwood City Council voted 9-0 to undertake an "urban renewal study" for the land developers need to build Rookwood Exchange - a mix of offices, apartments, condos, shops, restaurants and a parking garage.

To be financed by Anderson Real Estate and Miller-Valentine Group, the study could lead to the city seizing properties through eminent domain if the study says there are signs of blight or deterioration in the neighborhood bounded by Interstate 71, Edwards and Edmondson roads. About 79 properties, mostly residences, are needed for the project. Developers have obtained all but 20 of those.

Joe Horney, co-leader of Citizens Against Eminent Domain Abuse, said he sees the writing on the wall. He knows what to expect from a study financed by developers: Signs of blight and plenty of them.

"That's a farce. They're going to find blight and deterioration based on some very illegitimate findings," he said.

Council members disagreed. They reasoned that the study would give them a better grasp of the neighborhood and how development has changed the region.

The already-successful Rookwood Commons is just south of the proposed development. Rush-hour traffic can be intense. For many, the targeted neighborhood has lost its residential appeal.

"This decision is not an easy one for any member of council. No matter which way you vote, you're going to have people against you," Councilman Michael Fulmer said. But, "these homes are going to deteriorate more and more and more. I don't care what anybody says. Things have changed."

Council members also noted noting that the developers, who did not attend Tuesday's session, requested the study late last year. It was time to move forward, they said.

Several on council took offense to the idea that the developers could sway the study and its outcome. The ordinance approved Tuesday clearly states, they said, that the developers shall not have control over the consultant conducting the study or the study's contents.

The same goes for council's ultimate decision to declare the neighborhood blighted or deteriorated. And that's still a long way off.

What worries Horney and others still refusing to sell is that Rookwood Exchange promises to generate $3.5 million in annual earnings tax revenues for a city constantly battling budget problems.

It's a point also stressed by residents in favor of the project.

"Mostly out of respect, we the silent majority have sat back, letting the opposing few have the floor. This will be no more," said Michelle Vogelsong, who has agreed to sell her Garland Avenue property. "Please don't let the few property owners continue to dictate what the city should or should not do with this area. They do not care about the city's best interest. They just want money and lots of it."

The urban renewal study will focus on the properties' appearance and on documents about the properties' tax status and number of fire, healthy or safety violations.

E-mail svela@enquirer.com