By Karen Vance
Enquirer contributor

MIAMI TOWNSHIP - Clermont County and Miami Township want to swap roads with the state as part of a redevelopment plan in the township.

The two seeking to have the Ohio Department of Transportation take responsibility for the Ohio 28 bypass. The county would then take responsibility for the retail corridor part of Ohio 28. Both sections of road are about 1.5 miles long.

Miami Township Administrator David Duckworth said the swap would be mutually beneficial because the state would have an easier time maintaining the bypass, and the township would have more freedom to redevelop the old Ohio 28 retail corridor.

"It's easier to work with the county on this project than with the state officials because they know what we're trying to do," Duckworth said.

The Ohio 28 redevelopment plan includes a village-like atmosphere with businesses, offices and residences along a landscaped boulevard, said Larry Fronk, community development director for the township.

"Changing the designation of Ohio 28 is a critical part because the major changes we want to make can't occur with ODOT's stricter guidelines," Fronk said.

The township trustees and county commissioners voted last week to support a request to ODOT for the designation change. Within the week, the county engineer will submit the request to the Transportation Review Advisory Council.

The advisory council's primary responsibility is to fund transportation projects. ODOT likely would have to assume about $10.5 million in bonds on the road, which cost about $15 million to build, said County Administrator David Spinney.

The county is optimistic about the request to the transportation council, which will likely make a decision by the end of the year.

"They're taking the application out of the normal timeline, and we see that as a positive sign of ODOT's willingness to consider taking on the debt," Spinney said.

That would also free up about $1 million a year for redevelopment of Business 28 and other county road projects, he said.

Redevelopment plans for the corridor are progressing, with three parcels on the market, including Miami Plaza, which contains Kmart, the now-vacant Thriftway and an adjacent lot, Fronk said.

The former Furrow hardware store has been purchased by an upscale equestrian tack and feed store, set to open by early November.

"With the growth of the horse farms in eastern Clermont County and Milford's proximity to Indian Hill, the store has an excellent location," Fronk said. "It's a niche we never thought of, but we believe it can a draw in a nice market of people who would be willing to do other shopping here."