By James Pilcher
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ANDERSON TWP. - Metro and this eastern Hamilton County township are joining forces to help achieve goals for each with a new $2.5 million transit center near Beechmont Mall.

The public bus agency and township officials Tuesday announced plans for the new center, which will become the area's main park-and-ride location.

Township officials hope the new building will also serve as a focal point for the redevelopment of the area north of the mall, which will include walking trails, a new lake that will be used to help control flooding in Clough Pike and other recreation facilities.

Metro is paying half the cost for construction of the building, about $343,000, with the township picking up the rest of the cost, which includes extensive regrading.

Linda Boatright, 43, of Anderson Township, is a 21-year bus rider and a self-described "true believer in public transportation."

She uses Metro to get from her home to her downtown job as a paralegal and encourages her children to use it for their transportation needs as well.

The new hub will be a great improvement over what was once at that site, she said.

"There was a parking lot area designated for Metro bus riders and a bus-stop-looking shelter. So, if the weather was bad, you stood out there and got wet or froze," Boatright said. "It was not very comfortable, and there were no bathroom facilities."

The Anderson Lake Park & Ride is expected to be complete by next fall. Metro plans no initial service changes. The site will include 200 parking spots.

Marie McCain contributed to this report. E-mail jpilcher@enquirer.com and mmccain@enquirer.com