By Ken Alltucker
The Cincinnati Enquirer

UC Physicians will soon move up to 300 positions from the University of Cincinnati to Walnut Hills as it uses its on-campus buildings to house research efforts.

The move represents a commitment to keep the bulk of the group's jobs in Cincinnati even as it expands with new suburban facilities such as a medical complex in West Chester, said Randy Hillard, chief executive of UC Physicians.

The group bought the 60,000-square-foot office at Victory Parkway and Madison Road this summer for $2.95 million. The building's current anchor tenant, Fisher Design, outgrew its space there and will soon move to the renovated Ford Factory along Interstate 71.

"The main thing is that the location is convenient to UC," Hillard said. "We are expanding our programs in Butler County, but we plan to keep our main operations here."

The physicians group will move 80 workers to the new digs within one month. Another 100 administrative workers will follow by March, and plans call for a total of 300 positions within a couple of years.

Lack of on-site parking is the only factor that could limit the group's growth projection. There's enough parking for about 180 positions. Beyond that, UC Physicians would need a parking garage - and could seek some tax incentives to build that garage.

UC Physicians teamed with the Health Alliance in Butler County to build a new medical campus at University Pointe. Ultimate plans are to create a $100 million campus for fast-growing communities in southern Butler and Warren counties.

Fairfax-based Koncius Properties formerly owned the Victory Parkway building.

E-mail kalltucker@enquirer.com