By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ANDERSON TWP. - Leaders here say they want to firm up plans this year for a new "town center" off Five Mile Road just north of Beechmont Avenue on 21 acres behind the old Beechmont Mall.

Now called Anderson Towne Center, the mall is undergoing reconstruction into an "lifestyle" center with the nation's largest Kroger store.

Directly behind it, Anderson Township officials envision their own new center with a proposed $6 million government and arts building and a $2.5 million transit center. There also would be a lake, park and walkway connecting it all to the Five Mile trail.

The two-story, 30,000 square-foot government building would have an auditorium with a stage so community groups such as Beechmont Players no longer would have to perform in Clermont County because there isn't space here.

"It will create a total focal point for Anderson Township," Trustee Al Peter said. "We don't have a really good town center. It would be a natural extension of the way the mall is going to be redeveloped."

The building wouldn't be complete for three or more years, he said.But, he added, it is sorely needed to relieve overcrowding in the township's administrative offices, in part of the fire department off Beechmont Avenue.

"We are just plain out of space," Peter said. "We have people sitting on top of each other. (And) we don't really have as secure a building as we would like."

The township has enough money to pay for the proposed building, so taxes won't be raised, Administrator Henry Dolive stressed.

Meanwhile, the township should begin constructing the lake and park this year, along with the transit center, which will consist of a new park-and-ride lot and 1,600-square-foot shelter.

Metro is paying half the cost for the construction of the one-story building, about $343,000, with the township picking up the rest of the cost. Anderson officials have received an $852,000 grant toward the project, so the township should shell out about $1.3 million.

The lot will start construction this spring and open in the fall. After the lot is nearly done, the shelter will begin construction and open next spring or summer.

It will have restrooms, a climate controlled waiting area, vending machines and possibly kiosks. It will be open to park users and can be used by community groups for night meetings.

There is enthusiasm in Anderson for the "town center" concept, especially for outdoor concerts and other events, said resident Mike Niehaus, 50.

"It will give people a place to go and congregate," he said. "There is a vision for perhaps a little band show and outdoor concerts. ... It will definitely help the sense of community."

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com