By Zachary Fox
Enquirer contributor

BLUE ASH - A citywide sweep for building code violations gets under way today.

The city planned the program weeks ago. It will start in the small community of Arcadia, whose residents turned out in force at last week's city council meeting in this Hamilton County suburb. Some 200 people, many from Arcadia, came to discuss the city's plans for downtown redevelopment.

Blue Ash's redevelopment plan includes the possibility of bringing upscale restaurants and entertainment to an area of downtown labeled "D1," with possible medium-density, high-quality residences such as condominiums.

"A No. 1 objective (for the council) is a preservation and improvement of the residential areas," said Rick Bryan, mayor of Blue Ash.

However, some Arcadia community members remained concerned about how the city plans might affect them.

"It takes acres and acres to place townhouses and condominiums. So if it's not going to go on the Arcadia subdivision, where will it go?" said David Mapes, an Arcadia resident.

"Can you guarantee that in 2010 you won't come and take my house?" asked Betty Hartke, an Arcadia resident.

Community members also complained that the city hasn't enforced building codes in Arcadia.

The city recently passed an ordinance that will help enforce sanctions against overgrown lawns, and has commissioned the National Inspection Corp. to aid in enforcing building codes throughout the city. The company will begin a citywide sweep in search of violations of building codes today, a date which was set weeks ago.

The city will start the sweep in Arcadia to encourage the community's participation in council meetings and as a show of support, said Mike Shiverski, development coordinator for the city.

"It would be fair to say that the residents of Arcadia convinced us to start in their neighborhood because of their pride and because of their enthusiasm," said Shiverski.