Private Developer’s Stadium Proposal Evolves

Private Developer’s Stadium Proposal Evolves

Too Long; Didn’t Read

The developers who own the private land near the corner of Reed-Hartman Highway and Pfeiffer Road, adjacent to Summit Park have refreshed their plan from a couple of years ago.  They still propose a stadium with a nice hotel and multifamily housing and an office building but they have reduced the number of apartments, added a parking garage for events, and added plans for an indoor fieldhouse surrounded by a second hotel designed to host basketball and volleyball tournaments as well as dance and cheer competitions.  They have also realized that a stadium built for one private school can’t anchor the development and so they have expanded its uses and are looking for a professional tenant.  

The developer has indicated that they are almost ready to file a formal proposal for rezoning consideration.  They just announced an open house on March 11 from 5:30-7pm in the Council Chambers at the Blue Ash Municipal building. Read more to see how we got to this point, the strengths and weaknesses of their proposal, and what may happen next.

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Former Ward 2 City Council Representative Died

Former Ward 2 City Council Representative Died

William Joseph (Joe) Leet, who served as a member of the Blue Ash City Council representing Ward 2 from 2017 to 2021, died January 3, 2025 following a long illness. I knew Joe as a person who did his very best for our ward and who was never shy about letting everyone know exactly how he felt. His Celebration of Life will be held at McCauley’s Pub in Sharonville, Ohio, on this Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. You can read his obituary here.

The Difficulties and Opportunities of Redevelopment – AKA Real Life SimCity is Hard

The Difficulties and Opportunities of Redevelopment – AKA Real Life SimCity is Hard

In any city there are times when the uses for a property will change.  Because we have so few undeveloped pieces of land, almost anything that is built in the City of Blue Ash requires that it be built on a piece of property that already has something on it.  In the SimCity simulation, if you don’t like the way a piece of land is being used, the player can just knock it down and see if something better comes or they can change the zoning and see if that will be enough incentive for the market to make a positive change at the property.

In real life, such changes are not that easy.  Changing how a piece of property is used costs money: money to retrofit the current building; money to knock down the old and build new; and, sometimes, money to incentivize a land use that is of particular value to the larger community.   In addition the interest of the landowner, the property neighbors, and of the City should be considered.

Read more about what this might look like and how the proposal for a Wawa convenience store and gas station as well as a car wash fits.

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