Watch these big developments in 2017
Nearly a decade removed from the Great Recession, local governments continue to struggle to find money for high-priority development visions.
Big private projects often still need big partnerships from the public sector in order to move forward.
That isn't likely to change in 2017, but officials from cities, townships and villages say they're ready to step up in order to create jobs, attract new residents and change community perceptions.
"We have to think about making those investments so we do remain relevant in the region," said Neil Hensley, Blue Ash's director of economic development, told The Enquirer referencing support for new mixed-use development in the city.
Here are 10 real estate developments (plus a bonus project) that could make a big impact in the region in 2017.
MORE INFO: Developments to watch in 2016 and Developments to watch in 2015
Avondale Town Center: Rebooting a neighborhood commercial corridor
Vision: Redevelop a run-down commercial plaza by launching a project in Avondale that could provide opportunities for new housing, jobs and commercial activity.
Location: 3513-3573 Reading Road, Cincinnati
Key players: The Community Builders, City of Cincinnati, Save-A-Lot
What could happen: The Community Builders, a Boston-based real estate developer and manager, will spend much of 2017 completing its transformation the Avondale Town Center. The $40 million project calls for creating a mixed-use, mixed income development with two new buildings that feature 119 rental units and about 75,000 square feet of commercial space. Save-A-Lot is expected to anchor the site in a new 15,000-square-foot store and more tenant announcements are expected to come in 2017. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2018. The city contributed $2 million to the project in addition to approving property tax abatements for new development.
Baldwin complex: A 'Grand' return for old buildings
Vision: Reshape the gateway to the Walnut Hills neighborhood and Eden Park.
Location: 625-655 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati
Key players: Neyer Properties, TriHealth
What could happen: Neyer Properties is redeveloping the former Baldwin Piano Co. site to feature 190 loft-style apartments and other attractions. The Cincinnati company has owned the site since 2014 and is expected to complete the conversion of the former manufacturing home of the Baldwin Piano Co., now called the Grand Baldwin building, in 2017. TriHealth gave the site a big boost by announcing it would relocate its headquarters and hundreds of employees from Uptown to the Baldwin 200 building by 2018. The development team is also interested in landing a hotel, restaurants, a "pocket park" and other amenities at the site. More announcements could come in 2017 on those fronts.
Blue Ash airport land: Redevelopment for a suburban site
Vision: Complete a massive redevelopment of now vacant land formerly part of the Blue Ash Airport.
Location: On former Blue Ash airport land between Plainfield Road, Glendale-Milford Road and Reed Hartman Highway, Blue Ash
Key players: Al. Neyer, Vandercar Holdings, Towne Properties, M/I Homes and MKSK.
What could happen: It will take several years for the development team to develop more than 100 acres of land adjacent Summit Park. But in 2017, developers are expected to make progress on Gateway Village, which is expected to feature 220 apartments, 35,000 square feet of commercial space and two hotels. Some Blue Ash residents have voiced concerns about the scope and nature of development plans, but the development team has delivered assurances to city officials that the project can create big benefits.
Anderson Twp.: Continue redefining main commercial corridor
Vision: Continue executing the Downtown Anderson Plan that will help guide public and private investment decisions within a half-mile of the Anderson Towne Center.
Location: Beechmont Avenue near Five Mile Road, Anderson Township
Key players: Anderson Township, Kroger, Victory Developers
What could happen: The "main and main" of Anderson is expected to see continued investment in public infrastructure and private property in 2017. Among the biggest developments expected to wrap up is the expansion of the Kroger at Beechmont and Town Center Way into the company's largest supermarket in the nation. Currito, The Eagle and McAlister’s Deli are expected to open by fall 2017 in a new development at Beechmont Avenue and Wolfangel Road. Township officials said between mid-2015 and early 2018, the area could see more than $165 million of public and private investment, which includes the $74 million expansion of Mercy Health's Anderson hospital completed this past fall.
Downtown Kroger: Destination or a dream?
Vision: Create a mixed-use Downtown development that helps build density along the streetcar line and creates a signature development near Kroger's headquarters.
Location: Southeast corner of Central Parkway and Walnut Street
Key players: Kroger, Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), City of Cincinnati, Rookwood Properties
What could happen: No details about the project have been released since The Enquirer first reported on the project in September. But that could change in 2017 if stars align for this project. Kroger would have to decide to spend money on a new store and likely shutter one it operates in Over-the-Rhine. Rookwood Properties, which owns land in the area, would have to agree on compensation for a land sale or lease. 3CDC would have to help create the development plan for the Downtown corridor and the city would have to provide adequate incentives to move the project forward. No small feats, for sure, but the parties could decide the benefits outweigh the risks.
Drawbridge site: Development could reshape health care
Vision: Redevelop the former Drawbridge Inn site to add new development 10 minutes from Downtown Cincinnati and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
Location: Along Buttermilk Pike south of Interstate 71/75, Fort Mitchell
Key players: Christ Hospital, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Brandicorp, State of Kentucky
What could happen: Few real estate developments can brag that they could reshape the future of health care in an entire state, but that's exactly what the new Fort Mitchell Gateway plan could do. The state of Kentucky will decide in 2017 whether Christ Hospital can get a certificate of need in order to complete construction on a $24 million ambulatory surgical center, eschewing concerns from Northern Kentucky mainstay St. E's. The center would serve as the centerpiece of a Brandicorp-led $135 million Fort Mitchell Gateway project that also features restaurant and retail space, apartments and a hotel. The Drawbridge Inn closed in 2012 and was demolished in 2014.
Duveneck Square: Infill development continues in Covington
Vision: Add a mixed-use urban infill project in Covington that can bring new residents and activity in a historic area.
Location: Washington Street between 7th and 8th streets, Covington
Key players: NorthPointe Group, John Senhauser Architects, Bellwether Enterprise, The Catalytic Fund and the City of Covington
What could happen: The $20 million apartment and retail development is expected to spend much of 2017 under construction, but it promises to add new life in Covington's urban core. The project is expected to open in early 2018. Success in the project's first phase could help Duveneck Square move to a second phase, bringing office space and new residences into the neighborhood.
Indiana's fourth port: Potential for Southeast Indiana
Vision: Study the potential for developing a new port near the Ohio River to create big economic opportunities in southeast Indiana.
Location: Former Tanners Creek power plant, Lawrenceburg
Key players: State of Indiana, Commercial Development Co., Dearborn County, City of Lawrenceburg
What could happen: A brownfield redevelopment company could complete its study on whether there's a business case for developing the state's fourth port. Indiana Michigan Power sold the former Tanners Creek coal plant to St. Louis-based Commercial Development Co. in 2016. The company will focus on the best places to build on 700 acres of land in Dearborn County. But the feasibility study is only the start of the process. Getting development approvals from the federal government and the state would be required before business attraction and construction could begin.
Property along Cincinnati's streetcar line
Vision: Use the transit system to catalyze public and private development along the route of the Cincinnati Bell Connector.
Location: Downtown and Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati
Key players: Multiple property owners, city of Cincinnati
What could happen: The streetcar hasn't changed property investment plans for every owner along the 3.6-mile route. But it has influenced the activity of some investors, and that means the transit system has had a part in hundreds of millions of dollars of purchase activity and real estate development. Many owners have made big bets for first-floor retail spaces, office building upgrades and residential conversions to boost density in the two neighborhoods. One of the biggest developments along the line could be at Eighth and Main streets as a team wants to erect the largest for-sale housing project Downtown in a decade.
Wasson Way: Seeking greener pastures through abandoned corridor
Vision: Transform an idle railroad corridor into a hike and bike trail that could eventually connect to the Little Miami trail.
Location: Along the Norfolk Southern's Wasson rail line stretching from Victory Parkway near Xavier University through 12 local neighborhoods and communities.
Key players: Wasson Way nonprofit organization, city of Cincinnati, multiple Greater Cincinnati local governments, MKSK and Norfolk Southern
What could happen: Construction on the trail's first phase – Tamarack Avenue to Madison Road – is expected to start in June. It has taken more than a decade to move from early project concepts to the current 4.1-mile plan for Wasson Way. But trail advocates still see an opportunity for the trail to grow to help complete the vision of connecting to the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Cost estimates for the current 4.1-mile path range from $14 million to $20 million.
Bonus development to watch: Northern Kentucky building boom
A lack of sewer capacity has long been a roadblock in the minds of developers looking for opportunities to build in Boone County. But a late 2016-deal reached between the county and Sanitation District No. 1 could help eliminate the impediment to new development. The Enquirer reported in August that the county had permits pending for more than 8,000 new single-family and multifamily residences planned for Boone County.
Community Press and Recorder and Enquirer reporters Sarah Brookbank, Marika Lee, Melissa Reinert, Carrie Blackmore-Smith, Sheila Vilvens and Scott Wartman contributed.