WEST CARROLLTON — The City of West Carrollton passed a resolution Tuesday night allowing developers to move forward with a new River District along the Miami River.
The city has been working to acquire land in and around the proposed district for several years, according to a release.
Three years ago crews demolished the location of “Roberd’s Plaza” and the 25 acres have sat vacant ever since, but now the land has the chance for a new life.
The property sits on the west side of Interstate 75 at exit 47.
“The West Carrollton Roberd’s Plaza is what it actually was called and it was the most significant thing that was down there around the interchange,” Brad Townsend, city manager of West Carrollton said.
Developers plan to turn the acres into new hotels, retail, housing and restaurants.
>> West Carrollton Dollar General reopens after multiple code violations force closure
“I don’t know if there’s really any place up through here that really is geared toward pull up, lock your bike up, go inside and eat, something like that,” Moraine resident David Leighty said.
Leighty said he tries to bike along the river multiple times a week and is excited for the plans for new recreation, like kayaking.
The project will cost roughly $10 million, but city leaders said state and federal grants will help pay for it.
In the long run, developers said the project will pay for itself.
“It’s more than just a real estate piece. It’s changing the way people think about West Carrollton as a community,” Larry Dillin, president of Dillin Property Group.
City leaders think the project could bring in $2.5 million to the city’s tax base every year.
“We get a lot of joy out of creating legacy projects. Something a community can be excited about that helps improve quality of life in that community,” Dillin said.
The next stop is for the city to come up with a master plan strategy to build the project in phases over 5 years.
©2022 Cox Media Group
