$55 million mixed-use Blue Ash project lands key approval bizjournals.com /cincinnati/news/2017/09/08/55-million-mixed-use-blue-ash-project-lands-key.html The first phase of the redevelopment of the former Blue Ash airport into the Neighborhoods at Summit Park has landed a key approval. The District, the first commercial phase of the development near the intersection of Glendale Milford Road and Reed Hartman Highway, received approval for the mixed-use block from Blue Ash Planning and Zoning Commission. The project, which is being developed by Al Neyer, Vandercar Holdings LLC and Fortus Group, is expected to be a $50 million to $55 million development. The commission voted unanimously to approve the final development plan. Tom Wilson, director of real estate development at Al Neyer, said the reception for the project was very positive overall. “This is really a signature building for the entrance into the development,” Wilson told me. To get a look at updated renderings of the project, click on the image above. The mixed-use block, which includes three buildings in total and structured parking, will have a total of 290 apartments, 39,250 square feet of street-level commercial space, 344 structured parking spaces, 72 interior spaces and another 56 on-street parking spaces. The apartments will be a mix of sizes, including 172 one-bedroom units, 106 two-bedroom units and 13 three-bedroom units. The development is targeting the renter-by-choice market. Wilson said the expected rent would range from about $1.70 to $1.80 per square foot, which is at the top end of the suburban apartment market. The individual apartments are designed with 9-foot ceilings, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, walk-in closets, patios or balconies on all units, a gourmet kitchen and “spa-like” bathrooms. Amenities for the apartments will include a clubhouse, dog park, fitness center with yoga and cross training area, salt water pool, a pool deck with grill stations and fire pits and a sundeck/tanning ledge. One of the changes from the initial concept plan was to create a pass through under the mixed-use building to Summit Park from the interior parking structure. That way, future office users or residents will be able to quickly get to the park without having to walk around the building. “We worked very closely with the city of Blue Ash to realign the building to connect with Summit Park,” Wilson said. Part of the changes also moved additional retail along what will be Summit Parkway facing the park, instead of just being at the corner as was originally planned. Al Neyer will build the mixed-use block. PDT Architects is the architect for this project. Wilson said the development team is working on financing for the project now. The final approval for this building is expected to come on Oct. 12 when it goes before Blue Ash City Council. 1/2
Once approved, Wilson said construction is expected to start in early 2018. Construction would take about 18 months to complete, so the building would be finished in the third quarter of 2019. Eventually, the mixed-use block will be joined by a life plan community building for seniors, two hotels, office buildings and a restaurant in the District portion of the overall development.
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