Delhi Press 06/05/19

Page 1

DELHI PRESS

Your Community Press newspaper serving Delhi Township and other West Cincinnati neighborhoods

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 ❚ BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS ❚ PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK

FC Cincinnati cuts a deal with displaced tenants; terms kept private Sharon Coolidge Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

After weeks of public rebukes, demands, and dueling press conferences over FC Cincinnati’s displacement of people in its new stadium’s path, the team cut a deal with the tenants. One of the deal’s requirement? That details remain secret. The deal came Thursday, brokered in a committee room next to council chambers as council met. It needed to trigger approval; of a trio of measures the team needed to keep stadium construction on track. At one point pizza was ordered in during the eight hours of negotiations. John Schrider, a lawyer with the Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, represented the tenants. He was in the negotiations and told council members, when pressed, the deal includes more time for the residents to move out and “substantial” relocation assistance. He added it was a compromise, meaning nobody left totally happy. Ken Rhodes, 55, said after the meeting, “I don’t want to move, but I still have to.” The process, started back in February, when tenants of 421 Wade Street and 1559 Central Parkway were asked to move by team. Tenants banded together and made their case to the public. “This was very traumatic for the tenants,” said Brian Garry, who helped the tenants make their case to the public. “While no one is perfectly happy with the resolution, at least there was a negotiation and give and take.” It caught the attention of Cincinnati City Council, which asked the team to

Construction proceeds at the site of the future FC Cincinnati MLS stadium in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati on Thursday. SAM GREENE/THE ENQUIRER

help the residents. Council approved the deal in a 7-0 vote with support from P.G. Sittenfeld, Greg Landsman, Chris Seelbach, Amy Murray, Jeff Pastor, Wendell Young and David Mann. Vice Mayor Smitherman was excused. Councilwoman Tamaya

Dennard was against off ering the team help and left early and negotiations dragged on. Council: ❚ Gave the team permission to build a parking lot across from Cincinnati Police District One on Ezzard Charles Drive

on land the team owns. ❚ Allowed a zoning change for part of 15th Street, which will be used for an entrance to the stadium parking garage. ❚ Included land on 15th Street in a See STADIUM, Page 2A

Western Hills Plaza: Restaurant, stores coming to Sears location Sheila Vilvens Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

Westwood Sears was among the list of Sears stores to close nationwide in 2018. An eatery and seven retail stores will open in the spot. FILE/GETTY IMAGES

Contact The Press

News: 513-248-8600, Retail advertising: 768-8404, Classified advertising: 242-4000, Delivery: 513-853-6277.

Word came early in 2018 that the Westwood Sears location was closing. Just over one year later, space the failed retail chain once occupied has a new purpose. In a May 23 Facebook post, the Westwood Civic Association announced that the old Sears store in the Western Hills Plaza will be razed. In its place, a new development will rise. Plans call for a fast-casual style restaurant and seven retail businesses to open in late 2020.

For the Postmaster: Published weekly every Wednesday. Periodicals postage paid at Cincinnati, OH ISSN 10580298 ❚ USPS 006-879 Postmaster: Send address change to The Delhi Press, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. $30 for one year

Emery Federal Credit Union’s Newest Branch

6060 Bridgetown Road

Vol. 92 No. 24 © 2019 The Community Recorder ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Join us for a full day of festivities June 14 - 9am to 6pm • Raffles • Special Discounts • Prizes and more! (While supplies last)

The post was well-received with nearly 350 comments and more than 400 shares within a day. Comments ranged from celebratory to dreaming of more. “Trader Joe’s and a bookstore would be amazing,” wrote one commenter. Trader Joe’s and a bookstore seem to be common wants with multiple mentions. The development is just the latest in a string of business news for the area. A new Kroger Marketplace recently opened. Recently, Olive Garden announced it’s opening a restaurant in the space that formerly houses TGI Friday’s on Glenway Avenue.

$1.00

WFDBHE-21012y


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Delhi Press 06/05/19 by Enquirer Media - Issuu