The rendering and text accompany an on-line survey revealing the proposed basic makeup of the former site of the Springboro IGA Plaza, on the northwest corner of Main Street and Central Avenue, Ohio 741 and Ohio 73 in Springboro.
“We are getting feedback right now. We’ve gotten over 100 responses,” Mayor John Agenbroad said. “That’s the center of town, which makes it very special.”
City officials declined to elaborate - beyond what accompanies the survey - on what was envisioned on the land.
“This plan includes spaces for restaurants, office, general retail, a performing arts center, public green space for outdoor events and potentially some limited residential,” according a description included with the survey.
The rendering and survey are the latest public signs of work on the redevelopment of the land purchased in 2015 from the family of Homer Preston, who operated the supermarket at the center of the complex.
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“Initially, the City held a small group planning session with various Springboro residents & business leaders to create ideas for the redevelopment – focusing on building design, potential uses and a general discussion pertaining to what the community may want to see (or not see) on that corner. From those discussions, a preliminary plan was produced,” the survey explains.
The survey asks respondents to weigh in on the rendering and the proposed land uses, including a mix of buildings, some rising three stories, as well as what businesses they would like to see there.
“The City has been advised that due to its location, this site will likely attract more local and regional businesses and restaurants, versus national businesses,” according to the survey.
Lower buildings are proposed near the intersection, with the taller ones along the west and northern edges of the development. Parking and an event space in the center are also in the plan.
At 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 6, residents are invited to share their views on the plan during a one-hour public meeting at city hall, 320 W. Central Ave. in Springboro.
Representatives from the Paresi Design Studio, hired by the city for the project, will be on hand to answer questions.
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Also to be on hand are representatives from Synergy Building Systems, the construction arm of Mills Development, which is collaborating with the city on its Ascent Office Campus, off Interstate 75, south of the Dayton’s Children’s Hospital facilities in Springboro.
Paresi was unavailable to comment and City Manager Chris Pozzuto did not respond to questions about Mills’ involvement or futher details on the vision for the various buildings.
Agenbroad noted developer Larry Dillin, who is also overseeing the Austin South Springboro development, north on Main Street, across Austin Boulevard from Austin Landing, was assisting with the crossroads redevelopment.
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“We have some continuity there,” Agenbroad said.
Dillin declined to comment, since he was not officially part of the crossroads project.
“The City plans to take the public input to further shape and modify the plan if necessary,” according to text on the city web site with the survey.
The planning process comes as a $10 million redesign of the intersection, stalled by the winter weather, is expected to resume. The city has already spent about $5 million on the crossroads redevelopment prioject, including purchasing the land for $3.4 million.
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Last week, the former IGA site, as well as the three corners, where gas stations previously stood, were all cleared.
Agenbroad declined to specify a timetable following the March 6 meeting, but indicated action was likely to quickly follow.
“From there, we are going to run with it and get rolling,” he said.
The mayor and long-time resident looked forward to the land - where people gathered for decades - regaining its central role in the community.
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Now it will be competing for Springboro residents’ attentions with places like Settlers Walk, Austin Landing and the proposed Austin South Springboro, three major mixed-use developments with which it will be sharing Main Street frontage.
“We want to make whatever the finished product is have the same kind of hometown feel and the same kind of charm,” Agenbroad said.
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