“We tend to build on the higher end of quality,’’ said Ben Davis, Hillwood’s vice president of marketing and business development.
The former mall straddles the border of Fairfield in Butler County and Forest Park in Hamilton County.
Calling the $100 million project “super complicated,” Davis said when his company is finished with the demolition and business park the acreage not included in the project will be “ready to go (for other development).
“We really think the time is now,’’ Davis said. “We have a viable project and want to move forward.”
The project is complicated because it lies in two cities and three school districts. Only 54 of the 90-acre site would be redeveloped. The rest would continue to be owned by New York-based World Properties LLC.
Each of the buildings would contain 250,000 to 355,000 square feet, with two to three tenants envisioned for each building. No tenants have been identified yet, Davis said.
The buildings would be constructed so that trucks would be in the interior area formed by building placement. Truck traffic would enter and exit from the southern end of the project and would be restricted on S. Gilmore Road north of Kolb Drive.
Credit: Sue
Credit: Sue
Once the demolition is finished, the front portion of the land fronting South Gilmore Road that is not included in the project would get topsoil and be reseeded.
Demolition costs could top $10 million. A $7.9-million state grant from the Butler County land bank will be put toward demolition expenses.
Development Services Director Greg Kathman said Hillwood would be removing blight from the site, now littered with trash and deteriorating buildings with graffiti.
Credit: Sue
Credit: Sue
Additionally, the business park would draw more than just warehousing.
“This will be a business park rather than a distribution center – not the cheapest option,’’ Kathman said.
“People who are going to come here will want to be here. I expect more jobs and less storage (than a distribution center.)”
If the rezoning request and plans are approved by both Forest Park and Fairfield city councils, Davis said the property closing would likely be scheduled for April. Construction would take up much of 2026 and an early 2027 opening is likely.
About 50 acres of the site lies in Forest Park, four in Fairfield. A public hearing by Fairfield’s Planning Commission is set for 6 p.m., Wednesday, at the city building, 5350 Pleasant Ave. Both communities expect to render a decision on the project next month
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