Developer sought for county land in Xenia

Goals for the project include creation of a ‘gateway to the city.’

The city of Xenia and Greene County are partnering to find a developer for about 15 acres of land on the west side of the city.

The West Main Street Development site consists of three vacant lots that are located along the north side of West Main and Greene Way Boulevard near the county’s juvenile center.

The county has requested proposals and sealed bids from potential developers to be delivered by noon Oct. 29.

The winning bidder’s plans need to include an extension of Hospitality Drive to connect it to Greene Way Boulevard; the plans should also include “the creation of a visual, gateway to the city of Xenia,” according to the county’s RFP document.

County and city officials are “excited about the possibilities of development on the site,” said Paul Newman, Greene County director of development.

“We want it to be recognizable as a destination,” Newman said.

Newman expects developers will be interested in-part because other areas available for development have restrictions.

“One of the benefits of this plat is that it’s free from a lot of restrictions that are present across West Main Street,” he said.

Newman is referring to 7-plus acres that could be developed on the other side of West Main along Progress Drive near where Lowe’s and Walmart are situated. There are “restrictive covenants placed by Walmart and Lowe’s” aimed at discouraging competition with the two large retailers, according to the county’s RFP document.

The county hired Miamisburg-based LJB Inc. to provide a report that markets the property and provide ideas of what could be done there. The county also hired Beavercreek-based Cosler Engineering to survey the land.

According to the county’s RFP document, 16,700 vehicles travel along West Main every day, and the average daily traffic on Progress Drive, is 9,600. Those numbers are expected to go up upon completion of the REACH Center, which will be the new site for the county YMCA, as well as a senior center, a Kettering Health Network building and educational space for Clark State Community College and Central State University.

The land parcels are currently zoned for public and institutional use, but the winning bidder should apply to the city to rezone the land for general business activities, according to the RFP document.