More housing planned for project
Second phase of $146 million redevelopment of Centerville Place to add 140 more residential units.
CENTERVILLE — City officials announced that Phase 2 of a proposed $146 million redevelopment for a large portion of a shopping center along Ohio 48 includes plans for more than 100 additional residential units.
In January of 2017, city officials approved a mixed-use concept for Centerville Place that envisioned redevelopment of the shopping center at Ohio 48 between Sheehan and Spring Valley roads — including the old Kroger store, which has been vacant since Kroger built a new Marketplace store nearby.
Centerville Place is currently a 325,000-square-foot shopping strip that houses businesses like Bath & Body Works, Great Clips, Starbucks, Kroger Marketplace and other retailers.
Just last month, Dillin LLC unveiled its redevelopment concept plan for Centerville Place, which resembles the plan approved by the city in 2017. The Phase 1 portion of the plan calls for retail, restaurant, office and residential elements.
In addition to concept plans already submitted for Phase 1 that consisted of 200 residential units, Phase 2 will add approximately 140 more, including brownstone town homes, according to City Manager Wayne Davis.
“We heard a lot of positive interest in the first phase of this development, especially relating to the residential options. We think the second phase of the development will appeal to the demand for upscale options in this unique investment,” Davis said.
Larry Dillin, through Dillin LLC, is developing the Centerville Place project.
“Centerville Place will be an opportunity to stretch this vision beyond just redevelopment and will truly change the way people
view Centerville,” Dillin said. “This ‘Gateway Community Project’ will be a vibrant showcase on the southern border of Centerville.”
Current tenants at Centerville Place will continue their leases and will be offered the opportunity to occupy space in the newly created property alongside a collection of new tenants and services.
The plan calls for replace- ment of the oldest section of existing retail space, includ- ing the former Kroger location, and converting the site into an updated and attractive mixed-use project, according to Dillin.
That means retail, restaurant, office and residential space, plus other new build- ings connected by heavily landscaped sidewalks and parking, along with public parks and water features.
The design concept main- tains the connections with the existing Kroger and neighboring retail buildings. Early merchandising plans anticipate a collection of new restaurants, retail and offices along with residential uses.
“Centerville Place will enhance our community by improving the economy, quality of life and overall attractiveness to those who choose Centerville in the near and long-term future,” Centerville Council member Mark Engert said.
The designs are in the con- cept phase. Public hearings will be held as development plans move through the Planning Commission and City Council. Currently, it is anticipated those hearings will be this fall and winter.
City officials and Dillin LLC held a public open house in August to facilitate conver- sation about the develop- ment and solicit early feedback. Approximately 60 com- munity members attended.
The plan for Centerville Place will likely go before Centerville’s Planning Commission in late October and move to City Council in early December, Davis said.