Crossroads developers seek county assistance
A major land developer is looking for assistance in bringing utilities to a 250-acre development in Cridersville called The Crossroads. The idea for the Crossroads started four or five years ago and all but 15 acres of the project are already owned by developers.
Dr. Craig Nicholson and Josh Bloomfield are planning to create a destination community that includes housing, retail, entertainment and dining opportunities. The two spoke to the Auglaize County commissioners late Thursday asking for a $190,000 county investment to bring electric and water utilities to their plot of land.
The village of Cridersville plans to invest $10,000 in infrastructure for The Crossroads and has projected a 20-year time frame for the project to come to fruition. Village officials are working with developers on the necessary zoning.
The planned community includes single unit and mixed use housing opportunities, retail space, and entertainment space as well as a park. Plans show the park/green space that will sit between residential housing and the highway. Nicholson said this would help mitigate traffic noise.
Nicholson hopes that the included amenities will tick the boxes for major retailers such as Costco and Target to come into the development as it provides access to the interstate — but he doesn’t want to reach out to larger companies without having the available utilities in the ground. Nicholson said they are also working on acquiring options for additional land purchases.
“This plan is to let people stay here and spend money in our
own community as opposed to having to drive to one of the four cities that surround us,” Nicholson said.
Although the project will likely be a draw for both Allen and Auglaize County residents, Nicholson said he has heard development is easier in Auglaize County than in Allen County and noted a months-long revision process when trying to develop in Allen County.
Nicholson explained they need more time than other types of developments because of the scale and different types of establishments.
There are some limitations to the county’s involvement, as commissioners could only offer $50,000 without putting the project out to bid. Crossroads officials have already gotten the quotes from the companies they plann to use.
Commissioner Doug Spencer said it would require turning some creative wheels to find a way for commissioners to offer their assistance. Toward the end of the meeting Spencer suggested the county’s Community Improvement Corporation buy a parcel of the land worth $200,000 — but nothing has been set in stone. The CIC has more flexibility than other county entities.