Xenia taking steps to redevelop Towne Square

Council set to OK agreement Thursday to reshape historic area.

Xenia is taking steps to XENIA— redeveloptheTowneSquareshopping center onWestMain Street.

Thecityownsthelandwherethe shopping plaza sits and recently started steps to acquire the leasehold interest, which includes the twoprimarybuildings. Theproject will include the portion of Towne SquarethatformerlyhousedKmart andbuildings that currentlyhouse Family Dollar, Buck andEar, Comfort Dental and Acapulco.

“Executing a comprehensive redevelopment of Towne Square must start with our community reimagining what works best in the location,” Xenia CityManager BrentMerrimansaid in statement. “We are excited toworkwith our partners to initiate a community conversation on the future of this important part of downtown.”

Owning the leasehold interest allows the city and the newly formed Community Improvement Corporation to more easily move forward with redevelopment plans. Before any redevelopment on the site, Xenia will gather extensive input from the public, the city said.

The city saidwon’thave further comment until action is taken by city council., which is set to approve release and settlement agreement at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Towne Square shopping centerwas constructed after the tornado that hit Xenia in 1974. With this redevelopment, the city said it hopes to “reimagine the space and restore some of its original and historic aspects.”

“While theTowneSquare shopping plaza has served as a center of commerce for many years, the changing retail landscape on both national and regional levels has taken its toll,” said Xenia Development Director Steve Brodsky. “We are excited towork with the Xenia community, the CIC, and private development partners to reinvigorate the shopping center and reintegrate it into the historic downtown. This will not be a short-term process, butwe look forward to a stronger and more active downtown area.”