In a shift of the timetable for the project, the project’s developers will now present an update before the Huber Heights city council Tuesday instead of in January, when developers last week said the meeting would occur. Promotional materials from the developers indicate the project could open in 2018.
The proposed development will feature retail, office, hospitality and potentially residential space. Located at the intersection of Interstate 70 and Ohio 201, the project is a partnership between 201 Corridor Management LLC and JJ Cafaro Investment Trust LLC.
Reached by the newspaper, Al George, of JJ Cafaro’s company, declined to comment pending the council meeting. A copy of the city manager’s schedule — also obtained under records law — shows the city manager has an hourlong call with George on Tuesday morning ahead of the work session.
The Heights developers have said they’ve purchased 15 acres of the commercial site and have an option on 55 more acres necessary for the development. Developers have sought to improve the site for years.
In emails among council and City Manager Rob Schommer, the leaders expressed pleasure about the project, but also frustration they learned about it second-hand. The developers were not “technically” obligated to inform council of the news, Schommer said, but the leaders noted it would have been helpful.
“While I applaud and celebrate economic development in this city, I do not appreciate having to read about it on social media,” wrote Councilwoman Janell Smith, adding she learned about the project from a Dayton Daily News reporter. “That is not a good way to communicate.”
“It’s not like company xyz is hiring 120 new employees,” Smith wrote. “This is a quoted [$100 million] project that we, as the city’s leadership, should have been in the know before it got published, period.”
“Couldn’t agree with you more!” Schommer wrote in reply. While congratulating the developers, Schommer added, “I am extremely disappointed in the lack of communication offered by [the developers] for this project.”
Schommer added, “the bottom line and good news is there seems to be some exciting progress with this project, as publishing dates, site plans and actual project information is progress we have not seen prior, and indicates a higher level of certainty.”
The city council work session at 6131 Taylorsville Road begins at 6 p.m.
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