Proposals call for building approximately 150,000 square feet of commercial space, including a small specialty grocery store or market with cafe-style outdoor seating and a street-corner office. In addition, the plans also call for over 100 housing units such as condominiums with top-level penthouses, according to township records and Steiner.
“This project is intended to be the highest priced point product in our market for empty nesters that is going to be comparable to a downtown market,” Yaromir Steiner, founder and chief executive officer of Steiner + Associates, told trustees in January about the housing portion of the project.
The next step is to begin further work on the site plan and building designs, said Justin Leyda, senior development executive for Steiner. Final building plans will still need local government approval before construction could start.
“This site will allow for the addition of a wonderful collection of retail and restaurant users that want to be adjacent to but not within a town center environment,” Leyda said in an email response. “The addition of quality retail, office and luxury condominiums makes the overall community stronger and is consistent with our master planned vision for the area. Everything we are working on supports and enhances the Liberty Center brand.”
While approving the zoning change Tuesday, trustee George Lang noted the developer will attempt to work with adjacent homeowners to address concerns about the site lines and building heights. Residents also expressed concerns about landscape buffering between the properties.
The first phase of Liberty Center opened in October in Liberty Twp. with anchor tenants Dillard's department store, Dick's Sporting Goods and CineBistro. More openings have rolled out since then, including AC Hotel by Marriott Cincinnati North.
In addition to the property Steiner is negotiating to buy in West Chester, the developer also owns more land for future development in Liberty Twp. adjacent to Liberty Center. Leyda added that land on Liberty Way in West Chester is further along in the design and zoning process compared to other plans for the area. "Therefore, it is likely that it will continue to move forward at a more accelerated pace," he said.
Meanwhile, sporting goods store Cabela’s Inc. opened on the West Chester side of Liberty Way last year as well.
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