The city will now spend $15,000 for CEC to provide services related to the project, including developing a preliminary floor plan, a feasibility study and estimates for construction and redevelopment.
David Beauregard, of Creative Entertainment Concepts, told the council Thursday the study also would look at the possibility of converting the former Kmart building into a movie theater.
“Xenia is really ripe for this investment,” Councilman Dale Louderback said.
Construction could start as early as winter, if plans are approved, Merriman said.
“The city is actively pursuing redevelopment opportunities at the former Kmart site, and our feeling is that with this type of amenity or attraction right in the heart of our downtown positions us very well to see additional redevelopment with the Kmart lot,” he said. “It provides a catalyst for redevelopment.”
CEC has a reached a tentative lease agreement with the building owner for the 30,000-square-foot facility.
Once the feasibility study is completed, the city would work with the developer to find prospective investors, according to Merriman.
Merriman said the plans are still conceptual, but could still prove positive for the city.
“Even if the project would not come to fruition with Creative Entertainment Concepts, we would still have the ability to take those materials and move forward and try to market that to some other developer,” Merriman said.
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