Controversy continues over multi-use sports complex proposal in Blue Ash
The , a 98-acre plot next to Summit Park in Blue Ash is once again in the spotlight.
Thursday, a public hearing was held for the project developers are proposing for the final 20-acres of land.
The plans for the former airport property have been in the works for roughly a decade now.
The property's sale was approved by the City of Cincinnati back in 2015 to developers Al. Neyer.
Since then, the development group has gone through several hearings and an extensive approval process with Blue Ash City Council.
Now, plans to use the last of the land to build a 5,000-seat football stadium and three hotels with a combined 450 rooms available could soon be finalized.
Developers floating the idea to use the stadium for Moeller High School's football team.
They say it would also be used to host concerts and big events when it wasn't in use for the team.
Back in April, .
Developers are calling it a "walkable, energized, sports and entertainment anchored mixed-use development."
"The Summit" would include the stadium, an attached hotel and additional space:
- 17,575 square feet of retail, restaurant and bar space.
- Approximately '195 luxury apartment units'
- Restaurant and meeting space of around 27,150 square feet
"The Fieldhouse" would be a 60,600 square foot indoor event venue with 'an athletics emphasis' designed for basketball, volleyball, cheer competitions and the ability to be used for business events. It would be attached to:
- Two "nationally branded hotels" totaling around 300 total rooms
- Ground-level retail, restaurant and service at 37,625 feet
In a , however, Blue Ash neighbors were largely opposed to these plans.
Many showing up wearing something red, the symbolism: they want to put a stop to this.
There wasn't an empty seat in the house, residents coming out in full force to voice their concerns.
People, standing where they could and waiting out in the hallway just to listen in and get a chance to step up to the podium.
Many have been vocal in their opinions on the proposed plans, both citizens and councilmembers alike.
Councilmember Brian Gath from Ward 2, speaking favorably about the project on his .
However, not everyone on council is for these changes.
Councilmember Jeff Capell has been an outspoken critic, voicing concerns over a parking, the intended use for the stadium, also questioning the need for the stadium.
Capell's main concern, has been transparency.
During Thursday's meeting he probed developers, asking who would be funding this project.
Their response, that private donors would be the owners.
Capell responding to this by questioning why the donors feel a need to maintain privacy.
The next hearing will be in June, and the project could be put to a vote at that time.