Issue 15 approved by Blue Ash voters in November 2006 provided resources for a number of future major capital improvements for the benefit of our citizens. The first improvement was the renovation and expansion of the Recreation Center, which was completed and dedicated in 2009. The next major projects associated with Issue 15 and promised to voters includes future enhancements of Golf Course services and facilities and development of a signature 130-acre park at the Blue Ash Airport. Below is the latest information regarding these exciting projects.

Golf Course Update

At the October 14, 2010 Council meeting, City Council awarded bids for construction of the new multi-functional golf course clubhouse/banquet center facility. The new event center also has an official name: Cooper Creek Event Center!

Construction began on the site in November 2010, and as of late March, steel is up. Also a part of this overall improvement project is the previously-awarded irrigation system replacement (already underway and expected to be completed this spring). Replacement of the golf cart paths will also take place in 2011. (It was decided that in order to minimize inconvenience to the golfing public, that all three phases of the course improvements should be done at the same time.)

Construction of a new clubhouse/banquet facility will take at least nine months to construct; however, all golf operations will remain open (working from temporary facilities), as weather permits.

Highlights of the new facility are summarized below:

• The new multi-level facility will function not only as a new golf clubhouse, but will also serve as a banquet facility available for rental.
• The building’s main entrance will face Cooper Road, accessing the upper level. Given the nature of the terrain, the second (lower) level will be visible and accessible from the rear (golf course) -- see renderings.
• The main level offers seating for about 150 outdoors, and over 300 indoors. Rentable areas within the upper level will be able to be separated for smaller gatherings/business functions.
• The new facility will take advantage of the beautiful views of the course – a benefit not only for those renting the facility, but for the golfer and casual user as well.
• The lower level will provide a new and larger pro shop, along with an enhanced golfer reception area.
• Enhanced casual dining opportunities, including an outdoor seating area, are included.
• Parking at the new facility will be increased -- just over 200 spaces are planned.

Check out the Cooper Creek Event Center website for more information about this upscale, fabulous facility!

Work will continue throughout the year, and the course will remain open as weather and course conditions allow. Temporary “clubhouse” facilities (including limited food and beverage service) have been established just east of the original clubhouse location. Check this website for updates, including an official dedication event!

Airport Park Background & Update

In the summer of 2006, the City of Blue Ash negotiated the acquisition of 130 acres of the 228 acre Blue Ash Airport owned by the City of Cincinnati. This purchase agreement, approved by the City Councils of Blue Ash and Cincinnati, represented a breakthrough in a 20+ year discussion regarding the future of the airport land. Various private development proposals existed at that time regarding re-use of the airport land, including a myriad of office, retail and residential developments. However, Blue Ash placed before the voters a vision of acquiring 130 acres for development as a “Central” Park with amenities such as the Blue Ash Center (Performing Arts and Conference Center), pedestrian plaza, open space, walking trails, family-friendly golf facilities, and open green space. Voters approved of this plan and a related 0.25% earnings tax financing plan passed via Issue 15 by a 2 to 1 margin.

While the continuance of the Blue Ash Airport operation on the remaining 98 acres retained by the City of Cincinnati was not guaranteed as part of the Issue 15 process/vote, the purchase agreement specified that Cincinnati would apply for FAA funds to reconfigure and redevelop the airport, and do so by August 2010, with extensions available until August 2012 (in February 2010, Cincinnati did in fact request one of those year extentions to give them more time to work with the FAA). The agreement also specified that Blue Ash would commit up to $2 million in matching funds to the FAA grants received by Cincinnati. Should Cincinnati not receive the required $10 million in FAA funds requested, they have the option of closing the airport. 

Before Blue Ash can move forward with development of the park, the City of Cincinnati must resolve these issues associated with airport operations. As noted above, Cincinnati has formally requested one of those optional year extensions in February 2010, and as of May 2011, Cincinnati is awaiting approval from the FAA as federal funds will be required to reconfigure airport operations.

In the meantime, Blue Ash remains committed to the airport and continues to support Cincinnati’s efforts to receive FAA funds to keep it operational. Should that process not prove successful, Blue Ash has a contractual right to match any purchase offer on the remaining 98 acres, and will go through a due diligence process to determine financial feasibility. Regardless of whether the airport remains open or not, Blue Ash will likely begin phased development of the new “Central” park around 2012-13, depending on the economy.

UPDATE TO AIRPORT PARK -- ADDED MAY 2011:

KKG is a local firm that has been integrally involved with the Airport Park project from the beginning, and they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in park master planning and development. Mark Kline is a principal and founding partner of the firm and Studio Director for planning, design, and development for projects throughout the Midwest. Just a few of his prominent projects include the Scioto Audubon Metro Park in Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State University Tower District; and RiverScape Phase III in Dayton, Ohio. Clete Benken, who will serve as the local Principal in charge for this project, also brings substantial local and regional project experience including the Lexington Cheapside Entertainment District & Pavilion in Lexington, Kentucky.

Sasaki Associates is widely recognized as one of the front runners in the world for their work on park planning, development, and implementation. Alistair McIntosh will be representing Sasaki, and has worked on prominent park plans throughout the world. Cincinnati Central Riverfront Park; Addison Circle Park in Addison, Texas; and the master plan for Central Indianapolis Riverfront are just a few of the many national projects with which Mr. McIntosh has been associated. He also has worked on numerous international projects in places such as South Korea, Malaysia, Canada, and Kuwait to name a few.

Leon Younger, the principal owner of PROS Consulting, is regarded as one of the premier experts in parks and recreation management in the United States and will work with our team to establish guidelines for budgeting, staffing, and operations of the new park facility.  Mr. Younger and his PROS team have consulted on such prominent national projects as Papago Park Master Plan in Phoenix, Arizona; the operations and management plan for Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco, California; and the Lake Parks operation and management plan in San Antonio, Texas.CDS Associates, FSA, and Leasure Vision also bring a wealth of local, regional, and national stature to this experienced lineup of consultants.

The goal of the park master plan is to provide the City of Blue Ash with a framework for implementation of the 130 acre future park site. The plan will include a comprehensive analysis of market feasibility; a needs assessment that will research regional and national “best” practices for the development of parks facilities, and a site inventory and analysis that will look at a broad number of areas including traffic circulation, parking, existing area parks, and functionality of major program elements. There will also be an in-depth study on operational and financial modeling designed to make our new park both culturally and economically sustainable. Finally, the master plan will create a schematic design and development plan based on public and stakeholder interaction through a series of open house forums, surveys, and design charettes to assure opportunities for citizen input and involvement.  Work with the project began in April and should be complete this fall.Theconsultant team will also be asked to consider the following factors when developing the plan:

• The plan should consider the cost of operating and maintaining the amenities which are recommended. One reason the selected team was chosen was because the consulting team had significant experience with this planning dynamic.
• The park should include amenities that appeal to a variety of ages and should include opportunity for activity year-round – not just during the warmer months.
• The park should include amenities that do not require an abundance of City programming efforts or special events.
• The plan should consider portions of the park which may be suitable as a regional attraction that could offer a cost recovery or revenue opportunity.

This major park will be a benchmark project for the City of Blue Ash and the Greater Cincinnati region, and the Park Master Plan is an important first step in developing a “first class” facility.