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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:
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!
Pictured above are two architect's renderings of a new multi-functional clubhouse/banquet facility. Above left is the front of the clubhouse/banquet facility (facing Cooper), and above right is a view from the rear (golf course side). Renderings by Steed Hammond Paul.
Pictured above left is an architect's rendering of a new casual restaurant area on the lower level. Pictured above right is a rendering of a new, enlarged pro shop area (also on the lower level). Renderings by Steed Hammond Paul.
View the Park Plan accepted by City Council on October 27, 2011
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:
Earlier in 2011, a search process was undertaken to secure a consultant to assist in preparation of a comprehensive Park Master Plan for the future 130-acre park to be located near the airport. After undergoing a competitive process including solicitation of Requests for Proposals, interviews, and presentations from prospective firms, City Council awarded the consulting project to the team of Kinzelman Kline & Gossman (KKG), Sasaki Associates, PROS Consulting, CDS Associates, Front Street Analytics (FSA), and Leasure Vision at its April 14 meeting.
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:
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.