Construction on Blue Ash's new "central park" is scheduled to begin in 2012-2013, but the city will begin work on preliminary planning and citizen engagement in the meantime.
To help fund the purchase of 130 acres of the Blue Ash Airport from the City of Cincinnati for a new performing arts and conference center, pedestrian plaza, walking trails and golf course, city voters passed Issue 15, a 0.25 percent earnings tax increase, by a 2-to-1 margin in November 2006.
Cincinnati is awaiting word from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on a $10 million grant to reconfigure airport operations onto the site's remaining 98 acres. Blue Ash has pledged $2 million in matching funds.
If FAA funds are unavailable, Cincinnati has the option of closing the airport. Blue Ash would have the right to match any purchase offer for the remainder of the site.
Under terms of the purchase agreement, Cincinnati has until August 2010 to receive the funding, but could be granted a two-year extension.
Previous reading on BC:
Blue Ash Airport cleanup a go (10/29/08)
Cincinnati to create account for Blue Ash Airport cleanup (10/22/08)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Construction on Blue Ash's 'central park' unlikely until 2012-2013
