9/30/04: Press Release: Downtown Design Charette

The City of Loveland is hosting two special meetings to discuss the community's redevelopment plans for downtown Loveland.  The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 13 from 6-9 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall (120 W. Loveland Avenue).  The second meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 20 from 7-9 p.m., and will also be in the City Council Chambers.

The first meeting is an information gathering session.  The second meeting is for the facilitators to present the public comments from the October 13 meeting for further review and refinement.  McGill Smith Punshon, a local design firm, will facilitate both meetings.  All members of the public are invited to participate, but the City requests those planning to attend to RSVP to Linda Cox in the City Manager's Office (lcox@lovelandoh.com or 683-0150) to help the facilitators organize the process that will be used for both meetings.

Since the adoption of a redevelopment plan in 1995, Downtown Loveland has experienced considerable public and private investment.  This plan is now out of date, however, and the downtown still faces a number of challenges in the coming years.  Recently, Nisbet Lumber moved out of downtown after more than 100 years in the community.  Interest from developers in this property as well as other locations in the downtown has been high.  Recently, a group of Dayton developers presented a redevelopment concept to the Loveland City Council.

According to Mayor Brad Greenberg, this public participation is a critical step.  "The downtown is a real community treasure, and we think it is important to build on the small town charm, the bike trail and the Little Miami River.  We need resident input to help us bring that vision into sharper focus."

Residents who are interested in reviewing the 1995 plan can pick up a free, poster-sized copy at Loveland City Hall during normal business hours.  For more information, contact the City Manager's Office at (513) 683-0150.