By Brett Milam
Editor

The Union Township Board of Trustees met on July 11 to discuss a variety of matters, most involving continued economic development in the township.

– Lauren Taylor, partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau assigned to Clermont and Hamilton Counties, gave a presentation about the 2020 census.

The 2020 census will mark the first time there will be an internet response option available. The four main uses of census data are apportionment of congressional seats (Ohio lost two seats in 2010, and could lose more in 2020), redistricting, federal funding, and planning officials, residents, and businesses use.

Particularly, Taylor pointed out that in Ohio, $1,814 in federal funds is lost for each person not counted each year for 10 years. Historically undercounted groups include children under five, immigrants, persons with a disability, seniors, veterans and the age group 18-24.

Taylor talked about Complete Count Committees, which are volunteers committees established by local governments to increase the response rate.

– The township held four public hearings related to further development in the township. The first concerned the new corporate headquarters for Sharefax Credit Union at 604 Ivy Gateway, next to the recently opened Mercy Health Medical Center. The move is part of a 10-year growth strategy for the company, Aaron Andriacco, with K4 Architecture, said.

Cory Wright, planning and zoning director, said the four-story building would be 33,282-square feet on a 3.86 acre parcel. The building also has an attached branch location for customers.

The overall parcel next to Mercy is 7.5 to 8 acres, which will be parsed out, Wright said.

Along the front of the building will be sidewalks, continuing pedestrian access along Ivy Gateway.

Matthew Beamer, trustee, said the sidewalks were important for the area.

“It’s nice to have a financial institution in the middle of a business park,” he said.

The trustees approved the Sharefax Credit Union.

The next public hearing concerned Allen Mills, owner of Skin Tight Tattoos, who wants to purchase the vacant building at 4316 Mt. Carmel-Tobasco Road. The business is currently at Old State Route 74 in Batavia.

Wright said Mill will modify the parking lot for a better access point.

Robert McGee, trustee, said there’s been a few people in and out of that property over the years, so it’ll be nice to have someone come in and stabilize it.

“I’m gonna be there a while and put a lot of money into the building,” Mills said. “It’s going to be nice when I’m done.”

John McGraw, board president, said it’s a case of a building getting a “new purpose and a new life.”

Trustees approved the move.

About a year after Toys R Us closed its businesses across the country, including at 4585 Eastgate Boulevard, Big Lots is coming in to fill the space.

Which is not unusual: Big Lots has already moved into eight other former Toys R Us buildings.

It’s a 42,000-square foot building on 4.25 acres. McGraw explained that Big Lots has to upgrade the front entrance on the south side of the building, and upgrade the east and north sides of the building with cladding and enhanced materials. Landscaping must also be upgraded.

McGraw said they also must add sidewalks along all the public roadways. The existing metal siding must be removed, too.

“This will be an upgraded Big Lots with more modern and stylish interior,” McGraw said.

Beamer said that area certainly needs a “redo” because it’s been an “eyesore.”

Bright, white LED signs are expected for the “high-profile” spot.

The trustees approved the case.

The final case concerned Trigon Imaging Solutions at 4335 Mt. Carmel Tobasco Road, planning to redevelop what used to be the Family Dollar. The building, situated next to Nothin’ but Net, will be “totally upgraded,” McGraw said, with new materials and earth tone colors.

Trigon Imaging Solutions would be required to add sidewalks, if a sidewalk project moves forward in the future, McGraw added.

Trustees approved the case.

“Union Township continues to be very busy with many projects already under construction, including two new elementary schools, a Hilton hotel, Wahlburgers, Waffle House and Casey’s General store. So it is great to have more projects getting ready to start,” McGraw said. “It speaks volumes about Union Township to have ShareFax Credit Union to choose to locate their headquarters here at Ivy Pointe. It is also nice to see a vacant Toys-“R”-Us redeveloped for a new Big Lots location. We just saw the former H.H.Gregg location recently redeveloped into a Sims Furniture location. So stores are not staying empty for long. This all means more jobs and more options for our residents. All of these new developments will draw people to our township from all over Cincinnati.”

– Tina Sanborn, current board president of the West Clermont Local School District Board of Education was on hand to announce that she’s running for re-election in the November election.