WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP ANNOUNCES $18.3 MILLION LAND PURCHASE TO CREATE MILL CREEK DISTRICT

Trustees unveil vision for multi-use development site and new public green space

At a special public meeting held on Oct. 30, the West Chester Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously to move forward with a $18.3 million land purchase, acquiring approximately 75 acres of property located at the northeast corner of I-75 and Union Centre Boulevard. The township purchased this land to have better control over how the land was developed. This was an intentional decision to allow the township to steer the direction of development to better serve the community.

The property will serve as the foundation for what is envisioned as the Mill Creek District, a transformative mixed-use development to active a strategically located site for public use and private investment. The plan imagines a vibrant, walkable district anchored by the restored Mill Creek greenway, with opportunities for employment, recreation, and community gathering.

“Our community has seen enormous prosperity and growth in the past two decades, and this decision today is an important step in shaping our community’s future and ensuring long-term economic vitality,” Trustee President Mark Welch said. “By purchasing this prime real estate in the heart of our township, we can help guide development to benefit our business community and our residents."

Located along I-75 between Cincinnati and Dayton in one of Southwest Ohio’s most visible and active economic development corridors, the site offers a rate opportunity to create a destination that connects commerce and community with the natural environment. 

“This is a first step toward building the kind of central gathering place our community has long envisioned,” Trustee Lee Wong said. “The Mill Creek District concept captures the spirit of a true downtown, where people can live, work, shop, and come together to celebrate all that makes West Chester special. As a long-time resident, I look forward to watching this project take shape.”

At this stage, the Township has completed a market analysis and created a conceptual framework that illustrates how the site could evolve over time. The framework outlines a mix of complementary uses, which could include the following:

• Research & Innovation Space: 72,000 square feet of flexible R&D, laboratory, and tech-driven workspace.
• Office & Co-working Space: 454,000 square feet of modern office and co-working facilities.
• Retail, Dining and Entertainment: 140,000 square feet, including a 15,000 square foot food hall, 20,000 square foot boutique grocery, and a mix of casual and fine dining options.
• Residential Living: 130-150 multifamily units and 15 townhomes.
• Hospitality: 80-120 room boutique hotel.
• Public Green Space: 19.9 acres of restored creek corridor and green space, featuring trails and plazas for both passive and active recreation.

A defining feature of the plan is the restoration and celebration of Mill Creek, which flows through the property. The greenway is envisioned as a public green space with a trail network that connects to existing infrastructure and developments such as Noble West Chester’s luxury apartment complex and GE Aerospace.

“The Mill Creek District is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to plan for growth that balances innovation and community character,” said Trustee Ann Becker.

A key feature of this project is the creation of a beautiful public greenway along Mill Creek that would link nearby destinations to build a more walkable, connected environment for residents and visitors.

“This new green space would offer a place for community gatherings and passive recreation in the center of the township,” Becker said.

Township officials emphasized that the concept represents an early vision rather than a final plan, and that the project will involve partnership with a development team.

Future phases of the project will likely include additional research, public engagement, environmental studies, and site master planning.

“This initiative has been in the works for a long time and represents years of thoughtful discussion and collaboration,” Welch said.

“The opportunity to attract research, technology, and high-value employers to this site could be transformational for West Chester. While a design is still conceptual, the vision supports our long-term goals for innovation and economic growth.”

MEMO FROM MICHELLE'S DESK

Happy New Year! I hope your 2026 is off to a strong start.

Our strength as a community is directly tied to the success of our businesses and the partnerships we share with regional organizations, educators, and local leaders. Together, these partnerships continue to power our progress and support long-term growth. In 2025, the momentum was real: Community Development processed 1,098 zoning permits, an increase of 9.25 percent from the previous year, reflecting sustained investment and economic activity throughout the township.

Supporting local businesses remained front and center throughout the year. Through our Spark Grant program, 11 small businesses refreshed their storefronts with new paint, signage, landscaping, and patio improvements. These upgrades improve curb appeal and drive more business to our commercial districts. The West Chester–Liberty Chamber Alliance also celebrated 27 ribbon cuttings and anniversaries, while JobsOhio helped support major expansions such as SkyCell North America’s launch of a 30,250-square-foot facility with 30 new jobs. 

This year included some exciting business milestones. Oats Overnight opened a 310,000-square-foot fulfillment center, bringing hundreds of new jobs to West Chester. Trew Automation relocated and expanded its Innovation and Support Center to a 330,000-square-foot facility, and Lithko Contracting expanded its headquarters, adding 50 new positions.

Workforce development also got a boost, with Butler Tech breaking ground on a 25,000-square-foot Bioscience Center to help prepare the next generation of healthcare and biotech talent. Miami University Regionals also announced their transition to a polytechnic education model, which puts workforce development at the heart of the learning experience to prepare students for meaningful careers and high-demand jobs.

In late 2025, the Township adopted a temporary development moratorium along Union Centre Drive between Cincinnati Dayton Road and SR 747 to allow time for a focused corridor development study. We recognize that this action raised concerns among some local businesses, so the moratorium was amended to ensure renovations and expansions can still take place in the study area. We appreciate the feedback that was shared during this process and your input was instrumental in helping the Township amend the resolution to allow for continued investment by our existing business owners. For more information about the moratorium and the corridor study, visit https://www.westchesteroh.org/government/development-moratorium-updates.

As we reflect on 2025, West Chester Township remains committed to being a place where businesses grow and prosper. Our team is dedicated to helping business owners thrive, whether that means encouraging local food growers at our farmers market, providing grants to help small businesses, or supporting large mixed-use projects.

Collaboration is what makes West Chester Township a place where people want to live, work, and grow. I’m grateful for the engagement from all our local business owners, and excited about what we’ll accomplish together in 2026.