Could this Loveland project be replicated someday in Hamilton?

Hamilton officials took a tour of a downtown Loveland development Tuesday, saying the project’s developer was a company the city “absolutely” would consider for work in Hamilton.

City Manager Joshua Smith and four members of Hamilton City Council toured Loveland Station, a three-story development of apartments and storefronts in downtown Loveland.

The city of Loveland’s website describes Loveland Station as “a gem in the heart of Loveland’s Historic Downtown Business District off the Little Miami River and scenic bike trail.”

City officials toured 110 S. 2nd St. and met at the Graeter’s Ice Cream within the development, walked through commercial tenants on the street level, saw a short presentation from the leasing officer, and viewed a model apartment.

Jim Cohen, president of CMC Properties, the project’s developer, spoke with officials about the project, whose first phase opened Dec. 31, with the rest finished in March.

CMC Properties is “absolutely” a possible company to do work in the city, Smith told the Journal-News after the tour. Cohen, he said, “has been here more than probably anyone I know,” although no property has been purchased in the city.

“I think it’s a great project,” Smith said. “I would be thrilled if we could convince him to do a project in Hamilton. I would be happy (with) High Street, Main Street, somewhere in the urban core. It would be a great project.”

Stephanie Ehlers, the property manager, said the project, which has 94 single-, double-, and triple-apartment units plus five retail spaces, is about 85 percent leased.

“Everyone wants to be in the heart of everything going on,” she said. “It’s the hot spot to be in Loveland. It’s convenient to everything around. So you’ve got the bike trail that goes for 75 miles, you’ve got the river right there that you can rent out kayaks and canoes, you’ve got the farmers’ market within walking distance and all the restaurants, boutiques, shops, and then we have a local theater as well. It’s a great place to just walk to everything. It’s definitely a suburban-urban feel.”

Loveland City Manager David Kennedy said the development already has been good for his town.

“The project has already caused a positive ripple effect with new development interest in properties within our downtown district. The new commercial establishments in Loveland Station are very complementary to our existing businesses,” he said.

Touring the development with Smith were council members Matt Von Stein, Kathleen Klink, Timothy Naab and Mayor Pat Moeller.

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