[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6483841,"mediaKeyId","5566532-0b2ed3e4342fe78f4d08c18765bee953","parentId",5566532,"title","County Staff: Middletown Arena Project in Underwriting; Commissioners Seek Clearer Public Briefing on County Role","audioSeconds",439,"startMs",745000,"endMs",1184000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5566532-0b2ed3e4342fe78f4d08c18765bee953&start=745&end=1184","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5566532-0b2ed3e4342fe78f4d08c18765bee953/thumbnail_745000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6483841/Warren-County/Ohio/County-Staff-Middletown-Arena-Project-in-Underwriting-Commissioners-Seek-Clearer-Public-Briefing-on-County-Role","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483841-8f3822933bd3d6f7620f4f36ef387df6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149073&Signature=Iq8hYJoqis-Ywbx3PwHgSSQO3GyaV8KNY06QOV-KFQzV1RRrJOH8LHFMBg4VjMRTPtDPp4c78~YcTWFge6JLPDfmCkCkTigGKzFygM55QsPQc8Xlasq8gGQNyNl2UCw3M6X4SSTS5zGeYkkV27-CJJs7JxXedBb3lWCeXKflLLps9GhiHL5sUJotgZjekt0B8~6bkP-1Jm0-2tZ~~hljYgr3VI1KOjrZ7WCHV7l6hmZhG2jrQPRN3Z0uUdqVLYfIYYOdQ08kEDoOauNgzWHfB-wO15Hc7fTa5fj2PQE1CjG1CmwJtjZj33ZxAwNvYPkjuE6FjMEOm7Ro022FpaaGPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Warren County ","date","2025-08-13T00:00:00Z","article","County staff told Warren County commissioners that the proposed Middletown mixed-use arena and development is in underwriting with Barclays and that a peer review of the project’s pro forma is nearly complete.

“Barclays wanted a peer review,” a county staff member reported, describing work by a Utah firm performing the review. The staff member said the project team has provided development pro forma and that the peer review is expected to be completed “this or next week.”

County staff said earlier spending of ARPA funds covered design work up through design development drawings, and that construction drawings will not be produced until financing is in place. On the project’s market assumptions, staff said they are “probably 60 or 70% prelease from end users,” citing interest from a concert promoter and parties connected to the United States Hockey League.

Staff also summarized past attempts to qualify the project for a state transformational mixed-use development (TMUD) tax credit; the state determined the project was not eligible because it involved government ownership structures such as a port authority. Staff said other state programs were being explored, including a program for sports and recreation facilities that rule writers expect to open in mid‑2026, and possible roadway funding (referred to in the meeting as “$629” dollars) to offset infrastructure costs.

Commissioners raised questions about the county’s role and whether Warren County itself would be the applicant for any state capital dollars. One commissioner said they had not been kept fully informed and asked that commissioners be provided a thorough briefing before any formal county requests are advanced to the state. The commissioner also asked who is directing port authority staff and how the county’s involvement is being defined.

County staff said the port authority and private developers are leading project marketing and that private operations and net operating revenue are expected to be the basis for bond support if financing proceeds. No county vote or formal funding commitment was recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Warren County Board of Commissioners Meeting August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff reported the Middletown mixed-use arena project is in underwriting with Barclays and under peer review; staff said about 60–70% of space is preleased to prospective users. Commissioners questioned whether Warren County was seeking capital dollars and asked for clearer public vetting of the county’s role.","taxTitle","Warren County, Ohio","taxId",48381,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6483846,"Schwartz Family Seeks Annexation for 300‑Acre Lebanon Development; Sewer Access, Road Improvements Cited",178,141000,319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5566532-0b2ed3e4342fe78f4d08c18765bee953&start=141&end=319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5566532-0b2ed3e4342fe78f4d08c18765bee953/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6483846/Warren-County/Ohio/Schwartz-Family-Seeks-Annexation-for-300Acre-Lebanon-Development-Sewer-Access-Road-Improvements-Cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483846-23de7d39be437663ca67b3d0c364716c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149073&Signature=QB2keXLO5-kmyPN-Qp~dp8EwmVibvVCvAV0gkHa2iKsgcE-kEbIl-iF-aR3dY9FzMj081k7zB5U8UMgSMz60TNefxXSfBE91aJ~gptqqB22566vdY1in3Z~1Wse7M35ks7iM16F3lqNoAm7R3Q8VVgpRDEjHQJaQvlY0YnF2eJnfPs9mP-GRGtre7Ndn1XAqkXLbtpl1dNZQqXXJPmAjHi7fIY~KjzqHeBEbkSPtpJh8XnepOoS8eyEn2x1SRo1AEccEaTaJoa43q3ijE5JJMwteGSRDHWty2cZDMHKt6jJ9Ng4InKev6BlEGi-yMaxkvexffronYtNJootnrlK~Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Warren County commissioners reviewed a proposed single-owner annexation of about 300 acres by the City of Lebanon that the Schwartz family intends to develop in partnership with builders Drees and Hensley Homes.

City Manager Scott Branca said the Schwartz property has been in the family for years and that the owners “are ready to move into development.” Branca described the project as a lower-density plan consistent with Lebanon’s comprehensive plan and identified Drees and Hensley Homes as development partners.

Branca said the primary reason for seeking annexation is sewer access. “Right now, the city had run sewer service really through the property over 20 years ago up to the high school. So they wanna be able to access that sewer to support the development,” Branca said. The city’s policy, Branca added, typically requires annexation to receive sewer service, though he acknowledged there have been cases where sewer was provided outside city limits.

Commissioners and staff discussed the likely character and market for the development. Branca said Hensley Homes is a custom builder from the Cincinnati area and described its product as higher-priced homes, “1 to $2,000,000, type homes.” He said Drees would build a different product in the same neighborhood. Branca also said the developers and the city expect to pursue road improvements at Drake and Miller roads as part of the project.

Commissioners said the county had negotiated an annexation agreement with the township that has jurisdiction over the property. Branca characterized the development as fitting “within our comprehensive plan and our growth area.” One commissioner emphasized caution about very large, high-density projects and said the proposed plan’s larger lots and higher price point were preferable to a maximal-density build-out.

No formal legislative vote or ordinance was recorded in the transcript excerpt; commissioners indicated standard annexation approvals would follow city and county procedures.","A single-owner annexation by the Schwartz family to the City of Lebanon is advancing to support a residential development with Drees and Hensley Homes. City staff said the annexation is primarily to obtain sewer access; road improvements at Drake and Miller roads were discussed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6483850,"Lebanon to Annex County Fairgrounds; City Plans 10–15 Year Lease to Preserve Fair",0,542000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5566532-0b2ed3e4342fe78f4d08c18765bee953&start=542&end=542","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5566532-0b2ed3e4342fe78f4d08c18765bee953/thumbnail_542000.jpg","/articles/6483850/Warren-County/Ohio/Lebanon-to-Annex-County-Fairgrounds-City-Plans-1015-Year-Lease-to-Preserve-Fair","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483850-e1dc3a7aabfc4f28d2d49d217441fcd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149073&Signature=clOfcLW9VTXaUvaPXQYQT8xYemN3PURGbltX9fkowvUKRSKvWUHQ5yeJxP~jHcmKI0O5tx6yvE1n77Du1sl9VpgUc8qmstg-kR~-NLfalHO10SDJG6aaI9uHzXKVmX2YxR40~BAE3M1GiPLIybQZmB0jjbUcpshoAYgcWyeqqHYg6Roc9py~g4qeaVFpSZVZcv7rbDkMLVXMnDzESQShq1kPp-CNhs1cOtvHDAqP7YBcYnDW9ypUUiHwW5G~zbDTP~6hvJV4nlUa3hw3UBHuoSBuKwIIeqo9vavaGTose9RqUtwmRhwqZvFva5wgUwCut51GRN32QEhrcootEEuJRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Warren County commissioners discussed a proposed annexation and transfer of county-owned fairgrounds to the City of Lebanon, and the city’s plan to preserve the annual fair through a long-term lease.

“There is no legal obligation for the county to hold a fair. That is not the law in Ohio,” a Warren County commissioner said during the meeting, noting the county’s authority and the distinction between ownership and operational responsibility.

Scott Branca, city manager for the City of Lebanon, said the city is “very committed to keeping the fair there.” Branca told the commissioners, “we anticipate entering into a 10 to 15 year lease agreement with the Ag Society to continue, supporting the fair on the property. And, you know, we're ready to move forward with that process now.”

Commissioners and city staff discussed ancillary concerns raised by community members, including the future of 4‑H programming and boarding operations at the fairgrounds. One commissioner said the county’s negotiating position prioritized protecting the 4‑H program and treating horse boarders “in a fair manner” after the recent announced closure of a boarding operation. County officials noted the agricultural society currently controls fair operations on the parcels in question even though the county owns the land.

The discussion also touched on the public interest in keeping the fair at the current site and the city’s broader downtown revitalization efforts. A commissioner characterized the proposed transfer as “a good deal from both parties” and said Lebanon, the county’s second-largest city, has “done a great job of revitalizing your downtown core.”

No formal vote or ordinance was recorded in the transcript; commissioners said further details and formal steps would follow as the city and county finalize terms.

Commissioners asked city staff to provide more documentation and to move the process forward, with the expectation that a lease and related agreements would be finalized in coming weeks or months.","Warren County commissioners discussed a proposed annexation of county-owned fairgrounds by the City of Lebanon. Lebanon City Manager Scott Branca said the city expects to enter a 10–15 year lease with the agricultural society to keep the fair on the property; commissioners noted Ohio law does not require the county to hold a fair.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County Staff: Middletown Arena Project in Underwriting; Commissioners Seek Clearer Public Briefing on County Role

Schwartz Family Seeks Annexation for 300‑Acre Lebanon Development; Sewer Access, Road Improvements Cited

Lebanon to Annex County Fairgrounds; City Plans 10–15 Year Lease to Preserve Fair