Council flags Forest Fair Mall redevelopment and Old Gate Drive road dedication for follow‑up

Mayor Hawkins and several councilmembers told the Feb. 5 meeting they are tracking redevelopment activity at the former Forest Fair / Cincinnati Mills Mall site and asked council to consider sending letters and drafting resolutions to neighboring jurisdictions to seek protections for Springdale residents.

Hawkins said renderings he has seen show three large industrial/warehouse buildings of roughly 250,000–355,000 square feet each located in Forest Park, adjacent to Springdale neighborhoods such as Beacon Hills. "They're looking at putting 250 to 355,000 square feet, three of them, buildings that are going to be essentially warehouse industrial like buildings," Hawkins said, and he urged that the council ask neighboring cities to consider buffering and mitigation for lighting, noise and security. Councilmembers cited prior negative impacts from the mall era and asked administration to draft a resolution and letters to Fairfield and Forest Park.

Separately, the mayor reported the Old Gate Drive roadway (which connects Northland Boulevard and Kemper) may be reconstructed and brought up to city specifications; if that occurs, council would consider legislation for road dedication. Mayor Hawkins said the redevelopment and potential Old Gate Drive dedication involve numerous moving parts and that any dedication would require review by public works and legal staff.

Councilmembers said they would consider drafting resolutions to communicate concerns about lighting, noise abatement and security, and one member suggested the city might consider financial participation in mitigation if necessary and if the budget allows. No formal resolution was adopted at the meeting; the council asked administration and legal counsel to prepare draft language for future consideration.