LIBERTY TWP.

The planned opening this fall of the $350 million Liberty Center will see construction on more than 1 million-square-feet of retail and dining, residential and office space completed and leased.

But thats only the projects first phase.

Future phases of construction at the Liberty Twp. site could more than double the floor space thats now under construction, according to executives for the projects developer Steiner + Associates of Columbus.

The site is really planned for future growth, Beau Arnason, executive vice president in charge of asset management for Steiner, said.

Liberty Center is the name of the mixed use mega complex being built in Butler Countys Liberty Twp. Construction first started last year. Three anchor tenants Dillards department store, dinner-and-movie theater CineBistro and Dicks Sporting Goods have been announced along with AC Hotels by Marriott.

Estimates are for Liberty Centers retailers, restaurants and other businesses to create approximately 3,500 new jobs in Butler County by 2018, according to Liberty Twp. Economic Development Director Caroline McKinney.

Additionally, Liberty Twp. Trustees Tom Farrell and David Kern said the centers opening will double the number of businesses operating in this fast-growing northern Cincinnati township from approximately 250 to 500 in one fell swoop.

While the first phase encompasses approximately 65 acres, Steiner owns another 35 acres of land for future expansion at the site, located at the crossroads of Liberty Way, Ohio 129 and Interstate 75 in eastern Butler County. In total, Steiner has local government planning approval to build over 2.5 million-square-feet, Justin Leyda, senior development executive for Steiner, said.

Yaromir Steiner, founder and chief executive officer of Steiner + Associates, has previously told Journal-News that the first phase of Liberty Center is already being built bigger than the companys prior developments were when they opened, including The Greene Town Center in Beavercreek and Easton Town Center in the Columbus area. Hes referred to Liberty Center as Steiners town center version 2.0.

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Mega-project Liberty Center already designed for future growth