The IKEA construction is moving slower than expected, planning to open in spring of 2015.
By Matt Cunningham
Staff Writer
International furniture maker IKEA announced Thursday that it is not likely to open its 339,000-square-foot West Chester Twp. store until at least the spring of 2015.
Company spokesman Joseph Roth said site preparation is underway on 56 acres between Muhlhauser Road and Interstate 75 south of the Union Centre Boulevard exit. A ground breaking ceremony is scheduled to take place next month.
“I’ve heard everything is going very well,” Roth said.
He added that the company originally thought that a fall 2014 opening would be possible, but the development process had gone slower.
“When we announced in August, we had hopes of making an August 2014 store opening,” he said. “One month into the real estate transaction, we saw that wasn’t going to happen.”
He noted that rumors about the opening have been swirling through the Swedish company’s legion of fans in the Midwest.
“Ever since we announced our plans last August, we’ve received much fanfare from residents who are excited we’re coming to Ohio,” he said, noting that he has received several calls from residents interested in applying for jobs at the new store.
Roth said recruitment probably will begin toward the end of 2014.
An important part of the IKEA development is the road improvement project planned for this year. West Chester Twp. and the Butler County Engineer’s Office will improve access to the site by adding turn lanes and stoplights to the access points for the IKEA site, said West Chester Twp. Trustee Catherine Stoker.
“According to everything we hear from the county engineer, it will be adequate for the traffic we expect there,” she said.
The township will be responsible for improving access to the site from Muhlhauser and Allen roads. The project’s estimated $2 million cost is to be split among IKEA, the township and Butler County. The agreement caps West Chester Twp.’s financial commitment at $600,000.
Chris Petrocy, public information supervisor for BCEO, said that most of the improvements will take place this summer.
“Right now everything’s on schedule,” he said. “If we have good weather and everything goes well, we’ll be on schedule.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5127 or mcunningham@coxohio.com.
