LIBERTY TWP. — A mall war in West Chester may shift north after one prominent developer's plans for a complex mixing shops, restaurants and a movie theater were denied.

        Liberty leaders have invited Steiner & Associates, the developers of Newport on the Levee, to tour this fast-growing area as a potential development site, said Liberty Trustee Bob Shelley. West Chester officials recently denied Steiner approval to build a shopping and dining center with a movie theater.

        “We certainly made the phone call. We would love to have itand would welcome it with open arms,” Mr. Shelley said.

        Liberty underwent a 147 percent population jump between 1990 and 2000. But the area has few businesses and is in need of commercial revenue to keep pace with the community's needs and to supplement residential property taxes, Mr. Shelley said.

        Steiner officials played down the invite, saying they still are considering options on their proposed West Chester site — one of up to four open-air malls proposed for the township.

        “We've made no play for Liberty at this point,” said Dara Pizzuti, a Steiner spokeswoman.

        Steiner had envisioned a 1 million-square foot-complex with a Showcase Cinemas, shops, restaurants — including a Jeff Ruby steakhouse — housing and a hotel at the northwest corner of I-75 and Cincinnati-Dayton Road in West Chester.

        But the township's Board of Zoning Appeals denied a conditional use permit application June 13 for the theater. Steiner's president, Yaromir Steiner, has said without the theater, the complex won't happen.

        National Amusements Inc., of Dedham, Mass., which operates Showcase Cinemas, said Thursday they are interested in putting a theater in Liberty should Steiner build there.

        The theater chain also has not ruled out building the theater elsewhere in West Chester.

        “We are very interested in the general area in and around West Chester,” said Jennifer Hanson, a National Amusements spokeswoman. “The new location in Liberty would appear to be a feasible option for us, and we are continuing to work with Mr. Steiner to look for a spot within the market.”

        Steiner and Neyer Properties Inc., the company that owns the parcel Steiner wanted to build on in West Chester, have until mid-July to appeal the zoning decision.

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