By Dave Niinemets
Enquirer contributor

COLD SPRING - One of the first things new Cold Spring Mayor Mark Stoeber will be dealing with in 2003 is development.

He begins his term as major development starts taking shape on U.S. 27 at the AA Highway.

The northeast corner of the intersection is newly cleared and shows a wide expanse, big enough for a couple of big retailers. One will be a Kohl's store. An outparcel on the southwest corner is poised to welcome a Ruby Tuesday restaurant.

The mayor, who campaigned on a pro-development platform, is ready to help recruit other business.

"What I intend to do is meet with the property owners to lend a hand and help them however I can," said Mr. Stoeber, currently a city councilman. "We would love to be proactive and attract businesses that will fit Cold Spring."

The intersection began its development boom in 1999 when a Meijer store opened on the southwest portion. More recently, an O'Charley's restaurant opened on the northeast side.

In the coming year, Kohl's and Ruby Tuesday will open.

Greg Land, vice president of developer CMC Properties, expects ground to be broken on the Kohl's project in the first quarter of 2003. CMC plans to eventually add 100,000 square feet of retail development and 240 upscale apartments on the northeast side. The long-term plans may include a hotel as well.

"From the retail point of view, by and large this is a great location and that's why there's so much interest," said Mr. Land.

He added that CMC Properties has been in negotiations with another major anchor and restaurant but would not divulge who it was. He expects the development to start taking shape throughout 2003.

The hope is to have the success seen by O'Charley's. General Manager J.P. Penderghast said business has been booming since it opened in the summer. He believes more development will mean more business.

"It's been awesome," said Mr. Penderghast. "This spot here is going to be a long-term success. Our sales will keep increasing over the next several years."

Mr. Stoeber said there is also talk of a new White Castle restaurant coming to the northwest quadrant. That portion is owned by developer Jack Morris. Mr. Morris fought with residents of the Sturbridge neighborhood in 1999 to develop the area. Mr. Stoeber said he would like to see maybe a sit-down restaurant, office buildings or a technology center put in that portion.

"Right now, everybody is hoping for the right type of business there," he said.

With the development will come increased traffic.

Cold Spring Police Chief Rick Sears said that concerns him. He said the CMC development will need better access once all of the other components are added. That may include access directly onto the AA Highway.

"It would seem like there would need to be more than one light for that area," said Mr. Sears.

Currently, there is no traffic light to allow traffic in or out of O'Charley's. But Mr. Land said a light would soon be installed.

Mr. Sears said he hopes the money generated from these projects will help to fund the hiring of more police officers.

"I could see it becoming another Colerain Avenue, probably not overnight, but down the road," said Mr. Sears.

Mr. Stoeber is ready to take the good with the bad.

He stresses being proactive and believes the development will have positive effects on the city and region.

"It's a blessing and a curse at the same time," he said.

"It makes your citizens' lives more convenient and it provides money to the city.

"But you're also bringing tremendous amounts of traffic and stress on the police department and infrastructure."

Mr. Stoeber expects major growth in the county when the new sanitation system is finished in Alexandria.

He sees the county following a similar pattern of growth as Hamilton County has seen in the past 25 years.