X.U. announces massive multi-use “East Campus” at Montgomery & Dana

Norwood Café owner sells, last call around June 24

Today’s front page Enquirer describes a nearly 20-acre “East Campus” Xavier University plans to build on a site bounded by Dana and Cleneay Avenues and Montgomery Road after it acquires remaining parcels, at least some of which are homes located on the south side of Cleneay. Although details are sketchy at this point, X.U. “envisions a combination of stores, entertainment and apartments to serve both students and the surrounding neighborhood.” The new campus will straddle both Cincinnati and Norwood.

Except to say that he is “enthused” about the project, Mayor Tom Williams referred questions to Xavier officials because “it’s their development.” Norwood Café owner Charles Becker, who sold his bar to X.U. last week, said he plans to close around June 24 and then retire.

6/6/07 12:30 p.m. UPDATE: We just located this 9/13/06 article, “The new-look east side,” in the online student publication The Xavier University Newswire. Check out the three renderings of the proposed East Campus, especially the one featuring a retail area at the corner of Montgomery and Cleneay. Xavier students who have been serving on university committees and participating in focus groups have suggested retail businesses like a coffee shop, bar, video store, and dry cleaner for the project.