FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The concept for the roadway portion of the project is a four-lane, boulevard-style road (two travel lanes in each direction) with a turn lane or landscaped median in the middle. It will have a speed limit of 35 mph, and will ideally have a sidewalk on one side of the street and a shared-use path that can accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians, strollers, wheelchairs and more on the other side. Bump-outs and crosswalks would be included at street corners to make crossing the street easier and safer. Below is a conceptual rendering of what portions of the NHX roadway could look like.

We are currently still in the planning stages for the North Hamilton Crossing. The NHX will be built in phases due to the magnitude of cost. Due to the condition of the 100-year-old Black Street Bridge, we’re currently planning to start with the West Section first. The West Section focuses on improving the connection between North B Street and US 127 and includes a new bridge across the Great Miami River. Once the recommended route has been approved and we have the necessary funding in hand, we’ll be able to proceed with preparing detailed project designs, relocating utilities and securing the right-of-way needed. We expect these tasks will take between three and five years to complete, and it will take another several years to build the bridge. Currently, the timing for the Central and East sections, which extend from US 127 to SR 129, is unknown. Like the West Section, a considerable amount of planning and preparation must be completed and funding must be secured before construction can begin. Planning and building the NHX is expected to be a long-term process. Due to limitations of funding sources, funding will come from a combination of federal and local resources over multiple years. Although we expect work to progress primarily from west to east, we will pursue funding opportunities for all parts of the project as they become available. This could shift the order in which some elements of the project are built.

The Chem-Dyne site underwent clean-up in the 1980s. Since then, reviews completed every five years have confirmed that the clean-up effort has remained effective in protecting public health and the environment. Multiple environmental regulations remain in place, however, to regulate what can and cannot be done on the Chem-Dyne site. Excavations are restricted on the site, but these regulations do allow non-invasive structures such as parking lots, ballfields, and roads to be built on top of the clean soils covering the site. Any use of the site for the NHX project will be managed in complete accordance with these regulations.

The project team acknowledges the significant community value of the ballfields and splashpad and is committed to working with the community to explore ways to preserve and/or enhance these assets, including possibly shifting of some of the routes currently shown, if needed. Any impacted feature will be replaced with an option that is at least equal to, if not better than, what’s offered now. In fact, the NHX project may be able to help accelerate and partially fund improvements to LJ Smith Park.

We will be able to provide an update with more clarity about which properties will be impacted next summer (Summer 2026). While we have now completed most of our environmental and engineering studies and have identified a recommended route, this route has not yet been approved. Therefore, property impacts are still subject to change based on the remaining studies and input received from the public and regulatory agencies. ODOT won’t issue a decision on the recommended route until after the Environmental Assessment (EA)* document is completed and a public hearing has been held. We expect to receive that decision next summer. If the recommended route is approved, the City and the BCTID will move the project forward in phases as funding sources are identified and funds are awarded. Affected property owners will be notified when funding has been awarded for the portion of the project in their area. * An Environmental Assessment formally documents studies completed to date and their findings. It also identifies efforts that would be taken to minimize impacts, summarizes public comments, and formally submits a Recommended Preferred Alternative for approval.

The timeframe before you will need to move has not yet been determined. The NHX will be built in phases based on available funding. We currently plan to build the West Section first. Although the West Section will require some right-of-way acquisition, relocations won’t be necessary for this section of the project. Construction of the Central and East sections of the project is dependent on funding availability. Once funding has been awarded for one of the sections (or for part of a section), the BCTID will notify affected property owners that work has been funded, and the design process will soon begin. It typically takes two to four years to complete this process before right-of-way is purchased and relocations would occur.

You may choose to move away, or you may prefer to stay in the area. If you do stay, we’ll help you find a new home or location for your business that’s equal to or better than what you have at the time of acquisition. A property acquisition team will work closely with you every step of the way – from property negotiations to moving in – to help smooth the process for you as much as possible. This will be the same process we used when relocating residents for the South Hamilton Crossing project. Right now, we’re looking into ways we can help keep more residents in the neighborhood. Options include moving into existing houses and renovating outdated homes. Another idea we’re exploring is building new housing – single and/or multi-family – on vacant lots throughout the area. We’re looking into the possibility of subsidizing the costs of these new homes to make them affordable for relocated families and individuals. We still have a lot of questions that need to be answered, but first, we want to know if people are interested in this concept. You can tell us your thoughts on this by filling in our Contact Us form.

If we need to purchase your property, we will bring in an independent, licensed real estate appraiser to determine a fair market value of your property and any structures on it, including your home (the appraiser will be unaffiliated with the City or Butler County). Fair market value is the price your property would likely sell for on the open market under normal circumstances. The appraiser must consider recent sales of similar properties in the area, the condition of the property/home, its location, size, any improvements made and/or unique features. The BCTID will make you an offer for your property largely based on the appraisal amount. It’s important to know that the BCTID is required by federal law to make you an offer that is fair.

We will follow a federal process that makes sure you’re offered a replacement home that's similar in size, quality and features to the one you have at the time of acquisition. While we can’t match older construction materials or styles exactly, your new home will meet current standards and offer similar space. If the new home costs more than your current one, financial assistance will be available to cover the difference. This includes helping with higher mortgage rates or adjusting rental rates. The housing costs for your new home won’t be more than what you pay at the time of acquisition. If you want it, you can also get assistance with moving your belongings to your new home.

Just like property owners, renters have rights in the property acquisition process. If you have to relocate, the property acquisition team will work directly with you to explain the process and answer your questions. The team can also assist you with finding replacement housing that is equal to or better than where you are at the time of acquisition. Financial assistance is available if the only available rental is higher than your current rental costs.

Business owners will receive assistance similar to the help homeowners will receive. The property acquisition team will help guide you through the process and help find a replacement property that meets the specific needs of your business. You can also get help with coordinating your move and reestablishing your business. This will be the same process we used when relocating 12 businesses for the South Hamilton Crossing project.

The timing for BCTID to acquire any properties has not been determined. The acquisition process typically takes two to four years to complete. Any improvements made now will be factored into the property valuation process later (but not on a dollar-for-dollar basis). With this information in hand, it’s up to you to decide if your planned improvements will help keep you safe and comfortable in the meantime.