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'Not Coming Ever': What's next for unfinished day care in Deerfield Twp.

Posted at 5:29 PM, Sep 17, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-17 17:53:44-04

WARREN COUNTY, Ohio -- 'Not coming ever.'

Someone in Deerfield Township had a bit of fun with the old 'Coming Soon' sign for the Children's Learning Adventure. For the township, however, the unfinished day care project at 8200 Wilkens Blvd. has been anything but fun.

"Construction stalled soon after it started and then they ended up filing for bankruptcy in early 2018," said Jim Flick, the township's economic director.

RELATED: Bankruptcy sinks Mason daycare center

Once Deerfield Township officials realized the day care wouldn't be built, Flick said, they quickly filed a zoning violation to push the landowner, ECE I, LLC out of Kansas City, Missouri, to tear down the half-finished project.

"So technically they have until May to complete the project," Flick said, "but understanding, since its in bankruptcy, they're not going to finish the project -- so we are being proactive by issuing the zoning violation now." 

The zoning violation notified ECE I that if the day care isn't torn down by Friday, the township would take legal action, including seeking injunctive relief, civil fines and costs.

Both sides are now in talks.

"Right now we're currently negotiating with the property owner to get that site cleared and returned to its natural condition," Flick said.

The township has not said how the negotiations are going, but Flick said Deerfield Township is committed to getting the property back to its natural condition as soon as possible, remove any safety hazards and make it marketable for the future.