Union Village
Union Village is a 1300-acre site surrounding an existing senior community, Otterbein. The community’s board recognized that a mixed-use, multigenerational community would be a complementary asset to their existing residences and care facilities, while providing a much-needed market option in the region.
A charrette was held in late November 2013 to create a master plan for the site, create conceptual designs for key buildings in the first phase and explore options for renovating some of the older existing facilities in the senior community. The charrette plan integrated the demands of the expanding senior community, a collection of interested local institutions and groups including public schools, college campuses, equestrian facilities, churches and youth sports complexes with the strong commercial and residential market of the region.
An assemblage of neighborhoods and hamlets radiate from a central town square, each arranged around a smaller neighborhood green or civic space. A green network of trails, gullies, trees and parks weaves between the neighborhoods and connects them all to a nearby municipal park and recreational lake.
In addition to the master plan, MWA wrote the PUD and assisted throughout the 2-stage rezoning process. Watkins now serves as the Town Architect, refining the schematic design of the first phase and contributing to design review of some of the first buildings. Construction on the community has just begun.
Media
Union Village, “Meet the Town Architect: Q&A With Mike Watkins,” 2021.
Dayton Daily News, "89 Homes, Town Center Part of First Phase of Warren County Community", 6/21/17.
Cincinnati Enquirer, "Battling I-75 Sprawl: Where Do We Grow From Here?", 7/20/14.
Dayton Daily News, "Union Village Authority Formed in Warren County", 3/21/17.
WCPO Cinncinati, "Turtlecreek Township Trustees Give Final OK for Union Village, Planned Development Near Lebanon", 4/25/17.
Cincinnati Enquirer, "Demands Bog Down Warren Co. 'New Urbanism' Project", 7/21/14.
Dayton Daily News, "Warren County Project Part of Area's New Urbanism Resurgence", 11/2/14.
Dayton Daily News, "Warren County OKs New 1,400 Acre Planned Community", 10/28/14.
Location: Lebanon, Ohio [map]
Client: NU Development Partners, LLC and Otterbein Properties
Type: Towns, Villages & Neighborhoods
Acres: 1300
Program: 4,500 residences & 1,000,000 SF commercial, civic will include schools, churches, child care, etc.
Transect Zones: T3, T4, T5
Websidte: https://unionvillageohio.com/