Union Township Administrator Ken Geis announced what he called one of the “biggest secrets in Clermont County,” during the board of trustees’ July 12 meeting.

Geis announced that Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center closed on approximately 24 acres of land in Union Township June 29.

“It’s fabulous,” Geis said about the deal. “To get another partner in the Ivy Pointe Commerce Park, and that there is going to be a medical user in there is just incredible.”

Geis said the township has been working with representatives of the hospital for more than a year now.

“We looked at several sites,” Geis said. “I know they looked at another site in Union Township and Hamilton County as well.”

Geis said the land that was purchased was actually two separate parcels, one of which was the remaining land in the northern part of the Ivy Point Commerce Park and the other was neighboring land owned by Calvin Aicholtz.

“I think clearly the location was a primary factor in that,” Geis said about the final decision. “And our willingness to be accommodating as it relates to the project and closing.”

Geis said the township provided some incentives to the hospital to purchase the land including some maintenance needs, paying for the Current Agricultural Use Value and more.

Geis said there was a lot involved in the project including multiple owners, other easements and other requirements that had to be taken care of before the hospital could close.

“Typically projects don’t close until all the requirements are met,” he said.

Terry Loftus, senior director of public relations for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, said things came together for the hospital to purchase the property to use for future development.

“The opportunity was there at the time when prices are good given current market and economic conditions,” Loftus said. “But also, it’s a piece of land with wonderful visibility in an already-developed and fast-growing neighborhood located within our primary service area.”

Loftus said the hospital is considering a number of options for the land but nothing will happen immediately.

“We will be doing a number of studies over time to determine the best use for this land,” Loftus said. “A future neighborhood outpatient location is one possibility.”

He said at this time a full-service hospital with inpatient beds is not one of the options being considered.

“Ultimately, over time, our board of trustees will make a decision about how we will use the land,” Loftus said.

Whatever type of medical facility goes in, Geis said having Children’s Hospital in the area will be beneficial by not only providing services but also jobs.

“I think it says a lot for the township that we are able to attract these folks,” Geis said.

Geis listed Jungle Jim’s, the expansion of Total Quality Logistics, and the future Children’s Hospital facility as examples of more business and more jobs that will be available in the township in the future.

“To say this is the hub of commercial job generation would not be that big of a stretch,” Geis said about the township. “It’s a great testament to the board of trustees, to their policies, practices and direction.”