Editor
Crossroads will be opening its seventh location in Eastgate in 2017.
Crossroads, an interdenominational church that began in 1996, has locations in Florence, Mason, Oakley, Oxford, Uptown and the West Side, in addition to a virtual church, according to a press release.
“Crossroads is a place where anyone, regardless of location, can hear about Jesus in an everyday language and be part of a team that is changing the world,” the release states.
Crossroads East Side will likely open in late 2017 in property owned by Jungle Jim’s on Eastgate Boulevard.
The space will be about 120,000 square feet and will include a three-story auditorium that holds 2,000, a chapel, Kids’ Club, student ministry, offices and meeting rooms, according to the release.
The east side has the highest number of people who attend Crossroads, based on the addresses of members, Brian said in an announcement posted on YouTube.
The church will go into the former Hobby Lobby building, located in the same strip as Jungle Jim’s. Hobby Lobby moved to 822 Eastgate N Dr.
“It’s going to be a long time waiting…but it is sealed, it is going to happen,” Brian said.
Many Union Township residents travel to other locations to attend Crossroads, so trustee John McGraw is happy they will have the option to attend service at a close location, he said in an email.
“Union Township is working hard to partner with Crossroads and Jungle Jim’s to make this project a success. This is a great example of how our planning and zoning bring together diverse projects into one cohesive blend,” McGraw said.
He added, “This is another project that will help Union Township lead the region in new development.”
The Clermont County Engineer’s office will study traffic patterns at the site, however, there have been changes to the area recently, such as the new round-a-bout and the Ivy Pointe extension. The Aicholtz extension and improvements are underway, as well, McGraw said.
Crossroads can hire a police officer at peak times for traffic control, which some churches in the area already do, he added.