CINCINNATI — The long vacant Kenner Toys factory in Oakley, which produced Star Wars figures and other iconic toys for nearly a half century, could soon be cleared for a large residential development with as many as 700 units.
The Cincinnati Planning Commission approved a proposal Friday to rezone the 31-acre site at 2800 Robertson Ave., according to John Eby of the planning commission.
Neyer Properties submitted a plan calling for single-family, multi-family and senior living. The development, to be called Three Oaks, would include a public park and an 8-feet wide walking path around the perimeter. The plan calls for:
- 60-100 single-family homes,
- 130-140 garden style multi-family units,
- 55-65 townhouse units,
- 200-210 apartment units,
- 150-200 senior living units.
The factory site is now a brownfield and would require mediation, according to the proposal. Pending City Council approval, demolition of existing structures is tentatively scheduled to start in June with project completion in 2021.
SEE the proposal.
Besides new roads and alleys on the site, the proposal calls for a “pedestrian connection across or under the adjacent railroad tracks” with Oakley Station and for “necessary vehicle/pedestrian/bike improvements” to Robertson and 34th Avenue.
Besides the “Star Wars” action figures, Kenner produced many popular toys on the site for 44 years starting in 1947 until it was sold to Hasbro in 1991.
A 2015 exhibit and symposium at the downtown public library included displays of the Ultimate Terminator doll (1991), The Starting Lineup sports figures (1988), Ghostbusters figures (1987), Strawberry Shortcake Berry Bake Shoppe (1980), Baby Alive (1973), Daddy Saddle (1965), Girder and Panel (1957) and Bubbl-Matic squirt gun (1947).
