‘Hollywoodland’: What’s there now, what would change for $1.3B development?

Credit: Journal News

News
By Nick Graham
Updated Oct 8, 2021
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Middletown City Council and residents who packed the City Council Chambers on Tuesday night heard the first reading of legislation that would authorize City Manager Jim Palenick to enter into an agreement with Main Street Community Capital for the development of a riverfront destination entertainment district and theme park.

Hollywoodland would be located on nearly 12 acres of city-owned land off Water Street and First Avenue and on 41 acres owned by Forest Hills Country Club.

» $1.3 billion Hollywoodland project called a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ to transform Middletown

» 5 things to know about the proposed $1.3 billion ‘Hollywoodland’ project in Middletown

» Middletown council divided on proposed $1.3 billion ‘Hollywoodland’

The Journal-News has spent this week studying the area to understand what is there now and what would need to change if the development happens. Here’s what we found:

Aerial view

Here’s a look at the master plan laid over an existing map of Middletown, with our notes in red on what is there now:

"Hollywoodland" development plan in Middletown compared to what is in those locations now.

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What’s there now?

Here are views from street level of locations that could be affected by the Hollywoodland development:

The front entrance to the proposed "Hollywoodland" development in Middletown shown with a view of what that space looks like today. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

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The front entrance to the proposed “Hollywoodland” development in Middletown shown with a view of what that space looks like today. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

The buildings along South Main Street between 1st Ave. and 2nd Ave., including the Oaks Community Church building, would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build "Hollywoodland" as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

The buildings along South Main Street between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue, including the Oaks Community Church building, would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build “Hollywoodland” as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Forest Hills Country Club would be part of the land needed if Main Street Community Capital were to design and build “Hollywoodland” and residential apartments as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

Forest Hills Country Club would be part of the land needed if Main Street Community Capital were to design and build “Hollywoodland” and residential area on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

The buildings along South Main Street between 1st Ave. and 2nd Ave., including American Legion Post 218, would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build “Hollywoodland” as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

The buildings along South Main Street between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue, including American Legion Post 218, would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build “Hollywoodland” as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

The Whitt Machine Shop and multiple other buildings would need to be removed, renovated or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build “Hollywoodland” as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

The Whitt Machine Shop and multiple other buildings would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build “Hollywoodland” as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

The buildings along South Main Street and Water Street between 1st Ave. and 2nd Ave., including the Miami Conservancy District garage, would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build "Hollywoodland" as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

The buildings along South Main Street and Water Street between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue, including the Miami Conservancy District garage, would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build “Hollywoodland” as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

This view of the intersection of South Main Street and 2nd Avenue could be dramatically different if Main Street Community Capital were to design and build "Hollywoodland" on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

This view of the intersection of South Main Street and 2nd Avenue could be dramatically different if Main Street Community Capital were to design and build “Hollywoodland” on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Forest Hills Country Club would be part of the land needed if Main Street Community Capital were to design and build “Hollywoodland” and residential apartments as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

Forest Hills Country Club would be part of the land needed if Main Street Community Capital were to design and build “Hollywoodland” and residential apartments as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Forest Hills Country Club would be part of the land needed if Main Street Community Capital were to design and build “Hollywoodland” and residential apartments as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

Forest Hills Country Club would be part of the land needed if Main Street Community Capital were to design and build “Hollywoodland” and residential apartments as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

The land where Middletown Preparatory and Fitness Academy stands could become a parking garage if Main Street Community Capital were to design and build "Hollywoodland" as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

The land where Middletown Preparatory and Fitness Academy stands could become a parking garage if Main Street Community Capital were to design and build “Hollywoodland” as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

The buildings along South Main Street between 1st Ave. and 2nd Ave., including these residences on 2nd Ave., would need to be removed, renovated or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build "Hollywoodland" as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

The buildings along South Main Street between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue, including these residences on 2nd Ave., would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build “Hollywoodland” as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

The buildings along South Main Street between 1st Ave. and 2nd Ave., including the former Broadway News building, would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build "Hollywoodland" as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

The buildings along South Main Street between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue, including the former Broadway News building, would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build “Hollywoodland” as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

The Whitt Machine Shop and multiple other buildings would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build "Hollywoodland" as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

The Whitt Machine Shop and multiple other buildings would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build “Hollywoodland” as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

The buildings along South Main Street between 1st Ave. and 2nd Ave., including the Kettering Health Urology office, would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build "Hollywoodland" as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

The buildings Water Street, including this Rehab to Rents garage, would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build "Hollywoodland" as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. City council members appear to be divided on the feasibility of the $1.3 billion proposed entertainment, event, dining and retail project. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

The buildings Water Street, including this Rehab to Rents garage, would need to be removed, remodeled or built around if Main Street Community Capital were allowed to design and build “Hollywoodland” as presented on more than 50 acres near the Great Miami River and historic downtown Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

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About the Author

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Nick Graham is a photojournalist for the Journal-News covering Butler and Warren Counties in Ohio.