Hollywoodland movie studio, theme parks in Middletown

City officials are teaming with private investors on a massive, $1.3 billion project that would bring a movie studio, concert venue and theme parks to the banks of the Great Miami River in Middletown.

Called "Hollywoodland,'' the entertainment-themed, mixed-use project would encompass more than 50 acres near historic downtown Middletown, according to a press release from the city, which is partnering on the project with real estate investment group Main Street Community Capital LLC.

Plans for the development include: 

• A pre- and post-production movie studio and sound stages.
• An indoor amusement park with themed rides and games.
• An indoor entertainment and concert venue that could accommodate touring Broadway productions.
• An entertainment district, comedy club, and a variety of bars and restaurants.
• A convention center and convention center hotel.
• A family-oriented hotel and water park.
• A boutique hotel within the redeveloped First National Bank building.
• A mix of luxury apartments and condos.
• A combination underground garage and deck-based parking lot with a minimum of 3,000 spaces.

This year, the Cincinnati metro area, which includes Middletown, was named one of the best places to live and work as a moviemaker by Moviemaker Magazine.

“There are great bones to this area, and we look forward to working with the city and community members to launch a film and entertainment district, permanently bringing the film industry to the state of Ohio,'' said David-Elias Rachie, a founding member of Main Street Community Capital.

City Council is scheduled to vote on the project – which is expected to draw visitors from Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton and elsewhere in the Midwest – on Oct. 21 after hearing a presentation from developers Tuesday.

If approved, the city would use $7.5 million in federal pandemic relief funds for pre-construction design, engineering, financial structuring and other preclosing, due-diligence efforts, according to the press release. 

"It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take full advantage of a myriad of local, city, state and federal incentives we have found a way to access, and in turn, and change the future of our city,'' City Manager Jim Palenick said in a statement.

Hollywoodland, which would rival Cincinnati's The Banks development Downtown, is expected to create thousands of new jobs and draw an estimated 3.5 million visitors annually to Middletown.

“This will be a transformational redevelopment opportunity for Middletown,'' Palenick said.

Hollywoodland's Master Plan