buildingcincinnati

From the 4/24/07 Enquirer: CPS announces job cuts BY BEN FISCHER | [email protected] Saying that Cincinnati Public Schools has entered even thicker financial quicksand than in the past, Superintendent Rosa Blackwell said Monday a round of job cuts was the best way to start climbing out. Acting on her advice, the Board of Education unanimously approved Blackwell's plan to cut 99 teachers and 16 professional student support workers from next school year's budget. Three other teachers were fired for performance-related issues. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070424/NEWS0102/704240381/-1/rss From the 4/23/07 Eastern Hills Journal: Anticipation for new school builds BY FORREST SELLERS | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER HYDE PARK - Completion of the new Kilgour school may be a year away, but its principal is already setting up a welcome mat. "(The students) can now be competitive in the 21st century," said principal Angela Cook about the new technological upgrades. http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070423/NEWS01/704230367/1002/RSS01

Yeah, we can catch a movie at Rave, have a few drinks at Red Robin and get some skyline shots of the Marriott and Indiana Wesleyan!

From the 3/29/07 Blade: Lathrop House site called part of history Sylvania looking to restore ravine By JANET ROMAKER BLADE STAFF WRITER Nearly a year after a retention pond was created in Harroun Community Park, the city of Sylvania is still exploring options to address issues, including how to restore a ravine near the Lathrop House in the park. Councilman Keith Haddad has suggested that council explore the creation of a wetlands to replace the retention pond, and he wants the ravine restored so that it looks like it did previously. During council's parks and forestry committee meeting last week, he said he had met with a consultant, hired by the city, to talk about options other than relocating the pond. Following discussions about the pond, the committee approved a motion to allow Feller Finch & Associates of Maumee to complete plans for the creation of wetlands that would replace the pond; to request an opinion from the city law director on legal obligations related to the pond, and to have the parks and forestry committee involved to keep track of what is going on with the situation. After the Lathrop House, said to be a station on the Underground Railroad, was relocated to the Sylvania park and a new education building was constructed on the nearby St. Joseph Catholic Church property, a retention pond was created in the park last spring to accommodate runoff and drainage issues. However, residents complained that bulldozers ruined the ravine near the Lathrop House. The ravine reportedly was used to provide cover to slaves escaping to Canada along the Underground Railroad. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070329/NEIGHBORS05/703280352

Link contains additional photos. From the 1/31/07 Blade: * PHOTO: Work on the exterior of the Lathrop House is scheduled for this summer. Volunteers glad to start work in Lathrop House Cleanup inside precedes restoration outside By JANET ROMAKER BLADE STAFF WRITER As snow swirled outside yesterday, volunteers inside the Lathrop House shook off the cold and warmed to their work. Box after box, they hauled dusty debris — books, curtains, lampshades — from the historic home, marking what Sue McHugh called “the first small step on the road to restoration.” Mrs. McHugh, president of the nonprofit Friends of the Lathrop House, was clearly excited. “This is the first time we are getting in and getting our hands on this project,” she said. “... Finally, after 5½ years, it’s going to be a dazzling year for the Lathrop House.” The historical house was the center of a dispute between St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sylvania, which bought the house’s site in the 5300 block of South Main Street in 2001. The church intended to raze the house, but the Friends citizens’ group wanted it preserved and kept on its original site, which historians believe was a stop along the Underground Railroad for slaves seeking freedom. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070131/NEWS18/70131006/-1/NEWS

4-year Etna Twp. debate might be coming to an end Newark Advocate, 4/22/07 An Etna Township trustee has predicted an end to almost four years of debate about when and where the board will build a new township house. "Within the next few weeks, we as a township board, I think will be unified as to our decision on where to build the new township house," Trustee Dick Knapp said. His assessment came after a Friday executive meeting of the township board. No decision was made after the closed-door session on whether that site will be on township-owned property at the corner of Pike and Liberty streets adjacent to High Point Park. It appears the site has become the leading location for a new township house, especially since Carol Kitzmiller indicated she is willing to negotiate the sale of land at the rear of the township property. She showed up unexpectedly at a March 21 township board meeting and announced she was ending her longtime opposition to a sale. Without the Kitzmiller property, the township would have had to secure a zoning variance from the township's zoning commission to squeeze a building onto the site.

From the 2/14/07 Guardian: Lake campus receives donation of $100,000 Tina Pandza Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: News Wright State's Lake Campus received a generous donation from Jack Schenking, who presented the university a check for $100,000 in memory of his late wife, Kathy. The contribution will help the Lake Campus meet the $2 million challenge grant provided by the James F. Dicke Family. The first Capital Campaign was launched in February 2006 in order to raise funds to renovate existing space and construct new science labs and a multipurpose center. "Our capital campaign has received tremendous support from our community and we are thrilled with the number of donors in our area," said Thomas Knapke, Assistant Dean for Development. ... http://media.www.theguardianonline.com/media/storage/paper373/news/2007/02/14/News/Lake-Campus.Receives.Donation.Of.100000-2717188.shtml

From the 1/29/07 Celina Daily Standard: $4 million goal met at WSU-Lake Campus Donation of $100,000 brings fund over goal By William Kincaid Wright State University-Lake Campus has achieved its goal of raising $4 million for a forthcoming renovation and construction project. Campus officials this morning announced that Jack Schenking of Coldwater presented the university with a $100,000 check in memory of his first wife, Kathy. Schenking's donation brings the campus' capital campaign total to $4,024,386, surpassing the original goal. ... http://www.dailystandard.com/archive/story_single.php?rec_id=2029

Link contains a photo. From the 1/30/07 Blade: * GRAPHIC: Zoo priority projects MASTER PLAN Toledo Zoo ready to roar with projects Levy win fuels jump start on 9 of 13 initiatives in '07 By JENNI LAIDMAN BLADE STAFF WRITER More than half the projects on the Toledo Zoo's updated 10-year master plan list will get under way this year. Elephants, rhinos, hippos, butterflies, and little humans are all poised at the starting gate now that the zoo knows it will be taking in $8.6 million a year in revenues from the 10-year capital improvement levy voters approved in November. While 9 of 13 projects officially "begin" this year, what that really means is design phase work will get under way for projects as exciting as a new children's zoo and as mundane - but equally important to visitors - as new parking lots. 2007 PLANS While they may not see completion in 2007, some of the projects set to get under way this year include: • Butterfly house opening • Elephant space creation and expansion • Rhino exhibit improvements • New children’s zoo design • New parking lot designs • Boiler replacements and basic repairs MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070130/NEWS38/701300352/-1/NEWS

From the 4/20/07 Sandusky Register: Montel Williams gives the gift of Kalahari By WAYNE BAKER | Friday April 20 2007, 8:03am HURON Kalahari made a splash on the Montel Williams Show this week. Talk show host Montel Williams spoke enthusiastically about Kalahari Waterpark and Resort on U.S. 250 when giving trips to three familieswith about a dozen children each. ... http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/04/20/front/250699.txt

From the 2/16/07 Sandusky Register: Townships, schools like Kalahari revenues By WAYNE BAKER | Friday February 16 2007, 7:50am HURON TWP. Before the $150 million Kalahari Resort opened in May 2005, local officials working on making the project happen were excited about the revenue possibilities. Now, their projected excitement is coming to fruition as revenues ranging from sales to bed taxes are quite healthy. County Auditor Thomas Paul said he has recently addressed how bed tax revenues can be reported, and had figures available for what was turned in for 2006. Ohio law states that those figures cannot be released for individual hotels, so officials must look at numbers for a township, Paul said. ... http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/02/16/local_news/175762.txt

From the 2/6/07 Sandusky Register: Kalahari expansion to fatten township coffers By WAYNE BAKER | Tuesday February 06 2007, 6:06am HURON TWP. Kalahari's recent announcement of a $50 million expansion project is music to the ears of the Huron Township Trustees, as they will be able to continue to work on much needed infrastructure repair. The expansion will add 93,000 square feet to the park, giving it a total of 173,000 and making it the largest waterpark in the United States. It will surpass the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells, which was the largest with 125,000 square feet. ... http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/02/06/local_news/doc45c862b1b7f85415180258.txt

Link contains video and photos. From the 2/1/07 Sandusky Register: * LINK: Kalahari resorts * LINK: Kalahari Sandusky indoor expansion BIG splash plans By WAYNE BAKER | Thursday February 01 2007, 11:50am HURON TWP. Surrounded by sumo wrestlers, VIP guests and a throng of media, Kalahari owner Todd Nelson announced Wednesday plans to expand his local resort so it will become the largest waterpark in America when it opens in December. The $50 million expansion, will add 93,000 square feet to the park, giving it a total of 173,000. It will surpass the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells, which was the largest with 125,000 square feet. ... http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/02/01/front/154495.txt

Link contains a photo. From the 1/30/07 Sandusky Register: Kalahari announces plan to be the biggest in America By WAYNE BAKER | Tuesday January 30 2007, 5:41am HURON Kalahari Resorts has announced plans to make its local operation the largest indoor waterpark in America, as plans for a $50 million "super park" expansion project will be made public this week. The $150 million resort on Milan Road debuted in May 2005 and has implemented five major expansions since. At 80,000 square feet, it is Ohio's largest indoor waterpark. ... http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/01/30/front/152490.txt

From the 1/17/07 Lorain Morning Journal: Kalahari announces waterpark expansion By RICHARD PAYERCHIN, Sandusky Bureau Chief 01/17/2007 HURON TOWNSHIP -- This year will bring new expansion at Kalahari Waterpark Resort as the facility adds 288 new condominium-hotel rooms and at least 98,000 square feet to its indoor water park. Although 2007 is less than three weeks old, Kalahari Waterpark Resort already has filed dozens of pages with the Huron Township Building Office outlining construction plans for its Phase 2 improvements. ... http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17721516&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6

KDMC to open site Portsmouth Daily Times, 4/20/07 The mystery is finally over. On May 7, King's Daughters Medical Center will open a $6.5 million primary care and cardiology complex on U.S. 23. The Ashland, Ky.-based hospital also will offer lab and X-ray services at the building, which is close to the U.S. 23 viaduct. The medical building sits on the site of the former Portsmouth General Hospital which was razed a couple of years ago. Hospital officials had been silent about the building until Thursday, saying they wanted to wait and make a formal announcement of their plans.

From ThisWeek Clintonville, 4/19/07: Hadler plans to rehab Indianola Plaza Thursday, April 19, 2007 By RANDY NAVAROLI ThisWeek Staff Writer Indianola Plaza will get a facelift in the coming months, according to Hadler Co. President George Hadler. The 42-year-old shopping center, located at the intersection of Indianola Avenue and Arden Road, will get a new facade, and each of its six tenants will get a new sign. "This center is thriving and is well-positioned in the community, but it's 40 years old," Hadler said. "We want to do our part to help Clintonville maintain its unique charm and aesthetic appeal." Hadler said demolition related to the $400,000 renovation project will begin within the next two weeks. He said it will take about six months to complete the work. Hadler's father, the late William Hadler, spearheaded Indianola Plaza's development close to 40 years ago. The 76,000 square foot center included an A&P and Buckeye Mart when it opened in 1965. Today it houses a number of tenants, including Weinland's Gourmet Market , a state liquor store, a Volunteers of America thrift store, Planet Fitness, Dante's Pizza, Reedman's Bookstore, and Hair Concepts. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/041907/Clintonville/News/041907-News-340422.html

From the 4/19/07 Rocky Fork Enterprise: Council approves TIF plan for Manor Homes subdivision Thursday, April 19, 2007 By TARA STUBBS-FIGURSKI Enterprise Staff Writer As an emergency measure, Gahanna City Council approved a tax-increment-financing agreement Monday night for the 40.42-acre Manor Homes development at Clark State and Reynoldsburg-New Albany roads. The development features 60 single-family homes valued at an average of $500,000 each. The initial TIF plan drafted last year included the city providing water and sewer services to the project. Council member Nancy McGregor said she couldn't support the TIF. "If it was water and sewer, maybe I could vote for it," she said. "If it was a parkland purchase maybe. This amount is above that." McGregor said the TIF takes taxes that would have been diverted to certain agencies to pay for public services, which eventually leads to those agencies asking for more money when they feel a loss from the TIF. Although council member Nick Hogan supported the TIF, he said there were reasons he could've voted no, including the involvement of Jefferson Water and Sewer District. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/041907/RockyFork/News/041907-News-338899.html

Both from the 4/20/07 Youngstown Vindicator: NCB gives $300,000 to YSU The money is earmarked for a new building for YSU's business college. By HAROLD GWIN VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — For banker Garry Mrozek, handing Youngstown State University a check for $300,000 was kind of like keeping the money all in the family. Mrozek, president of National City Bank, Northeast, is a YSU graduate — twice. He earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration, and the $300,000 gift from National City Bank will go toward building a new Williamson College of Business Administration. [email protected] For the full article, visit: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/295269569669811.php YSU FUND DRIVE | Centennial Campaign The Youngstown State University is seeking to raise $43 million in a five-year campaign to fund various campus improvements and programs as part of its 2008 centennial celebration. Here's where the money will go: For the full list, visit: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/301841297213632.php

From the 4/17/07 Jambar: Second phase of East Campus Gateway Project begins this month Jenny Boyce Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: News The second phase of Youngstown State University's East Campus Gateway Project begins this month, after the State Controlling Board approved the release of $1.6 million for the next step in the university's Master Centennial Plan. The money funding the project is from the state capital budget, which is one-time money that is restricted for use on capital improvement projects and cannot be used to fund operational expenses, said YSU's Manager of News and Information Services Ron Cole. ... For the full article, visit: http://www.thejambar.com/media/storage/paper324/news/2007/04/17/News/Second.Phase.Of.East.Campus.Gateway.Project.Begins.This.Month-2846272.shtml

From the 4/10/07 Youngstown Vindicator: State OKs $1.6M for YSU cleanup The money will fund demolition of blighted properties near campus and construction of pedestrian plazas. By MARC KOVAC VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT COLUMBUS — State officials have approved release of about $1.6 million for ongoing redevelopment at Youngstown State University. The effort includes the purchase and demolition of deteriorated properties next to campus and the construction of pedestrian plazas and gateways, according to state documents. ... [email protected]. For the full article, visit: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/290595432119476.php

From the 3/27/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Funding OK'd for property purchase The university already owns more than 85 percent of the properties in the area. By MARC KOVAC VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT COLUMBUS — The state approved funding for Youngstown State University to purchase parcels totaling more than an acre as part of an effort to redevelop blighted areas around campus. The state controlling board, without comment, agreed to release about $47,000 for the properties... ... [email protected] For the full article, visit: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/322884434682139.php

From the 3/17/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Investment firms chosen to handle $40M bond issue By HAROLD GWIN VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University's $82 million centennial master improvement plan has moved a step closer to reality with the naming of two investment firms to handle a $40 million bond issue for the project. The Finance and Facilities Committee of the YSU Board of Trustees voted Friday to endorse the university Underwriter Selection Committee's recommendation that two bond underwriters be hired to handle the borrowing of bond funds. ... [email protected] For the full article, visit: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/348036034549654.php

From the 3/10/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Panel to plan new science facility By HAROLD GWIN VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University's president agrees that the school needs a new science building, but he has no timeline for when that might occur. Dr. David C. Sweet issued a memo to science faculty this week saying that planning has begun for a new building, noting that YSU's creation of a College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics this fall provides an opportunity to build a case documenting the need and benefit of a new facility. [email protected] For the full article, visit: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/368133248080477.php

From the 2/16/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Board approves city land purchase This is the first property sale deal related to the redevelopment project. By DAVID SKOLNICK CITY HALL REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — The city's board of control approved a $202,000 land purchase of a North Phelps Street apartment complex that Youngstown State University plans to use as part of its new College of Business Administration. The agreement, approved Thursday, with Earl Calvin of Canfield, the complex's owner, permits his current tenants at 224 N. Phelps St. to have up to six months to move. YSU plans to demolish the 87-year-old apartment complex. YSU wants to use the 0.088 acre parcel for either its proposed $30 million College of Business Administration or the building's parking lot. [email protected] For the full article, visit: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/337627986094872.php

From the 2/6/07 Jambar: YSU constructs contract with architects Adrienne Sabo Issue date: 2/6/07 Section: pageone The Youngstown State University Board of Trustees Finance and Facilities Committee selected Strollo Architects and Perkins and Will to enter into contract negotiations for the new Williamson College of Business Administration. The final contract will be up for approval at the full Board of Trustee meeting. Rodney Lamberson, principal vice president of Strollo Architects and project manager for the new business college, said that the team is "delighted" to begin contract negotiations with YSU. "It is a very exciting opportunity for YSU and the region. This has the opportunity to serve as a link," Lamberson said. For the full article, visit: http://www.thejambar.com/media/storage/paper324/news/2007/02/06/Pageone/Ysu-Constructs.Contract.With.Architects-2700893.shtml