buildingcincinnati

From the 4/13/07 Hamilton JournalNews: Ohio elections officials set hearing on Mason pro-bond literature Meyer claims statement on campaign material is false By Richard Wilson Staff Writer Friday, April 13, 2007 Mason — The Ohio Elections Commission has scheduled a probable cause hearing to discuss John Meyer's allegations that Mason's pro-school bond issue committee distributed a false statement on campaign literature, according to a commission letter sent Thursday to both parties. The hearing is set for 11 a.m. Monday. According to the letter, signed by Ohio Elections Commission secretary Betty Springer, it's not mandated, but "strongly encouraged" that both John Meyer and representatives with the Committee for Preserving Quality in Mason City Schools attend the hearing. Meyer alleges that the statement, "The bond won't raise taxes" — in regards to the $30 million bond issue on the May 8 ballot — is false. If the request passes, the money will be used to build an addition to Mason High School. http://www.journal-news.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/04/13/pjm041307hearingweb.html

From the AP, 4/14/07: Who's next for Delta? New board will select a new CEO By Harry R. Weber Associated Press ATLANTA - The board of directors that will govern Delta Air Lines Inc. after it exits bankruptcy in two weeks faces a big decision right out of the gate - who to pick to be the company's next chief executive officer. An insider or an outsider? If someone from inside, which leading candidate - Chief Financial Officer Ed Bastian or Chief Operating Officer James Whitehurst? Industry observers say the board should take its time finding a CEO who has a strong grasp of the airline industry and who will be proactive in moving the nation's third-largest carrier forward by anticipating changes in the marketplace. "You have to make sure the person has the mental bandwidth to handle those complexities," said Gerald Kraines, head of Jaffrey, N.H.-based executive development firm The Levinson Institute. Outgoing CEO Gerald Grinstein, who plans to step down once the board chooses his replacement, told the Associated Press that he wouldn't put a timetable for a decision on his successor. "It's better to be right than to be fast," said Grinstein, who has made no secret of his desire that the next CEO come from inside Delta, which has its second largest U.S. hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Full story at http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070414/BIZ/704140307/1001/RSS04

From the 4/13/07 Toledo Free Press: HOUSING Project provides new homes for low-income residents By Justin R. Kalmes Toledo Free Press Metro Editor [email protected] Low-income south and East Toledo residents who hope to lease, and eventually own, brand-new homes now have that opportunity thanks to Neighborhood Housing Services and KeyBank. As part of a project by South Toledo Homes Limited, a nonprofit limited liability company with NHS as a managing partner, 28 new single-family homes were built in the south and East Toledo areas using low-income housing tax credits. KeyBank is financing construction of the homes, which feature four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full basement and a garage. Residents will have the opportunity to lease one of the homes for a monthly payment of $270 to $520, depending on the home, with the first right of refusal to buy the property after 15 years. “Our residents are really going to have a greater opportunity to move into homeownership,” said Teresa Smith, the NHS board's chair, who also works as a vice president of community banking for KeyBank. More at http://toledofreepress.com/?id=5316

Since the Census Bureau said so. LINK From the 4/12/07 Twinsburg Sun: Clinic to open hospital here Thursday, April 12, 2007 By Lena A. Ina The Twinsburg Sun TWINSBURG The Cleveland Clinic will open an in-patient hospital on Darrow Road just south of Interstate 480 in 2008 or 2009... Contact Ina at [email protected] or (216) 986-5472. http://www.cleveland.com/sun/twinsburgsun/index.ssf?/base/news-0/117639619958340.xml&coll=3 WH business owners, residents ramp up debate News-Herald, 4/13/07 Willoughby Hills City Council acted as a sounding board Thursday night as residents vented about accommodations made for next month's bridge construction near Interstate 90... Airport board looks to develop land Ashtabula Star Beacon, 4/13/07 Crops may sprout soon on 180 acres of perimeter land around the Ashtabula County airport and planning for an industrial park are on the Ashtabula County Airport Authority's agenda...

From the 3/14/07 Springfield News-Sun: Springfield News-Sun: Residents are ready to fight over development of Springfield Township land (2/18/07) Springfield News-Sun: Springfield Township annexation petition refiled (2/14/07) County commission denies Springfield Township annexation By Diane Erwin Staff Writer Tuesday, March 13, 2007 A petition to annex 61 acres of Springfield Township into the city of Springfield was unanimously denied by the Clark County Commission on Tuesday. About 25 people attended the meeting, and the decision was followed by applause from some of the residents who have been fighting the annexation for about nine months. "I think you cannot ignore the will of the public," Commission President Roger Tackett said. Overholser Builders wanted to construct 72 condominiums and 124 single-family homes on land at Possum and Old Clifton roads. The plan included annexing a 6-inch wide strip of land more than 12,000 feet long to connect the property to the city. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/13/sns031407countycom.html Home, Inc. housing plan denied Yellow Springs News, 4/12/07 Plans for two affordable housing units and an office space for Home, Inc. were denied by the Village Board of Zoning Appeals at the board’s last meeting on March 21. Home, Inc. has chosen not to appeal the BZA decision, according to Executive Director Marianne MacQueen. But during an interview on Monday, she and Home, Inc. Board President Stan Bernstein expressed strong disappointment in the outcome of their organization’s attempt to build affordable housing in the village. Home, Inc. had spent the past six months pursuing Village approval for what was originally a four-unit residential and office site on 1.6 acres at 1127 Xenia Avenue just north of Allen Street. The original plan met with opposition from surrounding residents, who felt the plan was too dense for a Residence B zoning district and was likely to cause stormwater drainage and parking issues in the neighborhood. Following Village Planning Commission’s recommendations, Home, Inc. adjusted its plan to include just one already existing single-family cottage and a modified existing auxiliary structure to use as a downstairs office for Home, Inc. and an upstairs efficiency apartment. The main and auxiliary structures would be attached for the purpose of providing sewer attachment from the cottage to the office. Habitat chapter ready to build 138th home Dayton Daily News, 4/12/07 When Dayton Habitat for Humanity kicks off its Spring Build Season Saturday, volunteers will begin work on the nonprofit's 138th home. The official kickoff will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1973 Tennyson Avenue, where ground will be broken on LaShon Adams' house. "It's a blessing," said the 33-year-old mother who is excited about the notion of finally being able to move her three children, ages 15, 12 and 5, out of an apartment and into their first home. It is one of 10 houses that will be built this year. Two other will be rehabbed, said Irene Warren, development director for the nonprofit based at 1041 S. Patterson Blvd. This spring, Habitat will build two homes side-by-side on Tennyson, one on Little Meadows Drive in Riverside and another on Prescott Avenue. It will rehab a home on Mound Street and another on Roosevelt Avenue. Council OKs preliminary church plan Dayton Daily News, 4/12/07 Trotwood City Council voted 5-0 to approve Ethan Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church's preliminary proposal to build Phase I of a 30-acre planned unit development, which would be located near the southwest corner of Shiloh Springs and Union roads in Trotwood. The church is located at 4519 Oakridge Drive. Planning and zoning administrator Carl Daugherty outlined details of the preliminary proposal in a public hearing. Final approval is subject to resubmitted proposal requirements that include traffic, sidewalk, curb and landscaping provisions, along with storm water, sanitation and future public improvement additions. Final approval of Phase I is expected to be voted on at the April 16 council meeting. "The important issues are access to and from the site provided from Shiloh Springs, and, if traffic volumes warrant in the future, the city retains the right to require development of the access point from Union Road," Daugherty said. Local college plans $1.8M residence hall upgrade Dayton Business Journal, 4/10/07 Cedarville University is investing $1.8 million to upgrade one of its women's residence halls. The project, which should be completed this fall, will renovate Printy Hall, bringing new paint, ceilings, lighting, carpet and windows, said Kara DeMusz, Cedarville spokeswoman. It also will include the installation of air conditioning and sprinklers, renovation of lounge, laundry and bathroom areas, she said. The upgrade is part of a four-year plan to bring the older residence halls up to the standards of the new dorms. The men's residence hall was renovated last year. Printy, home to about 300 students, is made up of 40, four-bedroom suites. Each unit includes a double bathroom and a small lounge area. Cedarville is a four-year Christian college in Greene County with about 3,100 students.

This wasn't mentioned in this thread, but I wanted to keep it up to date. City council voted in favor of the agreement extension at their 3/28 meeting. Tarbell was the only "no" vote.

From the 1/25/07 Englewood Independent: Council gives go-ahead to Section Two of Village of North Clayton BY MARILYN McCONAHAY Independent Staff Writer [email protected] Following a public hearing at the beginning of its Jan. 18 meeting, Clayton City Council approved plans for Section Two of the Village of North Clayton, which emphasizes retail and office development. The planned development-3 Business final Development Plan affects 7.9 acres located on the south side of National Road beginning at the intersection of Anneliese Way and National Road, and ending 1,300 feet from the intersection of Hoke Road at Lofton Drive. The Clayton Planning Commission met on Jan.9 and recommended approval of the plan, filed by North Clayton Development LLC and Neil and Jeanne Hazel. Read More...

From the 2/7/07 Dayton Business Journal: Warren County hotel occupancy up in 2006 Dayton Business Journal - February 7, 2007 Hotels in Warren County were busy in 2006. The county saw hotel-occupancy rates jump 4.6 percent last year compared with 2005, according to Smith Travel Research. The Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau reported the findings from Wednesday. Bureau officials attribute the gains to a stronger sports-marketing program; the launch of a meetings and conference department at the bureau; and year-round leisure marketing campaigns designed to draw visitors. ... http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/02/05/daily16.html

From the 1/25/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Northern Cincinnati hotels saw growth in '06 Cincinnati Business Courier - January 25, 2007 Hotels in Cincinnati's northern suburbs saw room reservations outpace the region as a whole during 2006, the Northern Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau said Thursday. The number of rooms sold grew 6.4 percent over the year, compared to a 2 percent growth rate in the region, the CVB said in a news release. The occupancy rate was 56.4 percent, and revenues increased 11.2 percent, compared to 7.3 percent for the Cincinnati region. The average room rate rose to $69.62, versus $66.57 in 2005. ... http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/01/22/daily44.html

From the 4/13/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Demolition is a real deal for all A company is demolishing the buildings in exchange for the structures' metal. By DAVID SKOLNICK CITY HALL REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — Three large, vacant buildings that take up half a city block on the lower portion of Belmont Avenue are down or will be demolished shortly. But unlike many of the structural demolitions in Youngstown over the past year-plus, the city isn't involved with this project. http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/295344291950829.php From the 4/13/07 Lisbon Morning Journal: Low-cost housing said win for schools By JO ANN BOBBY GILBERT Journal Staff Writer EAST LIVERPOOL — Building new housing in the city, even though it means granting the developer tax abatements, is a “win-win” situation for the school district, according to one school board member. In an unprecedented move, board President Denise Taylor added a third public participation segment to Thursday night’s meeting to allow board member Gary Bonnell the chance to speak as a private citizen. http://morningjournalnews.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=5681 Park board expects to OK pool contract Youngstown Vindicator, 4/13/07 The city park and recreation commission is expected today to approve a contract to build the long-delayed and long-awaited North Pool. The commission called the special meeting to give the go-ahead to A.P. O'Horo to build the pool, said Joseph R. McRae, the city's park and recreation director.

From the 4/13/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle: UAW chief stays upbeat about contract talks By LARRY RINGLER Tribune Chronicle LORDSTOWN — The president of the union representing workers at the General Motors Corp. Lordstown Complex remained optimistic Thursday as labor contract negotiations continued. ‘‘It’s a tough thing but I’m sure we’ll get through it,’’ United Auto Workers Local 1112 President Jim Graham said. Graham’s comments followed a union leaflet that states management’s retirement buyout proposal for workers failed to meet the union’s needs. ... [email protected] http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=16846

From the 1/31/07 Massillon Independent: SARTA considers first hike since ’95 By MATTHEW RINK [email protected] The Stark Area Regional Transit Authority wants to increase bus fares for the first time since 1995. SARTA officials say the fare increases are needed to offset increased expenses in bus repair and maintenance, fuel contracts and liability insurance... http://www.indeonline.com/index.php?ID=13558&r=2&Category=1

From the 1/25/07 Canton Repository: SARTA board meets, says little about fares BY ROBERT WANG REPOSITORY STAFF WRITER CANTON Stark Area Regional Transit Authority board members had little to say Wednesday about the agency’s proposed fare increases when the agency’s executive director Charles Odimgbe brought up the subject. Board President Charles DeGraff asked Odimgbe if SARTA officials would tell riders in public hearings in late January and late February about how much the costs of items like fuel and insurance had increased. Odimgbe said SARTA would explain what fares were going up and why... Reach Repository writer Robert Wang at (330) 580-8327 or e-mail: [email protected] http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=9&ID=332244&r=2&subCategoryID=

From the 4/13/07 Newark Advocate: Greenspace acquisition has solid support Public comments on strategies to acquire space during meeting By CHARLES A. PETERSON Advocate Reporter GRANVILLE -- Granville Township's open-space acquisition program appeared to get solid support Thursday night from the residents and public officials present. "I heard them saying they thought we ought to continue with the program," was trustee Lyle King's interpretation after the 90-minute session, which was attended by about 26 residents and public officials. Trustees invited public comment on the greenspace acquisition strategies used during the past decade since a 1-mill tax issue was first passed to raise money for such purchases. An additional 2.5-mill levy was passed three years later. Both still are in effect, raising about $873,000 per year for the program. Thus far, about 750 acres of land or development rights has been acquired with the funding. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070413/NEWS01/704130312/1002/rss01

From the 4/13/07 ABJ: Boston Heights rezoning allowed Village Council backs proposal to redevelop golf course property By Kimberley Sirk Special to the Beacon Journal BOSTON HEIGHTS - Village Council has approved legislation that could clear the way for the redevelopment of the former Boston Hills Golf Course into retail space and a residential neighborhood. Council approved a request Wednesday to rezone almost 66 acres of the old golf course from residential to retail. The vote came just a day after the council heard a report from consultant David Hartt, who was retained by the village to study the proposal for the golf course. The report concluded that retail was the best use of the land -- given that "higher uses'' like office or industrial facilities are not practical in the current market... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/17071537.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

From Dix newspapers, 4/13/07: Draft of smoking-ban rules moves to final step Maximum fines for businesses would be $2,500; $100 for individuals. By MARC KOVAC VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT COLUMBUS — A state agency next week could finalize new rules prohibiting smoking in public places, paving the way for enforcement actions against businesses and individuals before the end of the month. The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review is scheduled to review the final draft of the enforcement rules Monday. The meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. in the Ohio Senate Finance Room. Read more: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/291994221941004.php From the 4/13/07 (OSU) Lantern: USG says no to campus smoking ban Alexia Cameron Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Campus If Undergraduate Student Government gets its way, the campuswide smoking ban will not pass. Of the members present at USG's meeting, only three expressed a desire to completely prohibit smoking on campus. USG President Ryan Fournier was one of the advocates for a complete ban. "The university is asking so much of everyone to enforce a 25-foot rule. You really have to go all or nothing," Fournier said. "I would seriously support a smoking ban for the entire campus." Read more: www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2007/04/13/Campus/Usg-Says.No.To.Campus.Smoking.Ban-2840777.shtml]http://media.www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2007/04/13/Campus/Usg-Says.No.To.Campus.Smoking.Ban-2840777.shtml

Both from the 4/13/07 PD: Charter school advocates cry foul Strickland budget plan would cut parity aid Friday, April 13, 2007 Scott Stephens Plain Dealer Reporter Charter school advocates say Gov. Ted Strickland's plan for charter school accountability is looking more like a blueprint for charter school annihilation. At issue is Strickland's proposed budget, now being debated in the state legislature. Charter school advocates say the proposal could cripple some of the state's 306 independently operated, publicly funded schools. Citizens' Academy in Cleveland, for example - one of the state's top-performing charter schools - stands to lose as much as $200,000 a year from the loss of state parity aid. The money is intended to bridge the gaps between high-wealth and low-wealth districts. The cut represents about 5 percent of the East Side school's $3.9 million budget, said Perry White, director of the academy. MORE: http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1176453540134110.xml&coll=2 Changes ahead? Friday, April 13, 2007 Gov. Ted Strickland's budget proposal calls for significant changes in the way charter schools are paid for and operated. The proposal would: * Cut per-pupil funding for charter schools by no longer allowing them to collect parity aid - aid to bridge the gap between high-wealth and low-wealth districts. * Cut per-pupil funding by $2,000 or more for "cyber" schools, statewide charters in which students take their courses online. * Forbid the opening of any new charter schools until at least 2009, when a better accountability and oversight system can be in place. Existing charter schools could not open new locations. * Ban all for-profit companies from operating charter schools in Ohio. Current for-profit firms could serve out their contracts but could not be rehired. * Require charter schools to comply with the same rules and regulations as traditional public schools, including rules for the hiring, firing and licensing of teachers. MORE: http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1176453821134110.xml&coll=2

Link includes photos. From the 4/13/07 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: EPA officials answers questions about proposed E85 ethanol plant EPA will decide within a month whether to issue final permit By TAMARIA L. KULEMEKA The Eagle-Gazette Staff LANCASTER - Opponents and proponents of a proposed ethanol plant could know in two to four weeks whether the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will issue a final air pollution control permit to E85 Inc. EPA officials heard numerous questions and testimony from residents, business owners and environmental activists regarding the proposed ethanol plant Thursday. More than 50 people attended the meeting, though not everyone voiced their opinion. More at: http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070413/NEWS01/704130309/1002/rss01

From the 4/13/07 Enquirer: Online video pushes Kings school issue Chronicles overcrowded conditions BY MICHAEL D. CLARK | [email protected] DEERFIELD TWP. - Backers of a $27.2 million bond issue to expand overcrowded Kings High School are giving their campaign a "YouTube" twist by featuring a rare online video they hope will sway voters next month. It might be the first time an online video, which also will be distributed in a DVD format to 200 voters, has played such a key role in a Greater Cincinnati school system's tax issue campaign. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070413/NEWS0102/704130437/ From the 4/12/07 Pulse-Journal: Fire department focuses on facts Chief, city manager seek to dispel criticism, rumors. By Denise G. Callahan Staff Writer Thursday, April 12, 2007 The Mason Fire Department continues to answer criticism on several fronts — and the facts support the department, said Fire Chief Rich Fletcher. After the fire on Top Flite Lane in the Crooked Tree subdivision two weeks ago, all sorts of reports came out accusing the fire department of once again bungling a fire in the subdivision. Two years ago, a house did burn to the ground just around the block from the recent fire, and mistakes were made. Most of what was said about the recent fire — including 30-40 minute response times and other accusations — has since been debunked. New rumors have surfaced, from how the fire department conducts site plans of commercial buildings to which station is in charge of responding first to the Crooked Tree subdivision. http://www.pulsejournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/04/12/pjm041207fireA1.html

From the 4/12/07 Blade: WAUSEON Health center will show off changes Tours of renovations slated for April 22 By JANE SCHMUCKER BLADE STAFF WRITER WAUSEON - More than 1,000 people are expected to tour the Fulton County Health Center's new emergency room and surgical areas April 22 when the hospital shows off the progress it has made on an $18 million expansion. Among the most interesting stops on the 1 to 4 p.m. tour is likely the new emergency room, which measures 18,000 square feet - more than quadruple the space of the current emergency room. The new emergency room, which is expected to go into use May 1, will have 18 beds, up from seven in the current emergency room. That's important, health center administrator Dean Beck said, because patients have waited for beds in the current emergency room four or five times in the last two months. For the tour, the hospital will have about 50 staff members explaining the new setup to visitors, who are expected to spend about an hour on the walk-through. It will include stops in occupational medicine and endoscopic units. More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070412/NEIGHBORS05/704110338

Casto opponents seek clarification on wetlands Thursday, April 12, 2007 RANDY NAVAROLI ThisWeek Staff Writer Opponents of a plan to develop a sprawling commercial and residential development on nearly 450 acres near state Route 161 and Hamilton Road are asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to conduct a new field study to redelineate wetlands on about 138 acres on the site. Bill Resch, chairman of the Friends of the Big Walnut Watershed, said he has been told by USACE officials in the past week that they will return to the site and conduct another study prior to the April 25 meeting of Northland Community Council's development committee. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/041207/Westerville/News/041207-News-335232.html

From the 4/13/07 Enquirer: Blue Ash picks $9.3M rec center BY STEVE KEMME | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER BLUE ASH - The expansion plan for the Blue Ash Recreation Center, which has drawn City Council's support, would cost $9.3 million. The plan is a compromise between an $8.7 million plan and a $10.2 million plan. Council told Mike Schuster of MSA Architects Inc. of Cincinnati to proceed with the final design. The final plan will be finished this summer, and construction would begin in fall. The project would take a year to complete. The preferred plan includes a two-story fitness center, a three-lane, 0.1-mile indoor track, a new family and community area, new family locker rooms and a rock-climbing area attached to the fitness rooms. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070413/NEWS01/704130408/ SHCTC renovation project nearing completion Hillsboro Times-Gazette, 4/12/07 The superintendent of the Southern Hills Career/Technical Center met with the Highland County commissioners Wednesday to update the board on the facility's major renovations slated to be completed by early fall. Charles Guarino presented the commissioners with several photographs of the SHCTC facility before and after the renovations began to show the progress of the $12 million project. Seventy-five percent of the funding for the project was provided by the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission - the first time the OSFC has funded renovations to a career facility in the state. In June 2006, the project began with updating the outside drainage system and completely rewiring the inside of the building. Construction workers also took off all the bricks from the front of the building, giving the facility a new and modern facelift. The building was installed with a sprinkler system, security system, new plumbing and an addition to the welding lab. Lloyd bids up for approval Cincinnati Enquirer, 4/12/07 A new Lloyd Memorial High School - or at least a piece of it - could become a step closer to reality this evening. The Erlanger-Elsmere Board of Education will vote at tonight's meeting whether to approve bid documents for phase one of the four-phase, $27 million project. If endorsed, bids from contractors will be sought in the coming weeks and a contract could be awarded as soon as the board meeting on May 10. Ground could be broken in June. "We'd like to be in by August of 2008," said Superintendent Mike Sander. Phase one, estimated to cost $5.5 million, will be built in front of the current school and include a main office, restrooms, five special education classrooms, five science classrooms and two science labs. It will connect to the current high school so students won't have to go outside to change classes. Everybody’s Treehouse to be dedicated April 17 Cincinnati.com, 4/10/07 Everybody’s Treehouse, the Tri-State’s first universally accessible treehouse, was built in Mount Airy Forest thanks to 12,000 volunteer hours, $500,000 in donations and a wealth of community spirit. The public is invited to join Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, the Cincinnati Park Board and the many Treehouse partners, donors and volunteers at Mount Airy Forest, 5083 Colerain Ave., as they dedicate the treehouse at 4 p.m. April 17. The only such public treehouse in the Tri-State, this universally accessible treehouse has a series of ramps that provide access to all, including children and adults with special needs who are routinely confronted with barriers to fun and play in their daily lives. Everybody’s Treehouse is connected to 12 trees in Mt. Airy Forest. It stands 14 feet above the ground, supported by black locust logs chosen for their strength and resistance to rot. The logs, weighing up to 1,500 pounds and measuring up to 22 feet in length, came from locust trees cut from a nearby road project. Sugar maple and black maple, chosen because they are strong but fairly light, were used for the treehouse rafters. The floor of the treehouse was made from ipê, a strong, rot-resistant wood from the tropics. Cedar shakes comprise the roof. The treehouse, including its ramps and landings, is 1,500 square feet. It has a series of ramps six feet wide that lead up to it. The ramps begin in concrete leading down from a parking area; then wooden ramps gradually rise through the forest up to the treehouse floor. Highlands moves into temporary cafeteria Fort Thomas Recorder, 4/9/07 Highlands High School cafeteria workers were at work before sunrise Monday, April 9. That's what happens when you have to borrow a kitchen. The high school is serving meals out of a temporary space while construction crews are gutting the normal cafeteria for renovations. Workers had to go to Highlands Middle School at 4:30 a.m. to cook the food, and bring it to the high school. Cafeteria Director Judy Bryant said hopefully once workers get used to the transition they won't have to come in so early. Exterior restorations planned for Cheviot City Hall Western Hills Press, 4/6/07 It's Extreme Makeover: City Hall Edition. The city's headquarters for the administration, fire and police departments will receive an exterior facelift this summer, just in time for the building's 20th birthday. City Hall opened in October 1987 and Cheviot Safety Service Director Steve Neal said the restorations planned mark the first time the building will receive any exterior work. The scope of work includes masonry cleaning, spot tuckpointing, a water repellent coating, brick replacement where needed, urethane caulking, dryvit renovations and a new coat of paint on the garage doors. "You can see where the building needs work," Neal said.

From the 3/13/07 DDN: Price Stores owner wants to sell building, stay in business Plans envision the clothing store to continue using two or three floors and other floors to be used for condos. By Kristin McAllister Staff Writer Tuesday, March 13, 2007 DAYTON — The owner of Price Stores in downtown Dayton is looking to sell his five-story building at Fourth and Jefferson streets, but plans to retain the business there under a new owner. Price Stores Owner Edd Wimsatt could not be reached Monday for comment. However, Alan Cohen of the Gem Real Estate Group Inc. said Wimsatt would continue to operate his men's and women's formal attire and bridal wear store from the 26,800-square-foot building at 52 Jefferson St. Price Stores has been in operation since 1950. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/03/12/ddn031307price.html Armory's future on agenda Urbana Daily Citizen, 4/10/07 The city of Urbana has received two more proposals concerning the future use of the deserted armory property on North Main Street. One proposal suggests the main structure serve as classrooms and small-business incubator. Another suggests the motor pool behind the main structure be turned into a 4-H firearm safety and marksmanship center. The two written proposals are on today's city council agenda as communications to the council. The council meets in regular session at 7 p.m. A letter from Kim Wilson, Ohio Hi-Point superintendent, and Dave Faulkner, Community Improvement Corporation executive director, proposes the city lease the armory to the joint vocational school district for a nominal fee and that the school district bring the building up to code for classroom and office use. This would include providing or upgrading carpets, painting, lighting, computer connections, restrooms, furnishings and equipment. The proposal states Hi-Point wishes to offer training to high school and adult students in a building convenient to Champaign County residents. In addition, CIC would sponsor a business incubator to assist the start-ups of small businesses. Former DP&L building to become steakhouse Dayton Business Journal, 4/9/07 An old Dayton Power & Light building on Marily Way in Huber Heights will be demolished to make way for a Texas Roadhouse restaurant. Kerri Smith, development manager for Louisville, Ky.-based Texas Roadhouse LLC, said she expects to break ground on the restaurant by Aug. 6 and open January 2008. The restaurant will seat 249 and the average ticket price is $13, she said. Near Interstate 70 and Old Troy Pike, the restaurant will have highway visibility, which is common for Texas Roadhouse restaurants, Smith said. Nathan Cahall, Huber Heights city planner, said public hearings on the rezoning for the project are scheduled for April 24. Texas Roadhouse operates 18 locations in Ohio, with one local restaurant in Springfield, according to its Web site. The restaurant operates more than 235 locations in 43 states. Beavercreek schools may buy 25 acres Dayton Daily News, 4/5/07 Beavercreek officials are paving the way for the construction of a new school they hope will help solve the district's ongoing overcrowding problem. Superintendent Denny Morrison and several school board members recently discussed with Beavercreek Twp. trustees the possibility of purchasing 25 acres of the township's 90-acre tract of land at the corner of South Alpha Bellbrook and Indian Ripple roads. The township bought the land within the last 10 years to prevent residential and commercial development, Trustee Carol Graff said. They intend to use it either for recreational purposes or a project that will benefit residents, she said. The trustees hope to have the land appraised in the coming weeks, and they will ask for a reasonable price if they decide to sell the 25 acres to Beavercreek schools, Graff and Trustee Bob Glaser said. Dayton-Yellow Springs to be improved Fairborn Daily Herald, 4/3/07 A portion of Dayton-Yellow Springs Road is on its way to improvements after City Council voted Monday to award the construction design project to Northwest Consultants, Inc. The Centerville company will be designing construction plans for widening and improvement of Dayton-Yellow Springs from the west leg of the Five Points intersection to the I-675 southbound on-ramp. An Issue II Grant for $1,050,000 is slated to fund the project, which is set to begin this October and end some time in 2008. New fire station has opening day Dayton Daily News, 3/29/07 Farmersville's new fire station, five years from conception to completion, was formally dedicated on March 10. At the ceremony, fire Chief Tom Wallace thanked those who made the station possible. Because of "in kind" work, the $1.6 million station cost $1.2 million. Wallace called the station "a dream come true." The station was financed without going to the public for additional money. Equipment inside the new station came from donations, fundraisers, other government entities and "just good citizens wanting to help," Wallace said. The location for the new station, at 207 N. Elm St., was once an open field that had to be raised about 17 feet for the new building. Soil was brought to the site by the village of Farmersville, Jackson Twp., German Twp. and the city of Dayton. Wallace called this "building the land."

Not to belabor the point, but you post separate threads for Delaware County and Fairfield County growth, and these are surely part of the Columbus metro, so why treat Cleveland's surrounding counties differently? How do you decide whether an article pertaining to Medina County goes in Cleveland or Akron-Canton? When you can show me that Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties are experiencing rapid growth, then I'll start threads for them. In other words, the only reason Butler, Warren, Delaware have "growth" threads is becuase they are experiencing rapid growth. Those threads are meant to highlight the struggles of those counties with dealing with unplanned, out of control growth. BTW, there is also a Lorain County growth thread, so Cleveland is NOT being singled out for exclusion. Thank you.

From the 4/5/07 Athens News: Developer pleased with legal settlement By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Thursday, April 5th, 2007 Richard Conard is a happy man. He has settled the legal disputes with the city of Athens over his University Estates development project, he held an open house for the development on Tuesday, and the project will see a large amount of construction this summer. University Estates is a massive, 830-acre project on Athens northwest side that includes condominiums, single-family homes, assisted living/continuing care, a golf course and even commercial development. More at http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=27831