buildingcincinnati

An Urban Ohio photographer must win this! Little Miami River Watershed Photo Contest Begins! Contributed By Dennis TenWolde | Little Miami River Partnership The Little Miami River Partnership, a non-profit group, is pleased to announce a significant photo contest for the Little Miami River Watershed. There will be 12 first place cash prizes, a cash prize for Best of Show, multi-month venues at galleries in the Dayton Art Institute and Cincinnati Museum Center, plus additional venues... http://rodeo.cincinnati.com/getlocal/gpstory.aspx?id=100183&sid=110872

From the AP, 4/10/07: Delta's proposal draws objection Governments fear unpaid tax bills BY HARRY R. WEBER | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ATLANTA - Several municipalities have objected to Delta Air Lines Inc.'s reorganization plan out of concern that their tax claims might not be paid in full. Monday was the deadline to file objections to the plan, although some parties might be allowed to file objections later. Monday also was the deadline for creditors to vote on whether to accept or reject the plan. The Atlanta-based airline, which operates its second-largest hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, expected some objections to the plan but has said it thinks that the plan will ultimately be approved by creditors and the court. Chief Financial Officer Ed Bastian said last month that there are no "show stoppers" that Delta is aware of. Under the settlement, Delta - which owed bondholders $413 million for bonds issued by the airport in 1992 to pay for construction of Terminal 3, Concourse B and other property at CVG - agreed instead to pay $85 million over 10 years and give bondholders a $260 million unsecured claim in the bankruptcy. Separately, Delta agreed to continue to lease Terminal 3, Hub A and Concourse B from the airport until Dec. 31, 2020. During the same period, the airline will also lease a fueling area and continue to pay fees to cover maintenance and operating costs. Full story at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/BIZ/704100331/1076/rss01

An update from Price Hill Will, a few weeks old: The developer, City Lights, is currently exploring the development potential of the "Incline District". Queen's Tower is now officially open as condos. About a third of the units are sold. The parking lot across the street is still supposed to become a 4-story commercial development with underground parking. City Lights is still pursuing tenants for the retail space. City Lights has also purchased property along Maryland Ave for townhomes, with a possible civic space thrown in as well. There is still no timetable for the mixed-use development or the townhomes, but the project is still very much alive. City Lights has been working with the City and the East Price Hill Improvement Association closely.

Mt. Washington: 2312-2316 Beechmont Ave Cole Realty Associates can now proceed with a multi-tenant retail center on the northeast corner of Beechmont Ave and Roxbury St. On February 14, City Council voted unanimously to approve the extension of the Mount Washington Urban Design Boundary and to rezone, from Residential Multi-Family (RM-1.2) to Commercial Commmunity-Pedestrian (CC-P) the vacant residential properties at 2312-2316 Beechmont Ave. This change fits with the recently drafted Comprehensive Plan for the neighborhood, which addressed the lack of modern commercial space in the business district and cited such for the business district's inability to attract new retailers. Because it is in an Urban Design District, any commercial redevelopment of this property would be subject to public hearing in front of a hearing examiner from the Office of Administrative Hearings. No specific plans for the site are available at this time. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW LAST UPDATE (1/29/07) Link includes photos. From the 4/9/07 Enquirer: Multimedia Map: Stores cropping up (PDF) Retail crops up amid silos Campbell residents say it's about time BY SCOTT WARTMAN | [email protected] Retail has started to appear amid the pastures, barns and silos of the countryside in southern Campbell County about 25-30 miles south of Cincinnati. And many residents say it is about time. A grocery store, California Marketplace, opened in January on the AA Highway about a mile north of the Pendleton County line. Brinkman Oil in the Grants Lick area will move across U.S. 27 and open a dollar store, expanded convenience and room for two other businesses that will open in May. Other than gas stations, convenience stores and a handful of banks, these are the first major businesses of this size to open in this stretch of Campbell County in the far southern end for many years, residents say. The California Marketplace, a 12,000-square-foot grocery store, opened in January and has done brisk business, exceeding the owners' expectations by about 15 percent in the first few months. "It has been 15 years since we have had a store this size," said California resident Orveda Dunn, 70, while walking out of the Marketplace. "At one time there were two grocery stores in California. I can now get my groceries and put them away and not worry about them spoiling in my car." MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070409/NEWS0103/704090369/ Madeira Stadium field turf contract expected to be signed Suburban Life, 4/9/07 The Madeira Board of Education is expected to approve a $720,400 contract April 9 with Motz to install artificial turf at Madeira Stadium. A resolution ratifying the contract is on the agenda for the board meeting at 5 p.m. at the Madeira Middle School cafeteria, 6612 Miami Ave. Officials have said no school funds will be used for the project; the district is handling the execution for the turf replacement for time reasons and because work will be on the high school grounds. The Madeira School Foundation is raising funds for the turf as well as a renovation of Madeira Stadium the foundation hopes to start after the field is replaced. Work to replace the half-century old grass field will begin about May 15 and is expected to be completed in time for the fall football season. Construction continues at JVS Georgetown News Democrat, 4/8/07 Construction continues at the Southern Hills Joint Vocational School, as the representative from Resource Financial, Bob Hart, believes all the big surprises are finally behind them. The project had several setbacks in the past few months, such as finding poor construction work behind the old brick work, and issues with the dust collector that caused it to fail inspection. Hart expects most of the big construction work for the building to be done over the summer. With all the construction at the school, the board decided to move their summer school to Georgetown to keep everything running safely and smoothly for their students, and so the construction crews can work to get the school completed as quickly as possible. City wants more parking Cincinnati Enquirer, 4/8/07 The crowded parking on Helen Day's street may prompt her to move. Day has lobbied her city of Bellevue for four months for a handicapped spot in front of her home on Ward Avenue, and was denied this week. Day, 54, suffers from a weak bone condition in one of her legs, making it hard to walk long distances. "It is very difficult," Day said. "Your car is your legs." Though the city denied her request, city leaders hope to alleviate the city's parking woes through off-street parking incentives and construction of a public parking lot. The city must use discretion when giving handicapped parking spaces, said Tom Eigel, city administrator. Animal shelter concerns residents Hamilton JournalNews, 4/8/07 Butler County officials are being responsive to concerns from residents living near the future site of a levy-funded animal shelter, but all issues may not be resolved. "We were as happy as we could be with the situation," Terry Marischen, a resident of Fairfield Ridge, said about a meeting with the county commissioners Tuesday. "We know we can't stop it. It's their land. But they are listening to our concerns and trying to address them." Late last month, the Fairfield Ridge homeowners' association told county officials that the $3.6 million animal shelter could bring noise, odor, traffic and a decline in property values at its expected opening next year. The Animal Friends Humane Society shelter site is located off Princeton Road in Hamilton on county-owned land, adjacent to Fairfield Ridge, which lies just inside Fairfield Twp. In response to the concerns, County Administrator Derek Conklin said informational letters detailing the shelter's site plan were sent out Tuesday to residents of Fairfield Ridge. The packet was also given to some residents at Tuesday night's meeting. LARGE STORE MOVING HERE Wilmington News Journal, 4/6/07 A planned commercial development at the corner of Rombach Avenue and state Route 73 in Wilmington is expected to feature a 68,639-square-foot department store. A staffer from RG Properties, the developer of the commercial project, was present at the Thursday session of Wilmington City Council, for the first reading of legislation to annex 87 acres of farmland at the northwest corner of the Rombach Avenue/SR 73 intersection. The anchor business for the 20.7-acres phase 1 will be a department store, verified RG Properties Assistant Developer Mimi Fisher, but she said she can't be any more specific. "Not at this time. I'm sorry," said Fisher. Often, business enterprises prefer to announce a new location at a certain time rather than having the developer release the news. By way of a size comparison, the planned 68,639-square-foot department store has a similar square footage to the former Wilmington Wal-Mart facility at the Meadow Park Shopping Center on Rombach Avenue.

From the 3/7/07 Dayton Business Journal: Kettering officials make way for demolition of former military property Dayton Business Journal - March 7, 2007 by Tim Tresslar DBJ Senior Reporter Kettering city officials will take the first steps toward leveling a large building at Kettering Business Park to make way for new commercial development and add hundreds of jobs to the city. City staff in April will ask council for permission to seek bids for the demolition of Building 47, a vacant warehouse left over from the property's days as a military base, said City Manager Mark Schwieterman. Depending on when the bid is awarded, demolition crews could begin work sometime this summer he said. Demolition of the 240,000-square-foot building, formerly a warehouse for electronic components, likely would cost somewhere between $400,000 and $500,000, Schwieterman said. In May, the city will issue a request for proposal from developers interested in launching renewal projects at the site, which would measure about 13 acres, Schwieterman said. The city would sell the property to the developer with the winning proposal, he said. MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/03/05/daily13.html?from_rss=1 From the 3/7/07 (WSU) Guardian: Xenia Daily Gazette: Funds sought for pedestrian-cyclist bridge (2/28/07) Dayton Daily News: $2.8M cyclist bridge backed (2/23/07) Bike bridge over I-675 gains support Phil Estes Issue date: 3/7/07 Section: News A proposed bike and pedestrian bridge over I-675 that would connect Loop Rd. in front of Wright State University to Commons Blvd. near Sam's Club has received support from Greene County commissioners. Bike paths that go through Wright State to Fairborn and Kaufman Trail would be connected to side "creek" paths and bike-safe plat roads on the other side, ideally connecting bike paths in Green County and Dayton. Bike committee chairman Roger Brislawn of Beavercreek said the project would cost $2.8 million and is eligible for federal funding with a local match of 20 percent of that, $560,000, coming from Beaverceek and Fairborn, as well as possible contributions from the corporate, private, and academic communities. Funding would be looked for in 2008-09 and construction would start in either 2010 or 2011, by a private contractor, and should take "no more than a year" to build, said Brislawn. Brislawn is planning to get information from student government and "welcomes student input, (such as) how many students would use the bridge." Students can find more information at the Bike Committee's webpage at http://www.ci.beavercreek.oh.us/government/Boards_Comm/Bikeway_Advisory.htm. MORE: http://www.theguardianonline.com/media/storage/paper373/news/2007/03/07/News/Bike-Bridge.Over.I675.Gains.Support-2760561.shtml Construction at the high school progresses Dayton Daily News, 3/15/07 Construction of the new front addition at Centerville High School is rounding out — literally. Inside the lobby of the new addition to the high school, 500 E. Franklin St., is a cylindrical open space with a second-floor roof skylight and a spiral staircase that will go to the second floor library/media area, said Centerville School Superintendent Gary Smiga. The skylight will allow light to flow through the first-floor lobby of the building, he said. Construction began last April on the $8.05 million, 38,000-square-foot front addition/renovation to the school that will include three physics classroom/labs, six chemistry classrooms, three chemistry labs, a new clinic, a new lobby and a centralized library. The library will have a number of classrooms off it for teachers bringing their classes for library research, he said. Computer equipment now in the school's other two libraries will be moved for research work there, he said. Twelve classrooms will replace the two existing libraries in the east and west units. Last summer the east and west units received new air handlers, and this summer, besides the library conversions to classrooms, the east and west cafeteria commons areas will be renovated, he said. Bob Evans to double Springfield food plant Dayton Business Journal, 3/12/07 Demand for sausage and microwave mashed potatoes is driving an expansion that will more than double the size of Bob Evans Farms Inc.'s main distribution center. The Columbus-based restaurant operator and food producer plans to begin construction this month on a $9 million, 65,000-square-foot expansion of the Springfield facility, which opened in 2002. Steve Davis, Bob Evans' chief executive officer and chairman, said during an investment conference in New York Feb. 28 that the distribution center was expected to last five to seven years before an expansion was needed. "We pretty much tapped out of capacity by year four," he said. The 55,000-square-foot plant sits on 25 acres in Springfield, six miles from the company's Springfield production plant and 15 miles from another Bob Evans plant in Xenia. Ribbon cut at Children’s hospital outpatient center Xenia Daily Gazette, 3/10/07 Local dignitaries, hospital officials, doctors and parents cut the ribbon Friday morning on a new pediatric testing center that opens up to patients Monday. The Dayton Children’s Medical Outpatient Center, 3224 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek, will provide pediatric medical imaging and lab services in Greene, Clark and Clinton counties, including X-rays, ultrasound, EKG, echocardiograms, and lab draws. The new center is the “only testing center in the area to cater to children,” said Arundi Venkayya Cox of Children’s Medical Center. Internet-based programs called Wellness Connection and PACS will allow doctors to more easily access test results. “These programs allow us to get test results quickly, which means we are able to provide treatment for our patients more quickly,” said Sherry Qvick, clinical office manager for Cornerstone Pediatrics in Springboro, which refers patients to Dayton Children’s. Landfill converted into park Fairborn Daily Herald, 3/7/07 The city's park system is a rare gem that continues to expand. New equipment is on the way and a former city landfill is being converted into a park. Fair Creek Park is located at 2273 Beaver Valley Road next to the Fair Creek Ridge development. Once a landfill, the area stopped receiving garbage in 1990, was sealed off and seeded with grass. To make the area safe for a park, the city had to comply with many EPA regulations, said Parks and Recreation Director Pete Bales. The park spans 68.1 acres, most of which will become a wildlife preserve and prairie because nothing can be built on top of a landfill. But a portion to the west, near Fair Creek Ridge, will be getting a playground, sign, picnic shelter and water fountain. "It's a wonderful way to start reclaiming the property," Bales said, "and in this particular instance it adds play and recreation value to a growing subdivision that has very little access to recreational means."

From ThisWeek Big Walnut, 4/8/07: Council reviews community center plan Sunday, April 8, 2007 By MARK MAJOR ThisWeek Staff Writer Sunbury Village Council got its first look Wednesday at a joint venture agreement designed to give the Eastern Delaware County Joint Recreation District the land it needs to build a community center. The agreement would give the JRD 10 of the 50 acres that make up Freedom Park on state Route 61. The village would hold on to the remainder, which includes the Anthony Kinslow Memorial disc golf course, according to the agreement. The shelter house now located on the property would remain unless village council approves its removal. Under the agreement, Sunbury would be responsible for maintaining the disc golf course and for mowing up to two proposed youth football fields. All funds necessary to operate, maintain and equip the community center must be provided by the JRD or the facility's tenant, according to the agreement. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/040807/Sunbury/News/040807-News-333162.html

From the 4/2/07 News-Herald: News-Herald: Crile offices are OK'd (4/4/07) Hospital zoning discussed Public hearing set for Tuesday to voice opinions on the new LakeEast Sue Karel [email protected] 04/02/2007 Will Lake Hospital System's new state-of-the-art hospital, to be built in Concord Township, give birth to so many medical and dental offices that they will not only surround the hospital campus on Auburn Road, but spring up along nearby Crile Road? http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18157444&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=6 From the 4/5/07 Sun Star: Wal-Mart to be supercenter Retailer will add full grocery store to Pearl Road site Thursday, April 05, 2007 By R. David Heileman The Sun Star STRONGSVILLE Local residents will soon be able to purchase everything from baseball gloves to TVs, stock up on groceries and get their vehicles serviced all in one stop... http://www.cleveland.com/sun/sunstar/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1175791563217120.xml&coll=3

This topic was split from P&C. I'll leave it in City Discussions until there is a buyer and a redevelopment plan in place.

From the 3/19/07 Dayton Business Journal: Expansion of Kettering residential site to be decided Dayton Business Journal - March 19, 2007 A residential project in Kettering is slated to get the green light pending approval by the city's planning and development department. The department will review plans for the 58-home phase two of the 150-home development Madison's Grant, located on Swigert Road, said Ron Hundt, city planner. About 20 homes are built or are under construction in the project's first phase, which consists of 46 homes. The developer is Madison's Grant Development Co. and the builder is Ryan Homes. Once the planning department approves the plans, the second phase can move forward, Hundt said. MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/03/19/daily1.html?from_rss=1

From the 2/25/07 Tallmadge Express: City, county officials sparring over dam project February 25, 2007 by Kristin Casale Reporter Munroe Falls -- County and city officials say they want the final part of the Munroe Falls Dam project completed. However, both parties claim the other side is delaying the matter. The county removed the dam in 2005 in an effort to restore the quality of the Cuyahoga River. The state of Ohio required the county to perform the project after the county's Fishcreek sewage treatment plant was cited as a contributing factor in the deterioration of the river. More at http://www.tallmadgeexpress.com/news/article/1641482

From the 4/9/07 Toledo Free Press: LATEST NEWS Fifth Third Field to ban smoking By Staff Reports The Toledo Mud Hens announced April 9 that a new smoking policy will be in effect starting on Opening Day April 13. According to a news release, the new smoking policy will be as follows: More: http://toledofreepress.com/?id=5276 From the 4/10/07 Miami Student: Ad hoc committee favors smoke-free university Laura Houser & Megan Weiland Issue date: 4/10/07 Section: Campus Based on results obtained from a survey, the ad hoc committee on the smoking policy reported to Miami's university senate Monday that they are in a consensus to make the campus smoke-free. Miami's already established smoking policy prohibits faculty, staff and students from smoking within 25 feet of all university buildings, including indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, bridges, walkways, parking garages and theaters. More: www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2007/04/10/Campus/Ad.Hoc.Committee.Favors.SmokeFree.University-2831519.shtml]http://media.www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2007/04/10/Campus/Ad.Hoc.Committee.Favors.SmokeFree.University-2831519.shtml

From the 4/10/07 Dispatch: Move would keep vouchers Republicans think budget tweak can save program Tuesday, April 10, 2007 Catherine Candisky and Jim Siegel THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Republicans controlling the legislature think they have a way to save a statewide school-voucher program that Gov. Ted Strickland wants to eliminate. Their strategy is simply to strike from Strickland's proposed two-year state budget the language that would eliminate vouchers, a move they think would leave the Democratic governor with no procedural recourse. Strickland has proposed a number of changes to current law, including elimination of the EdChoice Scholarship Program, which provides up to $5,000 a year in private-school tuition to about 2,880 students in failing public schools. The voucher program is prized by Republicans controlling the House and Senate, including Speaker Jon A. Husted, R-Kettering, who has said he will fight to save it. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/04/10/20070410-A1-01.html

Link includes photos. From the 4/10/07 Newark Advocate: Can E85 pass the test? Air, testing concerns voiced at hearing about air pollution control permit By JEN SCHERER Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- Odors, air quality and the reliability of testing methods were among the top concerns expressed at a public hearing about a draft permit issued for a proposed ethanol facility. About 30 people gathered Monday at the Don Hill County Administration building in Newark to hear a presentation about the draft air pollution control permit by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency officials. A question-and-answer session was conducted afterward. More at: http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/NEWS01/704100301/1002/rss01

From the 2/20/07 DDN: Historic Dayton building to be demolished By Kelli Wynn Staff Writer Tuesday, February 20, 2007 DAYTON — The historic Kiefaber building at the Ottawa Yard is scheduled to be demolished this week after much of its roof collapsed during the weekend, Fred Stovall, director of the city's public works department, said Monday. The cave-in at the building, 1010 Ottawa St., was caused by snow and ice shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday, according to Dayton Assistant Fire Chief Herbert Redden. Nobody was in the structure when the collapse occurred. Stovall said the city stores street maintenance equipment in the building. "We plan on rebuilding another structure," he said. The building is at least 100 years old, Stovall said. "The Smith & Barney Railroad Car Company owned the building in 1912 prior to the city taking ownership," he said. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/20/ddn022007collapse.html From the 2/21/07 DDN: Dayton Daily News: Repairs start on old Troy building (2/19/07) Cleanup begins on Troy historic building By Staff reports Wednesday, February 21, 2007 TROY — — Workers on Tuesday began removing a collapsed roof from the third floor of the historic John Wasserman Building downtown. "It's piled in there tight," Bill Hoefler, a Bruns Construction superintendent, said of the debris. About half of the roof collapsed last week in the midst of a severe winter storm. Local officials feared all or part of the 1880 building might fall. Bob Schaeffer, local property manager for building owner Harbor Trust, said once the debris is removed, the trust will decide what to do with the structure. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/20/ddn022107building.html From the 2/15/07 Yellow Springs News: Some infill development possible By Lauren Heaton As part of the conversation about the possible annexation of the 40-acre Fogg farm at the western edge of Yellow Springs, some villagers have suggested that residential development would better serve the village if it occured inside Village limits, thus increasing density rather than promoting what some see as sprawl at the edge of town. According to Village records, about 136 acres of undeveloped or “unimproved” property lies within the Village that could theoretically be available for new housing. In recent interviews, some property owners stated that they have no plans to develop, while others said they are already in the process of seeking a developer or are planning to develop their land in the future. Included in the 110 acres of undeveloped land is a 22.6-acre property north of Dayton Street owned by the Kinney family. Daryl Kinney, who owns his family’s farm, said last week that he anticipates within the next year proposing a planned unit development with a mix of moderately-priced homes on his property. While Kinney did not specify the number of homes, his brother, Keith Kinney, said that up to 180 homes are possible. MORE: http://www.ysnews.com/stories/2007/02/021507_infill.html Carlisle board plans for new school buildings Dayton Daily News, 3/2/07 Board members want to have a plan in place if they can get state money to build new schools. The Carlisle Local Schools board heard a presentation Monday from Todd Thackery, architect from Steed Hammond Paul, about how they could replace all or some of the school buildings when the district becomes eligible for Ohio School Facilities Commission funding. "We've got to be ready," said Ernie Dalton, board member. "I've been pushing for this for the past six years. I'm very anxious for us to get a committee organized to look into it." The board is expected to form a committee in the next two months that will begin to draft a facilities plan, said Superintendent Tim McLinden. The district likely won't be eligible for funding from the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program for two years, McLinden said. The program helps districts renovate and replace aging school buildings. Nursing home expanding Dayton Business Journal, 3/2/07 The Glaesner Health Center, a skilled nursing facility in Springfield, is expanding with 11 new beds. The center is part of Oakwood Village, a 72-acre retirement community owned by Community Mercy Health Partners. The cost for the expansion will be $22,000. The Ohio Department of Health has awarded Oakwood Village a Certificate of Need, which gives it the ability to increase the number of licensed beds in the Glaesner Health Center from 75 to 86. The additional beds are expected to be available in early May 2007. Company breaks ground on expansion Dayton Daily News, 3/1/07 Aida America Corp. has broken ground for an expansion of its Center Point 70 Boulevard facility in a project that will add jobs, a company spokeswoman said. The expansion will allow the company to bring welding, fabrication and machining capabilities in-house, the company said. The expansion will total 17,600 square feet and is expected to be completed by July. The auto industry is relying increasingly on high-performance material like high-strength steel, which is driving the need for bigger mechanical presses, said Lynn Stanley, spokeswoman for Aida-America. "Bringing selected large fabrications in-house allows Aida to meet this increasing requirement for large press manufacturing while maintaining a high level of quality, cost-effectiveness and control over delivery," Troy Roberts, president of Aida-America, said in a statement. Huber Heights Courier: Aida-America to invest $4.5 million in local plant (2/22/07)

From the 3/28/07 Middletown Journal: Middletown Journal: Monroe council is expected to discuss Ohio 63 project (2/27/07) Extention of Ohio 63 part of countywide plan By Candice Brooks Higgins Staff Writer Tuesday, March 27, 2007 Oxford Twp. trustees and residents wanted to be exempted from a plan that called for a controversial bypass around the city of Oxford and Tuesday the Butler County Planning Commission granted the exemption, but not without some conditions. The commission unanimously approved county Engineer Greg Wilkens' countywide thoroughfare plan, but left the 1994 plan in place for Oxford Twp. Wilkens' roads plan will be used as a tool to map out improvements to existing streets and future roadways, including the extension of Ohio 63 toward Trenton and Oxford. The Oxford bypass, however, has been the only part of the plan that sparked debate. The fact that the 1994 plan already includes a bypass west around Oxford between Ohio 732 and Brown Road will be incentive for the township and the city to move quickly with its own plan for future roads in the area rather than at their typical "glacial speed," Commission member Coe Potter said. The planning commission gave the township and the city until May 2008 to present their own plan to be included in the 2007 countywide thoroughfare plan. If they fail to meet the deadline, the commission will revert to the draft plan it approved in November. That version does not include the bypass through Oxford Twp., but does include a partially federally funded connector east between Ohio 732 and Ohio 73. Oxford Twp. residents JoAnn Martin and Jan Taylor said now the issue is whether a recently appointed citizen committee can complete the comprehensive plan it wants by the deadline. The group didn't plan to finish until the fall of 2008. "The individuals who can really guide this are the residents of Oxford city and Oxford Twp.," Taylor said. Commission member Don Dixon agreed citizen involvement would be ideal, but the process must move more rapidly because without planning, the engineer has nothing to control future development and the residents who want to preserve the rural character of Oxford Twp. will lose. "In 25 years, you haven't found it," Dixon told Taylor. "Do your study ... but in the meantime we need something in place." Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or [email protected]. http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/27/mj032807planning.html From the 3/30/07 Miami Student: Hamilton JournalNews: Planners put conditions on thoroughfare issue (3/28/07) Pulse-Journal: Residents' objections change plans for bypass (3/10/07) Oxford Press: Oxford Twp. wants plan changed (2/23/07) Hamilton JournalNews: Oxford thoroughfare plan could be blocked (2/21/07) Oxford Press: Oxford road plan set for Tuesday debate (2/12/07) Oxford Press: County offices contradictory on thoroughfare plan (2/2/07) Oxford Press: Thoroughfare Plan: Planning paves way for northwest corridor (1/26/07) Citizens provide input for township road plan Erin Bowen Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Community The City of Oxford's Thoroughfare Plan is at a standstill, as city officials and Oxford Township representatives try to reach a compromise regarding the future of the community's roadways, intersections, transportation methods and new developments. Currently, the plan is nearing the end of the third phase, a public commentary period in which citizens are able to voice concerns and suggestions. The four-phase plan began in 2005 with phase one being where the problem was addressed by Oxford City Council. It then moved to phase two, where a planning company was hired to formulate. The process will culminate into phase four, when a final recommendation will be made to City Council. Vice Mayor Prue Dana said the main objectives of the Thoroughfare Plan, a strategic study of community roadways and projected improvements, are to increase efficiency and connectivity of roads, increase the safety for both motorist and pedestrians at intersections and examine areas of future development. "Right now we have all these little roads in the countryside," Dana said. "The question is whether or not new roads need to go in or if it's a question of simply improving them." In contrast, Charles Stevens, Oxford Township citizen and Miami University geography and international studies professor, said he feels that those same country roads define Oxford. "The pretty, rural roads are emblematic of Oxford," Stevens said. Residents of the township are strongly concerned that new roads and development opportunities under the Thoroughfare Plan will significantly alter the community for the worse, particularly areas such as Brown and Bonham roads. Stevens said a lack of development maintains the rural nature of the community. "The people who live in Oxford like it that way," Stevens said. Stevens said he does make concessions that certain issues concerning Oxford traffic flow do need to be addressed, as several historical barriers; such as farmhouses from the 1830s, Kramer Elementary School, and Miami University; prevent the easy flow of transportation. He furthermore cited the areas required attention as the intersection of state Route 73 and Patterson Avenue (U.S. Route 27) through Oxford and the areas of high truck frequency through High Street. From the city standpoint, Dana said she sees a need for more efficient roadways to decrease the travel time of citizens and add to the overall transportation ease of the community. Specifically, Dana pointed out the need for easier access to high-traffic areas such as Wal-Mart. The city had not studied the area prior to the arrival of Wal-Mart, and Oxford no longer has authority to install more roadways in areas that are now privately owned, such as Wal-Mart, to connect to the commercial development, Dana explained. "When we don't have a good system of connectivity, we make people take longer trips or unsafe trips," Dana said. "People can't drive directly so the trip is at least twice as long as it ought to be." In general, the Thoroughfare Plan proposes to alleviate traffic and safety concerns for the city of Oxford and the surrounding township while also preparing for eventual development, both commercial and residential. Oxford Community Development Director Jung-Han Chen similarly supports the need for greater community connectivity in roadways. Chen said he hopes that more efficient and convenient transportation routes will provide ease for citizens. "Connectivity is something we have always been talking about," Chen said. The trouble with the Thoroughfare Plan arises with discussion of jurisdiction. Beyond city limits, the Oxford City Council cannot impose changes on the surrounding township properties, based on a ruling by the Butler County prosecutor, Stevens added. Dana emphasized the importance of city-township relations because of the immediate exchange of roadways at the border. "People who live in the township have made suggestions about what they would like or not like to see in the area," Dana said. Dana also added that township trustees approved a land use study by Butler County to help an agreement be reached. In response to the proposed Thoroughfare Plan, Stevens confirmed that several neighborhood organizations have formed and Oxford Township trustees' meetings have been held to protect the individual interests of the township. Stevens said attendance at the dozen or so meetings has reached near 200, with as many more necessary meetings to come. "We have to realize that citizens, city commissioners, trustees, councilmen all need to work together to not have contrasting comprehensive plans," Stevens said. According to Stevens, township residents fear that rural Oxford could transform into an urbanized area such as West Chester. Representatives from the City of Oxford also reiterate the need for cooperation. "Working together is very important," Dana said. "We are not an isolated community." Chen echoed Dana's sentiments. "We need to take enough time to gather input from the citizens," Chen said. Chen estimated the public commentary period will be complete April 17. "The planning committee will make a final report and present it to City Council for a final review," Chen said, commenting on procedure after the public commentary period, at a meeting to come. Chen said he predicts approximately six to 12 months before the plan is finalized. Despite the serious concerns and differences raised by members of the township and the city of Oxford, compromise is possible, in the minds of both Charles Stevens and Prue Dana. "It's just a Thoroughfare Plan," Stevens said. "Ideally we need to make sure that the township comprehensive plan and the city plan do not have any gross contradictions." Dana is hopeful that the plan will be both beneficial and collaborative. "It is important to make a system that is flexible and can be checked and revisited if necessary,"Dana said. http://media.www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2007/03/30/Community/Citizens.Provide.Input.For.Township.Road.Plan-2814477.shtml From the 4/6/07 Miami Student: Cincinnati Enquirer: Plans for MU expansion come together (3/30/07) Cincinnati Enquirer: Miami's plans for West Chester (3/29/07) VOA Center offers opportunities for nontraditional students Austin Fast Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: Campus Nontraditional Miami University students will now have a "voice" in the search for education, with the unveiling of the new Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester, Ohio. President David Hodge released the plans for the new learning center March 29, with groundbreaking scheduled for August 2007. The center, which will be located on Cox Road in West Chester, just off I-75 between Cincinnati and Dayton, is designed to provide maximum benefits for nontraditional Miami students. Carole Johnson, coordinator of internal communications for Miami, said that Hodge played a critical role in the advancement of ideas for this facility. "President Hodge obviously wasn't involved in groundwork as he arrived (to Miami) last July," Johnson said. "But he has been very instrumental in pushing this idea to the forefront and making it a priority for the university." According to Rod Nimtz, senior director of administration at Miami's Middletown campus and the learning center's project manager, the $7.5 million facility should be completed by December 2008. When it opens in January 2009, he said the center will concentrate on accommodating nontraditional students in a location that's convenient for many in the area. "The learning center will provide a centrally located place (offering) courses and programs designed to serve people who are working to enter the workforce for the first time, people who are in the workforce looking for opportunities for advancement, and people in the workforce who need ongoing and continuing education because of requirements," Nimtz said. According to Nimtz, the center will offer a professional master's in business administration program designed for working professionals. "The Farmer School of Business designed this master's in business administration program as a part-time program for working professionals on evenings and weekends, as opposed to the full-time program currently offered in Oxford," Nimtz said. Nimtz also mentioned that Miami's School of Education and Allied Professions will offer a variety of courses at the learning center for students pursuing a master's degree in education. However, the learning center will not only focus on graduate work. Nimtz said it will offer several undergraduate courses as well, as part of both associate and bachelor's degrees. "The undergraduate programs are being coordinated through Miami's branch campuses," Nimtz said. "I feel it brings the best of all three Miami campuses to a convenient location." Despite similarities with branch campuses, the Voice of America Learning Center will not be considered a branch of Miami University, but strictly an instructional academic building. This means it will focus only on offering academic services and not food, athletic or commercial opportunities for students. "It is not a campus, it is a learning center," Nimtz said. "A campus has services and amenities such as a bookstore, recreational facilities, and food services - all non-instructional aspects of a college or university. This will specifically be an instructional learning site." Nimtz explained that once the building is completed, a committee comprised of the deans of Miami's regional campuses, the provost, and other school officials will select a director to run the center in approximately a year from now. Besides its educational offerings, Nimtz feels that the 23,000-square-foot center will benefit the community in several ways. He explained that the facility has availability for business and industry training, an instructional media studio, online access to Miami University libraries, and a 150-seat auditorium that can be used by members of the community. Carole Johnson feels that the West Chester community is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the center. "They are very excited," Johnson said. "We see the center as a wonderful opportunity to create more convenient opportunities for people to take part in a Miami education, especially in the southwest area, which is becoming increasingly more populated." According to Johnson, the land the center will be located on has a fascinating history. Formerly the location of a radio station - similar to Miami's NPR station, WMUB - it was established by the U.S. government during World War II in order to broadcast ideas of democracy into countries such as Russia. The radio station, Voice of America Bethany Relay Center, was shut down in 1995, Johnson said. The community then had the opportunity to apply for land grants from the government, and Miami received 20 acres in 2000 to build some sort of learning center. It is from this former radio station that the new learning center takes its name - the Voice of America Learning Center. http://media.www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2007/04/06/Campus/Voa-Center.Offers.Opportunities.For.Nontraditional.Students-2827477.shtml

Both from ThisWeek Olentangy, 4/5/07: * View concept drawings of the proposed hotel (.png format) Orange Township Trustees review plans for 121-unit hotel Thursday, April 5, 2007 By MARK MAJOR ThisWeek Staff Writer Orange Township trustees on Monday got their first official look at designs for a 121-room extended-stay motel planned for the intersection of U.S. Route 23 and Halfway Avenue. Gary Fischer, manager of development services for Value Place Hotels, said the franchisee-owned location will be one of six to eight such facilities his company hopes to put up in central Ohio. Fischer told trustees Value Place caters primarily to business travelers who plan to stay longer than a few nights, as well as families who find themselves between homes. The four-story, 44,000-square-foot building will sit on a triangular lot of roughly 2.8 acres. Plans call for about 125 parking spaces, which complies with the township zoning requirement of one space per room and one space for each employee on shift at any given time. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/040507/Powell/News/040507-News-332453.html New Powell department building full of upgrades Thursday, April 5, 2007 By KELLEY YOUMAN TRUXALL ThisWeek Staff Writer After months - some might say years - of waiting, the Powell Police Department has a building to call its own. The department has finished moving into the new headquarters at 47 Hall St. after nearly a year of construction. The $2.75-million project that included the new offices also gave the entire municipal building a new facade and added outdoor restrooms for people using the park and amphitheater. "This building was designed for the future so it's something we can grow into," Lt. Steve Hrytzik said. The building can accommodate about 30 officers, a far cry from the cramped quarters police shared with the road department at 260 Village Park Drive. Until 1999, all city offices were housed in that building, something Hrytzik, an employee since 1991, said he missed when the city administration moved to the Hall Street building. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/040507/Powell/News/040507-News-332060.html

From the 4/5/07 Chagrin Herald Sun: West Geauga Sun: Big visions for Windsor, Ivex sites (2/1/07) Renovate mill for re-use: committee Thursday, April 05, 2007 By Kim Wendel Chagrin Herald Sun CHAGRIN FALLS Mayor Tom Brick's Paper Mill Vision Committee stands behind an adaptive re-use of the former Ivex paper mill on Cleveland Street... Contact Wendel at [email protected] or (216) 986-5473 http://www.cleveland.com/chagrinheraldsun/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1175717459159120.xml&coll=4 From the 4/5/07 Sun Herald: West Life: Amended Bradley Bay plan approved (4/4/07) Resident still pushing for Bradley Bay buffer Thursday, April 05, 2007 By Carolyn Steigman BAY VILLAGE According to Karen Dade, a member of Save Our Neighborhood Bay Village, Bradley Bay is being allowed to disregard the city's buffering requirements. In addition, she said she was given the "brush off" at a recent meeting of the Planning Commission by the chairwoman when she asked about it... http://www.cleveland.com/sun/sunherald/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1175791345217120.xml&coll=3 Construction leaves bridge bumpy Lorain Morning Journal, 4/10/07 A state project to maintain the Lofton Henderson Bridge on 21st Street is irking some residents. State contractors are doing minor repairs to the bridge's structure, according to Lorain County Engineer Ken Carney... Plant C grant goes to Columbus Ashtabula Star Beacon, 4/1/07 A $3 million grant application to Ohio Department of Development to clean up the former FirstEnergy Plant C building goes to Columbus Monday for review...

From the 4/9/07 Enquirer: City rethinks lifting tax cap Payments could soar if county also taxes all income BY BRENNA R. KELLY | [email protected] FLORENCE - Just a month after deciding to tax the entire income of people who work in Florence, City Council is considering putting a cap back on its payroll tax. That's because Boone County officials have mentioned removing the cap on the county's payroll tax as a way to raise revenue in order to prevent a budget shortfall by 2009. If both Florence and Boone County did not have caps on payroll taxes, at the current tax rates, someone who works in Florence and makes $150,000 would pay $4,200 a year in local income taxes. Read more here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070409/NEWS0103/704090370/1059/rss13

Patch on 4th Street pushed as dog park Columbus Dispatch, 4/9/07 Downtown doesn't offer dogs much room to romp, but now there?s a plan to find them some. The proposed dog park at Spring and N. 4 th streets would be in a small triangle at the southeast corner, now a green patch just big enough for a dog to run a couple of short laps and do his business. But it would be somewhere for Fido to go. And with more dog owners living Downtown, such parks are needed, said Kevin Wood, president of the Downtown Residents? Association. "We want to develop three or four of these Downtown. That?s the goal," he said.

From the 4/8/07 Newark Advocate: Pataskala residents seek to overturn Southgate rezoning By CHAD KLIMACK Advocate Reporter PATASKALA -- A group of Pataskala residents appears to have gathered enough signatures to place a referendum on the November ballot. The residents want to overturn the Pataskala City Council's decision to rezone 95 acres on the northeast corner of Ohio 310 and Refugee Road. The move cleared the way for Newark-based Southgate Corp. to build retail establishments, two large commercial buildings, condominiums, apartments and a senior citizen assisted-living facility. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070408/NEWS01/704080331/1002/rss01

From the 3/1/07 Nordonia Hills Sun: Life in less lanes now the rule along Route 8 Thursday, March 01, 2007 By Pat Salemi Nordonia Hills Sun Neon flashing signs now warn State Route 8 motorists of possible lane closures between Interstate 271 and Twinsburg Road. Maureen Bachman, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Transportation, said officials are recommending that commuters begin to plan alternate travel routes because traffic snarls are expected as the project progresses. Phase 1 of the largest project in the history of ODOT's District 4 is expected to take about three years to complete, Bachman said. She said it is estimated to cost about $91 million and will turn SR 8 into a limited-access highway with less congestion, fewer traffic signals and better access to and from I-271 and SR 8 and to and from Highland Road. Read More...

From the 2/10/07 ABJ: Route 8 shuffle on horizon Extensive construction project aims to lessen congestion in northern Summit; expect closures By Bob Downing Beacon Journal staff writer Motorists will soon see work getting under way on the $111.2 million state Route 8 project in northern Summit County, and that means headaches can't be far behind for the 40,000 who travel that road daily. The state's goal is to create a limited-access highway with less congestion and fewer traffic signals and crossroads that slow traffic on 4.7 miles of highway between state Route 303 in Boston Heights and Interstate 271 in Macedonia. The project's first phase includes the closure of Twinsburg Road about March 1 so that Route 8 can be bridged overhead. Read More...

From the 1/31/07 News Leader: Route 8 work may cut hazards January 31, 2007 by Jeff Saunders Reporter Nordonia Hills -- Macedonia's Route 8/Highland Road intersection had one of the highest number of vehicle crashes in Summit County over a three-year period, but local officials believe that upcoming construction may rid the corner of this distinction in the next few years. "It's going to relieve the amount of stop and go," said City Engineer Fred Tufts. "It will also increase the capacity of the road." According to a report released late last year by the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study, the Route 8/Highland Road intersection had 134 traffic accidents from 2002 trough 2004, which was fifth highest in the county. Read More...

From the 1/24/07 News Leader: Proposed stadium could require revisions to Route 8 freeway plans January 24, 2007 by Jeff Saunders Reporter North Summit County -- As plans to turn Route 8 into a limited access highway between Interstate 271 and Route 303 near completion, transportation officials say the new highway may not be able to handle traffic from a 20,000-seat soccer stadium planned for the area. Maureen Bachman, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 4 office in Akron, said ODOT's plans for the Route 8 corridor do not take into account the kind of traffic that would come if the Wolstein Sports and Entertainment Group builds the stadium and adjacent retail center. "That would certainly change the dynamics," she said. "All we can do is find out what the [stadium] plans are and look at our plans and see if they need to be revised." Read More...

From the 2/8/07 Fairborn Daily Herald: Dayton Business Journal: Xenia officials fight to keep hospital (2/5/07) GMH not relocating along I-675 New location should serve Xenia, all of Greene County AARON KEITH HARRIS Staff Writer XENIA - A Greene Memorial Hospital spokesman said Wednesday that the hospital will not relocate along Interstate 675 or on the "far western edge of the county," but said a new hospital will have to be more easily accessible to more people in Greene County. In November, GMH announced plans to form a partnership with Premier Health Partners, a joint operating company that owns Miami Valley, Good Samaritan and Middletown hospitals. As part of the deal, Premier agreed to invest $50 million in new facilities for GMH. MORE: http://www.fairborndailyherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=123913&TM=48296.35 From the 2/8/07 Beavercreek News-Current: Council approves specific site plan for hotel A specific site plan to construct a five-story, 97,583-square-foot full-service hotel on the north side of New Germany-Trebein road, east of Grange Hall road and west of North Fairfield Road, was approved by Beavercreek City Council recently. The hotel would have 145 rooms, a restaurant and a conference center, according to the staff report. MORE: http://www.tcnewsnet.com/main.asp?SectionID=18&SubSectionID=263&ArticleID=143150&TM=63171.05 Ordinance given first reading Beavercreek News-Current, 3/1/07 Beavercreek City Council recently gave the first reading to an ordinance modifying Planned Unit Development 91-4 to allow a limited number of B-2 Community Business District uses for Carpenter's Square. Applicant Jeff Roberts is requesting the modification to facilitate the leasing of the tenant spaces available within the already-constructed 14,500-square-foot building. Kohl's opening new store, adding 150 jobs Dayton Daily News, 2/28/07 Kohl's Department Stores is opening a new store in Springfield and bringing with it about 150 jobs. The new store at 1600 N. Bechtle Ave. is the 54th store to open in Ohio. The company has nine stores in Dayton and Cincinnati combined, five in the Dayton area. During the March 8 grand opening, customers will see Kohl's new store design launched last fall that includes such interior amenities as spacious fitting rooms with lounge areas, updated rest rooms, and redesigned customer service and checkout stations. The new Springfield store will be one of 48 Kohl's stores nationwide to offer the new store design. Historic building slated for demolition in Englewood Englewood Independent, 2/22/07 Parking congestion at the Englewood Post Office might improve this spring after the demolition of an adjacent building takes place, but at what cost? The building is going to be demolished to make room for a parking lot. The former owner is upset that the city is going to destroy a historic building that has been part of the downtown landscape since the early 1900s. Two weeks ago the city of Englewood purchased the vacant Red House Inn located just east of the Post Office. The building was in foreclosure when purchased for the meager sum of $33,000. Coate Construction of West Milton has been hired by the city to handle the building's demolition, which is slated to begin Saturday. Part of the demolition will include the removal of the bushes next to the exterior drive-up mailboxes. Those bushes were removed earlier this week. The city plans to convert the site into a municipal parking lot, which area residents can utilize when frequenting any of the businesses located in the downtown business district. Most people using the parking lot will most likely be those conducting business at the Post Office. OSFC completes study for new school facility Greenville Daily Advocate, 2/19/07 Arcanum-Butler Schools superintendent Wayne Combs reported to board members on a recent visit from the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) that recently completed a study regarding a project that would bring a new school facility to the district. On January 31, 2006, a meeting was held between Arcanum-Butler administrators, representatives from OSFC and representatives from Fanning and Howey. The study concluded that enrollment projections show a slight decline and that renovation costs vs new building costs would be 90 percent for Butler, 76 percent for the elementary and 75 percent for the high school. The OSFC said they would recommend a new school building for the anticipated project. Combs also reported about upcoming informational meetings regarding the proposed constitutional amendment addressing Ohio's school funding.