buildingcincinnati

From the 3/23/07 Hamilton JournalNews: Cincinnati Enquirer: Butler Co. OKs $34M for roads (2/16/07) Agencies share plans, discuss funding issues at infrastructure forum By Matt Cunningham Staff Writer Thursday, March 22, 2007 WEST CHESTER TWP. — An estimated 11,000 jobs have been created in eastern Butler County in the nine years since the Union Centre Boulevard interchange was built on Interstate 75. That, according to Butler County Transportation Improvement District Director John Fonner, is what made a transportation forum in West Chester Twp. Thursday more about economic development than simply getting from point A to point B. The Liberty Interchange planned for Hamilton-Mason Road and I-75 has the same potential, he said. Work on the road project is expected to start this summer. "By the time our kids are doing this stuff, the economy of Butler and Warren county will be the center of economic life for Southwest Ohio," Fonner said. "We have an obligation to get it right." State, county and township representatives met with area business leaders at the forum to outline road improvement programs scheduled for spring and summer. The meeting was hosted by the West Chester Chamber Alliance. Ohio Department of Transportation Public Information Specialist Liz Lyons outlined ODOT projects planned for 2007 and 2008, such as widening of portions of Ohio 747, Ohio 4 and I-75. Mark Policinski, executive director of the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, explained OKI's role in recommending funding for infrastructure projects in the Tri-State area. "We try to put our money where the needs are," he said. He commended Butler County for its handling of road improvement issues. "You've got two things going for you," he said. "ODOT is probably one of the best transportation departments in the country, and Butler County presents well-planned requests. Because of that, your chances of getting a project approved are better." Butler County Engineer Greg Wilkens added that the county has over 20 different funding sources it uses to finance projects, a necessity as the number of county residents increases. "You will always catch us on the bleeding edge of funding," he said, "and Butler County is very blessed with doing that." Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5077 or [email protected]. http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/22/hjn032307roads.html From the 3/23/07 Oxford Press: Affordable housing plan on the table Proposed Kehr Road development would build 45 homes on 20 acres. By Joe Giordano Staff Writer Friday, March 23, 2007 Twenty acres in Oxford Twp. may one day fill the void of affordable housing in the area. The people involved say it could happen — if the stars align. Representatives from Neighborhood Housing Services and developer Miller Valentine Group presented a plan to the Oxford Twp. Trustees last Monday that would build 45 homes on 20 acres south of the Silverleaf subdivision on Kehr Road. The homes, designed for low-to-moderate income families, hinge on state housing credits from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, which have yet to be approved. "The application is extremely competitive," NHS Executive Director Lorie Batdorf said. "We have about a 30 percent chance of getting the (credits). To do this kind of project, all the stars would have to align." Before OHFA even considers a housing credit application in 2008, the land must be annexed into the city. If funding and annexation are granted, the proposal then faces a slew of Oxford planning commission and city council meetings to approve the development. Miller Valentine and NHS went to the trustees March 12 to inform them of their plans and the need for an annexation agreement. For now, the trustees have not taken a position on the proposed development and annexation. During the presentation, Miller Valentine developer Lynn Coleman said the houses would be a mix of two-story and ranch homes valued between $130,000 to $150,000. She estimated each house would measure between 1,300 to 1,500 square feet. Forty of the homes would be offered to people who meet income criteria on a lease-own option. The houses must be leased for 15 years before they can be purchased at an affordable price. Federal and state funding make it possible for the homes to be offered at a reasonable price at the end of the 15-year lease term. Families also will accumulate down-payment assistance during the lease term through the program, Coleman explained. The remaining five homes in the development would be sold outright by NHS using federal and state funds to subsidize the cost of construction. Subsidies would also cover the down payment of the homes. The proposed development drew some concerns from residents who attended the township meeting. Housing density and traffic flow were two of the issues voiced. Some questioned the proposal's effectiveness in addressing the affordable housing need. Others were concerned the development would someday grow into the neighboring 20 acres of vacant property. Following the meeting, Batdorf said NHS has no intentions of expanding. "Neighborhood Housing Services has no interest in ever applying for a second application for the additional contiguous 20 acres," Batdorf said. A two-year study by the League of Women Voters documented a need for affordable housing in Oxford. The league used census data and visited local employers to complete their study. "What we heard over and over again is that many employees wanted to live in Oxford and Oxford Twp., but there wasn't any housing they could afford," said Sondra Engel of the League of Women Voters. Oxford's Housing Advisory Commission has been a strong proponent of affordable housing since its formation in the 1990s, Vice Mayor and HAC member Prue Dana said. HAC gave their support for the proposal during a February quorum, and members were present during last week's township meeting. Dana explained the development could help young families move into their first home in Oxford. Referencing the League of Women Voters' study, Dana said the price of a home in Oxford usually starts at $250,000. "If you look at the number of houses available in the $130,000 to $150,000 range and you see their condition, there are not many homes available," Dana said. "They might involve significant repairs, whereas a new home for a first-time home buyer wouldn't." Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or [email protected]. http://www.oxfordpress.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/22/op032307affordable.html From the 3/25/07 Hamilton JournalNews: Liberty Twp. church to nearly double its size Bethany United Methodist Church plans a $2.2 million expansion to keep up with its fast-growing congregation. By Eric Schwartzberg Staff Writer Sunday, March 25, 2007 LIBERTY TWP. — People driving past Bethany United Methodist Church may get the wrong impression. "They see the little white chapel and think 'Oh, a little, tiny church,'" said the Rev. Brian Straub, senior minister. "People who eventually join the church say, 'I'm surprised by what I see — that this is a growing, vibrant, young church.'" The Liberty Twp. church plans to continue its growth by nearly doubling in size ahead of its 200th anniversary with a $2.2 million facility that will add nearly 11,000 square feet and accommodate the nearly 250-adult member congregation's fast-growing attendance. The congregation is set to break ground on April 1. "We're really out of room now," Straub said. "This addition will give us enough space to really expand, both in terms of activities and the number of people we can have here at the church." Founded in Liberty Twp. in 1809 on the site of what is now Spring Hill Cemetery, the church moved to the white chapel at 6388 Cincinnati-Dayton Road in 1875. Since then, the church underwent expansions in the 1920s, 1960s and 1990s, adding room for classrooms, an education wing and a fellowship hall. The new structure is far different from the one constructed more than 130 years ago, he said. "In 1875, they just built the chapel for worship. It would be used on Sunday morning and probably not used the rest of the week," Straub said. "But that's what the community needed and that's what the church needed back then." A new 9,677-square-foot auditorium for worship services will double as a space for concerts, musicals and talent shows. The room also will function as a fellowship hall to hold dinners for a variety of programming for adults and children. A gymnasium will allow members and nonmembers to use the room for basketball, volleyball and other recreation. An additional 1,181 square feet will be dedicated to an industrial-sized kitchen and classrooms. With three different Sunday morning worship services — traditional, contemporary and blended — and Wednesday evening Young Adult Services, the church needs more space to accommodate its growing ranks, said Pam Nothnagel, director of music ministries. "We are really busting out the walls right now," she said. "We're wanting to be able to grow a lot more and offer more space for people to come and worship." Funding for the expansion is being raised via members' regular contributions to the building fund, Straub said. Construction is scheduled to begin in late April and is expected to last through the end of the year. Christy Wright, the church's director of adult ministries, said she is excited about the additional space. "We can reach out and bring more people into small groups because that's where most of their spiritual growth is going to come from," she said. For more information, call (513) 777-4448 or visit bethanyUMChurch.org. Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5126 or [email protected]. http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/25/hjn032507bethanychurch.html

From ThisWeek Olentangy, 3/2/07: New retail may be coming to Liberty Thursday, March 29, 2007 By KELLEY YOUMAN TRUXALL ThisWeek Staff Writer The Liberty Township Zoning Commission again heard from developers seeking approval of a retail and office development at the southeast corner of Sawmill Parkway and Powell Road (state Route 750). The 26.8-acre site at 3930 Attucks Drive would be home to a Walgreens drug store, nine office condominiums and mixed-use retail. Elford Development is seeking approval for about 120,211 square feet of retail space and about 39,312 square feet of office space at the site, said Jack Reynolds, attorney for the developers. The development would be in the Big Bear Farms and would collectively be known as the Shoppes at Liberty Crossing. The zoning commission voted unanimously to table the application so the applicant can continue work on the site's interior road network and signs. Reynolds said he expects the application to be back before the commission within the next few months. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/032907/Powell/News/032907-News-326648.html From ThisWeek Olentangy, 4/5/07: Liberty retirement home plan tabled Thursday, April 5, 2007 By KELLEY YOUMAN TRUXALL ThisWeek Staff Writer A retirement home one day might be among the houses along state Route 315, but developers again had to table their application last week at a Liberty Township's Zoning Commission meeting. The Loch Lomond Farm Co. first proposed the development nearly two years ago and hadn't made a new presentation to the zoning commission since January 2006. Developers were forced to table the application March 28 because it lacked both a preliminary and final development plan -- something required if a rezoning to planned elderly and residential retirement community is proposed for lots less than 40 acres. The company proposes to rezone about eight acres at 10410 state Route 315 from planned residential to PERRC for The Loch Lomond Residence Village, an assisted living and nursing home facility. "Realistically, we cannot go forward. ... We'll vote it down," commission chairman Walter Threlfall told Tedd Hardesty, an Edge Group representative who was going to present project plans. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/040507/Powell/News/040507-News-332103.html

From the 3/29/07 Sun Star: A year later, no action on hotel plan Thursday, March 29, 2007 By R. David Heileman The Sun Star STRONGSVILLE Plans for a hotel to be built on land adjacent to a children's camp may have fallen flat. Eugene Magocky, the city's director of economic development, said he has not heard from Roger Ritley, the hotel's developer, since early 2006... http://www.cleveland.com/sun/sunstar/index.ssf?/base/features-0/1175188821129820.xml&coll=3 From the 4/5/07 Solon Herald Sun: Solon Herald Sun: Ballot battles begin TransCon complains (3/29/07) Solon Herald Sun: Rezoning foes rallying votes (3/15/07) Cleveland Plain Dealer: Senior-housing proposal rejected by Solon council is now on ballot (3/14/07) Solon Herald Sun: Builder begins petition drive (3/1/07) Rezoning debate proposed But use of City Hall, city cable channel questioned Thursday, April 05, 2007 By Bob Sandrick Solon Herald Sun A group opposing the rezoning of 32 acres next to Hawthorne Valley Country Club into a senior housing district has challenged the senior housing developer and its supporters to a television debate... Contact Sandrick at [email protected] http://www.cleveland.com/sun/solonheraldsun/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1175791420217120.xml&coll=3 From the 4/1/07 Ashtabula Star Beacon: Ashtabula Star Beacon: Contrary to rumors, I-90 project survives (3/10/07) Ashtabula Star Beacon: Corps: 10 acres OK for fuel station (1/26/07) Conneaut truck site switch could put project in high gear MARK TODD Star Beacon CONNEAUT - - A change in location could accelerate plans to construct a fuel stop/truck stop at Conneaut's Interstate 90 interchange, City Manager Douglas Lewis said Tuesday... http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_091072318 Restaurant is eyed for old police station News Sun, 4/5/07 The city is looking to turn its former police station on Main Street in downtown Olmsted Falls into a restaurant with an outdoor patio...

Brewmaster, I like what you've done so far. I'll subscribe to the feed and let you know if I have any comments after a month or two. Good luck!

I have moved the stuff about the closing of the Collins Ave steps over here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=6853.0 This is the "Steps of Cincinnati" thread from City Photos that I have moved over to Transportation. Hopefully it will spur discussion about the Cincinnati public steps network in general.

I had a change of heart and moved all of the Collins steps stuff over here. It's both a crime and a transportation issue. But Cincinnati's steps are part of what makes this a unique place, so they will be featured here. I don't think I missed any of the Collins St articles or comments except for a couple of fragments in the Random Cincinnati thread. A search for "Collins Ave" should pull those up.

From the 3/29/07 Enquirer: Council votes to close steps After months of discussion, Cincinnati City Council voted Wednesday to close a set of steps that leads from William Howard Taft Road to the Keys Crescent neighborhood off Madison Road. Some residents at the top of the Collins Avenue steps insist the steps invited crime to their neighborhood. But others said they still use the steps and that the steps would be fine if the city would spend the money to fix them up as once was planned. Councilwoman Laketa Cole suggested holding the issue so her neighborhood's committee could talk to Police Chief Tom Streicher about his earlier endorsement of the closure. The delay failed after Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz said council has discussed the steps long enough. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070329/NEWS01/303290016/

From the 3/15/07 Enquirer: Council votes to close steps THE ENQUIRER Cincinnati City Council voted Wednesday to close the 300-yard Collins Avenue steps that lead from William Howard Taft Road to Keys Crescent. The vote came after months of talk about the steps in community council meetings and at City Hall. Proponents of the closure say the steps contribute to crime, while opponents say the steps are used by law-abiding citizens. Councilwoman Laketa Cole tried to keep the steps open Wednesday, but her motion failed. Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz then brought up her ordinance to close the steps, which passed. Council will vote twice more before the closure goes into effect. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070315/NEWS01/703150401/1056/COL02

Those are great shots. I had heard that the fountain had frozen. I'm glad you got those pics!

From UT, 1/23/07: Merger momentum continues: UT enrollment up again By Jon Strunk Jan 23, 2007, 16:07 Main Campus enrollment at The University of Toledo is up 1 percent from spring 2006, a sign, according to UT officials, that the momentum generated from the merger with the Medical University of Ohio and the enrollment increases of fall 2006 are continuing to build. UT has enrolled 17,976 students for the 2007 spring semester, up from 17,792 at this time last year. Full-time equivalency (FTE) — the figure used to determine UT’s state subsidy — also increased, up to 14,904 from 14,768 last year. FTE is calculated by taking the total number of course credit hours taken by students divided by 15. Graduate FTEs are up 7.5 percent as 42 additional graduate students are enrolled. The number of transfer students has increased and — a phenomenon that is somewhat unusual for a spring semester — UT added 38 new direct-from-high-school students, data show. More at http://utnews.utoledo.edu/publish/article_3250.shtml

From the 4/8/07 Blade: Bill sets stage for smoke-ban exemption Senator seeks break for theatrical events By JIM PROVANCE BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU COLUMBUS - Picture 12 Angry Men without the smoke-filled jury room. Or A Streetcar Named Desire without a chain-smoking Blanche. Ohio's ban on smoking in nearly all indoor public places has created a lot of drama in the state, but now a lawmaker wants to create an exemption for drama's sake. Sen. Robert Schuler (R., Cincinnati) has introduced a bill to allow actors and performers to light up on stage if smoking is essential to the script, despite the fact that smoking is off limits to everyone else in the theater. Read more: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070408/NEWS24/704080320/-1/NEWS

From the 4/7/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Panel is taking look at smoking rules By BILL RODGERS Tribune Chronicle Ray Hanzes used to get government-sponsored cigarettes with his rations when he was a Marine serving in the Korean War. So he was puzzled when Ohio voters approved a smoking ban in November that would remove smoking from public places such as his Newton Falls Veterans of Foreign Wars post, where he serves as commander. Read more: http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=16636

From the 4/8/07 Middletown Journal: Hunting and hoping for a happier year Families gather together for first time since lockout ended By Dave Greber Staff Writer Sunday, April 08, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Temperatures were below freezing Saturday afternoon when the children of AK Steel Corp.'s formerly locked-out union scoured Smith Park for the group's annual Easter egg hunt — at least the snow had stopped. Five thousand pastel-colored plastic eggs peppered the park's green grass, which had been made stiff after four days of April winter weather. It's the first time families of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 had gathered together in such a setting since a mid-March vote ended the yearlong lockout. And, although it was clearly time for fun on a brisk Saturday in the park, the lockout's lingering effects were still evident. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/04/08/mj040807unioneaster.html

From the 4/7/07 Dispatch: State revising school-funding disbursement plan Discovery of at least one error spurs review Saturday, April 07, 2007 Jim Siegel THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Miscalculations in how much state funding individual school districts would get under Gov. Ted Strickland's proposed budget have sent budget experts and the Ohio Department of Education back to their spreadsheets. The state Office of Budget and Management this week pulled the district-by-district school funding breakdown from its Web site after discovering mistakes that will affect an unknown number of district estimates. "As soon as we work through all the numbers and verify them for accuracy and veracity, we will re-release the school funding breakdown," said Keith Dailey, spokesman for Strickland. Although the estimates will change as the budget is altered during the legislative process, district officials and lawmakers use the breakdown to determine whether schools are getting a fair shake and whether additional changes should be made. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/04/07/20070407-B3-00.html

From the 4/6/07 Mansfield News Journal: Ontario schools sued over Web link supporting education funding amendment By Jami Kinton News Journal ONTARIO -- The Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending & Taxes -- known as COAST -- is suing the Ontario Board of Education for what it calls "unconstitutional policies and practices." Around the beginning of March, the district posted a link from its Web site to a site called Getting it Right! For Ohio's Future. The site advocates a state constitutional amendment that would require the state to pay a higher portion of education costs and reduce the number of new local property tax levies. Getting it Right! must collect 402,276 valid signatures to place the amendment issue on the November ballot. MORE: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070406/NEWS01/704060324/1002/rss01

From the 4/8/07 Newark Advocate: * AERIAL: Proposed ethanol plant site Four steps to get ethanol plant By MARK SZAKONYI Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- E85 Inc. could begin construction on the proposed ethanol plant in Newark as early as this summer if everything goes the company's way. The company still needs to go through a series of hurdles involving permits for emissions, zoning and building codes before the first backhoe can break ground, said Joe Schriner, senior process engineer with E85 Inc. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070408/NEWS01/704080327/1002/rss01

From the 4/6/07 Fremont News-Messenger: Plant site being cleared Ethanol start date discussed By LESLIE BIXLER Staff writer Several trucks hauled away the remains of demolition from the old sugar beet plant on North Front Street Thursday as workers for Abdoo Wrecking continue their effort to clear the site by June before construction begins on an ethanol plant. According to Fremont's Economic Development Director Mike Jay, the only structures that will be left standing at the site once demolition is complete are the two towers and a maintenance building. He said after the prep work is finished by June, city officials are looking for the construction of Ohio Renewable Fuels -- the ethanol plant -- to begin in September. http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070406/NEWS01/704060303/1002/rss01

From the 4/6/07 Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune: Courthouse complaining continues By Zachary Petit, [email protected] From disagreements about the type of wood inside the courthouse to more discussions about using tax credits to save it, the Seneca County commissioners and citizens seeking to preserve the structure verbally clashed for the second time this week Thursday. In the debate that echoed past points of contention such as the legitimacy of the 2002 vote to renovate the building, one resident asked the board for specific data and details about options for the structure slated to be wholly or partially razed. http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/articles.asp?articleID=7473

From the 4/6/07 Enquirer: Dilcrest lawsuit stays the same Judge won't allow class-action status BY BRENNA R. KELLY | [email protected] FLORENCE - Dilcrest residents' lawsuit seeking to stop an office building from being built near the subdivision's entrance won't include all homeowners. Boone Circuit Judge Tony Frohlich denied class-action status for the suit filed by 28 residents of the 143-lot subdivision. Read more here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070406/NEWS0103/704060387/1059/rss13

From the 4/7/07 Newark Advocate: Newark, others show interest in major soccer facility Columbus Crew looking to build new site in central Ohio By DAVE PURPURA Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- When Bruce Bain heard Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew was looking to build a new training facility somewhere in central Ohio, his interest piqued immediately. "We have the size, we have the land and our infrastructure is adequate," said Bain, Newark's mayor. "We have the field for an indoor facility. We think we have a great shot to get this." A 170,000-square-foot building with a full-size indoor field will be the centerpiece of the facility, which also will feature 16 outdoor fields. The Crew aims to complete construction by September 2009. Representatives from 13 central Ohio communities -- including Newark, Granville and Pataskala -- and four counties -- Licking, Delaware, Fairfield and Pickaway -- attended a pre-proposal meeting Friday at Crew Stadium. Read more at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070407/NEWS01/704070301/1002/rss01

From the 4/7/07 Enquirer: * PHOTO: The 2008 Homearama will be the first time the same subdivision has hosted the event three times. Deerfield Township's Long Cove had it in 2005 and 2006, too. Enquirer file photo Homearama '08 at Long Cove again BY JEFF MCKINNEY | [email protected] DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - Long Cove subdivision will be the site of the 2008 Homearama, the region's most expensive home show. The board of the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati - the event's organizer - Thursday night selected the Long Cove subdivision to host next year's show, said David Wittekind, president of the group. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070407/BIZ01/704070323/

^ LOL!

From the 2/7/07 Springfield News-Sun: Mad River Township development plan debated By Diane Erwin Staff Writer Wednesday, February 07, 2007 A plan to guide development in Mad River Township was debated for two hours Tuesday at a Clark County Commission public hearing. It will continue at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Mad River Township firehouse. The plan would be incorporated into the County Crossroads Comprehensive Plan if the commissioners approve it. What supporters say: - The plan allows for continued, reasonable development as opposed to no development, said Howard White, a member of the Mad River Township Planning Committee. - Many residents want the area to remain a small, rural community, and the plan is a means of compromise, said Elizabeth Chumlea, an Enon council member. What opponents say: - The plan would stunt growth where growth is logical, said attorney James Peifer, who said he spoke for several residents. That lost growth will end up elsewhere, like Greene County, he said. The plan also doesn't take into account the county's utilities investment in the area. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/06/sns020707countycom.html Fairborn church to break ground Fairborn Daily Herald, 2/19/07 First Church of Christ sets its sights on reaching the community of Fairborn and is willing to put its money where its mouth is. The church is planning to build a $1.9 million ministry center in order to expand its ministry. First Church completed a capital fundraising campaign in May, which resulted in a commitment by that congregation to give over $718,000 over a three-year period. May 21 was the beginning of the giving period, which resulted in a $48,224.08 First Fruits Offering. First Church of Christ has committed to expanding its ministries to all ages. The new ministry center will include a 450 seat worship center as well a senior citizen center. Current facilities will be renovated to house their children and students ministries. Construction is estimated to begin by March 2007. First Church of Christ is located at 206 West Dayton Yellow Springs Road and is a non-denominational congregation dedicated to being "real" about their faith. Sunday worship times are 8:30 and 11 a.m. and they offer Bible studies for all ages at 10 a.m. Menards Mega Store to open Dayton Daily News, 2/13/07 A Menards Mega Store will open at 401 Lester Ave., one and one-half miles west of Interstate 75 on Ohio 47, on Feb. 20, the company said in a statement. The home improvement company offers brand appliances, pet products, lawn and garden supplies, groceries and more. The family-owned company was born in 1960. It operates more than 200 stories in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa and elsewhere. Besides Sidney, the company has stores in Lima, Findlay and Anderson and Muncie, Ind. Cramped quarters at Springboro city hall Middletown Journal, 2/12/07 The basement floods during heavy rains, threatening police evidence and perhaps enabling black mold to creep back up the walls. Detectives, city engineers and planners work from crowded trailers. On court days, foot traffic backs up, as lawyers and their clients wait next to chairs lining the central hallway. Springboro is one of the area's most affluent communities, but its city hall is a 40-year-old ranch home repeatedly remodeled and adapted to growing needs of the local government. Next week, the City Council is expected to move ahead with plans to replace the building and trailers with a $6.5 million campus. Once envisioned at Springboro Pike (Ohio 741) and Central Avenue (Ohio 73), current plans call for the government center to remain to the west, where city offices now sit at 320 W. Central Ave. and on adjoining land — some to be obtained in a land swap with former Law Director Jack Sharts. Shooting range proposal has residents all fired up Springfield News-Sun, 2/10/07 Residents in Bethel Township are up in arms over a proposed shooting range on Quick Road. "I certainly don't feel safe around it," said Larry Howard, who lives on the corner of Zeller Drive and Quick Road. "A lot of kids ride their bike on that road, I don't think it would be a safe environment for them." Western Ohio Personal Safety Firearms Training Group approached the Clark County Park District about the property because a demand exists for a place where people can fire their weapons, said Allan Hess, president of the organization. Hess said residents haven't been given all the proper information about the shooting range, and all their concerns will be addressed. "I know we're not going to satisfy everybody," he said. New retirement community owner plans renovation Dayton Daily News, 2/9/07 An Atlanta-based real-estate investor has plans for a $4 million renovation to a Trotwood retirement community. In October, Ted McMullan, president of Covington Investments, purchased the 30-acre, 400-unit Friendship Village retirement community for $20 million from Evangelical Retirement Villages Inc. of Dayton. As part of the purchase, Friendship Village entered a planned bankruptcy and ceased to be a nonprofit organization. McMullan, whose portfolio includes six other retirement facilities in Tennessee and Florida along with additional properties, has set up locally as Dayton Healthcare Investors. Among the improvements planned is the construction of an assisted-living services center on the campus that will serve an additional 100 residents.

From the 3/19/07 Enquirer: Pulse-Journal: Liberty lifts development moratorium (3/15/07) Pulse-Journal: Trustees lift development freeze (3/9/07) Liberty Twp. reviews development standards BY MIKE BOYER | [email protected] Liberty Township trustees tonight will discuss changes sought by the fast-growing community to controversial development guidelines proposed by commercial developers. The handful of changes, covering issues such as truck dock and mechanical equipment screening and building coverage on lots, were assembled in work sessions with developers over the last few months during a moratorium on new development. The trustees lifted the development moratorium on March 9 after they acquired 2-1/2 acres on Cincinnati-Dayton Road from a developer who sought a referendum on the development restrictions. The township acquired the property at the intersection with Ohio 129 for $950,000 from SPM Real Estate Georgesville, which planned to build a prototype Mr. Clean Performance Car Wash for Procter & Gamble Co. P&G decided to build the prototype in Warren County’s Deerfield Township. The township says it may use the property for a new town hall. SPM had claimed that Liberty Township’s development standards were holding up the carwash plans. It filed a lawsuit last summer, and company manager Steve Miller later launched a referendum drive. Developer Todd Crawford, who last week secured zoning approval for his $13 million Liberty Falls commercial development along Cincinnati-Dayton Road, said the now-lifted moratorium and overlay district debate “pushed us back maybe three or four months, but in the end it wasn’t the end of the world.’’ He said the delay caused “a little anxiety’’ but he said township trustees “had everybody’s best interests at heart.’’ The trustees’ work session on the development standards begins at 6 p.m. at the town hall, prior to the regular trustees’ meeting at 7 p.m. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070319/BIZ01/303190042 From the 3/22/07 Middletown Journal: County's growth 4th fastest in Ohio Despite a housing slowdown, population up 1.4 percent in Butler. By Carmen M. Hubbard Staff Writer Thursday, March 22, 2007 BUTLER COUNTY — The county may have seen a slowdown in new home construction in 2006, but the population growth between 2005 and last year was the most rapid in the last six years, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates. After being ranked eighth in year-to-year population growth in the state's 88 counties in 2004 and 2005, Butler County was the fourth fastest growing state in Ohio last year with a growth rate of 1.4 percent. The county topped out at 354,992 people in July 2006, according to Census estimates. Butler County Economic Development Director Brian Coughlin said growth rates now aren't what they've been in past decades, but they represent sustainable population and economic gains. "We're not the fast growing county like the '80s and '90s. Growth slows," Coughlin said. Bethany McAlister, marketing manager for Fischer Homes, said the company built five communities of single-family homes and condominiums here last year. "We see the growth and we see opportunity in Butler County," McAlister said. However, other realty companies have noticed a decline from the housing boom of the last five years, but said the market is recovering. "New construction is still out there but it's not booming," said Sibcy Cline Realtor Tom Hasselbeck, who noted the tie between economic development and housing sales. "Until a major manufacturer moves to the area, there's no huge housing ... increase." Neighboring Warren County's population growth continued to rank in the top 100 fastest-growing counties in the nation. The county's population grew from 159,169 to 201,871, or 26.8 percent, from 2000 to 2006, but the county dropped from 61st to 96th this year. From 2004 to 2005, Warren County's population grew 3.67 percent. From 2005 to 2006, the population grew 2.58 percent — under 3 percent for the first time in six years, according to Census Bureau estimates. Only one other Ohio county is on the list of the 100 fastest-growing counties. Delaware County near Columbus, where the population swelled from 109,989 in April 2000 to 156,697 in June 2006, or 42.6 percent, ranks 89th. Half of the counties among the fastest-growing between 2005 and 2006 were in Texas. Georgia had 14 counties on the list, Texas 13 and Florida 12. The nation's fastest growing county? Maricopa County, Ariz. Staff writer Tiffany Latta contributed to this report. Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2180 or [email protected]. http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/22/mj032207growth.html From the 3/16/07 Middletown Journal: City needs more time for potentially key parcel By Ken-Yon Hardy Staff Writer Friday, March 16, 2007 TRENTON — City Council wants to take more time to decide what to do about proposed zoning changes to an 114-acre property off Ohio 73. Trenton Mayor Rhonda Freeze said the property — two parcels located on the north side of West State Street — has the potential to be the next Trenton downtown. "Due to the significance of the project, its location and also that it is the last piece of property that we have left within the city that has any type of magnitude (we want to take our time)," Freeze said. "We want to proceed cautiously and carefully," she said. Developers are seeking a zoning change to a Planned Unit Development, which gives both the developer and the city more leeway and latitude for what type of development can be built compared to conventional zoning, according to Rob Leichman, interim city manager. The council heard the second reading of the proposed zoning change to that piece of land Thursday night. The city and developers will continue talks about what will be developed on the land, Leichman said. The zoning discussions are in the preliminary stages now, and the council is letting developers know what they like and don't like in the early proposal, he said. Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2595 or [email protected]. http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/16/mj031607trentoncouncil.html

From the 3/22/07 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: Settling down Delaware County Blistering growth rate beginning to cool off Thursday, March 22, 2007 3:49 AM By Matt Tullis and Dana Wilson THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH At 25, Cheri Theisen was ready to buy her first home. As a single woman with one income, price was a major factor. She looked in Westerville, where she had lived in an apartment for six years. She looked in Worthington, Dublin and Clintonville. In the end, a home in the Carson Farms subdivision just inside Delaware city limits was perfect, and she bought it in June 2006. "They had good home prices and affordable taxes," Theisen said of Delaware County, "and for a first-time home buyer, it really fit my budget." Such has been the lure of Delaware County for thousands -- 46, 708 to be exact -- who have moved there since 2000, making it the 13th fastest-growing county in the country, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau numbers. But the boom is slowing. In 2001, Delaware County's population grew 6.7 percent. That dropped to 5.3 percent in 2005 and 4 percent in 2006. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/03/22/DELGROW.ART_ART_03-22-07_A1_JV65D9O.html