buildingcincinnati

Juuuust a bit outside.

From the 4/2/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Hemmer plans Florence mixed-use project Cincinnati Business Courier - 11:27 AM EDT Tuesday, April 3, 2007 Paul Hemmer Cos. announced plans Tuesday for a $7 million mixed-use development at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and U.S. 42 in Florence. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/04/02/daily17.html?from_rss=1 From the 4/3/07 Kentucky Post: Psion deal saves 65 jobs By Luke E. Saladin Post staff reporter A mobile computing and data technology company is expanding its U.S. headquarters in Boone County. Psion Teklogix, a global provider of mobile computing and data processing, was considering moving out of the area until Boone County officials and Northern Kentucky Tri-Ed put together an incentive package to not only keep its operations in Boone County, but to expand them. Read more here: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AE/20070403/NEWS02/704030359/

From ThisWeek Delaware, 1/28/07: RENDERING: This rendering provided by MKC Associates shows an expanded Delaware Justice Center. The firm and city officials are planning to construct 8,100 square feet in additions to the building's south and northwest wings. City council approves Justice Center expansion Plans in place to construct 8,100-square-foot additions Sunday, January 28, 2007 By NATE ELLIS ThisWeek Staff Writer Delaware City Council last week signed off on plans to expand the city's police and municipal court facilities by 8,100 square feet. Within the next 12 months, the Delaware Police Department anticipates an increase to its ranks by one officer, and the Delaware Municipal Court expects to manage a growing caseload and add a second judge. Such growth won't be limited to operations at the Delaware Justice Center, 70 N. Union St., where both the city's police department and municipal court are housed. It also will extend to the building itself. Last Monday, city council -- excluding vice mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle, who was absent from the meeting -- unanimously voted to approve preliminary and final development plans for the 8,100-square-foot expansion of the Justice Center. The action paves the way for the city to hire a construction team to build a pair of two-story additions to accommodate a second courtroom and associated offices for the city's prosecutor and magistrate, as well as growth within the police department. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/012807/Delaware/News/012807-News-297016.html

From the 4/2/07 Dispatch: PHOTO: Edwards Communities is working with Ohio State's Fisher College of Business to build apartments for MBA students at Kenny Road and Lane Avenue. DORAL CHENOWETH III CONSTRUCTION ZONE OSU's MBA students get housing option Monday, April 02, 2007 Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH For the past four years, Columbus developer and Ohio State University graduate Pete Edwards has donated use of dozens of his companies' apartments to the Fisher College of Business. The college uses the apartments, situated around the city, to recruit students. While that arrangement will end with the coming academic year, Edwards involvement with student housing will not. Edwards Communities is building Fisher Commons, a 118-unit apartment complex designed for graduate business students at Fisher College. Located at the southeast corner of Kenny Road and Lane Avenue, the apartments are a mile west of Fisher College, 2100 Neil Ave. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/04/02/20070402-E4-00.html

From the 1/21/07 Dispatch: Worthington, ODOT come to terms over work on Rts. 23, 315 I-270 ramp projects on track to start in '09 Sunday, January 21, 2007 Dean Narciso THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH For more than two years, Worthington leaders have been concerned about plans to overhaul the north Outerbelt at Rts. 23 and 315 and how the suburb might be altered. Freeway ramps might cut close to nearby businesses, force the removal of shrubs and flowers along the city's northern gateways and block pedestrian access. As Ohio Department of Transportation plans became more defined, so too did Worthington's fear that it might be squeezed out of any role in the design. "They wanted to be certain that the project didn't get away from them," said Bob Lawler, transportation director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. More at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/01/21/20070121-C6-02.html

From the 4/3/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Y-town board opposes change to smoking ban 'I'm guessing anything could be made into a private club,' the health commissioner said. By WILLIAM K. ALCORN VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown City Health District Board is sending a letter to the Ohio Department of Health urging strict enforcement of Ohio's new indoor smoking ban and opposing exemption of private clubs. The board voted unanimously to send the letter at its meeting Monday after Health Commissioner Neil Altman said it was "very frustrating" to have the law changed from what the voters approved. Voters approved a statewide law last November that bans smoking in most public indoor locations, including restaurants, bars and private clubs that have employees. Read more: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/326148474145417.php

From the 4/1/07 Elyria Chronicle-Telegram: Where there’s smoke… Provision allowing smoking in private clubs has some places defying the statewide ban Shawn Foucher | The Chronicle-Telegram LORAIN — To his smoking customers, it was a noble gesture. To Mike Kennedy, owner of Kennedy’s Broadway Billiards in Lorain, it was an act of necessary disobedience. “I put the ashtrays back out last week,” Kennedy said Thursday. “I called up the state guys and told ’em: ‘If you’re going to let the private clubs smoke, I’m just going to let people smoke here until I go out of business.’ At least I’ll make some money before I go.” After 58 percent of Ohio voters approved a statewide smoking ban last November, Kennedy was an obedient businessman and removed the ashtrays from the bar. Read more: http://www.chroniclet.com/2007/04/01/where-theres-smoke/

From the 3/31/07 ABJ: Smoking law has ripple effect Longtime beauty shop can't stay as tenant. It is closing doors today By Jim Carney Beacon Journal staff writer With passage of an Ohio smoking ban in November, a chain of events affecting a Bath Township tobacco shop and an Akron beauty salon was set in motion. The Smoke Inn had been at Montrose Centre on West Market Street for a decade when the law passed. And LaBella Donna Beauty Salon at 1956 ½ W. Market St. in Akron had been in the same 400-square-foot space for 36 years when voters said yes to the ban. Read more: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/17005351.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

From the 3/30/07 Times-Reporter: Smoking rules still hazy for private clubs Some area organizations will allow cigarette smoking; others won't By KYLE KONDIK, T-R Staff Writer To illustrate the difficulty of enforcing Ohio’s new indoor smoking ban, Keith Eames of the New Philadelphia Health Department offered the following example: Based on revised enforcement rules released last week, a not-for-profit club allowing only members to enter – whether they are employees or not – can allow smoking. Read more: http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=66016&r=3

From Cleveland Scene, 3/28/07: Fantasy Island Lorain wants to become the world's most exotic locale. By Jared Klaus Published: March 28, 2007 To get to paradise, you have to park on an unmarked gravel road in South Amherst, just up the street from Piggy's grocery. From there you walk through prickers and mud until you see it in front of you -- just don't walk too far. It's a 125-foot fall down the sheer rock face into the quarry lake below. This is one of seven century-old sandstone mines gouging 1,000 acres of woods in Lorain County. The stones for Severance Hall came from here, but now it's just another headstone in the region's graveyard. http://www.clevescene.com/2007-03-28/news/fantasy-island/

From the 3/23/07 Elyria Chronicle-Telegram: Company still committed to quarry project Brad Dicken | The Chronicle-Telegram SOUTH AMHERST — Trans European Securities remains committed to going forward with its $1.25 billion quarry project, the United Kingdom-based developer’s attorney said Thursday. But the company didn’t like how American Stone handled announcing earlier this month that it was cutting off negotiations to sell the land for the project, Trans European attorney Connie Carr said. “I’m disappointed they handled it in such a public manner,” she said. http://www.chroniclet.com/2007/03/23/company-still-committed-to-quarry-project/

From the 3/15/07 Elyria Chronicle-Telegram: Land quadruples in value, becomes hard sell Brad Dicken | The Chronicle-Telegram The value of land where the $1.25 billion quarry project was slated to be built more than quadrupled in value between 2005 and 2006. While the deal between landowner American Stone and developer Trans European Securities appears to have fallen through, American Stone Chairman Tom Roulston said the hike in the property’s value could prevent any developer from purchasing the land. http://www.chroniclet.com/2007/03/15/land-quadruples-in-value-becomes-hard-sell/

From the 4/3/07 Bellefontaine Examiner: Strickland brings budget campaign to Bellefontaine By Joel E. Mast Bellefontaine Examiner Staff Writer 04/03/07 Gov. Ted Strickland took his budget campaign to the road Monday visiting Bellefontaine’s Southeastern Elementary School to tout the benefits of his education proposals. If state lawmakers back his proposed twoyear budget, Bellefontaine City Schools will see a 7.85 percent increase in state funding in the next two years. That’s about $1 million more a year, he said. Bellefontaine currently receives around $11.7 million. That would grow to $13.6 million in the second year of his budget. MORE: http://www.examiner.org/news04.03.php

From the 4/1/07 Hamilton JournalNews: Amendment would change school funding By Linda Ebbing Staff Writer Monday, April 02, 2007 BUTLER COUNTY — A proposed constitutional amendment concerning school funding in Ohio has mixed support locally. "A majority of people in Butler County support changes to Ohio's school funding system that would reduce the number of new local property taxes," Ross Superintendent Todd Yohey said. "I think the amendment addresses many of the concerns that I hear from people who are tired of the continuous school levy cycle in Ohio." Yohey, along with several other Butler County educators, recently met with supporters of the Getting It Right for Ohio's Future campaign to share results from the House Bill 920 survey conducted last year. The coalition includes a number of agencies and organizations that want to improve educational opportunities for all students by "fixing" the school funding system in Ohio, a system that has been found unconstitutional, not once, but three times by the Ohio Supreme Court, Yohey said. MORE: http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/04/01/hjn040207amendment.html From the 3/31/07 Ashtabula Star Beacon: Area school leaders like what they heard from governor LISA DAVIS Star Beacon Gov. Ted Strickland's proposal to fix the public education funding system has some area superintendents encouraged and hopeful school district will get more state funds. On March 14, Strickland discussed his proposal during his State of the State address. "My proposals do not solve all the problems of our schools, but they represent a major advance toward providing adequate and equitable funding for our primary and secondary schools," Strickland said. Geneva Area City Schools Superintendent Ronald Donatone is encouraged by the governor's proposal, he said. Strickland is trying to address some of the concerns in the Ohio public schools. Though Donatone is encouraged, he said it's a long process before the budget is approved. "I am sure the Legislature will come back with it's own proposal as will the Ohio Department of Education," he said. MORE: http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_090172311 From the 4/1/07 News-Herald: Districts fear losses in funding 'Robin Hood' scenario cited by area lawmakers David W. Jones/[email protected] 04/01/2007 State Rep. Matt Dolan isn't happy about Gov. Ted Strickland proposing no state funding increases for any school district in Dolan's Geauga County base. Only two of Lake County's nine school districts would get increased funding in state fiscal years 2008 and 2009. But poorer rural and urban districts would get more such revenue. The state fiscal plan for schools goes before Dolan, R-Russell Township, chairman of the Ohio House of Representatives Finance and Appropriations Committee in Columbus. MORE: http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18155326&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=6

From the 4/2/07 Marion Star: Ethanol plant developer looking at water options Amount of consumption would require facility upgrades By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - With three companies planning to build ethanol production facilities in the vicinity, resources natural and otherwise are a concern, Marion City Safety/Service Director Dan Cobb said. At the top of the list is water. If all three plants were to begin operating in and around the west side of Marion, about 705 million gallons of water would be needed each year for processing the ethanol and cooling equipment used to make 235 million gallons of the alternative fuel each year. http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070402/NEWS01/704020315/1002/rss01

From the 3/31/07 Coshocton Tribune: Year-old ethanol case could be heard next week Citizens for a Safe Community say assistance applications for funds inaccurate By KATHIE DICKERSON Staff Writer COSHOCTON - A case filed more than a year ago is scheduled to be heard in Franklin County Common Pleas Court next week. Coshocton County Citizens for A Safe Community have asked the court to rule that government funds used to develop Coshocton Ethanol, LLC be returned because not all the information on 2004 assistance applications was accurate. http://www.coshoctontribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070331/NEWS01/703310302/1002/rss01

The City and the developer, MetroWest I, LLC (Neyer), are close to formalizing a development agreement and will now add the plans for the development of MetroWest into the existing planning document for Lower Price Hill. At the March 28 City Council meeting, an ordinance allowing for the City to enter into a contract for sale with MetroWest I passed unanimously. Having a formalized development plan in place would improve the chances of receiving a Clean Ohio Fund grant, which would provide $3,000,000 for remediation of the Queen City Barrel site and its surrounding blocks. The deadline for submission of the Clean Ohio Fund application was Monday. (I was unable to verify if an agreement had been struck.) City Council also passed an ordinance altering the official planning document of the Lower Price Hill community, with Monzel and Cole voting against it. Because of the deadline for the Clean Ohio Fund grant, on January 3, the City of Cincinnati's SPUR team requested that the Lower Price Hill Industrial Area Urban Renewal Plan (2003) be amended to include particulars of the proposed development. City staff and the developer presented the proposed plan amendment to the Lower Price Hill Community Council (LPHCC) on February 5. A proposal of the amendment was sent to the LPHCC on February 13 for comment. On February 28, Robert Rainey, president of the LPHCC, alerted Adrienne Cowden of the Department of Community Development and Planning (DCDP) that the LPHCC would not support the amended Plan until it addressed the dangerous conditions at Bodycote Metal Treating, 724 Evans St. This property is across from the Oyler Community Learning Center and outside of the redevelopment area. Despite this--and not wanting to miss out on the grant money--the City Planning Commission approved the amendment at their March 2 meeting. The status of the Bodycote property and the possibility of CPS buying the property were discussed but left for a later date. The Economic Development Committee approved the Plan amendment on March 27. City Council authorized the grant application at its March 28 meeting. If the grant is not received, the sale and redevelopment agreement will be terminated and the deal is dead. If the grant comes through, MetroWest I, LLC, will commence environmental remediation of the site, which could take at least two years. Meanwhile, the City is still assembling land within the project area. On March 14, City Council passed an ordinance allowing the Division of Facilities Management to reimburse the Department of Community Development and planning for land at the northwest corner of Hamilton and Llanfair, which will be the site of a new fire station. This funding will be used to consolidate more parcels, which may aid in getting the Clean Ohio application accepted. The $25 million MetroWest project will consist of light industrial, flex and office space and will likely include existing businesses and buildings at 911 Evans St, 1910/1911 South St and 1908 W Eighth St. Four or more LEED certified buildings will likely be constructed. Buildings will be constructed along street frontages and parking will be screened and shared. (Look at the site plan below and tell me if that is what you see!) The developer estimates that the redevelopment of the 18 acres could create a minimum of 400 jobs. Buildout is expected in 7 to 10 years. (Preliminary site plan. North is to the right side of the drawing.)

Both from the 4/1/07 Newark Advocate: Pataskala officials voice concerns about city's financial future By CHAD KLIMACK Advocate Reporter PATASKALA -- Some city officials fear Pataskala could face serious financial woes in the coming years, and they are not happy with the city's 2007 budget. The budget, which Pataskala City Council approved last week, shows Pataskala appropriating $2.1 million from its general fund, even though the fund is expected to generate the same amount. Likewise, the city is appropriating $2.3 million for the street department, and officials expect to generate the same amount after including carryover dollars from last year. Pataskala officials long have bemoaned the city's financial standing. The city does not have an income tax, and voters defeated a replacement road and bridge levy and two income tax issues council placed on the ballot in 2006. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070401/NEWS01/704010330/1002/rss01

From ThisWeek Canal Winchester, 3/1/07: MAP Thornton annexation No ruling before June Thursday, March 1, 2007 By ROBERT PASCHEN ThisWeek Staff Writer; ThisWeek Staff Writer Sean Casey contributed to this story. Canal Winchester law director Gene Hollins said last week he doesn't expect the Fairfield County Common Pleas Court to issue another ruling in a long-running annexation case before June. The case involves 227 acres near the intersection of Basil-Western and Hill roads, which both Pickerington and Canal Winchester want to annex into their respective communities because of its proximity to U.S. Route 33 and its potential for development. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/030107/CanalWinchester/News/030107-News-311656.html From ThisWeek Canal Winchester, 3/15/07: Village should seek high-end residences, report indicates Thursday, March 15, 2007 By ROBERT PASCHEN ThisWeek Staff Writer A new report evaluating Canal Winchester's housing stock says the village could support higher-end luxury condominiums and houses, and that the village has a glut of mid-range, single-family homes. The comprehensive evaluation of housing alternatives in Canal Winchester was conducted for the village by the Columbus-based real estate research firm, Vogt Williams & Bowen LLC. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/031507/CanalWinchester/News/031507-News-319142.html From ThisWeek Pickerington, 3/1/07: Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Pickerington to put 5-mill levy on May's ballot (2/11/07) ThisWeek Pickerington: Board to view joint school renderings (2/1/07) ThisWeek Pickerington: PLSD plans levy for May ballot (2/1/07) School board reviewing joint school plan Thursday, March 1, 2007 By SEAN CASEY ThisWeek Staff Writer The Pickerington Board of Education will offer guidance this week on the configuration of two new schools the district intends to conjoin. Meeting Monday night, the board viewed three conceptual designs of the elementary and middle schools under development at the intersection of Tollgate and Refugee roads. The schools represent two of the three new buildings funded by a $59.9-million bond issue that voters approved in November. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/030107/Pickerington/News/030107-News-313237.html

From the 2/15/07 Sun Herald: West Life: Study: Spruce up Lorain Road (1/24/07) Businesses like city plan to spruce up Lorain Road Thursday, February 15, 2007 By Ken Prendergast FAIRVIEW PARK Affected property owners responded positively to city plans to improve the appearance of Lorain Road from West 223rd Street to the North Olmsted line... http://www.cleveland.com/sun/sunherald/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1171561326246390.xml&coll=3 From the 2/15/07 News Sun: Medical billing firm buys 8 acres off Columbia Thursday, February 15, 2007 By Ryan McGilvray The News Sun OLMSTED FALLS A medical billing company is looking to build along Columbia Road. Quadax Inc., based in Fairview Park, wants to consolidate and expand its operations at a new facility. It also has branches in Beachwood and Westlake... http://www.cleveland.com/sun/newssun/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1171562262246390.xml&coll=3 From the 2/14/07 Aurora Advocate: May vote planned on Treat rezoning February 14, 2007 by Brent Hovey Reporter Aurora -- It will be up to Aurora voters to decide if 40 acres on Treat Road should be rezoned. That's what City Council decided at its Feb. 12 meeting... E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 330-688-0088 Ext. 3115 http://www.auroraadvocate.com/news/article/1598752 Station plans rolling Sun Star, 2/22/07 The city is expected to take the first steps toward the creation of a new police facility in early March. Mayor Tom Perciak said RFC Contracting Inc. is now nailing down the city's needs in regard to a new police station, which will then enable architects to "start coming back to us with proposals."... Sun Star: More room for police? (1/11/07) County building receives upgrade News-Herald, 2/20/07 Geauga County commissioners have approved an $862,000 contract with Hummel Construction of Ravenna for renovations to the county courthouse's third floor... End nearing for Pavilion? News Leader, 2/14/07 While city officials say the Pavilion building on Valley View Road is falling apart and it may soon be demolished, and its owner said she is seeking bids to have it razed, former resident Russ Kogler says he is trying to save the former school-turned-office facility... Council asks for legislation to give KSUA money Ashtabula Star Beacon, 2/14/07 The city may be opening it's pocketbook to support Kent State University-Ashtabula's proposed Health and Science Building... City leaders tour new Gilles-Sweet school West Life, 2/14/07 The recent cold spell has caused only minor problems in the construction of the new Gilles-Sweet Elementary school, project manager Kevin Klee of Regency Construction said...

Both from the 4/3/07 Enquirer: Fire points out lack of station Distance slowed Mason firefighters' response to blaze BY JANICE MORSE AND JENNIFER BAKER | [email protected] OR [email protected] MASON - Firefighters worked hard and fast to salvage a $303,000 home that sustained heavy damage in a blaze, Fire Chief Rich Fletcher said Monday, but he acknowledged that response could have been quicker if a fire station were located nearer to the home. "We're aware that we need a station a little closer out there," Fletcher said, referring to the house that partially burned Sunday at 3995 Top Flite Lane. The fire happened about two months after a consultant told Deerfield Township and Mason leaders that the two Warren County communities lack enough fire stations to respond to emergencies within a recommended six minutes, which could pose a problem as the area grows. Leaders are discussing relocating some fire stations and building at least one new one. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070403/NEWS01/704030419/ Mason: Response time 8 mins, not 22 BY JANICE MORSE | [email protected] MASON – After listening to radio transmission recordings, officials learned that fire trucks arrived within eight minutes of being dispatched to a blaze that heavily damaged a home here Sunday. The latest information released today about the fire on Top Flite Lane helps address a dispute over response time to the fire that caused more than $100,000 damage and rekindled controversy over fire service here. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070403/NEWS01/304030022/

^ You run the risk of letting the board get out of control with topics. We already do have some topics about what other states are doing with rail/transit (Transporation), and there's another one in business. My feeling is that "other states" threads should be limited in number and broad in scope. Detailed discussion about other states is probably better left to other boards.

Some photos from March 21, 2007: WatersEdge It looks like the building is entered through a public restroom. Harbor Greene Streetlamps in the parking lot, just like in Victorian times.

It's only a matter of degree. For example, a large Kentucky employer that lays off hundreds of workers, many of whom are Ohioans, would definitely be worthy of posting. I didn't take it personally. I was the one who locked the thread, though, which is why I answered. I guess this is probably an issue that some of the other forumers might want to weigh in on. I know that I haven't been posting anything from the Toledo papers regarding southeast Michigan, nor have I posted anything from the Youngstown or Warren papers regarding PA. I don't post stuff about Parkersburg, even though I check that paper and Marietta's paper (practically the same paper) daily. I don't post Ashland, KY stuff. Really the only out-of-state stuff I post is from the Cincinnati metro.

First of all, Rail to Trails belongs in Transportation, not P&C. Secondly, I hope you are not comparing Wheeling to Northern Kentucky, which is part of Cincinnati's MSA and contains 300,000+ people. We have forumers in Northern Kentucky. How many do we have in Wheeling? Thirdly, this project really doesn't have much influence on neighboring Belmont County or Ohio as a whole. It's interesting for what it is, but it's not going to generate much discussion on an Ohio board. I will move the thread over to Transportation. BTW, there are no hard and fast rules on what non-Ohio city is acceptable for posting. It's kind of on a case-by-case basis.