buildingcincinnati

From the 2/28/07 Enquirer: Union Centre library approved BY JESSICA BROWN | [email protected] WEST CHESTER TWP. – A new $13 million library here will be open by January, 2009, on Union Centre Boulevard. Township trustees voted Tuesday night to spend $5 million for land and pre-construction work for the new 50,000-square-foot library across from Lakota West High School. It will be three times larger than the current library on Cox Road and will have room to expand. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070228/NEWS01/302280009/-1/rss

From the 2/13/07 Enquirer: New office-retail project in West Chester BY MIKE BOYER | [email protected] WEST CHESTER – A new $16 million office-retail project at Centre Point and Towne Centre Drives will be at the heart of the emerging township downtown district, north of Union Centre Boulevard. Construction is expected to begin this spring on a three-story 75,000-square-foot building, the first of three buildings planned by Towne Centre Square Partners LLC, at the southwest corner of the intersection. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070213/BIZ01/302130030

From the 2/4/07 Hamilton JournalNews: Growth drives Manpower Inc. to Union Centre By Matt Cunningham Staff Writer Sunday, February 04, 2007 WEST CHESTER TWP. — Manpower Inc., a Milwaukee-based temporary and temp-to-hire service provider that has been in the Cincinnati area for more than 20 years, has relocated its Tri-County branch office to Union Centre Boulevard. The company cited multiple reasons for the move, but chief among them is the township's rapid growth: As more businesses come to the area, that means more potential clients for Manpower. Contact this reporter at (533) 755-5127 or [email protected] http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/04/hjn020407manpower.html

From the 2/1/07 Enquirer: West Chester preparing for events facility BY MIKE BOYER | [email protected] WEST CHESTER TWP. - A formal groundbreaking is planned in late February for the township's largest private meeting facility. The Savannah Center at Chappell Crossing is planned as a $10 million, 48,000-square-foot building overlooking a man-made 4-acre lake on Chappell Crossing off Union Centre Boulevard. The facility, which will handle gatherings of up to 1,200 people, is the brainchild of Charlie Chappell, one of the developers behind the growth of the Union Centre area who first outlined the center two years ago. He is one of 10 private investors in the project slated to open in November. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070201/BIZ01/702010345/1001/BIZ

From the 1/24/07 Hamilton JournalNews: Township rejects library petition By Matt Cunningham Staff Writer Wednesday, January 24, 2007 West Chester Twp. will move forward with a 50,000-square-foot library at Union Centre Boulevard, township trustees announced at their meeting Tuesday night. http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/24/hjn012407wclibrary.html

From ThisWeek Reynoldsburg, 3/22/07: Zoning board grants five variances for new Lowe's Thursday, March 22, 2007 By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Staff Writer The Reynoldsburg Board of Zoning Appeals gave its unanimous approval last week to four variances requested for a proposed Lowe's home improvement store planned at Waggoner Road and East Broad Street. The project is scheduled to be presented to the city's design review board on April 5. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/032207/Reynoldsburg/News/032207-News-324900.html

School building moving forward Wapakoneta Daily News, 2/22/07 After opening bids for construction on the planned school building Wednesday afternoon, the district’s superintendent says the Waynesfield-Goshen Local School District project should come within the estimated $19.3 million budgeted for the project. “I think things went real well. There were very little surprises,” Superintendent Earnie Jones said in a telephone interview Wednesday. “We’re within the dollars allotted.” All the bids came in at $15.11 million total, 1 percent over the $14.97 million construction budget. Of the seven categories, Jones said the only surprise came in the preliminary bids for the geothermal wells. “That surprised everyone who was in the room, to be honest,” Jones said. “That was higher than expected but the turnaround in savings — it’s going to take about seven or eight years — they’ll have paid for themselves.” Jones said school officials and representatives from Garmann/Miller Architects & Engineers of Minster, who designed the planned building, were surprised at the turnout of contractors who wished to bid for the geothermal wells. MORE: http://www.wapakdailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2911&Itemid=27

From the 3/15/07 DDN: FOP joins firefighters to fight residency rule By Lou Grieco Staff Writer Thursday, March 15, 2007 DAYTON — — Turned down by the Ohio Supreme Court, the Dayton Fraternal Order of Police will continue its fight against the city's residency rule by joining a lawsuit filed by the firefighters union, an FOP attorney said Wednesday. The FOP had sought a writ of mandamus to force the city to allow its workers to move out of the city. The Supreme Court denied the writ 7-0, ruling that the FOP could seek relief in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. In January 2006, then-Gov. Bob Taft signed legislation that bars cities from forcing their employees to live within their employer cities. City officials, including Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin, have said the law is unconstitutional and continue to require that employees reside in Dayton. Susan D. Jansen, the FOP's attorney, said the city's two safety force unions took a two-prong approach, with Firefighters Local 136 filing in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court and the FOP filing in the Supreme Court. The FOP decided to try for the writ "to see if we got a quicker decision," Jansen said. http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/14/ddn031507residency.html

RENDERING: Renderings of what the remodeled science facility will look like. RENDERING #2 RENDERING #3 Otterbein College $20M upgrade planned for science facilities Thursday, March 22, 2007 By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Staff Writer Starting in June, Otterbein College will embark on a 20-month project that will upgrade its science facilities to the tune of $20-million. The work will be done on McFadden and Schear halls, which are connected. They currently house chemistry, physics, life and earth sciences, nursing and equine science. The first phase includes a makeover of McFadden, built in 1919 and last renovated in 1970. That should take roughly six months to complete, said Lehman, also a member of the school's board of trustees. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/032207/Westerville/News/032207-News-323958.html

From the 3/22/07 Western Star: County growth slows but Warren still among top 100 in U.S. By Tiffany Y. Latta Staff Writer Wednesday, March 21, 2007 LEBANON — Warren County remains among the nation's fastest-growing counties, but isn't as popular as it used to be. It's no longer in the top 50 and has dropped to near the bottom of the 100 top growth counties, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report out today. http://www.western-star.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/21/ws032207census.html

From the 3/24/07 Dispatch: * PHOTO: Elizabeth McFann and other students begin their ride home through the hills of southern Ohio after a day in class. Southern Local is seeing dwindling state aid erode the gains made 10 years ago. CHRIS RUSSELL | DISPATCH * GRAPHIC: Southern Local schools Decade of gains dissipating Saturday, March 24, 2007 3:33 AM By Catherine Candisky THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH CORNING, Ohio -- The problems in the Southern Local School District were glaring. Nestled in the hills of poverty-stricken southeastern Ohio were classrooms with crumbling plaster. Pools of water gathered from leaking roofs. Textbooks were outdated. Word of dismal conditions across the Appalachian region spread when the Perry County school district and neighboring Northern Local filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that the governor and legislature weren't meeting the state's constitutional obligation to fund public schools. Ten years ago today, a decision by the Ohio Supreme Court finding the funding system unconstitutional was met with relief and hope in Southern Local and other poor districts across the state. Educators, parents and students felt they were about to be rescued. And, for a time, the future looked brighter. As the state opened the money spigot wider, the district renovated a high school and opened a new middle school and elementary school to replace five rundown buildings. The complex, paid for almost entirely by the state, was a beacon of hope. But a decade later, Southern Local is again in financial trouble. The salaries of all staff members were frozen this year, and 13 positions have been eliminated. The remedial-reading teacher, the elementary guidance counselor, the curriculum director and the middle-school arts program are gone. New science labs lack equipment. Some classes don't have enough textbooks, so students can't take one home at night. And there is not a single advanced-placement course. What happened? MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/03/24/southern_local.ART_ART_03-24-07_A1_GG665RI.html

From the 3/23/07 Dispatch: * GRAPHIC: Hilliard facts * PHOTO: Space problems at Beacon Elementary School in Hilliard force fifth-grade horn player Maddy Schulz and other band members to practice in a school entrance. FRED SQUILLANTE DISPATCH HILLIARD TAXPAYERS KEEP FOOTING THE BILL School funding: Is it fixed? Friday, March 23, 2007 Jim Siegel THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Chances are, when you woke up on Election Day in the Hilliard school district during the past eight years, you could plan to vote on a school levy. The rapidly growing district has been on the ballot in six of those years. Since 1991, voters have approved four operating levies and four bond issues and defeated eight other levies. A decade ago, Hilliard levied the seventh-highest taxes among Franklin County districts. Now, it ranks third. And officials expect to return to the ballot again no later than May 2008 to ask for yet another levy. Why so often? Officials say they remain victims of the state's continued reliance on local property taxes to fund schools - a lingering complaint from education advocates who say the state never fully addressed the problems highlighted 10 years ago this week by the Ohio Supreme Court. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/03/23/20070323-A1-03.html

From the 3/22/07 Athens News: Strickland's education budget has local winners and losers By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Thursday, March 22nd, 2007 The proposed state budget from Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland calls for some changes in school funding that would impact local school districts, but local officials are still waiting to see if the changes would hurt or help their districts. And while the funding proposals would seem to help local school districts, state budget reports show that the financially strapped Federal Hocking Local School District would receive no extra funding next year and very little the year after. The report also shows that the Athens City School District would not receive any extra funding in either of the next two years. MORE: http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=27720

From Whitehall News, 3/21/07: Benefits of governor's budget would be felt locally But Whitehall officials aren't counting eggs before they hatch. By DEBORAH M. DUNLAP The Whitehall City School District will see a substantial increase in state funding should Gov. Ted Strickland's proposed $53 million budget be approved by Ohio legislators. But district administrators know the key word is proposed. Gov. Strickland rolled out the spending plan late last week. The plan includes a 3 percent increase to district coffers, aimed at addressing, at least in part, the state's unconstitutional method of school funding. But despite the hefty increase, not all districts will see the money. While no one will lose funding, the governor's plan funnels bigger increases into poorer districts while leaving others with no increases at all. MORE: http://www.snponline.com/NEWS3-21/3-21_whstatebudget.html

From ThisWeek Reynoldsburg, 3/22/07: Strickland budget would hurt Reynoldsburg less than most Thursday, March 22, 2007 By TRICIA SYMANSIC ThisWeek Staff Writer Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's first budget proposal has better news for Reynoldsburg City Schools than for most other central Ohio districts. One of only four Franklin County school districts to receive any increase at all in state funding, Reynoldsburg would be better off than most. Strickland's proposed budget includes a $340,000 increase in Reynoldsburg's state funding for next year, although that could change during the legislative approval process. "It's small compared to what we would typically get from the state, but its difficult to complain about it compared to what everybody else is getting," Superintendent Richard Ross said. Reynoldsburg could get a $1.7-million increase the following year, but that's no windfall, either, Ross said. That increase approaches normal adjustments for the district, he said. Reynoldsburg depends on the state for about 55 percent of its revenues, which are expected to total $54.25-million this year. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/032207/Reynoldsburg/News/032207-News-324898.html

From the 2/14/07 DDN: Courts building renovation to take 2 years By Lynn Hulsey Staff Writer Wednesday, February 14, 2007 DAYTON — Work is expected to begin in March on an $11 million renovation of the Montgomery County Courts building in downtown Dayton. The project is scheduled to take two years because county officials plan to continue operations in the facility during the renovation, said David Ricks, public works director. Montgomery County Commissioners awarded $8.3 million in bids for the work Tuesday, choosing Butt Construction Co. as the general contractor. Other firms will do specialized work. After general construction, the most expensive part of the job is asbestos removal, which will cost about $2.4 million. Ricks said county officials decided to remove all asbestos in the building, even in areas that are not being renovated, because it is so pervasive that they feared it would cause problems in the future. Five floors and the basement in the 130,000-square-foot building will be renovated to make more efficient use of space, rewire for modern technology, deal with a space crunch in the clerk of courts office, and reconfigure public spaces to make them more user-friendly. Probate court will be totally renovated and will move to the Family Courts building during that process, Ricks said. Other offices will be shifted around as work is done, but public access will be maintained at all times. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/13/ddn021407courts.html

I kind of buried theguv's post about Broin Companies announcement that they're going to build a $105M ethanol plant in Fostoria. Here's the link: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=4392.msg172532#msg172532

From the 3/23/07 Newark Advocate: Legal group offers public meeting on ethanol plant Organization will tell residents what say they have in decision By MARK SZAKONYI Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- Opponents of a proposed Newark ethanol facility need to realize the issue is about more than just ethanol, says a community organizer for an environmental legal defense fund. Eme Lybarger said she plans to explain to residents on Saturday morning the real issue is whether residents have a say in whether the facility comes to town. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070323/NEWS01/703230301/1002/rss01

From the 3/22/07 Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Area residents split over proposed plant By Kimberly Gasuras Telegraph-Forum staff CRESTLINE -- While some Crestline residents are excited about a proposed ethanol plant to be constructed on Ohio 598 near Crestline Road, residents who will live near it are not that excited. "The fermentation tanks, about eight of them, will be located about 400 feet from my front door. The odor is really going to be bad, not only for us, but Crestline will get the odor also. Crestline is trying to get the area re-zoned for the plant to be constructed and we are against it," said John Slabach, who lives in Jefferson Township. http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070322/NEWS01/703220302/1002

From the 3/14/07 Marion Star: Tax break sought for ethanol plant Ridgedale board signs off on Broin project abatement By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - A South Dakota-based company is seeking a tax abatement for an ethanol plant it plans to build northwest of the city of Marion. Marion Ethanol LLC, a company formed by Broin Companies of Sioux Falls, will have a nonbinding letter of intent for an 80 percent, 12-year tax abatement before the Marion County Board of Commissioners on Thursday, Commissioner Josh Daniels said. http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070314/NEWS01/703140328/1002/rss01

From the 3/30/07 Marion Star: Altra applies for ethanol plant permit By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - A California company has filed for a permit it would need to build an ethanol plant in the Dual Rail Industrial Park on the city of Marion's north side. Altra Inc. on Tuesday applied for an air pollution control permit-to-install for a 110-million-gallons-per-year ethanol production facility, said Dina Pierce, spokeswoman at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The company is looking at purchasing 83 acres for about $2 million from CAN DO!, the economic development arm for the city and county of Marion, to construct an ethanol plant, Dave Claborn, CAN DO! president, has said. Of the amount paid for the land, CAN DO! would put $500,000 back into the project to link the CSX and Norfolk & Southern railroad tracks located in the industrial park, he said. MORE: http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070330/NEWS01/703300343/1002/rss01

From the 3/7/07 Newark Advocate: EPA seeks comment on E85 plant Draft air quality permit issued for ethanol facility By JEN SCHERER Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has approved a draft air quality permit for a company hoping to build an ethanol plant in Newark. The draft Permit To Install was issued to E85 Inc. for a 115.8 million-gallon-per-year dry mill ethanol production facility proposed to be built at 595 Thornwood Drive. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070307/NEWS01/703070304/1002/rss01

From the 2/28/07 Newark Advocate: Concerns polarize ethanol talks E85 talks to public about safety, pollution, traffic of proposed plant By MARK SZAKONYI Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- Newark resident Bruce Frey had many questions for E85 Inc. officials who want to build an ethanol plant in the city, but one question particularly divided Tuesday's night attendees. "What would it take to convince you that you are not welcome?" he asked. Joe Schriner, a senior process engineer with E85 replied, "That's a good start." The exchange at the third and final public forum exemplified one of the two polar stances residents have taken on the proposed state-of-the-art facility in the city's southwest corner. The question-and-answer session addressed a variety of topics, including traffic and safety concerns, but residents' opinions about the plant took center stage. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070228/NEWS01/702280303/1002/rss01

From the 2/27/07 Ashland Times-Gazette: Loudonville official interested in ethanol plant February 27, 2007 By JIM BREWER T-G Staff Writer LOUDONVILLE -- While Ashland city officials grapple with the pros and cons of siting an ethanol plant north of the city, at least one official in Loudonville has made it clear there is an interest in locating an ethanol facility in that village. "We have the water supply, which is a question in Ashland, we have a site and we have rail access," Councilman Kent Schaffer said. "Two farm co-ops are close by. The only disadvantage is that we are not as close to the interstate as Ashland is." http://www.times-gazette.com/news/article/1656232

From the 2/17/07 Fremont News-Messenger: Gibsonburg closer to ethanol plant By MATT SANCTIS Staff writer A Colorado company announced on its Web site Friday it has secured options on two sites, including one in Gibsonburg, for possible construction for an ethanol plant. Renewable Agricultural Energy, based in Boulder, Colo., announced in a press release it has optioned sites in Gibsonburg and Sullivan, Ind., for ethanol production facilities. According to information on the Web site, RAE has secured four total sites, and intends to begin construction on three of the sites in 2007. http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070217/NEWS01/702170304/1002/rss01