buildingcincinnati

From the 3/20/07 Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune: Woda withdraws support request By Melissa Topey, [email protected] Tiffin City Council learned Monday night The Woda Group has pulled its request for a resolution of support for the Dallas Crossing project. In a March 19 letter to Jim Boroff, 4th Ward councilman, the Woda Group withdrew its request for support in their attempt to obtain a federal tax credit. The Woda Group plans to develop the housing using other financing, according to the letter. Rich Focht, president and chief executive officer of Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corp., spoke to members to discuss development in the city. He told members the city has made a $1.6 million investment in Eagle Rock Industrial Park and SIEDC is working on the enterprise zone agreement. Focht also talked about what he termed the big three — the old Kroger property, the Ames property and the old Wal-Mart property. More at http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/articles.asp?articleID=7182

^ Thanks for the update, TCK. Good luck moving those units! The other news sounds cool as well! From the 3/21/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Senior apartment community slated for expansion Cincinnati Business Courier - Wednesday, March 21, 2007 by Laura Baverman, Staff Reporter North Bend Crossing Seniors Community will begin a $25 million expansion this spring, adding 122 rental units for independent, assisted and memory-impaired living. Called Renaissance West, the new 140,000-square-foot facility will be located on West Fork Road, a quarter-mile west of North Bend Road near Interstate 74. It's set to open in the summer of 2008. "We feel that in senior housing you have to provide a continuum (that) starts with independent and ends with extended care. This is the middle link of that continuum of care," said Glenn Shepherd, the developer of the project. His development company, Shepherd Industries, opened North Bend Crossing, an 80-unit independent living condo community, in 2004. A third phase is likely to serve extended-care residents. MORE: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/03/19/daily28.html?surround=lfn

From the 2/23/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: AMP signs engineering contract for Letart project By Brian J. Reed Friday, February 23, 2007 5:14 PM EST POMEROY - American Municipal Power-Ohio has signed a contract with R.W. Beck to serve as the owner's engineer for the American Municipal Power Generating Station project in Meigs County. Officials with AMP-Ohio announced the contract at a meeting Thursday in Pomeroy with U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-Bridgeport. Wilson visited the AMP-Ohio site in Letart Township following a visit earlier in the day to Piketon. Wilson, who was assigned to the House Science and Technology Committee, said he had talked about the planned power plant across the Sixth District, and wanted to see the site for himself. The proposed project is a coal-fired power plant and associated transmission line to be constructed on the Ohio River. AMP-Ohio, along with development partners the Blue Ridge Power Agency and the Michigan South Central Power Agency, are currently in the permitting process for the facility. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/02/23/news/local_news/news00.txt

From the 1/26/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: AMP-Ohio project moving forward By Beth Sergent Friday, January 26, 2007 5:00 PM EST LETART FALLS - American Municipal Power-Ohio's (AMP-Ohio) American Municipal Power Generating Station (AMPGS) power plant proposed for Letart Falls continues to move forward according to AMP-Ohio officials and Rep. Jimmy Stewart (R-Meigs) who this week visited the company's headquarters in Columbus. Stewart described the AMPGS plant as, “Probably the largest capital investment ever made in the history of Meigs County.” At this point the plant is expected to cost between $1.5 and $2 billion due to the increase in construction costs. According to Kent D. Carson, director of member relations for AMP-Ohio, it could be late 2008, early 2009 before any actual construction begins at the site. AMP-Ohio estimates the AMPGS plant will go online in 2012 with the plant's second unit going online in 2013. Of course all these dates hinge on the ongoing permitting process. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/01/26/news/local_news/news04.txt

From the 1/21/07 Gallipolis Daily Tribune: AEP tackles cost projections on clean coal plants By Brian J. Reed Sunday, January 21, 2007 5:22 PM EST POMEROY - American Electric Power will work with the designers of its proposed clean-coal power plants in Meigs and Mason counties to reduce anticipated construction costs, before proceeding with a cost recovery application through the state. AEP spokesman Jeff Rennie confirmed that the electric company plans to spend the next six months working with General Electric and Bechtel Corp. to lower the projected costs of construction on plants it plans to build in the two counties. The Great Bend plant proposed for a 1,600-acre site in Lebanon Township, and another like it to be built in Mason County, W.Va., were first expected to cost $1.3 billion each. Rennie said AEP has not announced the latest cost projection, but confirmed that the rising cost of labor and building materials put the estimated cost over that original estimate. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailytribune.com/articles/2007/01/21/news/local_news/news00.txt

From the 1/19/07 Dispatch: AEP's clean-coal plant delayed Utility seeks six more months before starting work in Meigs County Friday, January 19, 2007 Paul Wilson THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH American Electric Power will delay building a clean-coal plant in Meigs County for at least six months and wants to do the same at a twin project in West Virginia. Both 629-megawatt plants would use technology considered crucial to address global warming and growing energy demands. But studies of the two sites along the Ohio River found that the projects would cost more than AEP expected, because of rising steel, concrete and labor costs, the utility said. Last week, AEP told Ohio officials about the delay and also requested extra time in West Virginia, where an extension is subject to regulatory approval. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/01/19/20070119-G1-02.html

From the 1/27/07 Xenia Daily Gazette: Cedarville U. unveils $14 million building addition Biblical Studies Center to open in Aug. ‘08 AARON KEITH HARRIS Staff Writer CEDARVILLE – Cedarville University unveiled plans this week to begin construction on a $14 million Biblical Studies Center in the spring. The 60,000-square-foot center scheduled to open in August 2008 will house the Baptist university's Department of Biblical Education and academic enrichment center, as well as classrooms and student collaboration rooms, and overlook Cedar Lake in the center of campus. The university’s Bible department is pressed for space, primarily because each of the university’s students - currently numbering 3,100 - must earn a Bible minor. The department also offers nine academic programs fro students preparing for ministry. The new center will also house Bible faculty offices, a 40-station computer laboratory, student collaboration rooms, and 11 classrooms, including a technology-enabled 180-seat lecture hall. MORE: http://www.xeniagazette.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=153798&TM=81449.34

seicer...I suggest Sunday. Partly cloudy and 73. I think there's a chance of rain on Friday and Saturday, so you may have to dodge some showers.

Thank you, thank you! How the hell does monte get 0? And richNcincy getting 1 vote is a crime! He's the one who keeps this board running! EDIT: Ugh...I just noticed that my total time logged in is 70 days and 46 minutes. That's just wrong.

From the 1/18/07 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: Jerome Village, phase by phase GRAPHIC: Development size RENDERING: Office campus near the town center HIGHLAND MANAGEMENT , BIRD HOUK COLLABORATIVE RENDERING: Retail and office space in the town center RENDERING: Town center Crafting a community Take 15 years, 1,350 acres, stir in 2,200 homes, dozens of businesses, parks and other amenities, and you could have Jerome Village Thursday, January 18, 2007 Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A Columbus developer hopes to create a classic Ohio small town northwest of Dublin in Jerome Township. Final plans are gelling for Jerome Village, a planned community that will offer housing, offices, retail stores and other amenities on 1,350 acres of farmland. Highland also has secured the backing of Arena District developer Nationwide Realty Investors for the project, which promises 2,200 rooftops. More than half will be within a 10-minute walk of a town center complete with a police and fire station, a library, a post office, shops and restaurants. Its backers say Jerome Village is a concept unique to central Ohio that will incorporate antisprawl principles of smart growth, new urbanism and resource conservation. More at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/01/18/20070118-F1-01.html

From ThisWeek Bexley, 3/1/07: Council holds back on Jeffrey Mansion hire Thursday, March 1, 2007 By QUINN BOWMAN ThisWeek Staff Writer In a busy night of city government meetings, Bexley City Council decided against putting a local consultant, and her five-figure fee, on the fast track to approval. Donna K. Laidlaw, who also chairs the Main Street redevelopment commission, is asking for $40,000 over the next five months to help the Jeffrey Mansion commission rehabilitate the local landmark. Council member Jeffrey McClelland, who serves as chairman of the Jeffrey Mansion commission, asked council to suspend the usual three-reading requirement for the ordinance allocating the money for Laidlaw, but several council members wanted to give the public more input before approving the contract. "I have a problem with suspension and adoption tonight," council member Mark Masser said. He said he had the duty to see the actual contract, which has not been written yet, and that he was scared of Laidlaw's fee. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/030107/Bexley/News/030107-News-313466.html

From ThisWeek Bexley, 2/8/07: Group moves forward with mansion plans Finance committee to hear consultant's proposal Feb. 13 Thursday, February 8, 2007 By QUINN BOWMAN ThisWeek Staff Writer The Jeffrey Mansion Commission is another step closer to figuring out exactly what to do with the historic Bexley landmark, voting Tuesday night to present a consultant's proposal for the project to the city finance committee Feb. 13. Donna K. Laidlaw, an urban- and community-planning consultant, presented her vision for Jeffrey Mansion and the commission Tuesday night. Because she is not under contract yet, she declined to comment on her plan. Commission chairman and Bexley City Council member Jeff McClelland said Laidlaw's proposal includes Laidlaw's fee, which he declined to disclose until council has an opportunity to see the proposal next week. Jeffrey Mansion was built in 1905 and was given to the city in 1942. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/020807/Bexley/News/020807-News-303533.html

From Bexley News, 1/31/07: Report gives council more arguments for maintenance The report points out problems resulting from water damage, previous repairs that caused brick to crack. By BRET LIEBENDORFER Bexley City Council members tabled an ordinance that would appropriate $650,000 for improvements to the Jeffrey Mansion after hearing a report that called for $1.2 million in repairs. The tabled ordinance called for the city to appropriate money for tuckpointing, the repairing of masonry joints. However, a report given by Bob Loversridge, president and chief executive officer of Schooley Caldwell Associates, indicated a wide range of additional exterior work is needed. Service Department Director Dorothy Pritchard said she recommends incorporating Loversridge's recommendations into an ordinance. Read more at http://www.snponline.com/NEWS1-31/1-31_bemansion.html

From ThisWeek Bexley, 1/18/07: Mansion exterior repairs could cost $1M Langner: City might consider pursuing grants Thursday, January 18, 2007 By INA HORWITZ-WHITMORE ThisWeek Staff Writer Repairing the exterior of Jeffrey Mansion would cost approximately $1-million, according to Bexley resident and architect Bob Loversidge of Schooley Caldwell Associates. The estimate did not include roof replacement or interior work. Loversidge reported the cost estimate to Jeffrey Mansion commission members on Jan. 10. The commission is a group created by city council to look at ways to fix and enhance the building. Bringing the mansion up to code -- exterior and interior -- has been estimated to cost $1.6-million. Currently, there is an ordinance before council to appropriate $650,000 to tuckpoint the mansion. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=bexley&story=sites/thisweeknews/011807/Bexley/News/011807-News-291286.html

From Business First of Columbus, 3/19/07: Fortin's N. Third building getting offices, retail to go with its condos Business First of Columbus - March 16, 2007 by Brian R. Ball Business First When developer Tom Fortin bought the building at 154 N. Third St. in Columbus last year, he faced a choice: Ride the wave of downtown condo conversions or renovate the five-story property for offices and retailers. He decided to mix housing and commercial uses at the building. A potential commercial tenant for 3,200 square feet on the second floor prompted him to set aside more office space in the building beyond the retail planned for its ground floor. Read more at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/03/19/story10.html

Buildings to conserve energy By: Alexandria Clark, BG News Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Campus The BGSU Office of Design and Construction is making it key to upgrade buildings for energy conservational performance, while planning to shape performance use of environmental sustainability for new buildings. There are 40 campus buildings on the energy audit list to be improved, such as for window replacements, heating and cooling and system controls and mechanical upgrades. MORE: http://www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2007/03/01/Campus/Buildings.To.Conserve.Energy-2750759.shtml

Mac Dining Hall gets a makeover By: Freddy Hunt, BG News Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Campus Future McDonald and Offenhauer residents will have to choose between growling stomachs and sore legs. A $13 million renovations proposal for McDonald Dining Hall has been approved, with construction planned for May 2008 to January 2010. MORE: http://www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2007/03/01/Campus/Mac-Dining.Hall.Gets.A.Makeover-2750763.shtml

From the 1/23/07 BG News: Construction continues on Sebo Center By: Megan Yodzis Issue date: 1/23/07 Section: Campus Complete with weight rooms, sports medicine facilities, board rooms and therapy pools for athletes, the Sebo Center is moving along quickly. Paint, dry walls and minor electrical details is all the new Sebo Center has to look forward to before the grand opening. www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2007/01/23/Campus/Construction.Continues.On.Sebo.Center-2668359.shtml]http://media.www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2007/01/23/Campus/Construction.Continues.On.Sebo.Center-2668359.shtml

From the 1/18/07 BG News: Plan being put into place, needs financial backing By: Chris Voloschuk Issue date: 1/18/07 Section: Sports What will the University's athletic facilities look like in 2027? It is a question that an increasing number of people are asking these days, and one that the University is looking to answer. Currently, the buildings housing the University's four major sports are a mix of good, bad and especially old parts. www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2007/01/18/Sports/Plan-Being.Put.Into.Place.Needs.Financial.Backing-2652900.shtml]http://media.www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2007/01/18/Sports/Plan-Being.Put.Into.Place.Needs.Financial.Backing-2652900.shtml

From the 3/18/07 DDN: Schools' quaint character under siege Districts in northern Warren County trying to cope with expected influx of students in the next five years. By Lawrence Budd Staff Writer Sunday, March 18, 2007 WAYNESVILLE — In the next five years, thousands of new students — some who moved to get away from larger communities and class sizes — are expected to enroll in school districts in fast-growing northern Warren County. Waynesville's quaint character, as well as its old school, could be a casualty. "You lose it because of the growth," Wayne Superintendent Tom Isaacs said, standing in the hall of a 90-year-old school building that could be razed to make room for the new students. "It's no longer a small community." http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/17/ddn031807schools.html

From the 1/18/07 PD: Steel industry on the mend After hard times, local operations looking to expand Thursday, January 18, 2007 Peter Krouse Plain Dealer Reporter As a new year dawns over Northeast Ohio's steel industry, the future looks pretty bright. On Wednesday, Timken Co. announced it will pump $60 million into its Canton rolling operations. The expansion, which will create about 30 jobs and extend Timken's line of bar-shaped steel, should be completed by mid-2008. The steel will go to several uses, including parts for Japanese-brand autos. ... http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business/1169112620160940.xml&coll=2

From the 1/18/07 PD: Invacare plans to close more plants No more job cuts expected in Ohio, CEO says Thursday, January 18, 2007 Mary Vanac Plain Dealer Reporter Invacare Corp., the home health care equipment maker in Elyria, plans another wave of plant closures and related job cuts worldwide as it looks for new bank lenders in the next few weeks. Company executives weren't ready to put numbers on the closures or job cuts announced Wednesday, which are expected to save the company $38 million this year and $50 million a year after that. But A. Malachi Mixon III, Invacare's chief executive, said Wednesday evening that he didn't expect any more job cuts in Ohio this year... To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-5302[/i] http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business/1169114417160940.xml&coll=2

Court gives Global Home Products an extension Anchor Hocking parent company has four months to make Chapter 11 plan By TAMARIA L. KULEMEKA The Eagle-Gazette Staff [email protected] LANCASTER — Anchor Hocking employees may know within four months whether the company will be sold. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge recently granted Global Home Products a four-month extension to craft its Chapter 11 plan. Global Home Products — Anchor Hocking’s parent company — asked the judge if it could have more time to come up with a Chapter 11 plan because it was devoting a significant amount of time toward assessing whether it should sell the glassware maker, its remaining business division, or reorganize it. More at: http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070118/NEWS01/70118001/1002/rss01

From the 3/19/07 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: Growing property taxes GRAPHIC: Tax returns: Like Robin Hood? List of 389 districts at the 20-mill level (PDF) Full list of Ohio's "donor" districts (PDF) School funding: Is it fixed? LESS = MORE FOR SCHOOLS Monday, March 19, 2007 Jim Siegel THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH For every $1 that Bexley residents send to the state in income taxes, the school district gets back about 15 cents. New Albany residents could be jealous of such a return. Their district receives 8 cents on the dollar. Meanwhile, for every $1 in state income tax paid by Whitehall residents, the district collects $1.73. It’s $2.02 in Hamilton Local, $2.13 in Amanda-Clearcreek in Fairfield County. For years, the Ohio Supreme Court and some lawmakers have condemned any funding setup that creates a blatant "Robin Hood" effect, in which rich districts pay for poor schools. But to some extent it’s already happening. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/03/19/20070319-A1-03.html

An excellent summary from the 3/18/07 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: The DeRolph cases WHAT WENT ON IN THE SUPREME COURT School funding: Is it fixed? Sunday, March 18, 2007 By Joe Hallett THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A decade ago, the Ohio Supreme Court issued the first of four rulings that the state school-funding system was unconstitutional. This week, The Dispatch looks at their lingering effects. Deliberations raged for seven years at the Ohio Supreme Court. The justices declared Ohio’s system of funding schools unconstitutional four times, the first ruling arriving 10 years ago this week. The story of how they made those decisions has never been told, but now it can be based on exclusive Dispatch interviews with four of the seven justices. They wrote brilliantly and stretched the bounds of credulity. They soared sublimely at times and crashed inanely at others. One justice, for instance, wanted to shut down state government until the legislature fixed the school-funding system. Two others, desperate to get rid of the case, switched their positions and vainly tried to impose a solution, only to eat crow. The case had a face: Nathan DeRolph, the 15-year-old high school freshman at Sheridan High School in Perry County who lent his name to the 1991 lawsuit against the state by 550 school districts. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/03/18/20070318-A1-00.html