buildingcincinnati

From the 1/9/07 Wilmington News Journal: Lawsuit filed on bypass Gary Huffenberger Staff Writer A lawsuit filed by Wilmington bypass opponents intends to show that the process by which highway projects are approved or rejected was pruned to the extent of breaking state and federal law. "When you read the complaint, you can see how ODOT [Ohio Department of Transportation] cut corners and how the Federal Highway Administration just let them do that," said Columbus attorney David G. Cox, who represents the Clinton County Citizens for Responsible Development (CCCRD). The CCCRD authorized Cox to prepare and file legal action against the Federal Highway Administration, ODOT, the Clinton County commissioners and Woolpert Inc. ... http://www.wnewsj.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=152183&SectionID=49&SubSectionID=156

Grove asking voters to fund new school Lima News, 2/23/07 School funding issues highlight the May 8 election ballot. Columbus Grove schools, which had a levy fail in November, seeks a 0.25-percent income tax and 7.72-mill bond to raise $9.8 million for a new kindergarten through 12th grade facility. The district also seeks a 0.5-mill maintenance levy required through its deal with the Ohio School Facilities Commission Classroom Facilities Assistance Program. Grove could get $17.6 million to build a new school if voters approve the proposal. The deadline for issues to be placed on the ballot was Thursday.

From the 3/1/07 Record-Courier: Group eyes new school funding initiative Portage educators gather to learn more about plan March 1, 2007 By Jason De Leon Record-Courier staff writer The November ballot may include a constitutional amendment intended to do away with the property tax burden for funding public schools. Portage County educators gathered Wednesday at Maplewood Career Center to learn more about the Getting It Right For Ohio's Future initiative. "This is a proactive approach to properly fund schools," said Dewey Chapman, superintendent of the Portage County Educational Services Center. The core of the amendment is to offer all students of Ohio a high quality, fairly funded education, according to the Campaign for Ohio's Future. Overall, the amendment would calculate education's cost and require legislative action to make the state pay more of that cost with constitutional checks and balances. Also, it would reduce the number of new local property tax levies and protect state funding for school facilities, local government and higher education, according to the group. MORE: http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/1667011 From the 3/1/07 Findlay Courier: Petition drive aiming to put education issue on fall ballot By DENISE GRANT Staff Writer A petition drive has begun to force the issue of disparity in Ohio's school funding system onto the November ballot. On Wednesday area educators, including teachers, administrators and booster groups, turned out at the Findlay campus of Owens Community College to receive their marching orders: help collect 402,276 signatures statewide by Aug. 8. That's the deadline for submitting signatures to Ohio's Secretary of State in order to put a constitutional amendment, "Getting It Right for Ohio's Future," on the November ballot. The proposed amendment would make a high-quality education a fundamental right for every child in Ohio. Backers say it can be done, and the amendment would force lawmakers into action. MORE: http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2007/Mar/ar_news_030107.asp#story2

From the 2/28/07 Massillon Independent: Teachers urged to fight for school funding fix By AMY L. KNAPP [email protected] Area educators gathered Tuesday to learn how they can help change the face of school funding in Ohio. “Getting It Right! For Ohio’s Future” – a group of 12 leading educational groups throughout the state – met with area educators to explain the process for collecting signatures to include an amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot that would put the burden of funding Ohio’s schools on the state board of education. Under the proposal, the amendment would require the state board to identify the cost of education for each student – including those with special needs, gifted students and vocational/technical students – and to meet that financial requirement. MORE: http://www.indeonline.com/index.php?ID=14272&r=1&Category=1

From the 3/1/07 Marion Star: Voters asked to get behind school funding Two districts see ballot in May; amendment wouldn't be until November By KURT MOORE The Marion Star MARION - A decision on whether Marion City Schools Board of Education will seek a property or income tax in November is being delayed for a month as board members talk to the public, the board's president said on Wednesday. Meanwhile residents will soon have the chance to get behind a school funding amendment that may also make the November ballot. The discussions are centering around how best to fund public education, an ongoing debate in several communities within the state. For the Marion board, which is seeking additional funding, the question is whether to seek a 0.5-percent income tax or a 4.9-mill, five-year property tax levy. The Ohio Department of Taxation estimates the income tax, which would be phased in over a few years, would raise about $2.1 million per year by 2010. The Marion County Auditor's Office forecasts a 4.9-mill, five-year property tax would raise about $1.8 million per year. MORE: http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070301/NEWS01/703010326/1002/rss01

There might still be hope for 1500-1502 Vine St. This is one of the derelict Vine Street properties identified by Charlie Luken in his messages to B&I in February 2005. Later that year it was declared a public nuisance. I don't believe anyone's lived here (legally) for quite a few years. The owners, Big Dog Holdings, have already applied for a permit to demolish the six-story building, after holding it for two years and doing absolutely nothing with it. At the eleventh hour, a possible sale of the building has come about and the demo permit is on hold. I posted a year or so ago about the pending demolition of 1426 Republic St. Well, it's still there. But I would expect to see it come down soon. LAST POST (2/28/06) 1925 Vine St has been condemned. Aside from the obvious structural defects, the building was also a hangout for drug dealers and whores and the request to barricade it came from District One police. Pre-prosecution regarding demolition or rehab is currently in the works. (My money's on demolition.) Interestingly, the auditor's website lists the year built as 1850. It's quite a handsome building--I hope it's saved.

From the 2/27/07 Newark Advocate: Johnstown schools bursting at the seams Building committee looking at financial plans to fight serious overcrowding By JENNIFER NESBITT Advocate Reporter JOHNSTOWN -- The Johnstown-Monroe schools currently have 581 more students than capacity. In less than 10 years, it is projected the district will have more than 1,100 more students than its four buildings are meant to house. But five times in four years, voters turned down a district request for money to fund new schools, even though a recent survey showed that 87 percent of residents don't think the buildings are fine the way they are. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070227/NEWS01/702270303/1002/rss01

From the 2/8/07 Enquirer: Plan for 1,380 homes denied BY BRENNA R. KELLY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER BURLINGTON - The biggest subdivision proposed for Boone County in more than 10 years is just too big, planning commissioners said Wednesday. The Boone County Planning Commission voted 9-1 to deny a zone change for the 1,380-home development proposed by Fischer Homes and Arlinghaus Builders. The subdivision, planned for 345 acres between Longbranch Road and Hathaway Road, was to have a mix of single-family homes and up to 568 condominiums. Read more here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070208/NEWS0103/702080401/1059/rss13 From the 2/26/07 Enquirer: Kentucky Post: Boone schools say they have been left out of money from the state (2/22/07) Kentucky Post: Tight fit (2/22/07) Kentucky Post: A closer look (2/22/07) Boone County Recorder: New high school to open in 2008 (2/13/07) Cincinnati Enquirer: Schools plead for funding (1/12/07) Schools keep pressure on Boone to lawmakers: We need money BY WILLIAM CROYLE | [email protected] Boone County Schools say they need money to keep up with growth and will not let the current legislative session go by without being heard. Superintendent Bryan Blavatt told Gov. Ernie Fletcher at a town hall meeting last month that the district is not receiving enough state funding to build new schools. Fletcher was in Northern Kentucky to get ideas from the public on how to spend the state's $279 million surplus. Blavatt urged him to earmark some for Boone County Schools. Read more here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070226/NEWS0102/702260348/1058/NEWS01 From the 2/12/07 Boone County Recorder: Walton to annex 19.5 acres BY LINDSAY KOTTMANN | COMMUNITY RECORDER STAFF WRITER WALTON - Next month, the city of Walton could be 19.5 acres bigger. City council approved the first readings for the annexation of two pieces of property at its Feb. 12 meeting. The properties include 12 acres at 13310 Walton Verona Road and 7.5 acres at 150 Old Nicholson Road. Both of the properties are being annexed from Boone County. Read more here: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070212/NEWS01/702120423/1064/Local

UPDATE: City council approved the 15-year tax abatement on Wednesday. From the 2/26/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Madisonville could land $91M retirement village Cincinnati Business Courier - February 23, 2007 by Dan Monk Senior Staff Reporter An Indianapolis developer is seeking tax breaks to help it finance a $91 million retirement center that would bring more than 100 new jobs to Madisonville. The Stratford at Kenwood Road project would involve the demolition of the Kenwood Towers apartment complex on Kenwood, north of Madison Road, according to documents obtained from the city of Cincinnati. That would free up a 16-acre wooded hillside site that would feature five upscale housing towers, ranging from three to 10 stories, and 28 retirement cottages. City officials say Madisonville has seen an increase in leasing activity; a Saab dealership recently completed a "major investment to renovate their space," and at nearby Madison and Whetsel, Cervay said the city is trying to assemble a site to attract a mixed-use, housing-over-retail development. MORE: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/02/26/story3.html From the 3/1/07 Enquirer: Muhlhauser Barn to be rustic shelter Township will spend $1.6 million to rebuild it in a park BY JESSICA BROWN | [email protected] WEST CHESTER TWP. - This Butler County township will spend $1.6 million to rebuild a historic barn. Township trustees decided it's worth the money because the 1800s-era Muhlhauser Barn is beloved by many. It's a piece of township history, leaders say. "It's the belief of the board of trustees that reserving some small amount of our historic heritage gives the community more depth and more substance," said Trustee Catherine Stoker. "We can't afford to preserve everything, but preserving a modest amount gives some perspective to people." The barn will be re-erected in Beckett Park and will become an enclosed rustic shelter suitable for reunions, receptions and community events. Construction is expected to start by the end of March and end in October. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070301/NEWS01/703010382/1056/COL02

State approves $5.1M in funding for local housing projects Business First of Columbus - February 23, 2007 The Ohio Housing Finance Agency's board has approved more than $5.1 million in funding and loans for affordable housing projects in Central Ohio. The following projects were approved for funding: * The Columbus Housing Partnership Inc. will receive $250,000 to build and rehabilitate City View Homes, a 35-home housing project in Franklinton. City View Homes LLC is also slated to receive a $1 million loan for a construction deposit and a $1 million loan to assist with other development costs. * Housing Services Alliance Inc. is slated to receive $550,000 to acquire and rehabilitate Luke's Crossing in Licking County. Additionally, the 45-unit Luke's Crossing Limited Partnership will receive a $100,000 start-up loan and another $1 million loan to help with development. * Inner City Catholic Parishes Inc. is in line to receive $250,000 to rehabilitate the 211-unit Nazareth Towers in Columbus. * Riverside Mill Development LLC is slated to receive $450,000 to build Riverside Mill Homes II, a six-home housing project in Grove City. * Zanesville Housing Development Corp. will receive $550,000 for the Zanesville Family Homes II, which has 50 houses in Muskingum County. Read more at http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/02/19/daily32.html?from_rss=1

From the Business Digest portion of the 3/1/07 Enquirer: Banks group requests new chance for plan Business digest ENQUIRER STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS The head of a group that wants to develop The Banks has asked city and county officials to reconsider its earlier proposal for a mixed-use project on Cincinnati's central riverfront in light of the Banks Working Group's failure to conclude an agreement with its preferred developer by its initial Feb. 15 deadline. Full story text is available at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070301/BIZ01/703010322/1076/rss01

Both from the 3/2/07 DDN: Despite ban, many bars allow smoking By James Cummings Staff Writer Friday, March 02, 2007 DAYTON — State law has prohibited smoking in places of business since Dec. 7, but you wouldn't know it by walking into some local bars. A visit to eight randomly selected bars one evening last week found only three enforcing the smoking rules Ohio voters passed by a large margin last fall. The other five still had ashtrays on the tables and did not display "No Smoking" signs. Read more: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/ddn030207smoking.html Mid-April likely date for smoking-ban rules By James Cummings Staff Writer Friday, March 02, 2007 DAYTON — Though the law against indoor smoking officially took effect in December, the Ohio Department of Health has not established rules for enforcing the law. Kristopher Weiss, a spokesman for the health department, said the rules will be in place by mid-April if everything goes smoothly during the next few weeks. Read more: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/ddn030207smokinginside.html

From the 2/28/07 Dispatch: OPPOSITION BY SMOKERS, BUSINESS OWNERS Tempers flare at hearing on Ohio’s smoking ban Wednesday, February 28, 2007 James Nash THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A last-ditch fight against the state’s antismoking law became so heated yesterday that two proponents of the law left a hearing early for their own safety. The State Highway Patrol advised the two American Cancer Society representatives to leave the Ohio Department of Health hearing because of threats from some in the crowd, said Wendy Simpkins, spokeswoman for the society. With just weeks remaining before businesses face penalties for violating Ohio’s new statewide smoking ban, dozens of smokers and business owners fought yesterday to throw out all or part of the law. Read more: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/28/20070228-E1-04.html

From the 2/27/07 Marietta Times: Area still adjusting to smoking ban By Brad Bauer, [email protected] A public hearing set for today in Columbus on Ohio’s indoor smoking ban is just another step toward enforcement and is not likely to lead to exceptions for businesses, a local bar owner said. Read more: http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/new32_227200780056.asp

From Business First of Columbus, 2/26/07: Some puffers burned to discover hotels stubbing out smoking rooms Business First of Columbus - February 23, 2007 by Brent LaLonde For Business First The statewide smoking ban that went into effect in December allows hotels to designate up to 20 percent of its sleeping rooms as smoking rooms, but it's becoming more difficult to find a hotel room in which to light up. Two major nationwide hotel chains - the Westin and Marriott International, which includes Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownPlace Suites and Fairfield Inn - went smoke-free in 2006 in their combined 2,300 hotels. The Marriott chain made the move in September, just weeks before Ohioans voted to ban smoking in nearly all public places. Read more: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/02/26/focus2.html

Both from ThisWeek Licking County, 2/25/07: Area officials say road improvements are needed Sunday, February 25, 2007 By LORI WINCE ThisWeek Staff Writer Road issues continue to plague residents in western Licking County, officials learned Feb. 22, during the Pataskala Area Chamber of Commerce's second annual joint meeting. Robert Lawler of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission updated the group on the most recent 310 corridor study being completed by MORPC, the Licking County Area Transportation Study (LCATS), Etna Township, Licking and Fairfield counties, the city of Pataskala and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The study is expected to cost $163,000 and includes state Route 310 from state Route 161 in Licking County to Stemen Road in Fairfield County between York Road and Mink Street. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/022507/LickingCounty/News/022507-News-310922.html

Here's an older article from January that I didn't see posted. It features some opinions on the building: Opinions on Ascent take form As tower rises, so does interest BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | [email protected] COVINGTON - With outer walls starting to appear on the 22-story Daniel Libeskind-designed "Ascent at Roebling's Bridge" luxury condominium tower, people passing by are intrigued by the building's evolution. Many love it. Others are undecided about the whitish rectangular cast-concrete panels being installed. Still others say they don't care much what the building looks like. They just hope it will spark development near Covington's riverfront - luring more restaurants to replace the recently closed Donna's Diner and Jack Quinn's Restaurant & Irish Pub. Full article at http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070117/NEWS0103/701170376

From the 1/18/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Comfort Suites opens near airport Cincinnati Business Courier - January 18, 2007 A newly built suite hotel has been added to the lodging offerings near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Read more here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/01/15/daily40.html?surround=lfn From the 1/24/07 Boone County Recorder: State money could help fund extras for park BY LINDSAY KOTTMANN | COMMUNITY RECORDER STAFF WRITER VERONA - The Verona park being developed through a joint effort of the Boone County Fiscal Court and the Walton-Verona Independent School District might get a boost from money the district recently received from the state. Waller-Stephenson Mill Park, located off I-71 in Verona, will feature athletic fields, picnic areas, a disc golf course, tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, outdoor basketball courts, an amphitheater, and walking trails. Read more here: [email protected] 283-0404, ext. 208 http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070124/NEWS01/701240365/1064/Local From the 1/24/07 Florence Recorder: Upscale homes proposed in Richwood BY PAUL MCKIBBEN | COMMUNITY RECORDER STAFF WRITER Florence developer RJ Construction Group Inc. wants to build 11 upscale homes in the Richwood area. The Boone County Planning Commission is considering a request to change the zoning from agricultural estate to rural suburban estates on a 11.27-acre site along Richwood Road and near Chambers Road. Read more here: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070124/NEWS01/701240364/1064/Local

From the 2/25/07 Marion Star: PHOTO: Signs of wind and water erosion and damage is evident in the courthouse sandstone. The Marion Star/Bill Sinden PHOTO: The Marion County Courthouse stands on the northeast corner of North Main and East Center streets. For some time now the county has been looking at the possibility of renovating the building. The Marion Star/Bill Sinden Our courthouse ... Should it stay or should it go? It'll cost millions to renovate, but some say preserving our history may be worth it By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star What's at stake Two centuries after it was built, the Marion County Courthouse heads for an uncertain future. Its interior remodeled at a cost of $900,000 in 1975, the courthouse must be renovated, demolished or allowed to deteriorate further. The price tag for renovation could be $4 million to $8 million. With the county projecting deficit spending of $1.1 million in 2007, the Board of County Commissioners is looking for grants, but say voters likely will be asked to pass a tax levy if they decide to renovate. Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070225/NEWS01/702250317/1002/rss01

From the 1/14/07 Marion Star: What would you do with our courthouse? Much needed repairs may bring the county commissioners around to asking you By JOHN JARVIS, The Marion Star MARION - Small pieces of ceiling have fallen while Sue Schweinfurth and her co-workers do their jobs in the Marion County Probate Court office. Rainwater has left stains in ceiling tile in a room where the public can look at microfilmed records. Plastic covers the device and the floor. A white cardboard box containing common pleas court records temporarily stored in the former county auditor's office wears a brown line, evidence of standing water produced by a heavy rain storm last summer. A portable heater rests beneath Schweinfurth's desk, her effort to compensate for degrees lost through a nearby drafty window. The Marion County Board of Commissioners will meet with an architect Jan. 19 to discuss what can be done to correct such situations, which have accumulated in a county courthouse suffering from years of disrepair. "It looks like it's a $7 million, $8 million project whether we rebuild, remodel, reconstruct or whatever the project ends up being," said Ken Frayer, board chairman. "In all probability we're going to need voter assistance when all's said and done." Fast Facts Construction of the Marion County Courthouse began in 1884 and was completed in 1885 at a cost of $115,000. In 1973, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1975, the interior was remodeled at cost of $900,000. Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070114/NEWS01/701140306/1002/rss01

From the 2/26/07 Enquirer: Sycamore residents say halt business expansion Protection sought for homes in Kugler Mill Road area BY FEOSHIA HENDERSON | [email protected] SYCAMORE TWP. - Sycamore Township residents know their efforts to reverse a township-approved zoning change on Kugler Mill Road won't stop a planned medical development there. But they want to make a point that business development should stop on that residential area that intersects Montgomery Road. "We know we cannot stop it, nor do we want to stop development in general," said resident Christine Willis. "This is about the continued intrusion of business (in residential areas)." Willis, who lives on nearby Timberknoll Drive, helped organize the petition drive that would let township voters decide whether a parcel on Kugler Mill near Montgomery Road should be rezoned for office use instead of residential. If successful, the referendum would go on the November ballot. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070226/NEWS01/702260382/ From the 2/26/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Kroger shops Harrison to build marketplace store Grocery would anchor center with retail, restaurants Cincinnati Business Courier - February 23, 2007 by Lisa Biank Fasig Staff Reporter In a sleepy corner of Harrison, not far from where Wal-Mart has been battling to build a supercenter, a local developer is planning a 58-acre retail center that likely will include a Kroger Marketplace, shops and restaurants. The project, called The Shoppes at Harrison Marketplace, would be built along Interstate 74 just south of the New Haven Road exit. It's nestled among a clump of residential streets and adjacent to the Harrison Square Shopping Center, where a traditional Kroger now operates. That grocery would be a Kroger Marketplace store, said company spokesman Art Wulfeck, who confirmed Kroger is looking into the site. He said the store would replace the existing Kroger next door and open in late 2008. Marketplace stores, at about 110,000 square feet, combine traditional groceries with furniture, linens and dinnerware. Kroger introduced the concept to Cincinnati in 2006 with stores in Liberty Township and Lebanon, and plans at least eight more, including one in Middletown this spring and Newport in 2008. MORE: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/02/26/story6.html

From the 2/23/07 Dispatch: Tax break for condos on table Worthington wary of granting abatement for residences Friday, February 23, 2007 Dean Narciso THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Worthington needs more housing for empty nesters and young professionals. But City Council members are debating whether they should offer tax breaks to encourage a condominium complex when the city also needs revenue from commercial development. Such tax breaks are rare in Franklin County, where 840 residential properties have some form of tax discount: 164 in Obetz; 120 at Miranova and 556 in other parts of Columbus, mostly Downtown lofts and condominiums, the Franklin County auditor’s office says. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/23/20070223-B1-01.html

OOPS...yeah, it's nominating, not voting. Thanks for catching that. Also, I couldn't figure out how to PM all members of the forum. So I guess it would be best if we could just bump this thread from time to time until March 9, so that it will show up in the unread posts.

From the 1/9/07 Enquirer: Boone County Recorder: Kroger Marketplace to locate in Walton (1/9/07) Kroger to anchor new mall Marketplace store awaited six years BY RYAN CLARK | [email protected] Developers, city officials and Kroger representatives finally spilled a secret Monday, one that has been rumored for about six years. Walton is getting a new Kroger Marketplace grocery store. As the anchor of the city's planned Walton Towne Center shopping complex, the Kroger Marketplace will offer groceries as well as furniture, linens and other home décor. The all-brick building will take up 116,000 square feet and will bring 300 to 400 jobs to the city, Kroger representative Christy Snelling said. Read more here: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070109/NEWS0103/701090384 From the 1/3/07 Florence Recorder: Extra Turfway lanes not for use yet BY LINDSAY KOTTMANN | COMMUNITY RECORDER STAFF WRITER FLORENCE - The extra lanes marked off by white edge lines on each side of Turfway Road may look inviting to drivers stopped at red lights, but they are technically closed. There are no barrels or other barriers to block most of the lanes, which were paved this year as part of a two-year, $10.6 million expansion project for the busy state-owned road. Read more here: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070103/NEWS01/701030356/1092/Local From the 1/12/07 Enquirer: $25,000 donated to turn ex-mine into park BY BRENNA R. KELLY | [email protected] The effort to turn a former mine into a park got a boost this month from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. The foundation, a regional charity, has given the Boone Conservancy a $25,000 grant to help reclaim an abandoned sand and gravel mine in western Boone County. Read more here: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070112/NEWS0103/701120444

From the 2/28/07 Youngstown Vindicator: JFS move will be moved back By PETER H. MILLIKEN VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — A lawsuit by a division of the Cafaro Co. and other factors will delay the move of the Mahoning County Department of Job and Family Services to Oakhill Renaissance Place until late fall, according to the county building commission chairman and a project architect... http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/310308964948070.php From the 2/28/07 East Liverpool Review: City council opposes clustering ‘affordable’ homes By FRED MILLER [email protected] EAST LIVERPOOL — City council is prepared to go on record as being opposed to the clustering, but not the concept, of 32 “affordable” housing units proposed by PIRHL Developers LLC... http://reviewonline.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=6463 Resurfacing set for Market Street Warren Tribune Chronicle, 2/27/07 Plans are under way for a $2.1 million street resurfacing project that will drive eastside motorists maybe a little crazier. A year-long East Market Street resurfacing is expected to take place the same time as the much criticized North Road construction project that has left vehicles straddling massive potholes and taking detours... Building planned on Shannon Road Youngstown Vindicator, 2/23/07 School officials want residents to approve borrowing money to build a new junior/senior high school — now they are letting residents know exactly where that building would be and how much it would cost... Board shelves plans for $55M construction project Youngstown Vindicator, 2/23/07 The board of education has decided to abandon, at least for now, a $55 million construction project... Warren Tribune Chronicle: Niles won’t seek bond issue (2/23/07) Construction to begin on North Elementary East Liverpool Review, 2/22/07 Contracts awarded for the building of a new North Elementary School were announced at the regular meeting of the East Liverpool Board of Education Friday... East Liverpool Review: North Elementary bids over budget but on fast track (2/16/07) Council issues bonds for wellness center Warren Tribune Chronicle, 2/22/07 City Council Wednesday approved seeking a loan to build the $3.8 million proposed Niles Wellness Center. ..