buildingcincinnati

From the 1/6/07 DDN: New outlook proposed for City Hall City Manager Rashad Young announces reorganization plan; he wants greater emphasis placed on economic development. By Joanne Huist Smith Staff Writer Saturday, January 06, 2007 DAYTON — Dayton City Manager Rashad Young plans to change City Hall operations to have greater impact on economic development efforts and enhance the way services are delivered to residents. "We have heard the message. Economic development is critical for the city," Young said. The reorganization plan, announced Friday, calls for creation of a third assistant city manger focusing on development. This position would oversee the Office of Economic Development and some employees in development-related jobs who work in aviation, water and building services. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/06/ddn010607reorg.html

From the 1/13/07 Youngstown Vindicator: MS Consultants to review options for Route 224 The review of the study would cost up to $5,900. By DENISE DICK VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER BOARDMAN — Township trustees opted to hold off for now on a review that would make recommendations on the U.S. Route 224 corridor study. Jason Loree, township administrator, asked trustees to consider asking MS Consultants, the township engineering company, to review the U.S. 224 study. The study, funded by Ohio Department of Transportation and Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, is focused on the six-mile stretch of Route 224 from state Route 11 in Canfield to Interstate 680 in Poland. URS Consultants of Akron is conducting the $1 million study. Although it's not required for the study to proceed, trustees were asked by Eastgate to submit their comments regarding the suggested alternatives. http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/289692682909146.php

From the 1/6/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Looking at SR 11 area The interchange study includes traffic counts and growth projections for the area. By DENISE DICK VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER BOARDMAN — Another study within the larger U.S. Route 224 corridor study must be completed before the full report is done. The Ohio Department of Transportation is conducting an interchange modification study at U.S. 224 and state Route 11 to ensure that the alternatives suggested for U.S. 224 won't negatively impact the interchange, said Maureen Bachman, an ODOT District 4 spokeswoman. "The results will determine whether plans for U.S. 224 can move forward to design," she said. The study will be done in the next several months, Bachman said. The interchange modification study, or IMS, has to be approved by the Federal Highway Administration. http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/15692274232261.php

From the 1/5/07 DDN: Dayton airport traffic slips a bit By John Nolan Staff Writer Friday, January 05, 2007 Dayton International Airport got a little less busy in 2006 as the total number of takeoffs and landings fell by 10 percent from the prior year, according to preliminary figures the Federal Aviation Administration released Friday. Takeoffs and landings at Dayton totaled 108,633 in the year just ended, compared with 121,123 in 2005. The FAA figures include commercial carriers, charter and private aircraft, and military flights. Other airports around the country also experienced declines, according to the FAA findings. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport — where primary carrier Delta Air Lines reduced its flight schedules by 25 percent a year ago — saw takeoffs and landings fall by 30 percent, from 495,452 in 2005 to 345,758 last year. Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/05/ddn010507airportsweb.html From the 1/5/07 Dayton Business Journal: Traffic rises at the Dayton International Airport Dayton Business Journal - January 5, 2007 Traffic at the Dayton International Airport grew 12 percent in November 2006 compared with November 2005. Almost 113,000 passengers flew in November, compared with 100,500 in the same month the prior year, according to data released Friday. Year-to-date, 1.2 million passengers flew, compared with 1.1 million in the prior year period. Airlines that saw increases included Delta Airlines Inc. with an 11 percent increase from November 2005 to November 2006; AirTran Airways, 12 percent; U.S. Airways, 13 percent; United Airlines, 25 percent; and Continental Express, 40 percent. American Airlines saw an 8 percent decline. The Dayton International Airport has 13 airlines serving 20 major destinations across the country. Full article at http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/01/01/daily22.html?surround=lfn

From the 1/5/07 Toledo Blade: ALTERNATIVE FUEL TARTA test shows biodiesel may trim maintenance costs By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER Biodiesel buses may not just be environmentally friendly: They also could improve the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority's bottom line. That's the upshot of preliminary results from an ongoing test of 48 buses fueled by a blend of traditional diesel oil and soybean oil, James Gee, TARTA's general manager, told the authority's board of trustees yesterday. During the first six months of the three-year test, the biodiesel buses required between 15 percent and 20 percent less maintenance than their counterparts burning 100 percent ultra-low sulfur diesel. "There is an environmental benefit and, according to the results, a maintenance benefit," Mr. Gee said. "That was unexpected." ........ http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/NEWS11/701050333/-1/NEWS

From the 1/6/07 Springfield News-Sun: State Theater lacks activities, entertainment for community By Andrew McGinn Staff Writer Friday, January 05, 2007 The State Theater started out showing silent movies — now the downtown landmark has entered its 80th year just as quietly. A local church, New Hope World Mission, had moved in as a tenant last spring with big plans to restore the building as it both entertained the community and served its spiritual needs. Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0352 or [email protected]. http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/05/sns010607statetheater.html

From the 1/6/07 ABJ: Metro RTA to solicit ideas for transfer site Larger site for bus terminal to give room to grow By John Higgins Beacon Journal staff writer The Metro Regional Transit Authority will discuss plans next week to build a $16.3 million bus transfer terminal at East Bartges Street and South Broadway. Construction on the new center -- which will sit on about eight acres of city-donated property east of South Broadway -- is scheduled to start in 2008 and should be open in two years. .......... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16397634.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

Shouldn't we be voting by private message instead of in the thread? Votes can be affected/changed this way. Please PM your picks to ink. Posts with picks may be deleted soon, so PM him even if you've voted in this thread.

Hmm...I don't know. That story from April says there was a groundbreaking for the hotel, but I haven't been through Riverside since then.

Thanks for taking the initiative, ink.

From the 1/11/07 Pulse-Journal: Mason addresses downtown 'red tape' Council plans committee to work with builders on requirements. By Denise G. Callahan Staff Writer Thursday, January 11, 2007 "It's easy to develop big open fields, but you're stuck with your downtown, it's like an albatross. Mason is going to be like Cincinnati looking across at Newport." That's what local contractor Mark Anderson told Mason City Council this week. He voiced problems he said he has had with both the city's engineering department and Design Review Board. Click on link for article. http://www.pulsejournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/10/pjm011107masoncouncil.html

From the 1/5/07 Enquirer: Locally owned businesses grow in downtown Mason BY JESSICA BROWN | [email protected] MASON - As the city proceeds with a $5 million downtown renovation project, two Main Street businesses have announced expansion plans. Pitrelli's Italian Deli, a family-owned restaurant, is expanding to boost seating capacity from 30 to 40 people and add a bar selling Italian wine and beer. ... Meanwhile, Main Street Studio of Dance and Performing Arts is renovating a storage room to create a 300-square-foot vocal and music room. The studio already offers dance and acting lessons. Owner Jodi Palmieri decided the music students needed a space of their own. Click on link for article. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/NEWS01/701050376/1056/COL02

The Buckeye Institute has released its comprehensive report on Ohio's education system. The report makes three main points: 1) Ohio should remove resource constraints by providing facilities and operating funding to community schools on par with that of traditional schools. 2) Ohio should ease and eventually eliminate growth caps on the absolute number of community schools. 3) Ohio should ease and eventually eliminate the geographic restrictions on start-up community schools that are not sponsored by districts. The (long) report can be found here: http://www.achieve.org/files/World_Class_Edu_Ohio_FINAL.pdf The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions is a nonpartisan research and educational institute devoted to individual liberty, economic freedom, personal responsibility and limited government in Ohio.

Quail Meadow opens in Fostoria Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune, 2/25/07 Bright sunlight streamed through the windows of the yet unfurnished community room at Quail Meadow in Fostoria Thursday afternoon at the Commission on Aging Board of Directors meeting. A fireplace blazed in the corner of this newly opened facility for seniors 55 and older, located on Stearns Road between SR 199 and U.S. 23, provides convenient access to the Plaza Shopping Center. One- and two-bedroom apartments are available while some feature a third room entered through French doors. A computer room is to be provided for communicating as well as areas for sewing and crafts. Interested seniors should contact the Commission on Aging for an application.

Swanton: Paigelynn Place development delayed Toledo Blade, 2/22/07 The proposed 40-unit rental complex for people ages 55 and over with moderate incomes, which was being mulled for Swanton, is being delayed by its central Ohio developer. "We've got other projects we've given a higher priority right now," said David Cooper, a principal in The Woda Group LLC of Westerville. The group was on the agenda for Tuesday's Fulton County Commissioners' meeting and representatives had spoken to Swanton Village Council last week about the proposal for Madeline Village. But in the meantime, WODA withdrew its request for a letter of support from those governmental groups and is re-evaluating the project it was considering building by its Paigelynn Place development. The letters of support would have been for WODA to use in an application for a federal tax credit through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.

Work on Ohio 53 set to finish on time Fremont News-Messenger, 2/20/07 The Ohio 53 construction project is running on schedule and will be completed by the fall, according to Andrea Voogd, public information officer for the Ohio Department of Transportation District 2 office in Bowling Green. Currently, the project is in a winter shutdown mode, and crews are working on noncritical weather activities like setting beams on the railroad bridge, Voogd said last week. Voogd said after the winter weather breaks, crews will be going strong and nearing completion. The last phase of the project will include final concrete pours for bridges, a final course of pavement, setting guardrails, putting up signage, painting the road and installing traffic lights and signs, she said. Fremont safety service director Ken Myers said he is pleased with the progress made so far.

From the 2/21/07 Newark Advocate: Village of Granville's annexation approved Residents' effort blocks Newark's westward growth By KENT MALLETT Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- After months of contentious debate about the area's future, the Licking County commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved a 514-acre annexation from Granville and Union townships into the village of Granville. The annexation, if finalized, largely would block Newark's future expansion to the west. Jim Eggenschwiler, a retired Granville Township resident who began the petition drive after learning of Newark's interest in locating a water tower nearby, attended Tuesday's meeting along with a half dozen other property owners in the area to be annexed. He said he wanted to prevent the city of Newark from annexing more land in the area. The commissioners decided the annexation request met all the legal requirements, including affirmative answers to the two key unresolved questions: * Is the territory to be annexed not unreasonably large? * Do the benefits of annexation outweigh the detriments? Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070221/NEWS01/702210304/1002/rss01

From the 1/5/07 ABJ: Mayor Plusquellic seeking re-election By John Higgins Beacon Journal staff writer Akron's longest-serving mayor announced Thursday at the National Inventors Hall of Fame that he is seeking re-election to a sixth four-year term. As children played with the hands-on exhibits in the background, Don Plusquellic said he intended to build on the city's success. Plusquellic reflected on his inauguration 20 years ago this week and on how the job evolved during his tenure with a growing emphasis on attracting and keeping jobs in the city. Read More...

From the 2/23/07 Toledo Free Press: DEVELOPMENT Study offers financial insight into potential merger By Autumn Lee Toledo Free Press Staff Writer An Urban Affairs Center feasibility study suggests a merger between the City of Sylvania and Sylvania Township could bring tax savings through a reduction of property taxes despite the extension of the city's income tax rate onto the township while yielding an additional $12 million in revenue for the merged community. Lynn Bachelor, a UT political science associate professor who helped prepare the report, said they spoke to local officials, determined how services are funded and conversed with other officials of other communities, who went through a merger, to help them guide their analysis. http://toledofreepress.com/?id=4991

From the 2/15/07 Blade: Sylvania-area residents mull merger Process would take years to complete By JANET ROMAKER BLADE STAFF WRITER As Sylvania-area residents review the new merger study, questions are surfacing about what role voters would play in the process and how long it might take to decide whether to combine the city and township. Although the merger process isn't particularly complicated, it is lengthy. Officials predicted it could be several years before Sylvania and Sylvania Township settle the issue. The first step in the merger process involves circulating petitions that would include names of at least five people from the city and from the township who would be willing to serve on the merger commission. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070215/NEIGHBORS05/702140313/-1/NEIGHBORS

From the 2/8/07 Blade: Reactions mixed for Sylvania-area plans merger plans Presentation of a feasibility study for the proposed Sylvania-Sylvania Township merger caused a mixed reaction last night at the first public forum held to discuss it. Released earlier this month by the University of Toledo's Urban Affairs Center, the study gave estimates of potential financial benefits of such a merger. Income taxes, not property taxes, could become the primary source of revenue, said Hugh Hinton, the director of the master's of public administration program at the University of Toledo. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070208/NEWS17/702080404/-1/RSS08

From the 2/1/07 Blade: Public to get a look at merger study Financial aspects examined for proposal for Sylvania, township By JANET ROMAKER BLADE STAFF WRITER Results from an independent study on a possible merger of Sylvania Township and the city of Sylvania will be presented to the community during a public meeting next week. Conducted by the University of Toledo's Urban Affairs Center, the feasibility study examined the financial impacts of a merger, said Pat Nowak, executive director of the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce. She is serving as a spokesman for the feasibility study effort. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070201/NEIGHBORS05/701310319/-1/NEIGHBORS

From the 1/4/07 Blade: Sylvania wants to meet with township Sylvania City Council wants a meeting of the minds with Sylvania Township trustees over fire protection. The council agreed last night it needs a joint discussion over long-term plans for funding fire department services, including personnel, equipment, and facilities. It is hoping that at least one trustee attends the council's Feb. 5 meeting. City officials said they would put their request in a diplomatically worded letter that, in the words of Councilman Mark Luetke, would "challenge them to not show up." http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070104/NEWS18/701040447

From the 2/15/07 Enquirer: Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton Twp. impact fees on agenda (2/14/07) Hamilton Twp. closer to impact fee Would add $6,000 to cost of a new house BY JESSICA BROWN | [email protected] HAMILTON TWP. - Developers may soon be charged about $6,000 for each new house they build in this fast-growing Warren County township. Township trustees are moving forward with a plan to impose impact fees on new development to help pay for roads, parks and emergency services. If approved, this would be the first township in Ohio to implement impact fees. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070215/NEWS01/702150341/1056/COL02 From the 2/21/07 Enquirer: Community Press Mason-Deerfield: Mason Board expected to approve $30 million bond issue for May (2/16/07) Pulse-Journal: School expansion bond closer to ballot (1/25/07) Cincinnati Enquirer: School bond issue likely will be back (1/25/07) Community Press Mason-Deerfield: Mason High expansion issue takes a step toward ballot (1/24/07) Cincinnati Enquirer: Mason High's new wing would add 49 classrooms (1/18/07) Pulse-Journal: Residents get sneak peek at plans (1/18/07) Cincinnati Enquirer: Meeting on proposed Mason addition (1/7/07) Mason to vote on issue in May It would expand the high school BY MICHAEL D. CLARK | [email protected] MASON - Voters here will be asked to approve a $30 million bond issue in May to pay for expanding Mason High School. The Mason school board voted 4-1 Tuesday evening to place the tax issue on the May 8 ballot, with member Jennifer Miller opposing. School officials said passage of the 28-year-bond issue will not raise school property taxes because the school system's existing debt would be refinanced under state funding provisions that apply to fast-growing districts. Moreover, district officials said, anticipated growth in property values will also spare homeowners from rising school property taxes. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070221/NEWS0102/702210341/1058/NEWS01 From the 2/18/07 DDN: GRAPHIC: Site plan Springboro's new Beck Park will provide plenty of green for city The 85 acres will preserve natural resources and add value to existing and future homes, say planners. By Lawrence Budd Staff Writer Sunday, February 18, 2007 SPRINGBORO — An 85-acre leafy preserve is taking shape in the middle of this densely developed suburb. E. Milo Beck Park is Springboro's fifth city park, but the first created to preserve green space, rather than support public recreation. "Wow, I never imagined we could do something like that here," Councilwoman Marie Belpulsi said Thursday, after staff unveiled a 10-year, $1.6 million plan including a tree house, overlook, observation tower, hiking trails and picnic areas. http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/17/ddn021807parks.html

From the 2/23/07 Blade: Developer rents airport site, will build warehouse Though not the first to propose building a warehouse on the south side of Toledo Express Airport, an Oregon firm may be the first to actually build one. The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority board of directors yesterday approved leasing five acres on Air Cargo Parkway to Cedar Point Development LLC for construction of a 100,000-square-foot warehouse. The board also granted Cedar Point the right of first refusal on 20 neighboring acres; that right would "roll" outward to adjoining land if Cedar Point expands its leasehold. Ed Harmon, the company's president, said in a phone interview afterward he hopes to break ground this spring and be finished by fall. He said he expects to store a mixture of air freight and nonaviation cargo in the facility. The Cedar Point project is smaller than a 400,000-square-foot cold-storage warehouse proposed by a Streetsboro, Ohio, firm, and the leasehold is smaller than 20 acres on the south side of the airfield for which Global Perishables Exchange & Express holds a lease option. More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070223/NEWS33/702230344/-1/NEWS