buildingcincinnati

From the 2/10/07 Dispatch: Clintonville residents battle OSU, condo plans Saturday, February 10, 2007 Mark Ferenchik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH For months, Clintonville residents have fought a developer’s plan to incorporate two stone buildings along N. High Street into a condominium complex. But before resolving the neighborhood’s concerns, property owner Ohio State University went to the lame-duck state legislature for permission to sell the buildings to the developer. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/10/20070210-D1-03.html

^ LOL! That Forumer of the Year thing kind of fizzled out for 2006. Nobody could decide who would run it.

Round-up: City of Cincinnati LOWER PRICE HILL 2144 W Eighth St, which is condemned, has been recommended for barricade. PRICE HILL Donor gives $2M to Elder Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/23/07 Elder High School has received a $2 million cash donation, half of which will be used to help complete the Panther Athletic Complex. Principal Tom Otten made the announcement this week to the school's faculty and staff. The donation was given by an anonymous family to the all-boys Catholic high school. "The gift was designated to support two essential needs that were identified in the school's recently completed planning process - Elder's Passport to a Secure Future," Otten said in a statement. "Representatives of the family had been in touch with us since last fall inquiring about our needs." One million dollars will go to the Faculty Enrichment Fund, which provides professional development and supplements the diocesan-provided retirement plan. SOUTH CUMMINSVILLE 1760 Powers St, which I mentioned in May 2006, may be going into pre-prosecution. Parts of the house are now collapsing. I really don't see a future for this house--it was purchased for $5,000 and not a thing has been done with it since. Round-up: Metro ALEXANDRIA New drugstore in works off Viewpoint Alexandria Recorder, 2/22/07 A developer's plan to build a Walgreens pharmacy and store at the intersection of U.S. 27 and the southern entrance to Viewpoint Drive was approved by the Alexandria Planning and Zoning Commission by a 4-2 vote Tuesday, Feb. 20. The commission's vote excluded any approval for a request for sign variances and a parking setback variance. The store would be 14,820 square feet with a drive-up pharmacy window, and be built on about 1.8 acres of land adjacent to U.S. 27. Commission members Susi Thomas and Diane Taylor voted against the development plan. Taylor said she was not comfortable with a secondary direct right turn only entrance and exit from the store's parking lot to U.S. 27. ALEXANDRIA Gas station developer back with revised plan Alexandria Recorder, 2/21/07 Six months after Alexandria City Council turned down a plan to build a gas station at Poplar Ridge Road and U.S. 27, the developer is back with a modified plan. Three members of Alexandria City Council voiced their concerns at a Tuesday, Feb. 20 Alexandria Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing that a revised plan to build a Speedway convenience store and gas station would congest traffic at the intersection. Council voted down a site plan that included two direct entrances from the proposed station onto U.S. 27 in August 2006. The modified plan included only one direct entrance onto U.S. 27, and a proposal to widen Poplar Ridge Road where it borders the station's property, including wider turning radiuses from U.S. 27 onto Poplar Ridge. ANDERSON TWP A public hearing on the Clough Pike Business District Redevelopment Plan on February 26, 2007, before the Anderson Township Zoning Commission. The commission will provide recommendations to the township trustees for their review. The Township Trustees will then hold a later public hearing. The date for that hearing has not been announced. BLUE ASH Blue Ash approves rec center contract Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/23/07 City Council is moving forward with plans for a major expansion of the Blue Ash Recreation Center to start late this year. On Thursday, Council approved a construction management contract with Schumacher Dugan Construction Inc. of West Chester. The contract will pay up to $20,300 a month during construction, which is expected to take about a year. The expansion is one of several projects, including the purchase of the Blue Ash Airport site for a park, that council promised voters if they approved an increase in the city's earnings tax last fall. The approximately 130-acre airport park is to break ground in a couple of years. The 0.25-percentage point earnings tax increase to 1.25 percent went into effect in January. It will generate an additional $5 million a year. Cincinnati Enquirer: Blue Ash rec center on agenda (2/22/07) COLD SPRING Cold Spring library throws reopening celebration Campbell Community Recorder, 2/23/07 The Cold Spring Branch of the Campbell County Public Library is throwing a reopening party from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, March 4. "It really is just a celebration," said Dave Anderson, the branch's director. The branch has been closed for renovation since the Thanksgiving weekend. It will open to the public Monday, Feb. 26. The hope is the grand opening will attract people who may not know what the library offers, or bring back people who haven't been there for a while, Anderson said. Several changes have been made at the Cold Spring Branch in the last year, included adding Sunday operating hours. DAYTON Metal firm moving to city Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/19/07 Tax incentives and possible property acquisitions may help Dayton foster more industrial growth. An incentive package including additional off-street parking and payroll tax breaks enticed Metal Solutions to move from Florence to Dayton and bring its 25 employees. The metal fabricator will open at Second Avenue and Main Street in the next two months and has plans to add at least 15 employees in the next two or three years. The city has talked with property owners along Third Avenue near Kenton Street about acquiring seven properties to construct a building for another company, said city administrator Dennis Redmond. The goal is to build the tax base as well as the image of Dayton, Redmond said. DEERFIELD TWP Mini-Y to open in Deerfield on May 8 Pulse-Journal, 2/22/07 Warren County residents beware — there are no more excuses for not going to the gym. Deerfield Twp. trustees on Tuesday night approved a change of use request for a YMCA Express on Montgomery Road in the former CVS Pharmacy location. Countryside YMCA Executive Director Mike Carroll the 10,400-square-foot fitness facility will be a "very focused, quick-in-quick-out" workout center. The mini-Y also will offer cardio and strength training, fitness classes, pilates, yoga and other programs. There is space for child care and lockers and a conference room for community group use. The opening date is May 8 and Carroll said membership rates will be revealed and sign up will start March 1. Countryside in Lebanon previously had agreed to operate a community recreation center that would have been built and owned by Deerfield Twp. Township trustees decided against that proposal. DEERFIELD TWP Park to get a little greener Community Press Mason-Deerfield, 2/24/07 Additional landscaping to Cottell Park at Irwin-Simpson and Snider Roads should make Deerfield Township's "crown jewel" greenspace more pleasing to the eye by mid-March. The township is contracting with Natorp's to add new landscape elements to the island, parking areas and entry ways to the park. Project cost is expected to be $14,500. Cottell's main entrance off of Irwin-Simpson Road will get a significant dressing up. The proposal calls for dozens of various plants centered around a sign flanked by two Winter King Hawthorn trees. According to Natorp's, the trees with silver-gray bark will be between 25-35 feet tall when mature. White flowers bloom on its branches in the spring and bright red fruit can last into winter. FORT THOMAS Highlands athletic facilities to be upgraded Fort Thomas Recorder, 2/20/07 Improvements are underway for Highlands High School's athletic facilities. The softball field will soon have dugouts, a new shed and more fencing around the perimeter. The track and soccer facilities will have a new shed to store equipment. A Title 9 evaluation on Wednesday, Jan. 24, pointed out inconsistencies between the baseball and softball fields. Title 9 is a law that prohibits sexual discrimination in education, meaning that everything for men and women, including sports facilities, must be equal. However, according to Athletic Director Dale Mueller, the evaluation is not why the district is moving forward with the improvements. "The renovation isn't something to meet the audit, the plan was in place well before it," Mueller said. INDEPENDENCE Contract awarded for fire station Kentucky Post, 2/22/07 The Independence Fire District on Wednesday awarded the contract for its new fire station on Cox Road to Century Construction of Erlanger for $1,162,000. "We hope to sign the contract this week and get a completion date then," said Independence Fire Chief Richard Messingschlager. "We expect to have it finished by the end of this year." The new fire station No. 2 replaces one that had been on the same site. When it opens in early 2008, it will be staffed 24 hours. Messingschlager said the fire department plans to hire six additional firefighters to staff the station. Architects Robert Ehmet Hayes and Associates, Fort Mitchell, designed the new firehouse, which is the same design as fire station No. 3 on Richardson Road that opened last year. That fire station was built by Ashley Construction. LOVELAND Tech firm moving to downtown Loveland Cincinnati Business Courier, 2/21/07 The small-town feel of downtown Loveland has lured a local technology company away from Mason, the city said Wednesday. HarvestInfo Inc. will move its 42 employees to a building on Karl Brown Way owned by the Loveland Community Firefighters Association, according to a news release. Downtown Loveland's historic district, with its restaurants and proximity to the Little Miami Bike Trail, convinced the company to make the move, CEO Scott Bailey said in the release. "I believe that the relocation of HarvestInfo to downtown Loveland absolutely validates the planned job creation and redevelopment initiatives in our historic district," said Assistant City Manager Jeff Wright in the release. The company, which develops applications for online advertising, shopping, search and directory technologies, is currently located on Courseview Drive in Mason. LOVELAND Loveland releases new rec center report, council approves Loveland Herald, 2/19/07 The final report on Loveland's proposed recreation center is open for review. City council approved the report at its Feb. 13 meeting. "This is a big move for the city," said Vice Mayor Joe Schickel, chairman of the Recreation and Aquatic Center Committee. "We're moving toward a recreation center and I just want to express my excitement and optimism for these steps we've taken." The report, prepared by Brandstetter Carroll Inc., an architecture firm based in Lexington, outlines the plans of how the city will finance and develop the proposed recreation center. The plans could be altered in the coming months, yet they definitely "set a path," City Manager Tom Carroll said. MARIEMONT Sealed bids are being accepted by the Villiage of Mariemont for the proposed new pavilion at the Mariemont Swim Club. Bids are being accepted until March 8, 2007. MILFORD New owners, same values Milford-Miami Advertiser, 2/20/07 That bright pink building at five-points in Milford probably won't be as noticeable soon. Tom Seaman, the new owner of By Golly's, said he plans to paint the building and renovate the inside after the grand reopening March 10. "We have some plans to change the place, but because of zoning issues I can't say how yet," Seaman said. Cathy Hoskins took over the business in 1989 and painted the building pink with palm trees, giving it a Jimmy Buffett theme. "People that lived here for years didn't seem to think it was a restaurant and tavern," said Hoskins, who still works at By Golly's as the kitchen manager. "I thought 'Well, if you paint it pink they'll figure out something.'" SYMMES TWP Sports Club in Symmes Township redefines itself in expansion Cincinnati.com, 2/13/07 In the six years Five Seasons Sports Club has been open in Symmes Township the main features of the club were tennis and the large pools. But since the $1 million renovation was completed in December 2007 the club is creating a new image, said Director of Membership Rebecca McAllister. By quadrupling the amount of fitness equipment and fitness programs and adding a organic cafe and sports bar, the club is now a “high-end sports club,” said McAllister. “Mainly the research we did showed this is what our demographics wanted,” McAllister said. “Membership has started to increase since the expansion.” The club, located at 11790 Snider Road in Symmes Township, is one of seven Five Seasons clubs located in Ohio, Northern Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. It is the first club expanded in the group. TAYLOR MILL Money sought for Taylor Mill sidewalks Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/21/07 City officials here are applying for $1.3 million in grant money for sidewalks to link residents along busy Taylor Mill Road (Ky. 16) with recreational and shopping areas "We want to tie together all the subdivisions along that main thoroughfare," said Taylor Mill Administrator Jill Bailey. "Ultimately, we want to have sidewalks from the southern tip of the city limits all the way north to Remke (Markets). It would be roughly 3.3 miles when it's finished," she said. Last year, Taylor Mill received $150,000 in federal money paid through the state to build sidewalks from the southern point of Pride Park - Taylor Mill's signature park - north to Wolf Road. The design is almost complete, Bailey said, and the city is obtaining easements from property owners along that section of Ky. 16. TERRACE PARK For Terrace Park, tradition trumps new Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/19/07 The Terrace Park Community Building has served a variety of functions since its construction in 1890: church, village council chambers, school, mayor's court, firehouse, dance hall, wedding reception hall and community meeting center. The landmark on Elm Street is near the end of a $400,000 restoration that will enable it to continue as a center of community life for years. A new fire station is being built for $1.3 million on adjacent property that was donated by the late Ellis Rawnsley, a former Terrace Park fire chief and community historian. The Fire Department will move from its cramped quarters in the community building into the new fire station in early April. Village officials rejected the idea of demolishing the community building and replacing it when this $1.7 million project was conceived. "We might have been able to find reasons to tear it down and start from scratch," Councilman Jeff Koreman said. "But we felt there was too much history there. It reflects the attitude and mores of the village."

From the 1/5/07 Toledo Blade: Selling Metcalf Field won't be easy Toledo may have to repay federal grants for airfield, work out lease By TOM TROY and DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITERS Selling Metcalf Field - either to remain as an airport or for redevelopment - would be a complicated undertaking for Toledo, but Mayor Carty Finkbeiner is serious about trying to make it happen this year. The plan for the general aviation airport in Wood County's Lake Township is one of the ideas proposed by the Finkbeiner administration to city council's budget task force to cut this year's threatened $10.6 million deficit... Contact Tom Troy at: [email protected] or 419-724-6058. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/NEWS16/701050343/-1/NEWS

$400,000 grant will be used downtown Toledo Blade, 2/22/07 Now that the Village of Waterville has received the funds it's petitioned for, it wants to be sure those monies are used properly. Last fall the village applied for a Department of Development Downtown Revitalization Grant of up to $400,000 through the state of Ohio. The purpose was to get money to spruce up Waterville's downtown district through capital projects and storefront enhancement. Waterville officials learned in December the village would receive the full amount it sought. The plan now is to hire someone responsible for seeing the grant funds are properly administered. A nonprofit organization closely related with Waterville's government and chamber of commerce, called Downtown Waterville, Inc., is heading the search for a grant administrator.

From the 1/29/07 Chillicothe Gazette: Space has eventful beginning Brush with Bush, ethics bill part of first 100 hours By LOREN GENSON Gazette Staff Writer Zack Space's first 100 hours representing Ohio's District 18 have included a run-in - of sorts - with the most powerful man in the country. After attending his first State of the Union address in Congress, the former Dover law director who now represents a multi-county district that includes Ross County stepped into the hallway to call his wife. As he was standing in the hallway, President Bush, along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, came walking down the hallway. The hallway was flooded with cameras and bodies and, as Bush turned to continue down the hallway, he walked right into Space. "I stretched out my arm and I said, 'Good speech, Mr. President,'" Space said. "He smiled at me and he said 'Thanks, buddy.'" More at: http://www.logandaily.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=122111

From the 1/7/07 Times-Reporter: Our Space in D.C.: First impression? ‘Everything’s big’ By KYLE KONDIK, T-R Staff Writer WASHINGTON – It isn’t much of a comparison. The Dover City Council chamber, located upstairs at City Hall, is a modest room suited for the modest governance of a modest city. Different desks are pushed together in a makeshift fashion, creating a rough “u” shape. A handful of residents and reporters also attend the body’s bi-weekly meetings. Contrast that with the mighty U.S. House of Representatives at Washington, D.C., where 435 members do business in the world’s most famous chamber of governance while surrounded by a gaggle of ace reporters, cunning lobbyists and fawning staffers. Zack Space is making quite a leap. More at: http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=62779

Both from the 1/5/07 Times-Reporter: Space sworn in Former Dover law director takes spotlight shortly after taking office By KYLE KONDIK, T-R Staff Writer WASHINGTON – Rep. Zack Space took the oath of office on Capitol Hill Thursday and immediately was thrust into the spotlight on his first day on the job, helping to lead his fellow Democrats’ efforts to change ethics rules in the House of Representatives. Space’s improbable rise from Dover law director to U.S. representative was aided in no small part by the ethical lapses committed by his predecessor, Bob Ney. The Democrat later campaigned against state Sen. Joy Padgett, R-Coshocton, after Ney left the race, but his message about ethics remained largely unchanged. During the race, he promoted an “ethics pledge” in which he vowed never to accept free gifts, trips and other perks from lobbyists. more at: http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=62684&r=4&Category=1

From the 2/2/07 Fostoria Review Times: Stroke of the pen to tumble courthouse By SANDRA WHITTA staff writer Seneca County Commissioners will soon sign a contract for the engineering of the demolition and salvage of the county courthouse. After meeting with MKC Associates, Inc. Thursday the commissioners agreed to sign a contract with the engineering firm at a cost not to exceed $35,000. That cost includes the exploration of three options of how to deal with the demolition and salvage of the courthouse, according to MKC's proposal. http://www.reviewtimes.com/News/backissues/2007/Feb/ar_news_020207.asp#story2

From the 1/30/07 Fostoria Review Times: Back to the board room By SANDRA WHITTA staff writer After holding an executive session in error, Seneca County Commissioners will have another meeting Thursday with their top choice to engineer the demolition of the county courthouse. The commissioners met in executive session Monday with MKC Associates Inc. to discuss contract negotiations. Because the contract negotiations did not deal with collective bargaining, an executive session wasn't warranted, Commissioner Benjamin Nutter explained. After talking with legal counsel, the commissioners had believed the executive session was allowed, but upon further review realized they had done so in error, Nutter stated. "We made a mistake. We will just have to do better in the future," he added. Full story: http://www.reviewtimes.com/News/backissues/2007/Jan/ar_news_013007.asp#story2

From the 1/23/07 Findlay Courier: Demolition plans proceeding By JIM MAURER Staff Writer TIFFIN - A Mansfield firm has been chosen to develop plans for the demolition of the 19th century Seneca County Courthouse. The Seneca County Commissioners on Monday unanimously selected MKC Associates after interviewing four firms last week. Another meeting will be held, possibly as early as Thursday, with MKC officials to discuss fees and a time frame for demolition of the 1884 structure. http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2007/Jan/ar_news_012307.asp#story6

From the 1/19/07 Fostoria Review Times: Seneca County Courthouse crusade lives on By SANDRA WHITTA staff writer The effort to save the Seneca County Courthouse is far from over. This sentiment was clearly demonstrated at a courthouse meeting put on by the Tiffin Historic Trust Friday afternoon. About 30 concerned citizens gathered at the Tiffin Seneca Public Library to discuss what could be done to save the county courthouse. "Most people think it's a done deal and nothing can be done about it. That perspective needs to change," Mary Lee Vadalabene, Tiffin resident and trust board member, said. The purpose of the meeting was to express that sentiment and get citizens involved in a movement to save the courthouse. http://www.reviewtimes.com/News/backissues/2007/Jan/ar_news_011907.asp#story3

From the 1/12/07 Fostoria Review Times: Debate heats up again By SANDRA WHITTA Staff writer Tension resurfaced as the Seneca County Commissioners took the next step toward the demolition and salvage of the county courthouse Thursday. As part of old business, the commissioners stated their top choices of six engineering firms that submitted statements of qualifications. Of those top choices it was decided four would be called in for interviews. "When we go back to the interview process it will all go back to even," Commissioner Benjamin Nutter stated. http://www.reviewtimes.com/News/backissues/2007/Jan/ar_news_011207.asp#story5

From the 2/4/07 Middletown Journal: Cincinnati Enquirer: Warren township zoning changes posted on Web (2/4/07) Western Star: Warren to ask citizens for help (2/1/07) Middletown Journal: Public to have say on zoning rewrite (1/30/07) Land-use plan aims to preserve 'rural character' of Turtlecreek Twp. By Daniel Wells Staff Writer Sunday, February 04, 2007 TURTLECREEK TWP. — Residents hope to take the township's future into their own hands. A group unhappy with Warren County's proposed land use plan is drafting the residents' own version that they say will put more emphasis on protecting the township's two-lane country roads, open fields, barns, woods and open vistas. "I didn't think what they were coming up with reflected what the people at large wanted," said Tom Spellmire, who worked on the residents' rewrite. "I just felt we needed a little more emphasis on rural character." http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/04/mj020407warrencountyzoning.html From the 2/15/07 Hamilton JournalNews: Cincinnati Enquirer: Zoning commission OKs Wal-Mart (2/14/07) Cincinnati Enquirer: New Wal-Mart closer to reality (2/13/07) Cincinnati Enquirer: Commission to vote on Wal-Mart Supercenter (2/11/07) Wal-Mart moves closer to construction The building on Towne Center Boulevard will be designed to compliment other buildings in the area. By Danyrae Lockwood Staff Writer Thursday, February 15, 2007 The Hamilton Twp. Zoning Commission passed a motion Monday night to approve Wal-Mart's stage 2 preliminary site plan and stage 3 final site plan for the new Wal-Mart Supercenter that will be located on Towne Center Boulevard. "(Wal-Mart) agreed to do all the recommendations," Hamilton Twp. Planning Zoning Administrator Gary Boeres said. "They're asking for a stage 2 and 3 final site plan, which we've done in the past as long as the applicant has enough information." The complex will sit on 18 acres and be 200,000 square feet and Wal-Mart is working with an architectural firm making the facade more dimensional — not just a solid box. It will be designed to compliment other buildings in the area and the material will be textured. http://www.journal-news.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/15/pjl021507hamiltontwpzoning.html From the 2/5/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Meeting at the theater Marketing consultant sets stage for corporate creativity Cincinnati Business Courier - February 2, 2007 by Dan Monk Senior Staff Reporter Steve Schwandner hopes Cincinnati is ready for "business theater." The Mason-based marketing consultant is planning to break ground by June on the first phase of the Seeideas Creativity Center, a $5.5 million corporate-events center on a 3.4-acre site near the ATP Tennis Center. Schwandner describes the 34,000-square-foot center as a flexible space where companies can hold training events, brainstorming sessions and team-building exercises in a theater-style environment that's intended to boost creativity. http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/02/05/story4.html

From the 2/23/07 Youngstown Vindicator: City vacates Parker St. at school City officials said they warned the district about the street's poor condition. By HAROLD GWIN VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — The city isn't interested in improving Parker Street, a road the Youngstown City School District says it needs as an access route to its new $31 million East High School. City council's building and grounds committee voted 2-0 Thursday to vacate, that is give up ownership of, the entire 2,400-foot road and turn it over to the abutting property owner — the city school district... [email protected] http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/307959299920470.php From the 2/21/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Seniors housing gets nod The condos will be for people with annual incomes of $21,000 to $36,000. By TIM YOVICH VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF CORTLAND — City council has advanced the possibility of the city's having more senior-citizen housing. Lawmakers approved a resolution Tuesday allowing for the construction of multiple-family buildings on one parcel of land for Walnut Run Senior Homes... [email protected] http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/325804166512495.php Open house set for Falls school Warren Tribune Chronicle, 2/19/07 The public is invited to tour the new Newton Falls Elementary School during an open house set for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday... Board to rethink plans Youngstown Vindicator, 2/18/07 The Boardman school board will rethink its proposed building improvement plans before going back to the taxpayers for another vote on a borrowing plan... Ownership established, building repairs are next Youngstown Vindicator, 2/16/07 Now that a judge has determined ownership of a Hillman Way apartment building, the township continues its quest to get it repaired... Soccer fields top list for park uses Youngstown Vindicator, 2/14/07 The community knows what it wants when it comes to development of the township's first park. A tentative map has been drawn up by the township's parkland committee, outlining the community's suggestions for use... School officials seek levy for new building Youngstown Vindicator, 1/21/07 Hoping to raise funds for the construction of a new school building, the South Range Board of Education has agreed to ask residents to approve a 7.9-mill levy... Youngstown Vindicator: Superintendent seeks delay in building decision (1/7/07)

From the 2/22/07 Blade: Panel shares its vision for Commodore Building As the Perrysburg Area Arts Council last night explained its proposal to transform the Commodore Building into a community arts center, two questions lingered: • How would the group pay for the $12 million in renovations it was proposing? • What roles would Perrysburg schools and the city of Perrysburg play in the project? The proposal was pieced together by the arts council, a few interested residents, and various engineering firms. Robin Ballmer of the arts council; Abraham Musher-Eizenman of M360 Architects LLC, and his wife, Dara, as well as Perrysburg resident Jennifer Gillespie explained their vision for an arts center to the Perrysburg school board. More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070222/NEIGHBORS03/702210452

From the 2/19/07 Enquirer: Winton Road improvements may open way to redevelopment BY JANE PRENDERGAST | [email protected] SPRINGFIELD TWP. - Busy, tired Winton Road will start getting a more than $9 million spruce-up as soon as the weather warms a little. While the Hamilton County Engineer's Office oversees the widening project, the township's throwing in some extra dressing in new lighting and colored, stamped sidewalks. Officials hope aesthetic improvements along their repaved and widened main drag will help boost the township's image and attract new development. Some new life already has appeared in the last year or so - a Panera Bread, the new Kroger across the street in the renovated Brentwood Plaza shopping center and Cincinnati Financial Corp.'s purchase of the former Kroger for an off-site, backup data center. The store had been empty since 2005. A Chipotle and Walgreens are in the works now. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070219/NEWS01/702190396/ From the 2/23/07 Oxford Press: Municipal Building: City turns gaze back to 'Pedro's site' and others By Sean Strader Staff Writer Friday, February 23, 2007 Several years after first looking at the former "Pedro's property" as a promising site for its new municipal building, Oxford City Council returned its gaze to the 44 E. Park Place lots Uptown as the prime location. Council instructed city staff to contact the property owner and begin discussions about acquiring the property, which could lead to a multi-story building for city offices, including police and court facilities. However, council and city staff acknowledged several hurdles, including the fact that the owner is in the midst of planning to construct a new building on the site. City Manager Jane Howington said that the Pedro's site would be one of the costliest options available, estimated by city staff to be in the range of $13.8 million for the entire project. MORE: http://www.oxfordpress.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/21/op022307municipal.html

From the 2/8/07 Mount Vernon News: Yauger Road development still a concern for township By Dylan McCament, News Staff Reporter Friday, February 09, 2007 MOUNT VERNON — Another topic of discussion when city and township officials met Wednesday was the subdivision slated for a piece of land east of the city limits on Yauger Road. Mavis said the developer of the 124-acre Lakes at Wolf Run recently submitted plans for the extension of city water and wastewater to the proposed construction site. The city’s contract engineering firm, Richland Engineering, approved the design for both, since they met all requirements. Read more at http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/07/02/08/gov.yauger.html

This topic was split from the Random Dayton thread. I believe I got all of the posts, but if there's one I missed please let me know. Here are the links for the partials, which couldn't be used. I don't believe that any contain any information that's not somewhere in this thread. http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3304.msg137679#msg137679 http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3304.msg134098#msg134098 http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3304.msg105577#msg105577

From the 2/8/07 ABJ: High court to rule on traffic cameras Ohio Supreme Court to decide if home rule for cities allows civil fines for criminal offenses By John Higgins Beacon Journal staff writer The Ohio Supreme Court will decide whether municipalities such as Akron can use automated cameras to issue civil fines for what Ohio law says are criminal traffic offenses. The court announced Wednesday that it had accepted the case. http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16650925.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

Bigger digs for county court Sandusky Register, 2/22/07 County Court Judge Paul Lux will get the expanded building his growing court operation needs -- and it likely will be in a new location. The judge presented plans Wednesday to the Erie County Commissioners for a new building that will provide more than twice as much space as the court's current location on Mason Road just west of U.S. 250. Lux's county court, a municipal court which serves eight communities, has 3,350 square feet. The new building will add 4,300 square feet, for a total of 7,800, said Allen Jackson, facilities manager for Erie County. Lux said he already lacks the space he needs and expects caseloads will only grow. The Ohio General Assembly has enacted a law transforming his part-time court into a full-time operation, beginning Jan. 1 next year.

Residents voice concern again Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune, 2/21/07 Residents came to Tuesday’s Tiffin City Council meeting to discuss their concerns on the Woda Group development project. Mark Wade, of Huss Street, addressed council members, asking them to not pass a resolution authorizing a letter of support for the Dallas Street project. The resolution would be submitted by the Woda Group to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency when it submits in June an application for a tax credit. Wade asked council members if there was a need for rental properties in Tiffin.

From the 2/6/07 Dispatch: Action needed in fight against black-on-black crime, some say Tuesday, February 06, 2007 Sherri Williams THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A city initiative to combat black-on-black crime received a boost yesterday with $150,000 dedicated to the effort, which is the first real action taken in months, some volunteers said. The African-American Male Empowerment Commission’s effort to reduce crime, strengthen families and empower black men will be contracted out to the Columbus Urban League, where the commission, announced in January 2006, will be housed. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/06/20070206-D3-01.html

From the 2/5/07 Dispatch: Police involved in two shootings in six hours Suspect wounded in North Side gunfire Monday, February 05, 2007 John Futty THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A 26-year-old Hilltop man led Columbus police on a foot and traffic chase after exchanging gunfire with officers on the Far East Side yesterday, police said. It was the second officer involved shooting in six hours. Josh H. Smith, of 244 N. Oakley Ave., was charged with attempted murder and felonious assault after his arrest off Westbourne Avenue near Taylor Station Road. Police said Smith fired at two officers who responded to a reported disturbance about 3:30 a.m. at 61 Cotterrew Drive, off Bannockburn Boulevard. The officers returned fire. No one was struck. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/05/20070205-C2-03.html

From the 2/4/07 Dispatch: PHOTO: Police Sgt. Kevin Corcoran fires one of the division’s new handguns, which all officers will be carrying by the end of March. JAMES D . D DISPATCH PHOTOS PHOTO: The Smith & Wesson M&P .40-caliber pistol, top, and the old .45-caliber service pistol COLUMBUS POLICE New pistol increases firepower Sunday, February 04, 2007 Theodore Decker THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH For the first time in more than 15 years, Columbus police are carrying new handguns and more bullets. They began switching late last summer. Each of the 1,876 officers in Columbus should have a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson Military & Police model pistol by the end of March, the division says. Police began looking for a new gun after Smith & Wesson stopped making the .45-caliber model used by almost all Columbus officers since 1990, said Sgt. Kevin Corcoran, a firearms instructor and division spokesman. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/04/20070204-B1-05.html