buildingcincinnati

From the 2/1/07 Dispatch: Jackson again calls for city to add police To keep status quo, 555 officers need to be hired in next 4 years, chief says Thursday, February 01, 2007 Robert Vitale THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Columbus isn’t adding police officers fast enough to meet the city’s needs, according to Chief James G. Jackson. The city will have to hire 555 new officers in the next four years "just to maintain our current inadequate strength," Jackson said in a memo this week to Mayor Michael B. Coleman and City Council members. An additional 500 officers would bring the Police Division to a level considered "semi-adequate" for today, said Sgt. Kevin Corcoran, division spokesman. Jackson’s memos complaining of a short-staffed division aren’t new. But city officials responded quickly to quell any notion that Jackson’s latest contention of inadequate police strength suggests the city is unsafe. Safety Director Mitchell J. Brown sent Jackson his own memo yesterday detailing increased spending on public safety and bigger yearly police classes. Columbus has added officers while cities such as Cleveland and Detroit have laid them off, Brown said in his memo. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/01/20070201-B1-03.html

From the 1/18/07 Dispatch: Killing heightens community’s fear Police looking for men who robbed, shot business owner Thursday, January 18, 2007 Mark Ferenchik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Hours after shop owner Abdel Shalash was shot and killed during a robbery, the nearby Bon-Aire Restaurant & Bar was open as usual. The Bon-Aire is in the same East Side strip shopping center as Shalash’s beauty-supply store. That night, with a handful of customers inside, the bartender locked the front door around midnight. "For the customers’ safety and mine," said Mary, who didn’t want her last name published, fearing for her safety. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/18/20070118-C1-01.html

From the 1/14/07 Dispatch: PHOTO: Columbus Officer Jim Gilbert, the new president of the local police union, ran for the union position in part because he wants to provide a stronger voice for officers involved in shootings. He was involved in a fatal shooting in this South Side warehouse complex. PHOTO: Columbus police Officer James Scanlon is outspoken, including in letters to the editor, about his feelings that the Police Division does not provide enough information about the investigations of police shootings. The void leads to misunderstandings about how the shootings happen, he says. GRAPHIC: Out of bounds GRAPHIC: Out of bounds GRAPHIC: Fatal shootings GRAPHIC: Columbus police shootings ‘Shots fired’ Columbus police are stingy with records of police shootings, but reports indicate officers who pull the trigger almost always get it right Sunday, January 14, 2007 John Futty THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Columbus police officers who shoot someone are almost always justified in the eyes of their supervisors. Most 2006 cases, including two in November in which officers killed suspects, are under review. In 112 shootings from 1996 through 2005, six officers violated division policies, according to records reviewed by The Dispatch. One was fired. None of the 153 officers was charged with a crime. The 25 shootings that resulted in deaths were reviewed by Franklin County grand juries; nonfatal shootings are rarely reviewed independently as in some other cities. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/14/20070114-A1-00.html

From the 1/5/07 Dispatch: Man’s own bullet was lethal, not police officers’ Coroner rules in case of robbery suspect Friday, January 05, 2007 John Futty THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A 23-year-old Columbus man wrote his family a suicide note before he took his father’s car and an assault-style rifle early yesterday and tried to rob a Sawmill Road pharmacy, authorities say. About 20 minutes later, Michael Hevezi killed himself when the car was stopped by Columbus police officers at Lane Avenue and N. High Street. Four officers fired their weapons during the confrontation, but an autopsy determined that Hevezi died from shooting himself through the roof of his mouth, said Franklin County Coroner Brad Lewis. "He was struck multiple times by police bullets, but those weren’t lethal," Lewis said. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/05/20070105-D4-00.html

Community input sought on water trail Toledo Blade, 2/22/07 The planning process for a proposed water trail in East Sandusky Bay is under way. Officials from Erie MetroParks and the city of Sandusky are planning what Ohio may recognize as a navigable waterway, complete with recreational, natural, historical, or educational stops along the way. Plans have the trail hugging the southern coastline of the bay, starting near Pipe Creek and ending in the Steinen Wildlife Area. As part of the development process, metropark and city officials ask interested community members for their input to assist planners. Comments and questions are welcome during three upcoming events at Sandusky's City Hall, 222 Meigs Street.

From the 2/23/07 Blade: Perrysburg panel rejects fee waiver for Wal-Mart By JOE VARDON BLADE STAFF WRITER Wal-Mart had the support of prominent members in Perrysburg's government to waive zoning permit fees for its proposed store on U.S. 20 at Simmons Road, but apparently that support didn't include some City Council members. Council's planning and zoning committee voted unanimously Wednesday night not to recommend the waiver of the fees, which total $21,400. Councilman Kevin Rantanen, one of the three planning and zoning committee members, said he disagreed with waiving the fee because it will cover the city's cost of conducting inspections at the store's site. The committee directed Rick Thielen, the city's planning, zoning, and economic development director, to consider a formula for adjusting the fee in instances where companies have to obtain permits from the city and township. Mr. Thielen said the formula probably would take Perrysburg's fee and subtract the township's fee from the cost. Perrysburg's fee is based on the size of the building, which in Wal-Mart's case amounts to 184,000 square feet. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070223/NEWS18/702230348/-1/RSS09

HENRY COUNTY Annexation, housing complex issues discussed at Napoleon council Defiance Crescent-News, 2/20/07 Two controversial pieces of legislation were debated at Napoleon City Council's meeting Monday night as an annexation issue and multi-family housing complex project were discussed. The second piece of legislation discussed involved a request for council to support the concept of a developer seeking state tax credits to build a multi-family housing complex for low- to moderate-income residents off Indiana Avenue, south of U.S. 24. Third reading of this legislation was tabled Jan. 15 and the developer, Woda Development LLC, recently requested council discontinue third reading of the legislation after individuals who live in the neighborhood spoke out against the project. Council on Monday passed a motion to remove the legislation from the agenda. Woda Development considered construction of up to 40 units consisting of flats and town homes.

New Anthony Wayne YMCA opens Waterville facility Toledo Free Press, 2/19/07 The Anthony Wayne Community YMCA opened its new express fitness facility in Waterville's former fire station Feb. 8. The new YMCA recently received its official branch status. Melanie Grohowski, executive director of the Anthony Wayne Community YMCA, said the Waterville facility, located at 808 Michigan Ave., developed in response to area demand. “Members of the community came to us asking for it,” she said. YMCA officials are calling the Waterville location an Express YMCA because it includes a fitness center and an aerobics studio but not other facilities commonly associated with the organization. Grohowski said the Anthony Wayne YMCA plans to begin building a full facility with a gym and pool by August 2009. It will be located on Dutch Road in Whitehouse. The fitness center at the Waterville facility features Precor treadmills, EFX cross trainers, upright and recumbent bikes and Cybex strength training equipment. The aerobics studio will host a variety of fitness classes.

From Northeast Suburban Life, 2/20/07: Montgomery planning commission OKs Twin Lakes site plan MONTGOMERY - Residents of the Forestglen neighborhood can still stop plans for expansion of Twin Lakes, but their task is a little more difficult. After months of deliberation, Montgomery Planning Commission Monday unanimously approved the final site plans for the senior-living organization's proposed 2.6-acre development, temporarily deemed as the '"Garden Homes." Twin Lakes wants to build 13 homes between Hopewell and Schoolhouse roads. The plans have been before the commission since July. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20070220/NEWS01/702200314/ From the 2/22/07 Alexandria Recorder: Premium homes proposed for Alexandria BY CHRIS MAYHEW | COMMUNITY RECORDER STAFF WRITER ALEXANDRIA - A group of developers is planning to create a 34-lot subdivision near Main Street in Alexandria where custom homes could be built with prices starting around $300,000. "We're thinking the low end is going to be about $300,000 based on the square footage," said Jim Doepker II, one of three co-owners of Fort Thomas Partners, which has proposed the plan. The subdivision would access Main Street by extending Jefferson Street southward. A portion of Jefferson Street would be rerouted to the east, away from St. Mary School's gym. The preliminary site plan was unanimously approved Tuesday, Feb. 20 by the Alexandria Planning and Zoning Commission. The site for the new subdivision was chosen because it has direct access to the center of town, and multiple schools are nearby, Doepker said. "We felt like there was a need for this type of development in this area," he said. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070222/NEWS01/702220313/1002/RSS01

From the 2/1/07 DDN: Commission divided on Stoney Brook Farm plan This leaves the Village Council to decide whether to rezone 480 acres for Stoney Brook Farm development. By Lawrence Budd Staff Writer WAYNESVILLE | This village remains divided on a plan to develop 480 acres on the south side of town. On Jan. 25, after more than three hours of debate, the Waynesville Planning Commission split 3-3 over the request by Oberer Land Developers to rezone the land, known as the LeMay farm. The Village Council has 45 days to decide on the rezoning, based on a plan submitted by the Dayton-based developer, officials said. http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/warren/2007/02/01/ddn020107waynesville.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=9 From the 2/1/07 Western Star: More courtrooms, county offices to cost $20 million By Tiffany Y. Latta Staff Writer Tuesday, January 30, 2007 LEBANON — A makeover for the common pleas and juvenile courts could cost taxpayers $15 million to $20 million, Warren County commissioners heard Tuesday. Commissioners plan to add offices to the juvenile court and at least three courtrooms and administrative offices to the common pleas court. The number of cases is rising along with Warren County's population and there's no room for files, additional judges, clerks, social workers and other employees. Commissioners interviewed four architects from four firms who drew up plans for a proposed 20,000 square foot, multi-floor addition to the juvenile court and about 200,000 square feet in additions on the north, south and west sides of the common pleas court. The courts are located in the county government complex on Justice Drive, off East Street in Lebanon. http://www.western-star.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/30/ws020107courthouse.html From the 2/1/07 DDN: Will the pen prove mightier than the Sword? Residents are circulating a petition to protest the plan to build a church and the Sword Deaf Bible College. By Lawrence Budd Staff Writer CLEARCREEK TWP., Warren County | Neighbors have joined forces to oppose plans to build a church and Bible college for the deaf on Lower Springboro Road, about a mile east of Ohio 48. Last fall, close to 40 of them signed petitions protesting the plan. Yet, Sword Deaf Bible College's 8-acre facility in Mason is up for sale, and officials say they're leasing and could purchase 22 acres along the rural two-lane road in Clearcreek Twp. http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/warren/2007/02/01/ddn020107sword.html

From ThisWeek Grandview, 2/8/07: Shoppes on Fifth to fill Ed Potter site Thursday, February 8, 2007 By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Staff Writer A local developer has big plans for the former Ed Potter Mercedes-Benz site on West Fifth Avenue. Kohr Royer Griffith, a full-service real estate firm, hopes to have the Shoppes on Fifth Avenue, which includes 26,000 square feet of retail space, ready by fall. Some of the existing buildings, including the Ed Potter showroom, will be incorporated into the new design. Retail and restaurant uses are planned for the site. Paul Bloomfield, vice president of the Kohr Royer Griffith, said the site was attractive for many reasons: It's situated near the affluent suburbs of Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights, and it's a stone's throw from Ohio State University, downtown and the 480-unit Meridian apartment complex. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/020807/Grandview/News/020807-News-300950.html

I've never been to Port Clinton and I'm not familiar with any of the local spots. And from what I remember, I don't recall seeing any news about that.

j73... Yeah, that's kind of what I was getting at. Start with a rather broad mission statement, then fill in some rather broad beliefs about how a majority of us feel about how cities should be structured, and then maybe down the line we can take specific positions on specific issues.

Kiser Enterprise to receive $495,000 for expansion here Fostoria Review Times, 2/19/07 A potential employer is expected to be the beneficiary of a nearly $500,000 grant for expansion with the approval of Fostoria City Council Tuesday. Council will be asked to give first reading to a loan to Kiser Enterprises in the amount of $495,000 from the city's newly formed revolving loan fund. Kiser is using the funds to purchase and then expand the Machine Tool and Fabrication plant on Sandusky Street. The expansion will include 10 new jobs. The business will specialize in metal fabrication and diversified tool and die manufacturing. A $500,000 grant was awarded from the Ohio Department of Development to the company earlier this month.

Lincolnview set to break ground on new facility Van Wert Times Bulletin, 2/19/07 Just about a year and a half from getting the levy approved, Lincolnview Local Schools will soon break ground on a new junior/senior high school building and renovation of the elementary building. "I think at this point, everyone is excited to start the construction," said Superintendent Doug Fries. The groundbreaking celebration will begin at 1 p.m. on April 5 in the high school gym. April 5 is the last day before Lincolnview's spring break. Between now and the groundbreaking ceremony, several preliminary tasks are scheduled to take place. A power service line and geothermal wells for the project will be completed sometime within the next month. In addition to the service line, higher power lines will be installed along Middle Point Rd. The new junior/senior high addition will replace the structure that was built in 1919. That building currently houses 17 of the 24 junior high/high school classrooms. Also being replaced is much of the 1996 high school building, including everything except the vocational and agriculture areas. Those areas will be renovated along with the present elementary building.

From the 2/21/07 Sandusky Register: Rieger Lofts delayed again By BRANDI BARHITE | Wednesday February 21 2007, 6:33am SANDUSKY The Rieger Lofts project is going to be delayed a little bit longer. Developer Greg Spatz said before Gov. Bob Taft left office he signed a state historic tax bill allowing for credits up to 100 percent. In order to get this money, the early application deadline is July, according to Spatz, president of U.S. Construction. Originally, renovation on the former Sanduskian hotel, 242 Jackson St., was to start in the next month or two. Now it might be as late as the fall. The construction can’t start beforehand because it would make him ineligible for the funding. The cost of the total project has grown to about $6 million, which includes 41 apartment lofts and 14,000 square feet of commercial space. Once construction starts, the lofts could be finished in six months, Spatz said. More at http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/02/21/local_news/doc45dc47b3e4302933294118.txt

Developer chosen for Columbus Coated Fabrics site Business First of Columbus - January 26, 2007 by Brian R. Ball, Business First A Columbus real estate developer has vaulted into the lead to redevelop the former Columbus Coated Fabrics site on East Fifth Avenue. Campus Partners for Community Urban Development Corp., the agency in charge of preparing the site for redevelopment, has tentatively chosen Wagenbrenner Development Co. to develop the 21.6-acre parcel. Read more at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/01/29/story3.html

From the 1/4/07 (OSU) Lantern: PHOTO: The Columbus Coated Fabric Company has become a rundown haven for broken glass, rusted metal and hazardous chemicals. Media Credit: Matthew Hashiguchi Demolition of old factory to bring housing, retail Karen McClintock Issue date: 1/4/07 Section: Campus Faded turquoise paint and graffiti art covers the building that once held Columbus Coated Fabrics, a manufacturing facility that produced vinyl coated cloth products. Now Campus Partners, a developer affiliated with Ohio State, wants to demolish the building south east of OSU's campus and use the 17 acres for housing, retail and civic space. Its Weinland Park Neighborhood Plan would put 495 housing units, 5,000 square feet of retail and a 5,000-foot neighborhood center on the site. The clean up project would cost around $2.8 million. The most contaminated two acres of the lot would likely become parking lots under the plan, said Steve Sterrett, director of community relations for Campus Partners. Read more at www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2007/01/04/Campus/Demolition.Of.Old.Factory.To.Bring.Housing.Retail-2600506.shtml]http://media.www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2007/01/04/Campus/Demolition.Of.Old.Factory.To.Bring.Housing.Retail-2600506.shtml

From the 1/4/07 Portsmouth Daily Times: SSU's master plan revealed Plan includes redirecting traffic Wednesday, January 3, 2007 11:15 PM EST BY RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY PDT Staff Writer Shawnee State University had a public meeting Wednesday evening at Clark Memorial Library to discuss the university's efforts to update its master plan. In the announcement released last month, Jeff Perez, executive director of communications and legislative affairs, says the SSU Master Plan is “a model for physical growth over 20 years that will help guide the campus' development of academic programs and other services for students and give direction to the university's efforts to serve as a resource for the community and region.” The meeting began with a presentation by the university's master planning consultant, Jim Butz. Among the university's 20-year vision were plans to manage and redirect traffic as it expands its facilities to encompass parts of Fourth Street to the north, Washington Street to the west, and Offnere Street to the east. The new facilities would include additional parking, recreational centers and sports fields, learning centers, and an amphitheater capable of seating 250 people. The project also plans to increase its student housing from the current 600 beds, to more than 1,300. Read more at http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/articles/2007/01/04/news/local_news/1news_plan.txt

From the 1/4/07 (UC) News Record: Teachers College moves to Edwards Edwards to house Teachers Andrew Welsh Issue date: 1/4/07 Section: News The green fences on West Campus surrounding Teachers College indicate a new stage of improvements for the University of Cincinnati, but for those working and studying in the building, they also signify a change in venue. www.newsrecord.org/media/storage/paper693/news/2007/01/04/News/Teachers.College.Moves.To.Edwards-2600305.shtml]http://media.www.newsrecord.org/media/storage/paper693/news/2007/01/04/News/Teachers.College.Moves.To.Edwards-2600305.shtml

From the 2/19/07 Enquirer: Architectural firm opens China office THE ENQUIRER Champlin/Haupt Architects Inc. has opened an office in Shanghai. Company principal Don Xu is running the office for the downtown architectural firm, it said in a mailing to clients. It also operates offices in Northern Kentucky, northeast Ohio and Florida. Xu traveled to China in late 2005 as part of a trade mission sponsored by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. More Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky companies are opening operations in China. Service companies such as Champlin/Haupt often are looking to tap into the country’s huge population and fast-growing business base, while manufacturers often are looking for lower labor costs. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070219/BIZ01/302190051/-1/rss

From the 2/12/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Think3 opens China subsidiary Cincinnati Business Courier - February 12, 2007 A local tech company is looking to China as a major market for its industrial design and product development software. Think3 said Monday that it has opened an office in Beijing, which it will operate as a subsidiary, to support its expansion in China. Part of the company's strategy in China is to promote its "free2Design" program, which gives engineers and designers free access to several of Think3's applications, as well as its user community, Think3 said in a news release. "Think3's integrated solutions for the industrial design, MCAD, tooling and PLM markets fit perfectly into the current Chinese business infrastructure where companies are looking to adopt the best technologies and processes to challenge western manufacturers in product development," said Tom Davis, international sales director. Think3 serves about 5,000 mid-sized manufacturers from its Cincinnati headquarters and offices throughout Asia, Europe and North America. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/02/12/daily2.html?from_rss=1

From the 2/6/07 PD: Asian trade has growing role in Ohio economy Tuesday, February 06, 2007 Frank Bentayou Plain Dealer Reporter How important are Asian imports and exports to the Ohio economy? Many Asian markets are growing rapidly. That means some are buying more goods produced in Ohio, the Midwest and other U.S. regions. They also are shipping much more to the United States, including to the Cleveland Customs Service Port, which handles exports to and imports from abroad. Export data the World Trade Center Cleveland collected from the U.S. Census Bureau's foreign trade division tracks imports and exports in Ohio, Kentucky and parts of Indiana and Pennsylvania. MORE: http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business/117076505786460.xml&coll=2

From the 1/4/07 Athens News: OU student group aims to export whiskey, other U.S. goods to China By Fang Cheng Athens NEWS Contributor Thursday, January 4th, 2007 You are in Beijing, watching the 2008 Olympic Games on a scorching hot afternoon. After the game, you decide to go to a local bar to entertain yourself. When the bartender brings the menu, you might find that a basic whiskey made in an Ohio distillery is available on the list. This is not a dream. Some Ohio University students are trying to make it a reality. Lifeng Wu founded and heads the OU China Business International (OUCBI), a student organization registered at the university in September 2006 to help establish business networks and cooperative projects between China and the United States. The group is helping a Kentucky-based whiskey manufacturer sell whiskey in Beijing and Shanghai. That firm also runs distilleries in Ohio and West Virginia. MORE: http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=26970

From the 1/4/07 Enquirer: Park seen as big improvement Colerain corner now holds an abandoned gas station BY CLIFF RADEL | [email protected] COLERAIN TOWNSHIP - Two million dollars and change can go a long way toward turning an eyesore into an icon. Township trustees and Northgate Mall officials have embarked on a joint venture to spend as much as $2.3 million to transform a boarded-up gas station near the mall's front door into a community centerpiece... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070104/NEWS01/701040344/1056/COL02