buildingcincinnati

From the 1/18/07 Port Clinton News Herald: Stonehenge gaining support Former ODNR chief engineer warns Council of problems with Puller plan By KRISTINA SMITH Staff writer PORT CLINTON -- A proposal to build condominiums above shops at Water Works Park would create thousands of dollars to revitalize downtown and its waterfront, an engineer said. But if City Council chooses an indoor water park and hotel, the favored option, downtown will look the same after the structure is built as it does today, said Steven Carter, professional engineer for TriCar Ltd. of Hillard and part-time city resident. E-mail Kristina Smith at [email protected]. http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070118/NEWS01/701180304/1002/rss01

From the 1/10/07 Sandusky Register: Port Clinton council stands by park project By CHAUNCEY ALCORN | Wednesday January 10 2007, 6:21am PORT CLINTON Despite passionate criticism and dissent from several members of the community, Port Clinton's city council refused to suspend the passing of the city's controversial Water Works park development project. Many community members are upset because the water park project proposed by the Puller Co. was chosen over the Stonehenge Co.'s proposed condo development project to be put in the legislation. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/01/10/local_news/129661.txt

Both from the 1/6/07 Port Clinton News Herald: Puller says city could not lose land By KRISTINA SMITH Staff writer PORT CLINTON -- The city will not lose Water Works Park if a planned indoor water park and conference center there fails, the developer said Friday. Although Councilman Jeff Morgan said Puller Group Inc. of Indianapolis' proposal indicates the city could forfeit the land to the bank, Company Executive Vice President Ken R. Puller said the water park and buildings are the pieces at risk. http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070106/NEWS01/701060302/1002/rss01

Both from the 1/5/07 Port Clinton News Herald: Puller Group ‘scary’ Redfern, Morgan make push for condo, retail plan for Water Works By KRISTINA SMITH Staff writer PORT CLINTON — The developer that wants to build an indoor water park at Water Works Park has not cooperated with city officials and is “scary,” a councilman said Thursday. During a heated meeting at Ida Rupp Public Library, Councilman Jeff Morgan urged residents and officials not to support Puller Group Inc. of Indianapolis’ proposal for the lakefront park. E-mail Kristina Smith at [email protected]. http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/NEWS01/70105003/1002/rss01

From the 1/4/07 Port Clinton News Herald: Redfern: put focus on marina State representative threatens to pull support from Water Works Park project By KRISTINA SMITH Staff writer PORT CLINTON -- If City Council does not begin work on its public marina project at Water Works Park soon, it could lose $1.25 million in state funding, a state representative said. Rep. Chris Redfern, D-Catawba Island, is upset Council is focusing on proposed developments -- namely the favored indoor water park -- for the property instead of the marina, its original goal. E-mail Kristina Smith at [email protected]. http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070104/NEWS01/701040304/1002/rss01

From the 1/3/07 Port Clinton News Herald: Officials back water park plan Council to make final call at Jan. 23 meeting By KRISTINA SMITH Staff writer PORT CLINTON — City officials opted Tuesday to support a plan to build an indoor water park at Water Works Park instead of condominiums. But City Council will not decide whether to approve Puller Group Inc. of Indianapolis’ proposal for the water park, 220-room, eight-story hotel with condominiums at the top and a 161-slip marina, until its Jan. 23 meeting, Council President Linda Hartlaub said. And the debate, which has been heated at times, is far from over. E-mail Kristina Smith at [email protected]. http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070103/NEWS01/70103001/1002/rss01

From the 1/25/07 Western Star: Citizens oppose shopping center By Daniel Wells Staff Writer Thursday, January 25, 2007 The idea of living next door to a 20-acre shopping and office center doesn't sit well with some Turtlecreek Twp. residents. About 10 township residents showed up at the Lebanon City Council meeting Tuesday night to voice their opposition to the development, which would be located at the northeast corner of the Monroe Road and Ohio Bypass 48 intersection. http://www.western-star.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/24/ws012507lebzoning.html From the 1/25/07 Western Star: Cincinnati Enquirer: Warren Co. needs more jail space and alternatives, consultant says (1/19/07) Cincinnati Enquirer: Warren Co. plans jail expansion (1/3/07) Report: Warren jail at 'breaking point' Expansion or new construction needed to halt breakdown of criminal justice system. By Tiffany Y. Latta Staff Writer Thursday, January 25, 2007 Warren County Commissioner Dave Young said Tuesday that officials will double the size of the current jail before considering a pair of federal consultants' suggestion of building a new facility. Young's comments came after consultants from the National Institute of Corrections said the Warren County Jail — built just 10 years ago — is too small to handle the region's growing population. Bill Crout and Kevin Warren of the NIC recently revealed findings of a three-day study. It concluded that the county must build new or make significant changes to the current facility to accommodate additional bed space. http://www.western-star.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/24/pjl012507jail.html From the 1/25/07 Enquirer: St. Susanna continues expansion Church launches $7M campaign for donations BY KATIE WEDELL | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR MASON - St. Susanna Catholic Church has launched a nearly $7 million fundraising effort to complete a campus expansion project that began in 1999. "Looking Forward to the Day," the second phase of the project, would add a 100-seat chapel, new parish offices, a second gymnasium and new classrooms to the church along Reading Road. These are just part of the overall project that already has completed a new 1,500-seat church and an eight-classroom addition to its Education Center. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070125/NEWS01/701250357/1056/COL02

Polaris area to get new Cambria Suites hotel concept Saturday, February 03, 2007 Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A new hotel concept is being developed at Polaris Centers of Commerce, promising more room for business travelers. Cambria Suites, a brand recently developed by Choice Hotels Inc., will offer 125 upscale suites on the scale and caliber of those offered by Hilton Garden Inn and Courtyard by Marriott. Wilcare Corp. of Akron is seeking final permitting to develop the $12 million Cambria Suites property. Wilcare also is building a Cambria Suites in Akron. "It seemed like the north end of Columbus has some real opportunity there," Wilcare vice president Sean Leatherman said. "The Polaris area is sort of cutting edge and new. That’s the type of style, look and feel of the Cambria Suites hotel." Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/03/20070203-C1-02.html

From ThisWeek Licking County, 2/18/07: Strip centers blossoming in east Pataskala Some businesses moving from older Pataskala Square to newer developments Sunday, February 18, 2007 By LORI WINCE ThisWeek Staff Writer Pataskala and Harrison Township are adding businesses to state Route 16 to keep residents shopping locally, officials say. "With these new residents moving into the area, it keeps people shopping in our local area," said Jeni Ashbrook, president of the Pataskala Area Chamber of Commerce. Pataskala Mayor Steve Butcher, who also co-owns the Nutcracker Family Restaurant on Route 16, said as more restaurants come into the area, it gives people more options. If they stay in the area, Butcher said, his restaurant has a better chance of being one their food choices. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/021807/LickingCounty/News/021807-News-308088.html

This is something I've thought about for a long time, but never voiced. A mission statement and a list of things that we believe...in other words, positions on issues that Urban Ohio supports. I think there are certainly things that we all agree on.

From the 2/15/07 Enquirer: Hamilton County passes $252M budget BY DAN KLEPAL | [email protected] Hamilton County commissioners on Wednesday unanimously passed a $252 million general fund budget, which pays for services such as law enforcement, economic development and health care. The budget is a $4.5 million decrease from last year. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070215/NEWS01/702150335/

From the 2/8/07 Enquirer: Focus on crime control and social services Hamilton Co. budget may reflect more money for both BY HOWARD WILKINSON | [email protected] Advocates of more spending for social services and programs aimed at helping at-risk youth before they turn to crime made their case to be included in the Hamilton County budget that commissioners are likely to approve next week. Most of them found they have some support on the board. In the third - and likely final - public hearing before commissioners act next week on a proposed $255 million general fund spending plan, commissioners heard from 15 speakers - many of whom had already spoken at earlier hearings in Lincoln Heights and Anderson Township. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070208/NEWS01/702080367/

From the 1/30/07 Forest Hills Journal: Residents tell commissioners fund film commission BY LIZ CAREY | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER ANDERSON TWP. - The message last week was simple: Fund the Greater Cincinnati Film Commission. The Jan. 23 meeting at the Anderson Senior Center was the first of three public forums where area residents could tell Hamilton County Commissioners Todd Portune, Pat DeWine and David Pepper how they would like county tax money spent for the 2007 fiscal year. [email protected] 241-7139 http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070130/NEWS01/701300334/1002/RSS01

From the 1/24/07 Enquirer: Budget plan restores city patrols BY KIMBALL PERRY | [email protected] ANDERSON TWP. - Stressing the importance of public safety, Hamilton County commissioners want to continue funding a program that allows sheriff's deputies to patrol in the city of Cincinnati. When County Administrator Patrick Thompson submitted his proposed 2007 budget in November, he funded the program for only six months that pays to have more than a dozen deputies patrol the troubled neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070124/NEWS01/701240346/1056/COL02

From the 1/3/07 Enquirer: Hearing today on transfer tax THE ENQUIRER Hamilton County commissioners scheduled a public hearing at 10 a.m. today to consider a proposal to raise the real estate transfer tax. The move, suggested by County Administrator Patrick Thompson in November as part of his proposed 2007 budget, would increase the fee home buyers pay in Hamilton County by an additional $100 per $100,000. The fee would generate about $4.7 million per year, money Thompson told commissioners in November was needed to balance the budget. Hamilton County's proposed 2007 budget is $255 million. The hearing is in Room 603 at the Hamilton County Administration Building, 138 E. Court St., downtown. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070103/NEWS01/701030358/1056/COL02

Fantastic. I dig neighborhood shots.

Urban Ohio: The Musical

From the 1/8/07 Enquirer: Justice unlikely on buried waste Hard-to-prove case costly to taxpayers BY JESSICA BROWN | [email protected] HAMILTON TWP. - No one will go to jail for burying more than 1,300 drums of toxic waste along the Little Miami River for several reasons: a hard-to prove criminal case, an uncooperative and bankrupt company, and lingering questions about who was responsible. So taxpayers are funding the $1 million cleanup. That fact has outraged some, according to reader responses to an Enquirer story about the cleanup. Some say state and federal officials didn't act quickly enough or put enough pressure on the now-defunct Diversified Products, a metal manufacturing company. The Ohio EPA says the company buried the waste and solvent more than 20 years ago. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070108/NEWS01/701080365/1077/COL02 From the 1/15/07 Enquirer: Loveland park being carved out of Hamilton Township BY JANE PRENDERGAST | [email protected] LOVELAND - It'll be Loveland's first park in Warren County - necessary, officials say, to meet the recreation needs for the hundreds of families moving in. But the purchase of 10.7 acres on Butterworth Road is also another bite out of neighboring Hamilton Township, the area with which Loveland has long battled over annexation. As part of the purchase deal, property owners Terry and Mary Christman agreed to petition that the property be annexed into the city. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070115/NEWS01/701150359/1056/COL02 From the 1/23/07 Western Star: Little Miami accepts land donation for new school By Megan Gildow Staff Writer Tuesday, January 23, 2007 MORROW — Little Miami school board members on Tuesday night completed a deal with a housing developer who will donate 35 acres as the site for a new intermediate school. The deal is not cost free. School board members agreed to put approximately $945,000, or $27,000 an acre, in an escrow account at Fifth Third Bank while River III developer Steve Wallace of Mason pays off the land. http://www.western-star.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/23/ws012307lmdonationweb.html

From the 2/17/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Youngstown Vindicator: Plans OK'd for JFS offices (2/3/07) Youngstown Vindicator: Schools want Oakhill tax payment (1/24/07) Youngstown Vindicator: Plans for Oakhill proceed (1/18/07) Youngstown Vindicator: Bids opened for JFS office (1/17/07) Oakhill lien holder sues county, state offices, bank The lien was one of several against Oakhill. YOUNGSTOWN — The holder of a mechanic's lien against Oakhill Renaissance Place has sued for $20,295 plus interest and attorney fees. Named as defendants in the suit were the Mahoning County commissioners and treasurer's office, the Ohio Department of Development and JPMorgan Chase Bank... http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/322152492275460.php From the 2/14/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Youngstown Vindicator: Ruling again holds up plaza demolition (1/30/07) Demolition of plaza nears completion Plaza demolition was held up by demolition of some other properties for the city. WARREN — Demolition of the former Parkman Road Shopping Center near Parkman and North Leavitt roads is close to completion, despite one remaining legal hurdle... http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/319308460705245.php Officials study plans for access road at lake Youngstown Vindicator, 2/13/07 There may be some slight changes coming in the appearance of the Lower Girard Lake. Safety Service Director Jerry Lambert told members of council Monday that Jim Coates, who owns a large amount of land around the city-owned lakes, has a long-standing easement. The easement allows Coates to reach a parcel that has no other access... Bridge replacement to start in summer Youngstown Vindicator, 2/8/07 Replacement of a Weathersfield Township bridge on West Park Avenue just west of Waddell Park is expected to begin during the summer... Warren Tribune Chronicle: W. Park bridge to be replaced (2/7/07) Board to put bond issue on May ballot Youngstown Vindicator, 2/8/07 The city school board approved putting a 3.8-mill bond issue on the May 8 primary election ballot for the construction of a new junior and senior high school... Youngstown Vindicator: Officials take step to get levy on ballot (1/26/07) Boardman, Niles school boards to study options after ballot losses Youngstown Vindicator, 2/7/07 Both Boardman and Niles schools superintendents say their boards of education will likely analyze election results before determining whether to return to the ballot to ask for more money... 3 districts try bond issues again Youngstown Vindicator, 2/5/07 The Boardman, Niles and Southington school districts are all hoping voters are feeling more generous Tuesday than they were a few months ago...

From the 2/15/07 Blade: Toledo Blade: 2 proposals made to use vacant 1894 structure (2/8/07) Commodore Building to be auctioned March 16 BLADE STAFF The Perrysburg Board of Education yesterday scheduled a public auction at 12:30 p.m. March 16 for the Commodore Building. The board placed a reserve price of $1.7 million on the property. It will require any buyer to keep the auditorium and gymnasium intact as part of the purchase agreement. Located at 140 East Indiana Avenue and positioned along Louisiana Avenue, the Commodore was built in 1894 and has housed every level of schooling in Perrysburg. It is now used as the school district’s administration offices. More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070215/NEWS18/70214029/-1/RSS09

CONSTRUCTION ZONE Senior living redefined at First Community Monday, January 29, 2007 Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH First Community Village of Upper Arlington is a reflection of what’s in demand for seniors who find it’s time to give up the house. The village is nearing the completion of a $55 million renovation at its 30-acre campus that will result in new buildings for those seeking independent living, assisted living and Alzheimer’s care residences. The project comes at a time when other retirement centers are expanding. Last year, for example, Friendship Village of Dublin completed a major addition. "The market is probably just right," First Community sales and marketing director David Walbright said. "There are no bad examples of retirement housing in Columbus." Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/29/20070129-F6-00.html

From the 2/14/07 Toledo City Paper: What an EPIC Toledo’s new young professionals organization kicks off at the Erie Street Market by David Fine published February 14th 2007 Just ask anyone who attended — Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the Erie Street Market was an evening of EPIC proportions. The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce kicked off its new young professionals networking and community service organization “EPIC: Engaging People Inspiring Change,” at the ESM with a catered introductory networking event. ... http://www.toledocitypaper.com/view_article.php?id=329

From the 12/27/06 Toledo Free Press: EPIC movement Chamber of commerce launches new young professionals' group By Jacob Ruhe Toledo Free Press Staff Writer [email protected] The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce has been working behind the scenes to develop a young professionals' organization called EPIC Toledo. The new organization's name is an acronym for “engaging people, inspiring change.” Nearly a year ago, Brian Epstein, trust executive of The Trust Company of Toledo, approached the chamber of commerce about starting an organization for young professionals in the area. ... http://toledofreepress.com/?id=4551

Call in Rebecca Ryan! :lol: From the 12/24/06 Blade: BATTLING 'BRAIN DRAIN' Mayor lobbies city's 'brightest' to stay in Toledo Future young professionals wooed By JC REINDL BLADE STAFF WRITER Attention, all recent area college graduates and soon-to-be graduates: Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner would like to help you find a job in the city. "I want you to send me your resume," Mr. Finkbeiner told an audience of about 120 young people yesterday. ... http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061224/NEWS16/612240355/-1/NEWS

City of Cincinnati: GET TO WORK!!! This is one of my favorite stretches of street in the city, the 800 block of Lincoln Ave in Walnut Hills. These red brick houses were built in the 1880s and 1890s. Some are in decent shape and appear to have tenants, while many are vacant. The vacant ones are the ones owned by the City of Cincinnati -- specifically, 842, 844 and 846 Lincoln. While it appears that there is work going on, I've never seen anyone on site and I haven't noticed any progress at all. The sad thing is that the City is in violation of its own VBML code. 842 Lincoln even has open windows with jagged, broken glass. These could be neat little houses if someone, besides the City, took the time to fix them up. Round-up: City of Cincinnati BOND HILL New public library branch coming to Bond Hill Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/12/07 The fundraising is over and a 10-year lease is signed, clearing the way for the expanded and combined Bond Hill/Roselawn Branch Library. Charles D. Lindberg, president of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, said the library has signed a lease with the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency to house the new library in a 12,000 square-foot space in its building in Jordan Crossing in Bond Hill. Major funding to cover the $750,000 cost to finish the space has been provided by a lead gift of $100,000 from Carl Lindner, a $100,000 Jacob Schmidlapp Trust challenge grant from Fifth Third Bank, and a $150,000 allowance from the CAA for building out the space. Additional funding was provided by a bequest in excess of $100,000 from Norma Holt, $25,000 grants from both the Farmer Family Foundation and an anonymous foundation, and gifts received from the Library Foundation's Annual Fund. The new branch is on schedule for completion in August, this year. CLIFTON I noticed that some work was going on at 3471 Brookline Ave. This is a two-family owned by Gaslight Properties. CORRYVILLE 2809 Gerard St has been rehabbed. This house was going to be razed around 2004. KENNEDY HEIGHTS A new single-family home will be built at 3618 Aikenside Ave. They are currently preparing the lot. For some reason, this land has remained undeveloped for many years. MILLVALE 3077 Moosewood Ave is going into pre-prosecution hearings and is also likely to be barricaded by the City. The condemned building has been vacant for quite some time. It's literally rotting away. NORTHSIDE 1316 Boyd St has been updated and is on the market for $61,900. SOUTH FAIRMOUNT 1781 Queen City Ave has been razed, and I have no idea why. The owner lives just down the street. WESTWOOD 2539 Talbott Ave has been rehabbed over the past year. Round-up: Metro ALEXANDRIA Permit could put U.S. 27 work in neutral Alexandria Recorder, 2/12/07 Construction on U.S. 27 could stall this summer. Final approval for the next phase of the widening project has been bogged down over the need for a new federal waterway disturbance permit. The need for the permit arose after the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet decided to realign a previously-designed path for the new right-of-way south of A.J. Jolly Park. The estimated construction cost is $28 million for the 2.4-mile project. It would extend U.S. 27 as a four-lane highway from Race Track Road past Grant's Lick to Nagel Road. Construction started in early 2004 to widen U.S. 27 to four lanes south from Alexandria to Race Track Road. Work on that section should be completed in early summer, possibly in June, said Nancy Wood, a spokeswoman for District 6 of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Department of Highways. BATAVIA School renovations considered Community Journal Clermont, 2/16/07 Batavia Local School District Board of Education members continued evaluating options for renovations to buildings in an open meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13. Local architecture firm Fanning and Howey presented the board with several options for a new master plan, all designed to comply with regulations of a state funding commission. Superintendent Barbara Bradley described the firm's work as a "helping hand" in the long process of revising the district's master plan. Former Superintendent Jim Fite volunteered his firm Fanning and Howey to present to the board; the firm worked with the district in 2002 as well as with Goshen, Bethel-Tate and Felicity-Franklin local school districts. The district will work closely with the Ohio School Facilities Commission throughout the planning process. In addition to assessments from planners and architects, the master plan must meet regulations on student-teacher ratio, building size and other aspects before any funding or construction can begin. "Working with the OSFC requires a long lead time," said board member Steve Staton. Batavia is currently 270th on the list of 613 Ohio school districts eligible for OSFC funding, a number determined by enrollment, poverty level and the conditions of school buildings. According to Fanning and Howey, that number could make Batavia eligible for funding in the next two years. BROWN COUNTY Brown County plan released Georgetown News Democrat, 2/16/07 A comprehensive study of Brown County's transportation system was recently released that outlines major current and expected problem areas as well as possible solutions. The finalized Brown County Thoroughfare Plan, developed by Wilbur Smith Associates in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Transportation, contains a multitude of data, analysis and recommendations concerning traffic and transportation within the county. Limited copies of the Thoroughfare Plan are available at the Brown County Chamber of Commerce, in Georgetown. The Plan may also be downloaded from the ODOT District 9 web site www.dot.state.oh.us/dist9 by following the Project Overview link in the Brown County Thoroughfare Plan section. The Chamber was a driving force in the development of the study. "We have been excited to be involved (with the Thoroughfare Plan,)" said Chamber director Ray Becraft. CAMPBELL COUNTY Sites eyed for nursing home Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/15/07 The licensed nursing home beds from Lakeside Heights Nursing Center might end up in Cold Spring or Alexandria. Tower Holdings is looking at both locations for a new nursing home that will use the license it acquired from the Highland Heights nursing home. In December, the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services issued a license to Tower Holdings for Lakeside Heights' 286 nursing home beds. Lakeside closed in April amid a state investigation into allegations of abuse and neglect. George Hagan IV, a veteran in nursing care, formed Tower Holdings to reopen a new nursing home with Lakeside Heights' license. Northern Kentucky University plans to purchase the vacant Lakeside Heights building and convert it into dorms. So Hagan has looked elsewhere in Campbell County to open a nursing home. COLD SPRING Furniture delivery holds up Cold Spring library reopening Campbell Community Recorder, 2/12/07 The reopening of the Cold Spring Branch of the Campbell County Public Library will be a week overdue. The late delivery of furniture, including the central reference desk, has delayed the reopening to Monday, Feb. 26, said Kiki Dreyer Burke, library spokeswoman. The library was previously slated to reopen Monday, Feb. 19. It has been closed for the $600,000 renovation project since Thanksgiving weekend. When the library does reopen patrons should notice surroundings that are warmer and more inviting, said Dave Anderson, branch manager. Wall colors include orange and light yellow. Colorful murals are being added around the children's area with a transportation theme including a biplane, school bus, hot air balloon, riverboat, and train. EVENDALE The Princeton City School District is currently accepting bids for the demolition of Evendale Elementary School. The sealed bids will be read by the Board on March 5, 2007. FORT THOMAS Veteran's plaza in plans for Fort Thomas Fort Thomas Recorder, 2/12/07 Fort Thomas, a city steeped in military history, is planning to honor its veterans with a plaza.The Midway Steering Committee's Streetscape Master Plan includes a plaza in front of the Fort Thomas campus of the Cincinnati VA Medical Center at the corner of River Road and South Fort Thomas Avenue. According to Jay Treft, assistant city administrator, the plaza will honor all veterans and will include numerous statues. "We are planning to have a statue of General Thomas as the key focal point in the plaza," Treft said. General George Henry Thomas was a Union general during the Civil War. Fort Thomas is named after him. The committee is currently working with the VA to acquire the property and add additional parking to the area. Treft said that while nothing is definite yet, the VA has given preliminary support to the project. FORT WRIGHT Fort Wright condos set to rise Erlanger Recorder, 2/8/07 Construction is expected to begin this year on Madison Woods of Fort Wright, an upscale condominium community that will sit on Madison Pike. The condos, which will consist of three buildings with 24 units each, will sit across from the Fort Wright Driving Range. Each unit will be 1,300 to 1,700 square feet, and prices will range from $200,000 up to $350,000. The condos will be marketed for seniors age 55 and up. According to studies, approximately 32 percent of the nearly 5,500 Fort Wright residents fall into the range. "Our market study of that area showed a real need for quality housing for that age group," said city administrator Larry Klein. "It's something that we really think is going to be a benefit for the city." James Titus, of Dunn & Titus professional service design firm, said the designs of the condos will fall in line with the new design standards the city is implementing along the Madison corridor. The standards include restrictions on building height, appearance and landscaping as the city looks to establish a Town Center District. The condos will have sidewalks and walking trails to tie into the district. There will also be a TANK bus shelter near the base of the community. GLENDALE Glendale Elementary renovation price tag soars Tri-County Press, 2/9/07 Renovation of Glendale Elementary School will cost at least $200,000 more than anticipated. A sewage line problem and several other unforeseen issues discovered during the renovation will also force crews to work two months longer on the school, Turner-Megan Construction officials told the Princeton City School District Board of Education Feb. 9. The sanitary line in the school had to be completely replaced - costing $150,000 more than anticipated - after it was discovered that the line was not capable of carrying even the current amount of effluent, said Dallas Hall, the project supervisor with Turner-Megan. "The big issue is the underground sanitary," Hall said. "We had to do it to before the building could open." HIGHLAND COUNTY Commission informed of housing plans Hillsboro Times-Gazette, 2/15/07 The Highland County commissioners received a letter from PMI: The Provident Companies about their housing units that are located on Treewood Drive. PMI, which owns more than 40 housing units, applied for funds from the state and informed the commissioners about their applying for the funds. "The letter was to tell us about their plans and seeing if we disapproved of the funds. If that had happened the area would not receive improvements," commissioner Mike Rector said. "We took no action, which allows them to receive funds and allows the renovation of the properties." Highland County Engineer Dean Otworth sent a duplicate letter to the Highland County commissioners that was mailed to Jackson Township informing them about Rolfe Lane. The letter informed them that the township was responsible for Rolfe Lane and any actions involved. INDIAN HILL Twin Lakes building homes in Indian Hill Indian Hill Journal, 2/8/07 Twin Lakes, a development which features senior living for Montgomery residents, is extending its services into the village. The company is in the process of building two of a possible six Manor Homes, single-standing houses adjacent to Twin Lakes' North campus on Montgomery Road. The new homes will sit on 18 acres in Indian Hill bought by Twin Lakes in 1999 and will have all the benefits of the senior living company's villas and apartments. "It's an entirely different product than what we've built in our community," said Connie Schmitt, spokeswoman for Twin Lakes. Each of the Manor Homes are about 3,000 square feet, making them about 1,000 feet bigger than Twin Lakes' other offerings. The homes are on wooded 2.5-acre to 3-acre landscaped lots and all maintenance inside and outside the houses is taken care of by the company. The homes are built after the lots are purchased and can be customized by the owner to make each one unique. MONTGOMERY The City of Montgomery is creating a Parks and Recreation Master Plan to go along with the city's Strategic Plan. They will be holding open houses on March 8, March 12, and March 19. These open houses will allow one-on-one discussion between citizens and consultants, and will end with a group Q&A. MONTGOMERY Forestglen hires lawyer, Twin Lakes next week Northeast Suburban Life, 2/9/07 The city's deliberation over an upcoming senior-housing development could turn into a legal battle. Montgomery Planning Commission is scheduled to vote Feb. 19 on the final plans for 13 homes between Hopewell and Schoolhouse roads. The commission's Feb. 5 meeting was canceled because only four of seven members could attend, said Frank Davis, community development director and the commission's staff adviser. Twin Lakes, the senior-living organization which authored the plans, has awaited the commission's decision for months. The organization has a 56-acre campus in Montgomery, so why does it seek to expand? SYCAMORE TWP Pinnacle Building Group is seeking a variance from the township's Board of Zoning for the construction of this new house at 8008 Keller Rd. This is a corner lot and the site of a teardown. SYCAMORE TWP New building planned where lodge burned Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/18/07 Trustees are making plans to replace the burned-down Bechtold Lodge with a "super shelter" and to build a community center behind the township's administrative building. Details on the projects are still being worked out, but should be more firm in the next month or so, township trustees said. Bechtold Lodge, a longtime popular community hall in Bechtold Park, was torn down in August after being gutted by fire a year earlier. Bechtold Lodge, named for long-time township Trustee Jim Bechtold, was home to private and public community functions, holiday parties and family reunions. The township waited months for insurers to determine whether the lodge, at 4312 Sycamore Road, could be rebuilt before finally deciding it was too costly. Instead, trustees have discussed putting in a super shelter at the 21-acre park, said trustee Cliff Bishop. VILLA HILLS Madonna Manor may be expanded Kentucky Post, 2/16/07 The construction of a new nursing home in Villa Hills may be one of the offshoots of the change in sponsorship - in effect, the ownership - of Madonna Manor. The Amsterdam Road nursing home, which also provides 47 "independent living" units for senior citizens on the site, is now being operated by Franciscan Services Corp., the health care ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, a Toledo suburb. The home opened in 1964 and until Feb. 1, when Franciscan Services took it over, was part of the healthcare ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg Monastery, which is located on the same Amsterdam Road campus. Villa Madonna Academy and Villa Madonna Montessori School also are located on the same hilltop tract that provides a breathtaking view of the Ohio River far below. Rick Ryan, president of Franciscan Care Centers, said one of the first issues that the Madonna Manor board will deal with is whether a new, larger building should be constructed to replace the aging building that now houses the nursing home, which has 35 "skilled care" beds - the highest level of care - and 25 "personal care" beds. WEST UNION Innovative construction may be utilized in Adams schools Maysville Ledger Independent, 2/11/07 As plans for the construction of three new elementary schools inch into the next phase of creation in Adams County, consideration is being made to use green construction methods whenever possible. An innovation that is being explored is use of a geothermal heating and cooling system at each of the new schools. "We have no access to natural gas so we are dependent on propane fuel and that can get expensive," said Patrick Kimble, Adams County Ohio Valley School superintendent. A sea of propane tanks which currently fill a large plot of land on the school grounds could eventually be replaced with the heating and cooling talents of Mother Nature. "The school board has authorized funds for the drilling of two test bore holes, for up to 400 feet, at each site and for soil analysis to see if it would be a successful site for a geothermal field," said Kimble. "An active field would have about 140 wells." WILMINGTON Large tract to be added Wilmington News Journal, 2/17/07 A large tract of farmland at the north edge of Wilmington has been approved for annexation into the city. The territory, encompassing 119 acres, is proposed as a site for a residential development. The location of the tract is at the Prairie Avenue end of Lowe's Drive. The proximity to Denver Addition neighborhoods led to concerns about the requested annexation. Many Denver Addition residents understandably are opposed to their streets serving as passageways for traffic generated by the proposed development. As a solution, they propose that Lowe's Drive be extended from Prairie Avenue to Lincoln Street, which presumably would absorb the new traffic and keep it out of existing neighborhoods. But on Feb. 1, Wilmington City Council voted 4 to 3 to not make extension of Lowe's Drive a precondition for annexation. Then on Thursday, city council voted 5-2 to authorize annexation. Council members who voted to annex are David Hockaday, Mike Wallace, Cindy Peterson, Sandy Mongold and Mark McKay. Voting against the annexation legislation as it was written were councilmen Scott Kirchner and Don Wells.