buildingcincinnati

From the 12/30/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Homicide rate remains among highest in U.S. Compared with population, blacks are disproportionately homicide victims. By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — If the city makes it through tonight without a homicide, the murder rate drops 9 percent from 2005 — but the rate is still among the highest per capita nationwide. The city recorded its 30th and 31st homicides Dec. 24, giving it four fewer than the previous year's total. With an estimated 2000 population of 79,271, that's one killing for every 2,557 residents. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/321127488235631.php

From the 12/31/06 Springfield News-Sun: Jobs leaving nearly 300 to be out of work Only 1,000 to be employed at International after layoffs By Kelly Baker Staff Writer Sunday, December 31, 2006 When International Truck and Engine Corp. employees return to work Wednesday, they will be part of the leanest work force in the Springfield plant's 100-year history. Nearly 300 employees have been laid off, leaving 1,000 employees at the plant that once employed more than 5,000 a decade ago. ... http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/31/sns0123106layoffs.html

From the 1/12/07 Blade: Toledo City Paper: Exile on Monroe Street (12/13/06) PHOTO: This property adjacent to Fifth Third Field was bought by Myron Stewart from Lucas County for $15,000 and is listed at $375,000. ( THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER ) MAP LUCAS COUNTY Owner says building by ballpark is being sold Restaurant plans never materialized By ERICA BLAKE BLADE STAFF WRITER After six years of promises to turn a vacant building at Monroe and Huron streets next to Fifth Third Field into a restaurant, Toledo businessman and newspaper editor Myron Stewart put the building up for sale - for $360,000 more than he paid Lucas County for it. Mr. Stewart, who is a partner in local Church's Chicken franchises, said yesterday that the building at 519 Monroe St. and the vacant lot next door have already been sold. He said information about the sale price and the buyer would be available after the deal is finalized sometime next week. One former county commissioner said that the county was "hoodwinked" by Mr. Stewart, who is editor of the Toledo Journal, a weekly newspaper that is published by his wife, Sandra, and bills itself as northwest Ohio's "only African American newspaper." The three-story building, which is adjacent to the left-field entrance to Fifth Third Field, was sold to Mr. Stewart by the Lucas County commissioners in 2001 - along with an adjacent building at 523 Monroe St. - for $15,000. Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070112/NEWS16/701120361/-1/NEWS

From ThisWeek Clintonville, 1/4/07: Corridor plan One more session set on Indianola development Thursday, January 4, 2007 By RANDY NAVAROLI ThisWeek Staff Writer City officials and several Clintonville civic organizations will hold at least one more public meeting early this year to explain how the Indianola Avenue Plan and the implementation of its attached overlays will guide future development along the corridor. Representatives from the city's planning department, the Clintonville Area Commission, Clintonville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Clintonville Incorporated will be on hand to answer any questions area property owners may have about the plan and the overlays and their effect on zoning requirements along Indianola Avenue. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=clintonville&story=sites/thisweeknews/010407/Clintonville/News/010407-News-286603.html

Model Management is currently rehabbing 1528 Pleasant St. I can't find a good photo of it, but it's a turn-of-the-century brick multi-family. They've also started on 1537 Pleasant St. The plan is by Wichman Gunther Architects and I believe there will be three apartment units. They are working on 1714 Republic St/1713 Vine St as well. This is a former Downtown Property Management property that needs a lot of work. 1700 and 1706 Logan St are also seeing work. (1700 and 1706 Logan) None of these buildings were in condemnable shape. So this seems like a continuation of the effort Model is putting into keeping up its investments. All of these rehabs are likely affordable rentals. I don't know what part 3CDC is playing in these rehabs, if any, which is why I'm posting them here.

One thing I've noticed... I tend to get error messages if I enter too many characters in the search box. This started around the time of the last forum upgrade. So my advice is to keep your search string as short as possible. A good rule of thumb is that if it all fits within the visible part of the box, then it should be fine.

Ross negotiating for high school site ThisWeek Reynoldsburg, 2/3/07 The Reynoldsburg Board of Education has authorized Superintendent Richard Ross to negotiate for 68 acres in northeast Reynoldsburg for use as a potential high school site. The property owner, Summit Place Ltd., proposed a deal with the district for the property on the east side of Summit Street in lieu of a 50-acre site on which the district has initiated eminent domain proceedings. The district's attorneys have been negotiating with Glen Dugger, an attorney with Smith and Hale, who is representing Summit Place in the eminent domain case. District officials have dismissed prior offers for that site, including one that would have set the district up to sell extra land.

SR-665 widening project now under way Grove City Record, 2/3/07 Spring is the time for blooms, bees and bulldozers, with recent warm weather perfuming the air with flowers and diesel fuel. Earth movers are now rolling along the north and south edges of London-Groveport Road as the approximately 18-month, $11.5-million state Route 665 widening project has gotten under way. Along the length of the project running less than a mile from Hoover Road west to North Meadows drive, rows of small orange and yellow flags lined both sides of the street, indicating the expansion from two to five lanes that SR-665 will undergo. City officials last week held a public meeting to address concerns and answer questions residents had about the project.

From ThisWeek Bexley, 2/3/07: City considers next step in tree-nursery saga Angered by council's rejection, Schottenstein lawyer warns, '...hold on to your assets with both hands' Thursday, February 3, 2007 By QUINN BOWMAN ThisWeek Staff Writer The next chapter in the Bexley tree nursery saga will open February 16. Bexley City Council's zoning and development committee will discuss the city's course of action. On January 24, council rejected the remaining public bid for the property. The unused city property along Alum Creek -- near the North Parkview and Caroline curve -- remains in city hands after years of political and bureaucratic wrangling over who would buy the land from the city and for what use. Although council voted unanimously to both reject the bid from Bexley residents Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein and to pass a resolution to sell the property, details of how that would occur remain uncertain, returning the site to its 2003 status. The long process of the land deal revolves around what should be done with the property. The Schottenstein plan would have preserved the vacant property as a park and a bid from L. Rider Brice would have led to the land becoming residential development. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/020307/Bexley/News/020307-News-348107.html

From ThisWeek German Village, 2/7/07: Collapsed building will be rebuilt as planned, owner says Thursday, February 7, 2007 By SUE HAGAN ThisWeek Staff Writer The owner of the Schumacher Place apartment building that partially collapsed last week said he will complete construction of the complex as planned. Mike Ferris, who owns the building at 356-358-360 East Forest Street, said on Monday that he plans to rebuild the collapsed apartment on the east end of the building and add a fourth unit. The addition had already been approved by both the Schumacher Place Civic Association (SPCA) and the city of Columbus, but now the collapse will delay its completion. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/020707/GermanVillage/News/020707-News-367182.html

From the 2/7/07 Dispatch: Gahanna may approve condos on FOP property Thursday, February 7, 2007 3:44 AM By Jim Woods THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The Fraternal Order of Police's lodge hall and land in Gahanna could be redeveloped into high-priced condominiums around a city park. Dehlendorf & Co. of Gahanna has an option to buy the 10.5 acre site at 409 E. Johnstown Rd. from the FOP Capital City Lodge No. 9. The development company's initial proposal last year received a cool reception from city officials. Gahanna's Planning Commission and the City Council must rezone the property before construction can start. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/06/07/gahfop.ART_ART_02-07-07_B4_7L6UNQK.html

C-R puts bond issue on ballot Findlay Courier, 2/17/07 Voters in the Cory-Rawson School District will decide an $8.7 million bond issue in the May primary election, to fund construction of an elementary addition to the middle school/high school building. The 7.8-mill bond issue would continue for 28 years. The district school board approved a resolution Thursday night by a 4-0 vote, with board member Joe Duncan absent, to place the issue before voters on May 8. The board has to submit the issue to the Hancock County Board of Elections by Feb. 22 for it to appear on the spring ballot. The 39,500-square-foot, single-story addition would house about 235 pre-kindergarten through fourth grade students, and replace the 90-year-old elementary building in Rawson. The current building would be demolished.

From the 1/12/07 Blade: OSU Lima campus plans to open 1st dorm in fall BLADE STAFF LIMA, Ohio — Ohio State University’s Lima campus announced yesterday that it will open its first residence hall by fall. In partnership with West Central Ohio Property Management, Ohio State plans to convert a rehabilitation center on Ada Road, about three miles from campus, into Buckeye Hall, a dormitory-style building that will house 130 students. The Lima campus has traditionally been a commuter campus, but began exploring the idea of residence halls in 2000 as its student base expanded into a 10-county area, including Allen, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, and Van Wert. More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070112/NEWS21/70111035/-1/NEWS From the 1/5/07 Lima News: UNO expansion going strong BY BETH L. JOKINEN - Jan. 5, 2007 LIMA — University of Northwestern Ohio officials say they are in conversations with two major retail companies to bring shopping to their expanded campus. They are also at work to bring a hotel and a large health and fitness facility, all part of the 10-year expansion plan started three years ago. "These are all pretty aggressive projects. They are all on the drawing board and they are going to happen," President Jeff Jarvis said Thursday. "We’ll have pretty much a mini city out here. We’ve taken a 40-acre campus and turned it into an 180-acre campus." Several projects have been completed, including a $7 million high performance motor sports complex, a corporate training center, an addition to the student services building and additional parking. Case International Harvester and Ford employees have received training at the new center. Work is ongoing on renovating the gymnasium, including installing a new floor and adding locker rooms and coaches offices. It is expected to be completed by May. Men’s and women’s basketball, tennis and golf programs will start next fall. More at url=http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=34225

From the 1/1/07 Dispatch: CONSTRUCTION ZONE Bexley Gateway to grow Monday, January 01, 2007 Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Plaza Properties recently closed on a 1.4-acre parcel in Bexley and plans to build a second phase of its Bexley Gateway development. Bexley Gateway South will be a mixed-use development similar to the Gateway project, a Plaza Properties spokeswoman said. The new land is south of Main Street opposite Gateway and includes the former Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant. The first phase of Gateway is nearing completion. It will contain offices, retail shops, 35 condominiums and three brownstone-style residences. The first two announced retail tenants are Rusty Bucket restaurant and Mozart’s Bakery and Cafe. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/01/20070101-C4-00.html

The rezoning I mentioned in my post on November 9 passed City Council uanimously. Expect to see something in front of the City Planning Commission within the next few months.

From the 12/29/06 Medina Gazette: 2 proposals floated for university center aid By ALLISON WOOD Staff Writer MEDINA — County commissioners are pitching separate funding proposals for the planned Medina County University Center. A two-year, 1-mill tax on real estate closing costs could be used to expand the Medina County University Center, according to a proposal from Com-missioner Pat Geissman. Commissioner Stephen D. Ham-bley recommends adding the university center as a recipient of a proposed 0.5 percent sales tax with revenues going to school systems in the county for permanent improvements. Read More...

From the 2/12/07 (UT) Independent Collegian: UT enforces smoking ban IC Staff Issue date: 2/12/07 Section: News Last December, voters chose to ban something about which a lot of people have mixed feelings - smoking. Last election's Issue 5 called for smoking regulations. When passed, the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3794, which became officially effective on Dec. 7, 2006, banned smoking in public places and places of employment. The regulations also called for "No Smoking" signs with the telephone number 1-866-559-OHIO (6446) on them for reporting violations to be posted at these locations. Read more: www.independentcollegian.com/media/storage/paper678/news/2007/02/12/News/Ut.Enforces.Smoking.Ban-2712785.shtml?sourcedomain=www.independentcollegian.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com]http://media.www.independentcollegian.com/media/storage/paper678/news/2007/02/12/News/Ut.Enforces.Smoking.Ban-2712785.shtml?sourcedomain=www.independentcollegian.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com

From the 1/3/07 Blade: Lucas County to pursue 'green' building plan By ERICA BLAKE blade staff writer The empty lot at 1201 Monroe St. is more than just the future home of the Lucas County Solid Waste Management building - it's the start of the county's desire to think "green." Commissioners plan to announce today an initiative to incorporate environmentally friendly building principles into future county construction and renovation projects. The goal is to create buildings that are better for the ecology and, in the long run, could take a bite out of the county's $4 million annual energy bill, Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak said. "Like other progressive counties, we will make decisions based on both fiscal and environmental factors," Ms. Wozniak said. "Anything we do in the future will be based on green building principles." That means making decisions that take into consideration growth management, transportation, energy, water, and air quality. The board will also practice "environmentally responsible growth" when establishing policies on land use, infrastructure development, and natural-resource preservation. More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070103/NEWS33/701030378/-1/NEWS

From ThisWeek Licking County, 2/11/07: Etna Township to work on strategic planning Sunday, February 11, 2007 By LORI WINCE ThisWeek Staff Writer Etna Township met with planners from MSI of Columbus Jan. 31 to address several issues in the township. Chris Herman, director of planning for MSI, suggested the township form a steering committee that could work with MSI to address the township's most urgent needs. Etna Township trustees hired MSI for 20 hours in October and agreed to spend up to $2,200 for MSI to address strategic planning issues. On Jan. 31, trustees and members of the township's zoning commission met with MSI and determined how to move forward. Herman said the township may want to prepare additions to the existing comprehensive plan first and address the major issues affecting the township before starting a complete update of the comprehensive plan. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/021107/LickingCounty/News/021107-News-304397.html

From the 12/25/06 Dispatch: PHOTO: Ruscilli’s Steve Houghtaling looks over the Arlington Pointe construction site at on the southeast corner of Henderson and Reed roads. TOM DODGE CONSTRUCTION ZONE Arlington Pointe taking shape Da Vinci’s Ristorante site is being transformed into an office and retail center Monday, December 25, 2006 Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH It's been about seven months since Da Vinci’s Ristorante, the longtime Italian restaurant that sat at the corner of Reed and Henderson roads, has been torn down. Arlington Pointe, the office and retail center that is taking its place, is nearing completion. While the Ciotola family still owns the site and the development, Da Vinci’s won’t be part of the mix at Arlington Pointe. Tina Ciotola and her husband opened Caffe Da Vinci a few months ago at 3080 Tremont Rd. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/25/20061225-G4-00.html

From the 2/12/07 Youngstown Vindicator: State senator to unveil funding proposal One Valley lawmaker said he wants to see the governor's funding plan. By MARC KOVAC and MICHELLE HLADIK VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENTS COLUMBUS — State Sen. J. Kirk Schuring will unveil his own fix for school funding in coming weeks. The Canton Republican said he is working on the issue with a group that includes a number of statewide associations and will offer recommendations to legislative leadership and the governor's office. "We will be unveiling our proposal in the next couple of weeks," he said. While not disclosing the details, Schuring said his proposal "shifts the burden for school funding from property to sales and income taxes" and would set up partnerships between the business community and the education community as a means for supporting economic development. Schuring mentioned the proposal in response to a constitutional amendment that is likely headed to the ballot later this year. The Ohio Ballot Board, which is headed by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, recently signed off on the initiative petition submitted by Getting it Right for Ohio's Future, a consortium of groups that is pushing for the Ohio Constitution to be amended to make a high-quality education a fundamental right for every child. The group has until early August to collect more than 400,000 valid signatures on petitions for the issue to appear on the November general election ballot. MORE: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/288185046482080.php

From the 2/11/07 Newark Advocate: Kraner may work with village on school idea Development could include new school, assess a surcharge By CHARLES A. PETERSON Advocate Reporter GRANVILLE -- Land designated for a Granville school building is a possibility in plans for William Kraner's Olde Orchard Farms town center development. Kraner acknowledged he would be willing to discuss such an arrangement in addition to including the development in the Newark-Granville Community Authority, which would assess owners of new homes a surcharge for new-school construction. "I'm going to take it into consideration," Kraner said of both issues. "I'd have to really look into it. I won't make any hasty decisions." Granville Board of Education member Ron Sheldon approached Kraner last week about both issues after the defeat Tuesday of a 2.8-mill bond issue. That bond would have allowed Granville Township to buy 579 acres of Kraner's land for $10 million, plus interest. Much of the property is included in the Olde Orchard Farms development. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070211/NEWS01/702110304/1002/rss01

From the 1/21/07 Enquirer: Norwood turns to next levy crisis BY STEVE KEMME | [email protected] NORWOOD - Although Norwood is now in the black after several years of huge budget deficits, the city still faces a big financial hurdle this year. Norwood's five-year, 8-mill operating levy that generates $1.2 million a year in tax revenue will expire at the end of this year. ... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070121/NEWS01/701210357/1056/COL02

From the 2/8/07 Wapakoneta Daily News: '08 hopeful to visit Presidential contender Kucinich to campaign in Wapakoneta By MIKE BURKHOLDER Assistant Managing Editor Days after presenting a comprehensive exit plan for the war in Iraq, a 2008 presidential candidate sent word he plans to visit with Wapak-oneta area residents to help kick off his campaign. U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Cleveland, is scheduled to speak Feb. 17 during the Democrats of Auglaize County (DAC) annual President's Day Weekend Breakfast. DAC First Vice President Judy Walter said getting Kucinich to appear at the event was a coup given his recent announcement to enter the 2008 presidential election. "This is big for Wapakoneta and the area," Walter told the Wapakoneta Daily News. "To have someone like Dennis Kucinich come here and speak is something special for our city and its residents." Walter said she first placed a call to Kucinich's staff three weeks ago about the possibility of speaking at the event. While it took until Wednesday for a response, Walter said she remained hopeful the Democrat hopeful would confirm his appearance in Wapakoneta. "He never wrote us off," Walter said. "Typically the big candidates do that but he never said no and thought about it, and I think the number of voters up for grabs here was the key to him coming." Kucinich is scheduled to speak at 9 a.m. the day of the event. Walter said the Congressman will probably fly into the Neil Armstrong Airport in New Knoxville prior to his speech in Wapakoneta. "I'm hoping to have people greet him when he comes," Walter said. "I think a lot of people have a soft spot for him given the fact that he is from Ohio." The DAC breakfast is scheduled to be held at the American Legion in Wapakoneta. Walter said if public interest in Kucinich's appearance is high, she could seek a larger venue for him. "We only have about 100 tickets available and that will be tight," Walter said. "If he can stay in town long enough I hope to get him a larger venue so he can speak after the breakfast. I've even offered to take him to the Armstrong museum and the bicycle museum in New Bremen." Kucinich's appearance is just the latest in a line of recent visits by high profile political leaders. Gov. Ted Strickland, who served as a U.S. representative from Marietta, visited Wapakoneta twice last year, June 18 and Nov. 4, prior to winning his gubernatorial election in a landslide against Republican Kenneth Blackwell, the former Ohio Secretary of State. U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Lorain, visited Wapakoneta twice - once at the Auglaize County Fair and during a rally the Saturday prior to the November election - prior to his being elected U.S. senator. He defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine. "Wouldn't it be neat if Wapakoneta became the next Iowa or New Hampshire," Walter said, referring to those states being viewed as a testing ground for presidential candidates since their primaries have long been the first two held in the presidential cycle. "I think it shows how important those undecided voters, and and I think it speaks to Dennis' character for him being willing to come to Wapakoneta early in his campaign." http://www.wapakdailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2371&Itemid=27

From the AP, 2/5/07: Kucinich spins in N.H. KEENE, N.H. (AP) - U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich stood on a chair and spun in a circle, saying he was doing something no other presidential candidate can. "Do you know why I can do it?" Kucinich asked. "No strings. Imagine a president with no strings attached?" The Cleveland Democrat brought his campaign to New Hampshire on Saturday, speaking to Cheshire County Democrats. More at http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=334421