buildingcincinnati

From the Other Paper, 1/25/07: Judge rules lesbians’ custody agreement valid Gay-marriage ban doesn’t apply, Squire says By Erik Johns / January 25, 2007 In her final moments on the bench, Judge Carol Squire ruled that Ohio’s two-year-old same-sex marriage ban doesn’t invalidate a parenting agreement between a lesbian couple. In what has become a lightning-rod case, Denise Fairchild cited the 2004 “Issue 1” law in a legal dispute with former partner, Therese Leach. Fairchild contends that since the constitutional amendment doesn’t recognize relationships that “approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage,” then a 2001 joint parenting agreement is null and void. The case garnered national attention because of a gay woman’s attempt to use an anti-gay law to her benefit. ... http://www.theotherpaper.com/TOP1-25/1-25_substory2.html

From ThisWeek Licking County, 2/3/07: Southgate pledges more Rt. 310 upgrades $125K-$150K in 'unexpected cost' added; Pataskala's Triplett praises O'Neill, company Saturday, February 3, 2007 By LORI WINCE ThisWeek Staff Writer Pataskala City Council on Monday is expected to revisit the Southgate development at state Route 310 and Refugee Road. The Southgate Corp. is requesting that council change the zoning of the 90-plus acres from agricultural to general business and multifamily residential within a planned development district. Council tabled the zoning application in December at the request of Southgate president Robert O'Neill. O'Neill said he wanted the new city administrator, Tim Boland, to review the project when he started work in January. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/020307/LickingCounty/News/020307-News-300681.html

Just to update this.... The building complex was condemned in early January (801 W Sixth). This is mainly because it is still in a state of collapse and bricks are falling everywhere. The wrecking permit has expired. They were given orders allowing 30 days to remedy the situation, or to demolish the rest of the building, which they have not done. It's entirely possible that this will move to a civil fine stage. Or, if deemed dangerous enough, it could be the subject of a public hearing and the City may eventually decide to demolish the structure itself. I'll try to keep on this one.

Rental owners sue to block nuisance law Ordinance bills landlords for police calls to their property BY DAN KLEPAL | [email protected] Two groups are suing the city of Cincinnati over a law passed in October that will hold apartment owners liable for some police runs to their properties. The Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Apartment Association and the Real Estate Investors Association of Cincinnati joined Monday in seeking a declaratory injunction against the city in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. They oppose the so-called "chronic nuisance ordinance" which allows police to bill property owners for nuisance runs to properties after three such runs. The law took effect Jan. 1. No landlords have yet been cited. Nuisance crimes are defined as all forms of stalking, assault, curfew violation, truancy, disorderly conduct, discharging firearms, drug sales, prostitution, public gambling, possession or discharge of fireworks, loud noises and vicious dogs. Property owners are first notified that they have reached the limit, and must then submit a plan to police for solving the problem. The law says that plan must meet "police satisfaction." Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070109/NEWS01/701090407

Cracking down on run-down More communities making good upkeep mandatory BY CLIFF RADEL | [email protected] From the West Side to the East, more communities are joining the battle against boarded-up windows, junked cars and run-down houses. Colerain, Green and Anderson townships, along with the city of Cheviot, have a new weapon against blight: property maintenance codes. The four communities have been around for a long time. But, their leaders never felt they needed these codes - until now. They see their housing stock aging. Demographics are changing, with older homeowners being replaced by younger renters and the middle class moving to newer suburbs. Habits are shifting, with residents not spending as much time or money on home upkeep. Worried about these challenges and not wanting to become the next Westwood or Over-the-Rhine, each of the four communities has adopted or is in the process of adopting a detailed property maintenance code. Internationally recognized, time- and court-tested, these rules and regulations are designed to keep property maintained, neighborhoods healthy and residents happy. Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061224/NEWS01/612240363/1077/COL02

There have been a ton of stories about the proposed annexation of 514 acres from Granville Twp into Granville. Here are the links. The most recent story is below. Newark Advocate: Dispute with Granville costs Newark (1/23/07) Newark Advocate: Granville says it can serve a wider area (1/22/07) ThisWeek Licking County: Residents say they'd rather keep well water (1/21/07) Newark Advocate: Preserving farmland motivated couple to join annexation petition (1/19/07) Newark Advocate: Granville annexation proponents, objectors make cases (1/19/07) Columbus Dispatch: Newark, Granville mayors ease annexation rhetoric (1/19/07) Granville Sentinel: Official: Granville should drop gag order (1/13/07) Newark Advocate: Township man opposes annexation (1/12/07) Newark Advocate: Newark council rescinds support of Granville deal (1/11/07) Columbus Dispatch: Newark to speak up against Granville annexation (1/11/07) Newark Advocate: For Granville, annexation would help keep country feel (1/7/07) Newark Advocate: Annexation would affect Newark water sales, commercial development (1/7/07) Newark Advocate: Bain decides Granville annexation deal needs change (1/6/07) Columbus Dispatch: Newark may yet oppose Granville annexation (1/6/07) Newark Advocate: Granville council sees annex deal in different light (1/4/07) Newark Advocate: Bain ponders veto of Granville agreement (1/4/07) Newark Advocate: Council blasts Granville but OKs agreement (1/3/07) Columbus Dispatch: Newark council reluctantly adopts annexation plan (1/3/07) Newark Advocate: School districts pose special concerns (12/29/06) Newark Advocate: Questions abound about Granville-Newark annexation issue (12/29/06) Newark Advocate: Newark council considers deal for water lines (12/28/06) Newark Advocate: Granville wants Newark to drop its opposition to annexation (12/22/06) Columbus Dispatch: County to consider annexation to Granville (12/22/06) From the 1/26/07 Newark Advocate: Prosecutor: Annexation deliberations can be in private Two county commissioners don't plan to conduct meetings that way By KENT MALLETT Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- The Licking County Commissioners could deliberate in closed sessions on the proposed 514-acre annexation from Granville Township to Granville, but two of three commissioners said that's not their plan. Licking County Assistant Prosecutor Ken Oswalt advised the commissioners Thursday they could discuss the annexation in executive session before making a decision, which they are scheduled to do Feb. 20. Oswalt said his advice is based on Ohio Supreme Court and Franklin County Court of Appeals opinions, which consider such deliberations as part of a hearing, not a meeting, and therefore not covered by Ohio open meetings laws. The annexation area, which includes land in Granville and Union townships, extends about 2.5 miles from east of Maple Grove Cemetery through Granville Township into Union Township. It includes 63 property owners, 44 of whom signed the annexation petition. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070126/NEWS01/701260310/1002/rss01

Here's a nice one: How strong were the drugs in the 1970s? Who thought that this looked good and would appreciate in value? Homes like these are in the "E" section of Forest Park, also known as the Forest Ridge subdivision. (This one is 11703 Elkwood.) Maybe you've seen these homes from I-275. They're along the north side of the highway just to the west of the Kemper and Mill overpasses. Houses in the Kemper Mill Village subdivision and the Pleasant Run Farms area, some of which were built before these houses, are generally valued 50%-60% higher. Explore for yourself! See some aerials on Windows Live: http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=qjg7667ymww4&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=7926488

From the 12/23/06 Dispatch: PHOTO: The house was moved to a nearby field in 2004 to make way for a Wal-Mart Supercenter. Vandals have damaged the 150-year-old building, but it’s structurally sound. PHOTO: A free-standing spiral staircase is one of many unique architectural features in the Gregg-Crites Octagon House in Circleville. Wally Higgins, left, and Tom Cooper are part of the Roundtown Conservancy, a local group trying to restore the house. State lawmakers earmarked $100,000 for the project in a bill that passed this week. 8-sided restoration project Circleville group raising cash to renovate octagonal house Saturday, December 23, 2006 Kelly Hassett THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — The Gregg-Crites Octagon House has more than 150 years behind it, and supporters hope the next couple make up for the past few. The eight-sided structure is the focus of a restoration project by the Roundtown Conservancy, a Pickaway County group dedicated to protecting the area’s historic and significant buildings and green spaces... For more information about the house, visit the conservancy’s Web site at www.roundtownconservancy.org. [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/23/20061223-D1-04.html

From the 12/23/06 Dispatch: Residents resist security cameras planned for grocery E. Main development facing some criticism Saturday, December 23, 2006 Mark Ferenchik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Plans for security cameras at a new Save-A-Lot on the Near East Side go beyond the grocery store and parking lot. They also include cameras along more than a half-mile of E. Main Street between 17 th Street and Wilson Avenue. The Columbus Compact Corp., which is developing the $2.5 million Save-A-Lot project, is trying to get businesses to place cameras on their property to beef up security in the area. But some residents, already upset because they think the compact and the city are forcing an uninspiring project on the neighborhood, don’t want the cameras. The South of Main Block Watch opposes the cameras, said its president, Kathleen Bailey. Bailey, a frequent critic of the Save-A-Lot project, worries that security cameras will scare off potential developers. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/23/20061223-D3-00.html

^ I should add that West is at the top of the pic, right is North, etc.

What is known about Corbin Park: The subdivision, by Revolution Properties, will contain 10 lots for 10 single-family homes. Lots 1 through 9 will front on a private drive, Corbin Park Court. Lot 10 will front on Eastern Ave. New sidewalks will be incorporated in the development as well as along Corbin St. The subdivision plan has been approved by all City departments and will happen. I'm unaware of when groundbreaking will occur.

From the 1/15/07 Enquirer: GE buys aviation firm for $4.8B WIRE AND STAFF REPORTS General Electric Co., the world’s biggest jet engine maker, agreed to buy Smiths Group Plc’s aerospace unit for $4.8 billion as rising demand for travel drives record sales of commercial aircraft at Boeing Co. and Airbus SAS. Read more here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070115/BIZ01/301150015/1076/BIZ

From the 1/8/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: GE Aviation, CFM kick off '07 with $372M in orders Cincinnati Business Courier - January 8, 2007 The new year started on a high note for GE Aviation and joint venture CFM International, which announced more than $372 million in new orders for their jet engines. Read more here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/01/08/daily3.html?surround=lfn

From the AP, 12/23/06: GE Aviation tapped for military engines THE ASSOCIATED PRESS STRATFORD, Conn. - Sikorsky Aircraft, which is building a new class of heavy lift helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps, has chosen Evendale-based GE Aviation to provide the engines, the company announced Friday. Read more here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061223/BIZ01/612230328/1076/BIZ

From the 1/18/07 Sandusky Register: RIGHT ON TRACK By BRANDI BARHITE | Thursday January 18 2007, 2:19pm SANDUSKY Building the Maverick has been a relatively tame adventure for Cedar Point. The newest coaster will be ready for opening day on May 12, thanks in part to a good start and a mild winter. The terrain-hugging coaster is completely up, and contractors and Cedar Point crew are focusing on the electrical and underground utilities work now. While a warmer winter has made it easier to work outside, the coaster won’t be done any sooner than previously scheduled. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/01/18/local_news/139210.txt

From the 1/11/07 Blade: PHOTO: Eric Berry of Lucas Plumbing makes adjustments to the track. The Maverick, which will be the 17th coaster at the amusement park in Sandusky, will carry its passengers to the top of a 105-foot-tall first hill, then down at a 95-degree angle at speeds of up to 57 mph to within five feet of the ground. The ride will debut when the park opens for the 2007 season on May 12. ( THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH )[/size] Construction is under way for Cedar Point ride SANDUSKY - The steel skeleton of the newest thrill ride at Cedar Point is taking shape this winter, with scores of workers starting to add the guts to the park's 17th coaster. The Maverick, which will debut when the park opens May 12, will carry passengers on a 2 1/2-minute ride. The course, 4,450 feet long, takes up a 5 1/2-acre site between the Mean Streak roller coaster and Thunder Canyon water ride. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070111/NEWS17/701110303/-1/NEWS

From the 1/11/07 Sandusky Register: Cedar Fair reports attendance down in northern parks By BRANDI BARHITE | Thursday January 11 2007, 7:52am SANDUSKY Attendance at Cedar Fair's northern parks, which includes flagship Cedar Point, was down 2 percent in 2006. The partnership -- which owns and operates 12 amusement parks, five outdoor waterparks and one indoor waterpark -- still believes lowering admission prices was a good strategy, said Stacy Frole, director of investor relations. But higher gas prices combined with a bad regional economy affected attendance at the northern locations, she said... http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/01/11/business/131187.txt

From the 12/22/06 Ashtabula Star Beacon: 160 lose jobs as Middlefield plant closes Creative Engineered Polymer Products will cease operations Dec. 29 By DORIS COOK Staff Writer [email protected] MIDDLEFIELD - - Hourly workers of Creative Engineered Polymer Products on Old State Road finished their last day of work with the company, Wednesday. The factory is closing down on Dec. 29, when salaried employees have their last day. CEPP, an Akron firm, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy papers in Stark County courts Sept. 20, according to Cindy Brumbaugh, the company's human resources director. Five plants, three in Ohio and two others, in Bishopville, S.C., and Tuscaloosa, Ala., will close during the next 10 days. The other Ohio CEPP plants closing are in Canton and Crestline. One hundred sixty employees are losing their jobs in Middlefield... http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_356073040

From the 2/6/07 Miami Student: PHOTO: The garage will connect with the current underground facility beneath the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences building via a drive-thru. Media Credit: David Frish Parking garage plans underway University attempts to improve space issues for drivers on campus Dan Lautar Issue date: 2/6/07 Section: Campus In an answer to the demand for more on-campus parking, arrangements have been made to turn the land where the old Goggin Ice Arena once sat into a $12 million, two-level multipurpose parking garage. The site - just east of Swing Hall and behind the new School of Engineering and Applied Science building on High Street - has remained empty since the old Goggin's destruction late last semester. "We plan to begin construction within the next month to a month and a half," said Miami University Planning and Construction Manager Jack Williams, who expects the project to be fully complete and operational by early next January. "It's going to be a two-level parking garage connected to the School of Engineering's garage, with an open-air plaza on top of it," Williams said. "But we're still only in the designing phase." The School of Engineering's current garage resides below the building and contains 200 parking spaces. These spots will be made available and combined with the projected 470 parking spaces that the new parking garage will hold. The two structures are to be connected by way of a drive-thru, which will extend north from the School of Engineering's foundation and lead into the new parking garage, according to Williams. The open-air plaza aspect of the garage is being designed to look like and function as a public square or grass mall, where students can relax in their free time. As a result of its design, one should be able to gaze north from the top of the engineering building and see nothing but green all the way to the baseball field. The company that will be building the garage has yet to be decided. "Companies are still placing bids for the project," Williams said. " � Right now we're just reproducing drawings for it." News about the addition of the 670 new parking spaces to Miami's 7,900 currently available spots across campus has motorists like sophomore Nick Scrimenti relieved. "I'm an art major, and live off campus," Scrimenti said. "So when I need to bring in a big project or something, I have to drive. Unfortunately I always end up late to class when that happens because I can never find a place to park. More spots will make my life a whole lot easier." A parking garage was judged to be the most effective way to help students like Scrimenti, said Richard Keppler, director of parking and transportation services. He said that by consolidating parking areas into garages where parking spaces are stacked one on top of the other space is the most effective way to accommodating parking needs. "With consolidated parking, we can fill in for surface lots that have been lost over time to new construction." Keppler said. Keppler also said that he anticipates this new garage being very busy because of its central location on campus in comparison to the Campus Avenue Parking Facility, which is located next to the Campus Avenue Building and in front of the Goggin Ice Arena. Rates for the new garage will be set in accordance with the Campus Avenue Parking Facility's new policy, effective Feb. 19, which reduced prices for hourly garage parking to 50 cents. All-day parking will also be available for $5 to people without a permit. Faculty, staff and students with a valid semester or annual parking permit will be able to purchase a month's worth of daytime parking, lasting from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., for $25. And beginning Feb. 19, overnight parking permits will be sold for $75 for the Campus Avenue facility. Permits can be purchased at the Campus Avenue Building in room 15. http://media.www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2007/02/06/Campus/Parking.Garage.Plans.Underway-2699806.shtml?sourcedomain=www.miamistudent.net&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com

From the 1/20/07 Blade: ADVICE FOR ROSSFORD Don't overestimate Bass Pro's impact, Dundee official says By JENNIFER FEEHAN BLADE STAFF WRITER BOWLING GREEN - As someone who's been there and done that, Dundee, Mich., Village Manager Patrick Burtch had some advice for Rossford officials preparing for the arrival of Bass Pro Shops. Mr. Burtch, whose small community was transformed into a tourist attraction when Cabela's came to town in 2000, said the impact on village services has been surprisingly small, but so has the impact on local businesses. He said everyone assumed that when 6 million people started coming to Dundee every year to shop at the giant outdoors clothing and retail store, existing businesses would get some residual benefits. That didn't happen. "People got off the expressway, went into that store, maybe got something to eat at one of the fast-food restaurants, and they were back on the expressway," Mr. Burtch told municipal and township administrators gathered yesterday at the Northwestern Water and Sewer District's office on State Rt. 582. He suggested Rossford area officials start planning a marketing strategy now to try to convince Bass Pro customers to check out other attractions while they're in the area. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070120/NEWS17/701200413/-1/NEWS

From the 12/23/06 Blade: MAP: Probable Bass Pro Shops location Bass Pro purchases 234 acres for $19.1M Deals pave way for Rossford store By JENNIFER FEEHAN BLADE STAFF WRITER BOWLING GREEN - What's predicted to be an explosion of development in Rossford's coveted Golden Triangle was ignited yesterday when land sales totaling more than $19.1 million were recorded in Wood County for Bass Pro Shops' planned $50 million superstore. The Springfield, Mo.-based sports retailer purchased just over 234 acres south of State Rt. 795 where I-75 and the Ohio Turnpike come together. Twelve parcels held by seven different owners were purchased at an average per-acre price of $81,615, records in the county auditor's office show. Those who have been working to attract Bass Pro and other development to the area said real estate values in what is now known as the Crossroads of America are likely to skyrocket now that Bass Pro has officially staked its claim in Rossford. Other stores, hotels, restaurants, and leisure-type destinations like water parks are expected to follow Bass Pro. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061223/NEWS18/612230413/-1/NEWS

From the 12/21/06 Blade: Court action over Bass Pro real estate sale is dropped BOWLING GREEN - A Perrysburg attorney and real estate agent who claims he is owed a portion of the commissions on land to be sold for Bass Pro Shops' planned mega-store dropped his request yesterday for an injunction to prevent those commissions from being disbursed. William Caughey sued Brian McMahon; his company, Danberry National Ltd., and American Title Agency this month, claiming Mr. McMahon had agreed to divide the real estate commissions on land in Rossford's Golden Triangle area near I-75 and the Ohio Turnpike. Mr. Caughey said Mr. McMahon was now refusing to pay him his share, which he said was in excess of $300,000. Wood County Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Pollex immediately issued a temporary restraining order that said all commissions were to be held in escrow until further order of the court. But yesterday, Mr. Caughey asked that the restraining order be dissolved. He also said he no longer was seeking a temporary injunction in the case. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061221/NEWS02/612210369/-1/NEWS

From the 12/21/06 Sun Star: Traffic plan proposed at town center Thursday, December 21, 2006 By Joanne Berger DuMound The Sun Star NORTH ROYALTON A new east-west roadway, two roundabouts, bike lanes and sidewalks are part of the final recommendations to serve the Town Center District's transportation needs. The study took eight months and included several meetings with the mixed-use district's stakeholders and the public. It was to provide improvements to the roadways and linkages in the study area between the proposed development, the communities, North Royalton's civic buildings, schools, library, the parks and other existing uses to eliminate traffic congestion, provide safe transit, pedestrian and bicycles access. http://www.cleveland.com/sun/sunstar/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1166723609238920.xml&coll=3

From the 12/21/06 Ironton Tribune: Putting a new face on things City hopes industrial site cleanup can lure retail development By Mark Shaffer/The Ironton Tribune Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:01 AM CST The city of Ironton should know soon if they want to purchase the old Intermet/Ironton Iron site. Ironton Mayor John Elam said if the longtime industrial site is cleaned and purchased by the city for a symbolic $1, the 20 plus acres of land on South Third Street could be used for economic development either with a factory or retail stores. “That is prime commercial development property. It will be cleaned to commercial standards,” Elam said. “It would be my intent for this property to contract with someone who is very well versed in commercial development to assist the city in future development.” The site was a foundry for more than 100 years and operated under the names of Dayton Malleable and Ironton Iron and produced automotive casings. The last owner was Intermet Corp., which purchased the foundry in 1988 and closed it in 2000 after suppliers went overseas to get their products. Currently, SRW Environmental Services Inc. is taking core samples from the ground in an effort to determine if there are any contaminants on the property. Full story at http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2006/12/21/news/news068.txt

From the 2/5/07 Athens News: Planning board green-lights student apartments By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Monday, February 5th, 2007 The Athens City Planning Commission approved the Summit at Coates Run student-housing complex Thursday, sending the proposal to City Council for a final decision despite neighborhood concerns. The 258-unit project is planned for a hill on the south side of Athens between the Ohio University Inn, the Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center and Carriage Hill Apartments. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=27266