buildingcincinnati

From the 12/16/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Council will consider YSU-downtown link The university also supports the proposed street modification. By DAVID SKOLNICK CITY HALL REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — City officials will present a recommendation to city council members next week to extend Hazel Street and provide a link between Youngstown State University and downtown. The city administration supports the recommendation made by MS Consultants in a $33,000 study to rebuild Hazel between Commerce and West Wood streets with an easterly curve so it can directly connect with the proposed Hazel extension on the north side of Wood to Lincoln Avenue. The street would have space for two-way vehicular traffic and sidewalks on either side. YSU officials had wanted Hazel between Commerce and West Wood to remain as it is and to build a Hazel extension that would require motorists to take a right and then a quick left to remain on the street heading from downtown to the university. But YSU has no objection to the MS recommendation, said Ron Cole, a university spokesman. [email protected] http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/314166020026034.php

Let's please keep the focus of this topic on Cincinnati arts and not on the merits, or lack of merits, of the city of Atlanta.

From the 1/20/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Delphi negotiations depend on GM deal By LARRY RINGLER Tribune Chronicle WARREN — Full-scale negotiations between the union representing local Delphi Corp. workers and management may not get under way until Delphi comes to terms with General Motors Corp., a top union bargainer said Friday. ‘‘I think GM will be a big trigger,’’ said Willie Thorpe, chairman of the International Union of Electrical Workers-Communications Workers of America Automotive Conference Board. ‘‘If GM moves on commitments that all unions have to have, that’ll take care of a lot of situations and things will go forward.’’ Thorpe said ‘‘a big item’’ in talks is GM’s guarantee of pensions and benefits for workers who retired from Delphi after GM spun off Delphi in 1999. ... [email protected] http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=13629

From Bloomberg, 1/19/07: General Motors weighs Goodyear example Akron tire maker unloads huge bill in labor deal with health-care fund. Automaker's cost situation worse By John Lippert and Jeff Green Bloomberg News Service General Motors Corp. might copy a labor contract between Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and its largest union in an attempt to shed billions of dollars in retiree health-care obligations. As part of last month's deal to end a three-month strike, Goodyear transferred its health-care liability for current and future union retirees to an independent trust fund. GM Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner said the Detroit automaker is studying Goodyear's contract with the United Steelworkers of America. ... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/16496546.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business From the 1/19/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Workers at QIS vote to join UAW By LARRY RINGLER Tribune Chronicle LORDSTOWN — Workers at a Delphi Packard Electric supplier voted Thursday to organize with the United Auto Workers, a union official said. Of 60 workers at Quality Industrial Services eligible to vote, 65 percent voted to join the UAW, said Jim Graham, president of UAW Local 1112 at the nearby General Motors Lordstown Complex. The company has about 100 workers, but the others weren’t eligible to vote, he said. Graham said workers will be assigned to a UAW local, possibly Local 1112, once they get a labor contract. ... http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=13592

From the 1/14/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Local union head seeks info on plan By LARRY RINGLER Tribune Chronicle WARREN — Reaching a labor contract with Delphi Corp. by Feb. 28 probably is more reasonable than Jan. 31 — but even that timetable is full of question marks, the chief bargainer for Warren-based Delphi Packard Electric workers said Saturday. ‘‘We’re on standby. We’re waiting for the International’s take on the court proceedings,’’ said Mike O’Donnell, shop chairman for International Union of Electrical Workers-Communications Workers of America Local 717. O’Donnell, who was elected to his post late last year, referred to a bankruptcy court ruling Friday that approved an upto $3.4 billion investment plan by a group of hedge funds to bring the auto parts maker out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. ... [email protected] http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=13446

From the 1/13/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Delphi sale approved By LARRY RINGLER Tribune Chronicle NEW YORK — The house has been framed and the table set for serious labor talks after a bankruptcy judge Friday approved private investors’ offer to buy auto parts maker Delphi Corp., including its Warren-based Delphi Packard Electric division. Judge Robert Drain’s OK of an up to $3.4 billion purchase plan — something he and others called a ‘‘watershed event’’ — is expected to give the company the figurative hammer and nails to start building a house big enough for everyone, including workers and retirees. In addition, Delphi indefinitely suspended its dreaded Sections 1113 and 1114 motions to reject its labor contracts and modify retiree health care, respectively. The suspension is expected to last at least through Jan. 31, and possibly as late as Feb. 28, to give the company and unions a chance to reach agreement. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/12/ddn011307gm.html

From the 1/12/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Labor talks move to forefront after judge OKs Delphi sale By LARRY RINGLER Tribune Chronicle NEW YORK — The house has been framed and the table set for serious labor talks after a bankruptcy judge Friday approved private investors’ offer to buy auto parts maker Delphi Corp., including its Warren based Delphi Packard Electric division. Judge Robert Drain’s OK of an up-to $3.4 billion purchase plan — something he called a “waterched event” — is expected to give the company the figurative hammer and nails to start building a house big enough for everyone, including workers and retirees. In addition, Delphi indefinitely suspended its dreaded Sections 1113 and 1114 motions to reject its labor contracts and modify retiree health care, respectively. The suspension was expected to last at least through Jan. 31, and possibly as late as Feb. 28, to give the company and unions a chance to reach agreement. ... [email protected] http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=13387 From the 1/12/07 DDN: Delphi to sell key operation at Home Ave. plant Engine and suspension mounts business employs about 450 area workers. By John Nolan Staff Writer Friday, January 12, 2007 DAYTON — An investment banker has been hired to help sell a key business at Delphi Corp.'s Home Avenue plant. W.Y. Campbell & Co., a Detroit firm that helps companies sell operations, will explore opportunities to sell the engine and suspension mounts business, Delphi said Thursday. That business employs about 100 salaried employees and 350 hourly workers in Dayton, Delphi spokesman Brad Jackson said. United Steelworkers union Local 87L represents those hourly employees. The business also includes manufacturing and assembly plants in Portugal, India, Canada and Mexico, with a global total of more than 700 employees. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/12/ddn011207delphi.html From the 1/12/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle: One-time Delphi workers get job tips By RAYMOND L. SMITH Tribune Chronicle WARREN — Forty-three former Delphi Packard Electric employees sat at long white tables Thursday morning, listening to speakers who talked about them starting to get their working lives back together. These members of International Union of Electrical Workers/Communication Workers of America Local 717 were the first to attend twice-a-day meetings taking place over the course of 12 days. The team told the former workers what they need to do to become eligible for Ohio’s Workforce Investment Act benefits. ‘‘Our goal is to let these former Delphi employees know what benefits are available to them,’’ said Frank Flaminio, a supervisor at the Trumbull County One Stop. ‘‘Once they are in the system, we will let them know what kind of training or education benefits are available to them.’’ ... [email protected] http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=13373

From the AP, 1/11/07: Delphi seeking approval of $3.4B investment plan By Vinnee Tong Associated Press Thursday, January 11, 2007 NEW YORK — Delphi board members decided Wednesday to move forward in seeking the approval of a federal bankruptcy judge to allow five private equity and institutional investors to buy shares worth as much as $3.4 billion in the company upon its reorganization. Directors of the Troy, Mich-based auto parts maker essentially rejected an unsolicited $4.7 billion bid made by a rival investor. Judge Robert Drain was scheduled to consider the plan and objections in a hearing today. The plan is a crucial part of an overall transformation sought by the company as it attempts to exit bankruptcy in the first half of this year. Objectors say it transfers a disproportionate amount of the company's value to the investors at the expense of other stakeholders in the case. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/10/ddn011107delphi.html

From the 1/10/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle: GM, Delphi futures bright By LARRY RINGLER Tribune Chronicle DETROIT — Auto analysts sounded optimistic Tuesday for the futures of General Motors Corp. Lordstown Complex and Warren-based Delphi Packard Electric, even as the global auto industry goes through dramatic changes. ‘‘It’s off that platform. It’d be a natural” to produce the expected American-built Chevrolet Astra at the Lordstown Complex, said Michael Robinet, vice president of global forecasting services for auto industry research firm CSM Worldwide Inc., at an automotive analyst conference. But the complex and the car itself won’t enjoy a smooth ride. Robinet and other analysts speaking at the Society of Automotive Analysts 19th annual Automotive Outlook Conference said the Astra, which like the Chevrolet Cobalts Lordstown now makes is considered a C-segment car, will face pressure from cars below it in the B-segment. ... [email protected] http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=13266

From the AP, 1/9/07: Delphi asks judge to quash subpoenas Creditors want two board members to appear in bankruptcy court to explain why they OK'd investor plan. By Vinnee Tong Associated Press Tuesday, January 09, 2007 NEW YORK — Lawyers for auto parts maker Delphi have asked a judge to quash subpoenas from certain creditors and shareholders that would require two board members to appear Thursday at a bankruptcy court hearing in New York. Troy, Mich.-based Delphi on Thursday will seek the judge's approval of a plan by private equity and institutional investors to buy shares worth as much as $3.4 billion in a reorganized Delphi. The official committee of unsecured creditors, the official committee of equity security holders and an ad hoc trade committee issued subpoenas to demand the appearance of the company's executive chairman, Robert Miller, and its lead independent director, John Opie. The committees seek to cross-examine the two directors about why the board voted in favor of a plan to sell an equity stake to five investors. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/09/ddn010907delphi.html

From the 1/7/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Expert upbeat on car for area Fab-plant jobs could be reduced to get the new product, an auto analyst says. By DON SHILLING VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR DETROIT — The Lordstown car plant probably will lose the Chevrolet Cobalt but stands a fighting chance to gain a new Saturn car, an industry observer said. Sean McAlinden, chief economist for the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich., said he expects General Motors Corp. to move production of the Cobalt to Mexico eventually to save on labor costs. The Saturn Astra, another compact car, could land in Lordstown, however, he said. McAlinden spoke about Lordstown and the industry in general Saturday in Detroit at a seminar on the automotive industry. ... [email protected] http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/360875294115226.php

From the AP, 12/30/06: Bankrupt Delphi posts $226 million loss for November Associated Press Saturday, December 30, 2006 NEW YORK — Bankrupt auto parts maker Delphi Corp. said Friday its loss in November widened to $226 million from $54 million in October. The Troy, Mich., company made the disclosure as part of an unaudited monthly operating report it is required to file with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Delphi had $1.33 billion in revenue in November, with $752 million, or 55 percent, coming from General Motors Corp., the country's largest carmaker that also was Delphi's parent until a 1999 spinoff. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2006/12/30/ddn123006delphi.html

From the 12/22/06 DDN: Second suitor offers new plan for Delphi Dallas-based firm says it would pump $4.7 billion into the bankrupt auto parts manufacturer. By John Nolan Staff Writer Friday, December 22, 2006 Highland Capital Management, a Dallas-based private equity firm, made an attempt on Thursday to outbid a refinancing plan that Delphi said it had accepted Monday in its effort to emerge from bankruptcy reorganization by mid-2007. Highland's offer would pump up to $4.7 billion into the auto parts maker. Highland said its plan would be fairer to current shareholders, by improving their opportunities to buy stock in Delphi after it is reorganized, and to debt holders, by allowing them to collect the face value of their claims plus accrued interest. Bondholders would have the options of continuing to hold their bonds, Highland said. Delphi said Monday it had accepted a proposal by Cerberus Capital Management, Appaloosa Management, Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Merrill Lynch and UBS Securities, to invest between $1.4 billion and $3.4 billion in Delphi. That would be in exchange for common and preferred stock in the reorganized Delphi, to be issued in the first half of 2007. Cerberus and Appaloosa would be the largest investors under the plan. ... Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or [email protected]. http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2006/12/21/ddn122206delphi.html

From the 12/20/06 Youngstown Vindicator: GM plant's future up in air The union says the car plant has been called 'very vulnerable' to closure. By DON SHILLING VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR LORDSTOWN — General Motors Corp. once again is considering shutting down its Lordstown complex. Union officials are being asked to make major contract changes if they want GM to commit to the plant beyond midyear 2009. They have been traveling to Detroit over the past month to meet with senior United Auto Workers officials about what can be done to save the plant. ... [email protected] http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/344268239837907.php

From the 12/18/06 Dayton Business Journal: Delphi to get $3.4B in financing Dayton Business Journal - December 18, 2006 Delphi Corp. has accepted an $3.4 billion offer from a private equity group to help get the auto parts maker out of bankruptcy. The private equity group -- led by Appaloosa Capital Management and Cerberus Capital Management -- says it will pay a maximum $3.4 billion for preferred and common stock. The investment, also funded by Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Merrill Lynch & Co. and UBS Securities LLC, will help Delphi fund its pension plan for hourly and salaried workers as well as other pieces of its reorganization plan. ... E-mail [email protected]. Call 222-6900. http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2006/12/18/daily5.html?surround=lfn

From the 12/15/06 Youngstown Vindicator: New IUE leader: No jobs are safe Valley plants will need continued investment to stay open, the shop chairman said. By DON SHILLING VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR WARREN — A new union leader at Delphi Packard Electric said no jobs there are safe for the long term, but he will bargain to keep as many as possible. Even Packard's plastic molding plants in Cortland and Vienna, which underwent $100 million in upgrades, have uncertain futures, said Mike O'Donnell of Warren, who took over this week as shop chairman for Local 717 of the International Union of Electrical Workers. "They are only secure for the life cycle of the technology and the investment. Is that 10 years? 20 years? Who knows what innovations are coming," O'Donnell said. ... [email protected] http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/287733610769825.php

From the 1/20/07 DDN: PHOTO: Precision Energy and Technology president Thomas J. Willis shows a membrane electrode assembly, top, and complete fuel cell. Willis' company produces the membrane electrode assemblies on the machine behind him. Ty Greenlees/Staff photo New technology may boost alternative-energy fuel cells A machine developed in Kettering with public and private funds could allow high-volume production. By John Nolan Staff Writer Saturday, January 20, 2007 KETTERING — Advocates are hoping that a machine developed through a state-funded program to improve manufacturing of fuel cells and their components will boost its production of alternative energy sources. Thomas J. Willis, a Miamisburg businessman who is a private partner in the project, plans to use the machine for high-volume production of a component membrane used in one type of fuel cell. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/19/ddn012007fuelcell.html

From the 1/8/07 ABJ: An industry powers up Statewide coalition is positioning Ohio as global destination for fuel-cell business By Paula Schleis Beacon Journal business writer The architects of Northeast Ohio's economic makeover have their hands full, trying to get everyone to see the invisible threads that bind. It's no easy thing to communicate how the health of businesses in Cleveland can affect Akron, how successful startups in Youngstown could benefit Medina, how the work of an entrepreneur in Canton might lead to job creation in Kent. ... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/16389258.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business

From the 12/16/06 Dispatch: PHOTO: Charles E. Lucius, vice president of fuel-cell development at Battelle, shows how his 700-pound Multi-Purpose Fuel Cell Power System can light four computer monitors and a Christmas tree. GRAPHIC: How a fuel cell works Battelle has high expectations for refining hydrogen fuel cell Saturday, December 16, 2006 Mike Lafferty THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Battelle hopes its portable hydrogen fuel cell will someday help the military win battles. But when it came time to show off the technology in the lab this week, the research giant proved that it could, at least, run a bunch of computers and a 6-foot-tall, light-laden, fake fir. That achievement might earn a smirk, but it’s no small advance for a technology that, in the next couple of decades, could power homes and cars. ... http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/16/20061216-E1-02.html

Thought I'd add this too. Oh, also the Freedom Center got its $2M in the state capital budget. I don't think it was posted. In fact, I don't even recall seeing a story about that. 'Slavery Today' opens at museum THE ENQUIRER The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center's new temporary exhibit opens to the general public today. "Invisible: Slavery Today" is a 2,700-square-foot, multimedia exhibit about contemporary slavery around the world. It features video, photos, hands-on activities and interactive kiosks. For more information, visit www.freedomcenter.org. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070106/NEWS01/701060376/1056/COL02

From the 12/16/06 Enquirer: Lynch named Freedom Center co-chair BY ERIC HORNBECK | [email protected] The Rev. Damon Lynch Jr. has been elected presiding co-chairman of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the center announced Thursday. "I'm excited and I'm looking forward to the challenges of the new position," Lynch said. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061216/NEWS01/612160361/1056/COL02

From the 12/15/06 Blade: SPRING GROUNDBREAKING POSSIBLE Coke plant owners sign deal with 2 contractors By TOM HENRY BLADE STAFF WRITER Plans for building the proposed $600 million FDS Coke Plant on the East Toledo-Oregon border have a new pulse, but only because the group behind the project thought it was within hours yesterday of having its hard-fought and contentious environmental permit nullified. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061215/NEWS06/612150352/-1/NEWS

From ThisWeek Worthington, 12/21/06: ARB likes CVS changes, but wants to see refinements Thursday, December 21, 2006 By MARK MAJOR ThisWeek Staff Writer The designers of a proposed Worthington CVS store are headed back to the drawing board. Members of the Worthington Architectural Review Board voted unanimously Thursday to table consideration of plans for the project after taking a look at designs presented by Anthony Ricciuti, a project manager for Norr, LLC, which is designing the project. http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=worthington&story=sites/thisweeknews/122106/Worthington/News/122106-News-282597.html

From ThisWeek Worthington, 12/14/06: New CVS plans show 2-story buildings Thursday, December 14, 2006 By CANDY BROOKS ThisWeek Staff Writer Revised CVS plans reflect a less contemporary style than those that met a critical review by the Architectural Review Board in October. Both the proposed drug store and the two buildings to be built immediately to the south are shown as one-and-a-half or two stories, with living quarters above the two smaller buildings. Two smaller two-story buildings would be also be built on the site. Both would be for retail uses on the first level, with living areas on the second floors. http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=worthington&story=sites/thisweeknews/121406/Worthington/News/121406-News-279312.html

From the 1/18/07 Athens News: University Estates, city continue legal battle over rules for development By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Thursday, January 18th, 2007 Attorneys for Dr. Richard Conard, the Florida developer who sued the city of Athens over its handling of his University Estates project, are pulling out all the stops to compel more detailed testimony by City Law Director Garry Hunter. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=27128