buildingcincinnati

From the 1/18/07 Fairfield Echo: Township denies zoning change request By Eric Schwartzberg Staff Writer Thursday, January 18, 2007 Fairfield Twp. trustees nixed a zoning change that would have allowed construction of 186 single-family homes in the southern portion of the township. Khosrow Mohammadi said he planned to build the homes on 100 of the 127 acres of land he owns at 3985 Tylersville Road, just east of Seward Road. To do so, he needed trustees to vote unanimously to approve a zoning change from light industrial to planned residential. Trustees instead voted unanimously against the change Jan. 9, citing the township's land use plan and recommendations against the change by the Butler County Planning Commission and the Twp.'s zoning commission. Trustee Joe McAbee said he has "strong reservations" about approving the construction of a couple hundred more homes in the area. "From a township perspective, our job is to look 30 years out," McAbee said. "Not that we haven't done it, but it would be hard to take commercial property and turn it to residential, especially in this area where the land use plan calls for (light manufacturing)." "The school district needs it, the township needs it and the county needs it," he said. Sibcy Cline realtors Harold and June Zimmer said they contacted about 40 area developers, as well as industrial developers in Columbus and Dayton areas. The property generated interest from several residential developers, two of whom extended contract offers, June Zimmer said. Harold Zimmer said it was disheartening to hear trustees talk about continuing to wait. "If it's (the land) been sitting idle for 15 years, that would tell them that there's not been an interest," he said. "I have (a) problem understanding when someone says 'Well, you just have to sit and be patient for businesses to move your way.' While Mohammadi said the amount of property tax generated by the homes would be "substantial," McAbee said residential developments do not make the township any money. Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5126 or [email protected]. http://www.fairfield-echo.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/17/fe011807zoning.html From the 1/12/07 Enquirer: Fairfield Echo: Road improvements put on hold (1/11/07) Fairfield Echo: Fairfield Twp. offers Hamilton deal (12/21/06) Fairfield Twp. keeps fighting for prime land Court's annexation ruling favors neighboring Hamilton BY SUE KIESEWETTER | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR FAIRFIELD TWP. - Township trustees vow to keep fighting to prevent the owner of a prime spot for commercial development from seeking annexation into the neighboring city of Hamilton. At issue: which government keeps jurisdiction - and gets the tax money - from whichever new businesses get built on 186 acres at Ohio 4 Bypass and Hamilton-Mason Road. Township trustees say they will appeal a judge's decision last week that would allow the property owner, Graceworks Lutheran Services, to request annexation into Hamilton. "We have the resources and we're willing to spend them," Trustee Joe McAbee said. "We're more committed than ever to keep the property in the township." So far, no annexation petition has been filed. The site - once envisioned as a Meijer superstore - is less than half a mile from the new Bridgewater Falls shopping complex, and is expected to attract significant development. "There are a host of development issues that need to be worked through, including zoning and utilities. These are all tied to the jurisdictional issues that must be determined," said Willis Serr, Graceworks' president and CEO. The conflict between the two governments over annexation issues has been going on for several years, but had been improving. This situation became complicated when the property owner sued last spring to protect its option of becoming part of Hamilton. In an attempt at compromise, township and city officials recently agreed to try to add the Graceworks site to a Joint Economic Development District. Such a district would allow Hamilton to collect a city income tax on the land without annexing it, then share some of the money with the township. In Ohio, townships cannot impose income taxes. The proposal, introduced by Fairfield Township, included an agreement from Hamilton not to annex the site. But last week, Judge Matthew Crehan of Butler County Common Pleas Court ruled the no-annexation deal could not be enforced because the law in place in 1996, when the tax district was formed, did not provide such authority. Since 1996, however, the law has changed and now allows anti-annexation language. So now, officials are discussing forming a new tax district that would include the Graceworks land. While the legal dispute continues, plans for the land remain in limbo. And so does a high-priority road project. "We're all waiting to see what (Graceworks) is going to do next," Hamilton Mayor Don Ryan said. Five of Hamilton's seven council members unofficially agreed last week not to accept any annexation petitions from Fairfield Township. But no legislation to that effect has been passed. Township officials decided Tuesday not to proceed with plans to improve the intersection at Ohio 4 Bypass and Hamilton-Mason Road until the matter is settled. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070112/NEWS01/701120369/1056/COL02

From the 1/17/07 DDN: Dayton Daily News: Troy council to hear debate on development (1/16/07) Troy residents urge council to reject rezoning request Voters said no to housing plan in referendum, but city leaders are still considering project. By Doug Page Staff Writer Wednesday, January 17, 2007 TROY — — A packed house demanded Tuesday night that the City Council honor the results of a referendum and reject the proposed rezoning of nearly 201 acres of farmland for housing. "The timing is wrong," resident Donald Higgins told the council during a 65-minute public hearing. "We should re-evaluate how the city grows." Voters in November overturned the rezoning decision by the council 4,880 to 2,481. More than 80 people attended the hearing. The speakers expressed frustration and displeasure that the council was again taking up the issue. "The referendum was a demonstration of 'of the people, by the people, for the people,' " said Ray Bretland, a former City Council member. The proposed Honey Creek development at North Market Street and Troy Urbana Road would include 298 single-family homes — ranging in price from $200,000 to $450,000 — and 98 condominiums — from $180,000 to $250,000. The project would be built in phases over 10 to 15 years. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/16/ddn011707honeycreek.html From the 1/20/07 DDN: Annexed land in Troy to retain agricultural zoning designation By Staff report Saturday, January 20, 2007 TROY — A Miami County judge on Thursday ruled that 57 acres near Troy's Concord Elementary School on Ohio 718 continues to carry a county agricultural zoning designation although the land has been annexed to the city. Two attempts to rezone the land for residential use have been approved by the Troy City Council, but overturned in referendums in 2003 and '05. Land owner Summerfield Land Company of Troy had asked the court to resolve a dispute between the owners and the city on the interpretation and application of city zoning ordinances. Summerfield lawyers claimed that because of changes in the city zoning laws in 2000, the land should have been zoned R-3 single-family residential after annexation in 2002. The city argued the county zoning designation has to remain with the land until a successful rezoning process, including public notices and public hearings. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/20/ddn012007land.html $3 million hospital expansion plan OK'd Celina Daily Standard, 1/19/07 The green light was given this week for a nearly $3 million construction project at Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater. Mercer Health Board of Trustees approved final design plans during a meeting this week, paving the way for construction to begin later this year, according to interim CEO Jim Wermert. The project will enhance many areas of the hospital, specifically the zone around the emergency department, adding approximately 10,000-square-feet to the east end of the building, Wermert said. It also is the "first part" of several other projects under consideration by the strategic planning task force, which includes the medical staff, board members and Mercer Health staff, he said. Franklin school board to make call on stadium Middletown Journal, 1/19/07 The school board has all the information it needs to make a decision Monday whether to move forward with a $1.2 million renovation of the football stadium. That was the conclusion finance committee members Lori Raleigh, board president, and Chris Sizemore, board vice president, came to Thursday when they reviewed documentation provided by the Franklin Athletic Foundation. "Based on the information we asked for they've met all the criteria," Sizemore said. The athletic boosters want to partner with the district to install new turf, bleachers, restrooms and a concession stand at the stadium. Middletown Journal: Stadium faces another hurdle (1/18/07) Middletown Journal: Stadium project up for bid (1/9/07) Middletown Journal: Board may OK stadium upgrade (1/8/07) Middletown Journal: Board calls special meeting to discuss stadium project (1/3/07) Middletown Journal: Stadium funding faces hurdles (12/13/06) New schools ready New Carlisle Sun, 1/18/07 An overwhelming crowd of curious students and parents attended the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremonies of the new Park Layne Elementary, New Carlisle Elementary and Tecumseh Middle schools on Sunday, anxiously awaiting their chance to tour the buildings for the first time. At Tecumseh Middle School, Superintendent Jim Gay welcomed guests and promised to keep the ceremony down to 20-minutes so they would have the entire last hour to roam freely throughout the halls to check the architecture and new features. Teachers and staff began packing the old schools the last week of classes before Christmas break to make sure everything at the new buildings would be ready for students by Jan. 16. While teachers were responsible for getting classrooms in order, it was the job of project manager Quandel Danis Builders to see that the buildings were done on time and under budget, and they were, according to Gay. Villagers question balance of Jan. 29 annex meeting Yellow Springs News, 1/18/07 At the Jan. 16 meeting of Village Council, villagers and Council members debated the purpose of the upcoming Jan. 29 special Council meeting on the Fogg farm annexation, with several villagers expressing concern that the meeting will not offer a balanced view of the pros and cons of the property’s potential annexation into Yellow Springs. After dialogue with community members, Council members decided to go ahead with the original agenda, stating that Council must address the specifics of the Fogg farm plan. A more general discussion on annexation will take place at a Smart Growth forum on Feb. 11, although it is unclear what Council’s involvement will be in that event. Some community members raised concerns after Village Planner Phil Hawkey presented the proposed agenda for the Jan. 29 meeting. The agenda includes a presentation of the Fogg farm plan by Fogg farm owner Doug Miller or one of his associates, a presentation by the engineering firm of Edwards and Kelcey, who wrote the Fogg farm annexation study, clarification of legal issues by Village Solicitor John Chambers and “facilitated public discourse,” which includes questions and comments from the public. In response, several villagers requested that the meeting also include representatives from Tecumseh Land Trust or the Smart Growth group, both of which have questioned the benefits of annexation to the community. Franklin won't see new Talbert House Middletown Journal, 1/17/07 Talbert House of Cincinnati will not build a new halfway house for misdemeanor and substance abuse offenders. Warren County Commissioner Dave Young said the prospect of paying $2 million a year to operate the proposed 100-bed facility just didn't make sense as a way to ease overcrowding at the 213-bed Warren County Jail. "We are looking at doubling the capacity of the original jail for about half the cost of building new," Young said. "I still want to utilize their facilities to decrease recidivism." Talbert House operates 20 facilities in the region, including two in Warren County, for nonviolent offenders and substance abusers. Young is part of a committee formed last year to find ways to free up space at the Warren County Jail where inmates are often turned away because of overcrowding.

From Tri-Village News, 1/3/07: Vacant, run-down inn remains a security hazard, officials say By ROSEMARY KUBERA The former Knights Inn still stands at Grandview Avenue and Dublin Road. But it's not fit for habitation. "The whole building's been trashed," said Joelle Khouzam, Grandview Heights city attorney. "People have pushed in plywood (security barriers) and broken into rooms. There's a lot of damage and it is unsafe for anyone: fire, police, and those seeking shelter," she said. "The place should be torn down," said fire Chief Henry Kauffman Jr. It is thought that homeless people, known to stay in the neighboring woods, keep breaking into the building, city officials said. The inn closed in 2005 and the structure is deteriorating. Parts of a canopy at the property's edge near Dublin Road collapsed and on Dec. 1 the city ordered owner Varu Inc. of Dublin to repair it and seal breaches or openings where people had broken in. Read more at http://www.snponline.com/NEWS1-3/1-3_tvKnights.html

From the 1/12/07 Coshocton Tribune: Ethanol plant construction 'to get real busy' By JOSHUA CHANEY Staff Writer COSHOCTON - The Coshocton Ethanol plant site is seeing major improvements, according to Jack Hamel, general manager of the facility. "Construction of the ethanol plant is well under way," he said. "It is anticipated that construction will continue through the summer months and that the plant will start up this fall." About 15 percent of work is finished, according to Hamel. There are currently about 75 construction employees on site, and the number of construction personnel will increase as the construction progresses. "It's going to get real busy this summer," he said. The plant currently has two full-time employees including Hamel and a construction site representative. http://www.coshoctontribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070112/NEWS01/701120303/1002/rss01

From the 12/19/06 Enquirer: Cincinnati Enquirer: Lakota boundary-line plan up for approval (12/17/06) Hamilton JournalNews: Lakota schools construction projects timely (12/15/06) Lakota Schools leader leaving Successor approved along with redrawn boundaries BY MICHAEL D. CLARK | [email protected] LIBERTY TWP. - On a night when the superintendent unexpectedly resigned, Lakota's school board approved a plan that will cause about 4,000 elementary students to change schools in August. The board unanimously approved the sweeping plan Monday evening to redraw school attendance zones. The surprise change in leadership was announced by board members during the meeting. Superintendent Phil Ehrhardt has resigned and Assistant Superintendent Mike Taylor was promoted to the top job. About one-third of Lakota's 12,000 elementary students will move next year under the redrawn attendance lines. The goal is to redistribute students more evenly. Ehrhardt said the redrawing of attendance zones "will provide quality academics and is very cost effective and a long-term solution" to more evenly spread students and resources around the fast-growing 17,800-student district. Taylor said that when a planning committee began looking at the district in January, it realized that several elementary schools in the south and central parts of the district had stable or declining enrollment. A handful of parents - most from Liberty Township - complained this month that their children were being sent to elementaries of lower quality than their neighborhood schools. Ehrhardt, in resigning, cited his family's desire to be closer to his grown daughter in Chicago. Ehrhardt has accepted the superintendent position with Benjamin School District No. 25, a public system in suburban Chicago. He was hired in summer 2005 and was in the final year of his two-year contract. Taylor was unanimously appointed to replace Ehrhardt. "Lakota is in the midst of a tremendous transition. Mike's leadership and passion for Lakota are always evident, and we are delighted to have him to guide Lakota into the future," said board President Joan Powell. Taylor's contract, unanimously approved by the board, pays $135,000 annually through July 31, 2009. Ehrhardt will continue to work with Lakota as a consultant through the end of his contract on July 31 at his current $135,000-a-year salary. Lakota changes schools for 4,000 elementary students The Lakota Board of Education approved a sweeping plan Monday evening that will switch about 4,000 elementary students to new schools beginning in August. Details include: Redistributing students in 14 elementaries for the 2007-2008 school year. Most of the student transfers will be from fast-growing Liberty Township southward into the more built-out communities of West Chester Township, where schools have stable or declining enrollments. Lakota last changed its attendance zones in 2003. The attendance zone information for each school is available on the district's Web site at www.lakotaonline.com. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061219/NEWS0102/612190316/1058/NEWS01 From the 12/23/06 Enquirer: Overcrowding in new Monroe school Some kids spilling over into old elementary BY SUE KIESEWETTER | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR MONROE - Just two years after opening a single K-12 building, the Monroe Local School District is running out of space. Elementary classrooms are so scarce that preschool and kindergarten classes will likely move back to the old Monroe Elementary School for the 2007-08 school year, freeing up space in the new building for other grades. "We started with 600 kids in the elementary and we're up to 1,200 now," said Superintendent Arnol Elam. "We expect another 100-200 kids next year and most of those will be in the elementary school." Since the district was formed six years ago, enrollment has increased from about 1,400 to just under 2,200 - a 57 percent increase. Next month, a task force will begin studying enrollment trends and the need for a ballot issue - possibly as early as 2008 - to construct another building on the site. Until then, Elam said, officials will monitor enrollment and systematically move a grade level at a time to the old elementary building. "We all knew it was going to happen, but just not this quick," Elam said of the enrollment growth. The former elementary building now houses district offices and three programs run by the Butler Technology and Career Development Schools. A new contract between Butler Tech and the Monroe Board of Education will move those programs to the former Lemon-Monroe High School over the summer. "Moving to the high school gives us the ability to expand the program and add more students," said Edmund Pokora, chief financial officer for Butler Tech. "It's better situated for high school students. There's an auditorium there, gymnasium and everything is sized for high school students." The five-year agreement calls for Butler Tech to pay $10 per year in rent, maintain the building and pay for custodial help. It takes effect Jan. 1. Elam called the agreement a "win-win" for Monroe and Butler Tech. "It would have cost us between $150,000 and $200,000 each year to mothball that building," Elam said. "We consider it an even swap." E-mail suek1@fusenet http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061223/NEWS0102/612230345/1058/NEWS01 From the 1/7/07 Enquirer: Lands Landing seeks to sell remaining lots LIBERTY TWP. - A Whitewater Township developer hopes to sell the remaining 55 lots at the new Lands Landing subdivision in the next three to five years. Cheviot-based Ameritek Custom Homes is the latest builder with plans for the development off Cincinnati-Dayton Road at Kyles Station Road. Ameritek agreed about a month ago to buy two lots at the subdivision and has the option to buy more lots depending on how sales go, said Jeff Hayes, land development manager at Welsh Development, the project's developer. The entire subdivision will include 112 lots. The Ameritek homes will run from $280,000 to $420,000 and range from 1,800 to 4,000 plus square feet, said Terry Sojda, Ameritek's director of sales and marketing. Crestview Hills-based Fischer Homes has already agreed to build 55 homes at Lands Landing. Those homes will be priced from around $280,000 to $340,000 and range in size from 1,800 to 3,700 square feet and be geared toward move-up buyers, said Giles Patterson, division manager at Fischer Homes. He said the homes will include a mixture of one- and two-story houses with three to four bedrooms, side-entry garages and full basements on lots that average about a half acre. Fischer Homes has completed a model home at Lands Landings. It expects all of its homes to be completed by late 2009. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070107/BIZ01/701070302/1001/BIZ

From ThisWeek Pickerington, 1/18/07: Shopping center OK'd for Route 256 Thursday, January 18, 2007 By SEAN CASEY ThisWeek Staff Writer City council Tuesday night unanimously approved the rezoning and final platting for an 11-acre retail center at the northwest corner of state Route 256 and Diley Road. The complex will include two main buildings totaling 50,000 square feet of space and three out-parcel lots. The developers, JDC Real Estate Development LLC and PB Diley Road LLC, also will construct an additional left-turn lane on Windmiller Drive at Diley. The shopping complex is the latest in a string of commercial projects the city has attracted over the past year. In 2006, Pickerington accepted development plans for a 13-acre retail development, an 86-suite assisted-living facility, an 11-acre shopping center and a 100,000-square-foot retail and office complex, all along the state Route 256 corridor. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=pickerington&story=sites/thisweeknews/011807/Pickerington/News/011807-News-292934.html From ThisWeek Canal Winchester, 1/11/07: Public hearing set for rezoning on Route 33 Thursday, January 11, 2007 By ROBERT PASCHEN ThisWeek Staff Writer A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at Town Hall to allow residents to comment on the proposed rezoning of approximately 70 acres along U.S. Route 33 directly west of Winchester Square Shopping Center. The land is owned by Casto developers as part of a group called Gender/Thirty-Three. "These are the same owners as Winchester Square Shopping Center," said Casto spokeswoman Kristin Mack. The public hearing is a requirement under rezoning provisions, said Allan Neimayer, Canal Winchester's planning and zoning administrator. After the public hearing, the rezoning request will then be placed before village council, he said. The land is currently zoned traditional neighborhood development (TND). Casto is asking that it be changed to exceptional use (EU). Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=canalwinchester&story=sites/thisweeknews/011107/CanalWinchester/News/011107-News-288758.html

I changed the title of this topic to something a little less vague. This looks like a nice little project!

From the 1/15/07 Dayton Business Journal: Developers begin $130M deal in Union Dayton Business Journal - January 12, 2007 by Yvonne Teems DBJ Staff Reporter The city of Union is about to get the biggest residential development in its history, adding 612 homes to the small town of 5,500. LandTech National Development Services Inc. will unveil plans for a $123 million community at the Union city council meeting Jan. 22. The 150-acre project, called The Glen on Old Springfield, will include single-family homes, duplexes, custom homes, senior homes, and apartments, as well as amenities including a clubhouse, parks and ponds. Homes will range from $155,000 for a duplex to $700,000 or more for a custom home. The project will sprout on Ron and Gail Jackson's farm, which the developer expects to finish purchasing by summer in order to break ground by fall. Union is 10 miles northwest of Dayton. LandTech chose Union because the Dayton-Cincinnati market is stable and hasn't seen a project, other than Yankee Trace in Centerville, that offers different types of housing within one community, said Jeffrey Hyman, LandTech partner. MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/01/15/story3.html From the 1/15/07 Springfield News-Sun: Springfield News-Sun: Work on school not taking a brrrreak (12/18/07) Design modified for future auditorium By Gail Cetnar Staff Writer Monday, January 15, 2007 Changes to construction plans for a section of Springfield High School will pave the way for an auditorium and fly loft (space above the stage) to be added in the future, school leaders said. The school board agreed to modify designs for the foundation, walls and roof to support the addition of an auditorium if the funds for it are raised. Construction crews have been erecting walls and laying concrete over the past month, but they delayed work around the stage area until school leaders approved the design changes Thursday. Guidelines from the Ohio School Facilities Commission, which is overseeing the project, don't allow for an auditorium. Instead, schools built under the state's school construction program have "cafetoriums." The cafeteria has a stage so it can double as the auditorium. If the district wants an auditorium, it has to pay the complete cost itself. Plans call for the changes to cost no more than $420,000. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/14/sns011507construction.html Wayne Hospital to expand Greenville Daily Advocate, 1/18/07 If all goes well, Wayne Hospital will be getting a brand new look in years to come. Wayne Deschambeau, who became the CEO of the hospital this past year, said a master plan is in place and various proposals for services - new and/or better - are to be featured in this expansion. "It could be five years or it could be 10 years," he said. He said financial consultants are doing a debt capacity study for the hospital and that will be presented to the hospital board at the February meeting. "We expect in the 60 days following to make project recommendations to the board," he said. "From there, they will select an architect and get financing." New fire stations built, rehab of others to be finished soon Dayton Daily News, 1/18/07 The city of Fairborn's plan to build two new fire stations and renovate two others is nearing completion. Construction of stations 1 and 2, on Broad Street and Commerce Center Boulevard, respectively, were recently completed and are fully operational. Renovations on stations 3 and 4, on Fairfield-Yellow Springs and Funderberg roads, will be completed in a couple of weeks, officials said. The renovations included the addition of living quarters. Fire Station 2 is unique in that it will serve an estimated 10,000 people in a joint district that includes Beavercreek Twp. Moraine considers natatorium plans Dayton Daily News, 1/18/07 Three plans for renovating Moraine's Recreation Center Natatorium were presented to the Committee of the Whole following the Jan. 11 Moraine City Council meeting. Projected costs for the plans ranged from $2.28 million for the least expensive plan to $4.085 million for the most costly renovation, said Mike Carroll of Brandstetter Carroll Inc., an architectural, engineering and planning firm from Cincinnati. The first plan, at $2.28 million, includes a solid roof structure (as would all three plans), in contrast to the 30-year-old soft roof structure that now is in need of repair. This plan would retain the same size roof and same size swimming area, although the pool would be completely rebuilt, quadrupling the size of the shallow water area. The second plan, at $2.62 million, is similar to the first, although it would feature two separate pools that could function as separate structures or as one structure depending on needs and events. It would also include two separate filtration systems and aquatic features such as a sliding board. The third plan, at $4.085 million would include additional construction with about 6,000 to 7,000 more square footage under one roof. Big box retailer wants to build in Miami Valley Dayton Daily News, 1/17/07 Menards hopes to build one of its home improvement stores here just west of Interstate 75 in 2008, bringing along other new retail and restaurant businesses. Preliminary plans for what would be the city's first "big box" retailer were outlined Tuesday during a public hearing on rezoning of two properties needed for the project to move forward. The council voted unanimously Tuesday to rezone two properties — for 28 acres combined — for highway service uses. The land is west of Interstate 75 and north of Main Street (Ohio 571) in an area that already has a motel, gas stations and restaurants such as Bob Evans and Wendy's. City officials cautioned the council needs to consider the zoning in the overall possible uses under highway service, not specifically for a Menards and related projects in case those plans would fall through. Mark Lee of Menards in Eau Claire Wis., said the privately owned chain of stores needs to conduct traffic studies and take other site review steps before closing on the land for its stores and others — possibly in a strip-type shopping center — this year. Construction likely would be in 2008, he said. Road planned to relieve Beavercreek soccer congestion Xenia Daily Gazette, 1/13/07 A proposed new road designed to relieve traffic congestion along U.S. 35 near a Beavercreek Township youth soccer field may be built as early as next fall, the county engineer said Friday. Greene County Engineer Bob Geyer said that bidding for the project to build a new connector between Orchard Lane and Factory Road will begin in June, followed by its construction in the summer and fall of 2008. Traffic at the intersection of U.S. 35 and Orchard Lane has increased in recent years, partly because of the growing number of youth soccer matches at the John Ankeney Soccer Complex, 505 S. Orchard Lane, according to John Ankeney, executive director of the Beavercreek Soccer Association. Ankeney credits U.S. Rep. Dave Hobson and State Sen. Steve Austria with working to secure $1.4 million in federal and state funding to support the design and construction of the new road, which will allow for a second entrance and exit on the south side of the complex. “It will make the soccer complex more attractive to all the area people as well as the out-of-town guests that come to see their kids play or play themselves,” Ankeney said.

All of the winners in this press release from ODOD, 12/15/06: TAFT ANNOUNCES $168 MILLION IN THIRD FRONTIER FUNDS Nine projects to commercialize research, create jobs, advance quality of life FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2006 Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today announced almost $168 million in Third Frontier awards for nine Ohio projects which received approval by the Third Frontier Commission. "These projects have far reaching implications to improve the quality of life here in our state and they will reposition the Ohio economy for future growth and job creation," said Governor Taft. "This is exactly what we set out to accomplish when we created the Third Frontier Project and I want to thank Ohio voters for their support of our Jobs for Ohio bond issue last fall, which is fully funding the Third Frontier." Much of the funding for today's awards is the result of voter approval of the "Jobs for Ohio Bond Initiative" in November 2005, which fully funded the 10-year, $1.6 billion Third Frontier Project. With today's announcements, the Third Frontier Project has invested a total of $632 million since it was launched in 2002. To date, Third Frontier investments have leveraged $945 million in private and federal investment in Ohio, attracted or created more than 200 companies and retained or created more than 2,600 jobs with an average salary of more than $63,000 per year. Taft today announced the following winners: Cleveland State University (Cuyahoga County) received $23,840,576 in Wright Centers of Innovation funds to establish the Sensor Systems Engineering Center (SSE). The center will develop smaller, faster and less expensive sensors for current market applications and integrate nanotechnology and microfabrication technology into sensor systems and devices. The University of Dayton received $28 million in Wright Centers of Innovation funds for the establishment of the Institute for the Development and Commercialization of Advanced Sensor Technology (IDCAST). Sensor research and development falls into two targeted areas: biological and chemical sensory technology, including air and water quality monitors; and remote sensory technology, including infrared cameras and object detection. The University of Toledo (Lucas County) received $18,635,238 in Wright Centers of Innovation funds to establish the Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization Center (PVIC). This grant follows a 2004 Wright Project grant for support of University of Toledo's existing solar power program. The project will focus on research into advanced materials to be used in constructing solar cell arrays, development of those solar cell arrays, prototyping and demonstrating various system components, development and installation of a complete system, and graduate level education and consumer awareness. The Swagelok Company of Solon (Cuyahoga County) received $5.5 million in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for processes to carburize steel at relatively low temperatures. Carburization, the infusion of carbon to a steel surface, increases the hardness of the surface by a factor of four and decreases fatigue. Applications include steel exposed to corrosive chemicals, jet aircraft components and bearings. Case Western Reserve University is collaborating on this project. Graftech International of Parma (Cuyahoga County) received $7,945,465 in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds to synthesize nanocomposite technologies with graphite-based materials for improved thermal and electrical conductivity. The project will strengthen Ohio's presence in the lightweight, high performance electronic device market and make it more cost effective. The University of Akron (Summit County), in partnership with the University of Dayton (Montgomery County) received $8 million in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for targeting the market applications of polyimides. The project is an extension of the Center for Multifunctional Nanocomposites and Devices (CMPND), a 2005 Wright Center of Innovation. Polyimides (PIs) are high performance polymers with a wide range of properties that can be easily adapted to withstand extreme thermal, electrical, and mechanical environments. Kent Displays, Inc. (Portage County) received $7,992,375 in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for specialized flexible liquid crystal displays and liquid crystal eyewear. The grant will support the development of two roll-to-roll processing line of liquid crystal film, one for flexible displays such as credit cards, wrist watches, and ID tags, and a separate line for eyewear. The Ohio State University (Franklin County) in partnership with the University of Dayton, received $8 million in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for the development of next-generation nanomaterials and nanocomposites. The project is an extension of the Center for Multifunctional Nanocomposites and Devices (CMPND), a 2005 Wright Center of Innovation. The newly developed processes result in more durability and fire resistance and can be applied to jet engines, truck panels and other uses. Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Cuyahoga County) received the first ever Wright Mega-Centers of Innovation award, totaling $60 million, to establish the Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC). This project will support and expand work begun following a 2005 Wright Center of Innovation grant to the Atrial Fibrillation Innovation Center. The GCIC's focus will be atherothrombotic vascular disease and valvular heart disease, the two major causes of heart failure. The GCIC has identified three cardiovascular technology platforms, including novel devices, cellular and molecular therapies and new biomarkers. Click here to see a full list of project collaboraters and descriptions of the awarded Third Frontier programs (PDF) http://www.odod.state.oh.us/newsroom/releases/1687.asp

From the 12/19/06 Lima News: Smiles for nano; frowns for oil recovery BY TIM RAUSCH - Dec. 19, 2006 LIMA — Knowing is half the battle. The National Academy of Science critique of the Lima Third Frontier proposal will be valuable information in making a stronger argument for the project in the next round, said one of the project collaborators. In a Dec. 8 letter to the Third Frontier Commission, the academy’s review team said the Lima Synthesis Gas Commercialization Center had scientific and commercial merit for its ideas on nanotechnology, but took issue with other ideas in the $60 million grant proposal. The 49-page report covered all seven projects in line for the Wright Mega-center of Innovation grant program, which provided $60 million for centers that would be leaders in research and ultimately have a large impact on Ohio’s economy. The grant was given to the Cleveland Clinic on Friday. MORE: http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=33323

From ThisWeek Olentangy, 12/21/06: Orange Road change planned Thursday, December 21, 2006 By KELLEY YOUMAN TRUXALL ThisWeek Staff Writer A proposed realignment of West Orange Road was unveiled last week by the Delaware County engineer, but the fate of the historic bridge remains undetermined. The proposal would move the road 250 to 270 feet north, realigning it with Carriage Road to the west. A roundabout is planned where the roads intersect with state Route 315. http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=powell&story=sites/thisweeknews/122106/Powell/News/122106-News-282853.html

Also posted in the "Modern Roundabouts in Ohio" thread. Delaware plans Rt. 315 roundabout Fate of Orange Road bridge not finalized JANE HAWES / COLUMBUS DISPATCH December 14, 2006 MAP: Proposed Roundabout Location Columbus Dispatch POWELL — Two roads will become one, but there’s no decision on the fate of a historic bridge. That was the plan presented last night at a forum to discuss Delaware County’s Orange Road bridge project. After nearly eight months of analyzing five options, the county engineer’s office selected one but added a twist: Orange Road will be rerouted north to join Carriage Road, and a roundabout will be built on Rt. 315 at their juncture. http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/14/20061214-D7-00.html

121 Dorsey St was rehabbed and is on sale for $250K. No one has posted 221 Dorsey either, I don't think. This one has been on the market for a long time at nearly $200,000.

From the 12/14/06 PD: Zoo construction to displace elephants Thursday, December 14, 2006 John C. Kuehner Plain Dealer Reporter This may be the last Cleveland winter for Martika, Moshi and Jo, the three African elephants at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The popular pachyderms will be shipped to new homes next year when the zoo prepares for construction of a new elephant exhibit. A model of the pen and yard, called African Elephant Crossing, will be unveiled Friday at the zoo's Exhibit Hall, where it will be displayed through next year... To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-5325 http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1166089104132960.xml&coll=2

From ThisWeek German Village, 12/14/06: RENDERING: Architect's rendering of Grange Insurance addition. This view is looking southwest from High Street, just north of Sycamore Street. The existing Grange building is shown on the right, with the addition at the center and left. Grange construction poised to begin Thursday, December 14, 2006 By SUE HAGAN ThisWeek Staff Writer A two-year construction project to build a ten-story addition to Grange Insurance Co. begins today, with a ceremonial ground-breaking that was scheduled for this morning. Brewery District residents could see construction fences go up as early as tomorrow, and dirt will start being moved around the end of the year, according to Milt Lewis, Grange facilities planning manager. The addition will add 247,000 square feet of space to the facility. Currently, the company has 280,000 square feet of office space in its 12-story Front Street building, which opened in 1978. Construction of the addition, renovations to the existing building and a new parking garage should be completed by January, 2009, Lewis said. The expansion, which is estimated to cost $100-million including design costs, is necessary to accommodate steady company growth expected over the next 18 years, said Patrick Faherty, Grange public relations manager. Currently, the company employs more than 1,400 people in 11 states, including about 900 at the Columbus headquarters. Faherty said Grange expects to add 775 new jobs in Columbus, with more than $60-million in annual payroll and benefits, by 2024. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=germanvillage&story=sites/thisweeknews/121406/GermanVillage/News/121406-News-277826.html

From the 12/15/06 Dispatch: City opposes liquor licenses for 10 bars, carryouts 3 north of OSU aggravating neighbors Friday, December 15, 2006 Jim Woods , Kevin Kidder and Jodi Andes THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Three bars north of Ohio State University are irritating their neighbors so much that the Columbus City Council is opposing the renewal of their liquor licenses. The council decided on Monday to object to the renewal of liquor licenses for 10 bars and carryouts, including Ledo’s Lounge, 2608 N. High St.; Miani’s Bar & Grill, 2619 N. High St.; and the Nut House, 2159 N. High St. Read the full article here: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/15/20061215-D5-00.html

^ Hehehe....

^ Oops! From the 1/10/07 Pickerington Times-Sun: ThisWeek Pickerington: Council adopts joint-growth plan (1/4/07) Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Voters may decide fate of economic development agreement (1/3/07) Columbus Dispatch: Limited power to annex passes (1/3/07) Columbus Dispatch: 3 council members upset with proposal to limit annexations (1/1/07) Columbus Dispatch: Pickerington Council still at odds over Violet Township pact (12/20/06) ThisWeek Canal Winchester: Village supports JEDD agreement (12/14/06) Economic pact sparks referendum drive Backers hope to gather 1,000 signatures to put the council decision to a vote of the residents. By DAVID S. OWEN A referendum petition drive has begun as a result of Pickerington City Council's 4-3 vote Jan. 2 to approve a master economic development agreement between the city and Violet Township. The referendum is supported by council members Brian Wisniewski, Michael Sabatino and Ted Hackworth, all of whom voted against the agreement. Wisniewski said 20 volunteers are involved with the referendum effort and will be going door to door throughout the city this week to gather signatures in an effort to put the issue on the ballot for a vote of the residents in the November general election. To make the ballot, referendum backers need to gather at least 600 signatures of registered voters and have them approved by the Fairfield County Board of Elections. Full story at http://www.snponline.com/NEWS1-10/1-10_pkreferendum.html

From ThisWeek Big Walnut, 12/24/06: Citizen input sought on Genoa's future Sunday, December 24, 2006 By MACKENZIE WHITE, [email protected] ThisWeek Staff Writer In the new year, Genoa Township residents will have the chance to envision the township's future. The comprehensive planning committee, charged with updating Genoa's 1999 comprehensive plan, has scheduled 10 "voices meetings" at which residents will be asked to give their opinions about the township. Residents will be encouraged to answer questions such as: reasons they chose to live where they do; what they would add to or improve about the township; their least favorite features; what they like most about Genoa; their "vision" of the township today; and how they would make it a better community. "Before there can be any meaningful plan, the residents must agree on a mental picture of what they want the community to look like, feel like and be like," says a flier about the meetings. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=bigwalnut&story=sites/thisweeknews/122406/Sunbury/News/122406-News-283632.html From ThisWeek Olentangy, 1/18/07: Ball fields, playground Havener Park plans unveiled Thursday, January 18, 2007 By KELLEY YOUMAN TRUXALL ThisWeek Staff Writer Liberty Township trustees and residents Tuesday night got their first look at the proposed master plan for Havener Park. Development on the park is expected to start soon and could be open by 2008. The township officially received the title to the land in December after trustees in June 2006 accepted the donation from Phyllis A. Havener and her family of 94 acres between state Route 315 and Liberty Road, about a half mile north of Bean Oller Road. The family also donated another 97 acres to Preservation Parks, and both parcels will be developed as a joint project between Preservation Parks and Liberty Township. Liberty's portion of Havener Park will be developed first because its primary use as "active recreation" is needed, Preservation Parks park planner Ted Miller said. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=powell&story=sites/thisweeknews/011807/Powell/News/011807-News-292877.html

From the 1/11/07 DDN: Super Wal-Mart store coming to Kingsridge By Lisa Bernard Staff Writer Thursday, January 11, 2007 MIAMI TWP. — Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has plans to open a superstore on Kingsridge Drive by spring 2008. The planned 200,000-square-foot store will include groceries, general merchandise, a garden center and a tire and oil lube express, a company spokesman said. The supercenter, which will employ up to 450 full-time workers, will be the area's ninth. The development is anticipated to act as a relocation and expansion of the Wal-Mart off Ohio 741 in Miami Twp., said Greg Hanahan township administrator. In anticipation of the new development, Miami Twp. is enlisting the services of the Transportation Improvement District for local road improvements needed along Kingsridge Drive and Lyons Ridge Road. Under an agreement signed earlier this week, the TID is expected to manage what could be more than $7 million in improvements to the local roadways, said TID executive director Steve Stanley. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/10/ddn011107kingsridge.html From the 1/10/07 Springfield News-Sun: Developer creating restaurant, lofts in Urbana By LaToya Thompson Staff Writer Wednesday, January 10, 2007 URBANA — Urbana's downtown can look forward to a taste of Italy and some New York flair. Pat Thackery of Renovations LLC will transform the former breakfast eatery The Paradise Cafe into an Italian restaurant expected to open in March. He also plans to reconstruct the building's second and third floors into two New York-style lofts overlooking the downtown. The loft development will cost about $60,000 to $70,000, he said. Thackery has worked in restaurant management for several years and renovated historic homes and businesses throughout Urbana and Champaign County. "It's going to be a first-class place," Thackery said. "People might fight over it, because there aren't too many spaces like it around here." He said he does not know when the loft renovation will be completed. Thackery concluded the purchase of 13 Monument Square, which includes the restaurant and the upper levels, last week for more than $90,000. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/09/sns011007urbanabiz.html From the 1/13/07 Xenia Daily Gazette: Xenia Daily Gazette: Council urges GMH to build in Xenia (1/12/07) GMH responds to Xenia council’s concerns AARON KEITH HARRIS Staff Writer XENIA – A spokesman for Greene Memorial Hospital responded Friday to a Xenia City Council emergency resolution announced Thursday night that calls on GMH to build a new hospital in Xenia, rather than elsewhere in the county. The location for a new hospital facility has not been determined, and GMH will make its expansion and upgrade plans with input from the City of Xenia, as well as Greene County Commissioners and city officials from each municipality in the county, said Bob Jackson, a marketing and public relations official at GMH. The hospital will also hold community forums throughout the county to take questions and suggestions from residents, Jackson said. In its GMH resolution, the city council pledged that the city “is committed to work closely with Greene Memorial Hospital during its search and selection process and explore every opportunity to find and facilitate a suitable site within Xenia.” MORE: http://www.xeniagazette.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=153642&TM=53524.46 Dixie Drive slow, but not costly Dayton Daily News, 1/11/07 The Dixie Drive reconstruction project might eat up a portion of your commute time, but at least it's not taking a chunk out of the city's coffers. That's because a mix of state and federal funds is covering 80 percent of the project's cost, which will total more than $4 million. The funds include State Issue 2 grants, administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission, and TEA-21 grants, made available by the Federal Highway Administration. The ambitious project calls for widening Dixie Drive to five lanes and adding grassy medians, landscaping, sidewalks, gateway signs, decorative street lights and new mast arms. The city will pay only 20 percent of the project's price tag, along with $150,000 for street lights and mast arms for Phase I. The estimated costs for all phases are not yet available. Phase I, as drivers are well aware, is under way. Phase II is slated to begin construction in 2009. Phases III and IV will follow, although the city is working to accelerate schedules where possible. The project was undertaken to better manage the traffic of the future and improve safety. It also posed "an opportunity to beautify the entire stretch," said Rich Hopkins, communications manager for the city of Vandalia. Centerville schools to buy land from Washington Twp. Dayton Daily News, 1/10/07 The Washington Twp. Trustees on Monday night approved selling two parcels of land on West Social Row Road to the Centerville City School District, for use as a potential future school site. The deal, which includes 28.4 acres north of West Social Row Road between Sheehan Road and Watch Hill Lane, sold for $1.1 million, with an option for the district to purchase an additional 14.1 acres of wooded land north of that. The school board approved entering into a contract for the purchase at its Dec. 18 meeting, said Centerville School Superintendent Gary Smiga. Centerville will pay about $38,665 per acre, said Washington Twp. Administrator Gary Huff. The school district found this site more suitable for a middle school and elementary school than the 29-acre township site further east on Social Row Road it has had an option to buy since December 2005, Huff said. The first site was east of Watch Hill Road, near the new Washington Twp. Fire Station 43 at Ohio 48, and would have cost the school district about $30,000 an acre, but there are several creeks in that area, and the school district decided it "didn't want to disturb the creeks," Huff said. Centerville-Bellbrook Times: Centerville schools to buy township land (12/28/06) Study recommends annex; Council seeks feedback Yellow Springs News, 1/4/07 Village Council is seeking feedback from villagers on an analysis of the proposed annexation of the Fogg farm property, according to Village Manager Eric Swansen at Council’s meeting on Jan. 2. Village staff members will use the feedback to help guide discussion at a special Jan. 29 Council meeting on the Fogg farm annexation proposal. A draft for public comment of the analysis, recently completed by the national engineering firm Edwards and Kelcey, recommends that the Village annex the Fogg farm property for residential development. Council members did not discuss the analysis at their Jan. 2 meeting because they had received it just prior to the meeting. At the meeting they did officially acknowlege receiving the annexation request from the owners of the Fogg farm. Council now has 120 days to either accept or reject the request. The Fogg farm owners, realtor Doug Miller and Fogg family members, have stated that, if annexed, the land would be sold for residential development. The analysis identifies three “development scenarios” for residential development of the 39-acre Fogg farm, which is located on the western edge of the village across Dayton-Yellow Springs Road from the new Center for Business and Education. Rennovation seeks to add space, remove seams St. Mary's Evening Leader, 1/2/07 New Knoxville's school building is a story in three-parts. The first school was built in 1938, an addition was built in 1958 and a third addition was built in 1999. A person walking through the school from one end to the other can see the seams where the additions are connected, especially between the 1938 building and the 1999 addition. And it's not just the seams in the floors, there's a noticeable difference in the lighting and the flooring and in the atmosphere in general. Some rooms have adequate storage with sturdy cupboards and some have adequate whiteboards and instruction areas, but others lack storage and whiteboards and rely on chalkboards so worn by decades of use they sometimes won't accept chalk. The older classrooms lack air conditioning too. In the two older sections, the electrical outlets are geared to a mid-century and earlier learning environment and are not adequate for the 21st century with its ever increasing influx of computers and related peripherals. Electrical cords from small banks of computers connect to power strips/surge protectors in a jumbled heap. Lighting is inadequate too, and in some cases the old fluorescent lights contain a chemical which could be dangerous if a light is damaged. Huber Heights firm proceeds on $3M expansion Dayton Business Journal, 1/1/07 Aida-America Corp., a maker of stamping presses, is considering a $3 million expansion of its Huber Heights plant. The proposed project would add 16,000 square feet to Aida's facility, located in the Center Point 70 Commerce Park, said Chris Berger, the city's interim planning and development director. The projected cost includes the building and equipment. Troy Roberts, president of Aida-America, confirmed that the company is eyeing possible growth, but declined to elaborate on job projections or other information related to the proposal. City officials also had no job-creation estimates on the proposed project. The Aida proposal goes before Huber Heights' board of zoning appeals on Jan. 3. Aida, which is working with Sidney-based Ferguson Construction Co., has requested two zoning variances, one related to the screening of loading docks, a second to building materials, said Nathan Cahall, city planner. The addition would allow Aida to make at its Montgomery County facility certain components that are currently produced in Canada and shipped to the United States, Cahall said. Putting that production in Huber Heights would help the company cut costs, which would bolster its competitiveness, he said. If the project brings more jobs, then it would mean more income tax for the city, Cahall said.

From the 1/18/07 Twinsburg Sun: Meeting of the minds Accord may revive cluster home plans Thursday, January 18, 2007 The Twinsburg Sun TWINSBURG A little more dialogue with Cannon Road residents has changed the course for a previously doomed rezoning effort for Twinsburg Four LLC. The local development company revised its conceptual plans for 149 cluster homes on two large parcels between Cannon and Darrow roads and persuaded the existing homeowners the project won't pose the safety or environmental problems they perceived... http://www.cleveland.com/sun/twinsburgsun/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1169142816183210.xml&coll=3 http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17721559&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=6 News Herald, 1/17/07 Members of the Mentor Senior Center have more than just warm weather to look forward to this summer. The increase in temperatures will be accompanied by an increase in space for games, exercise and meetings at the center at 8484 Munson Road... Tri-City comes up short News Sun, 1/11/07 The Tri-City Senior Center's initiative petition is short of the required signatures needed to put an issue on the ballot in Berea and Brook Park...

^ Sorry I didn't get back to you quickly. Yes, that's where that shot was taken. It was taken at that little park where the Incline used to be, next to Queens Tower.

^ Pretty soon I'm going to start sending letters and soon after that you'll start getting the phone calls. No one can ignore me!

From the AP, 12/15/06: With power on, production soon to restart at long-dormant Ormet plant HANNIBAL (AP) - The first new batches of aluminum will be poured next week at Ormet Corp.'s southeast Ohio plant months after the end of a year-and-a-half strike that shuttered the site, a company spokeswoman said Thursday. The opening had been delayed while the company negotiated how much it would pay for power. One of the plant's production lines will begin making aluminum Tuesday, and employees will continue preparing the other five to restart, spokeswoman Linda Regelman said. ... http://www.chillicothegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061215/NEWS01/612150318/1002/rss01

From the Times, 12/13/06: Downtown Groveport Town center idea evolves By BRET LIEBENDORFER Community support has ushered in the planned Groveport downtown redevelopment plan as council passed an ordinance Nov. 27 that would lease land to Pizzuti. Both sides are now focusing on the next steps to make the project a reality. The 50-year deal will cost Pizzuti $1 per year to lease four tracts of land located on the northeast corner of Main and Front Streets. Following a mandatory 30-day waiting period that is required by city law once an ordinance is passed, the Groveport Community Improvement Corporation is then expected to formally sign the lease. Next, the city and the developer will work together to finalize the project's design. Finally, they will look for tenets to occupy the space. "The main tenet we're trying to anchor is a restaurant," said Groveport Development Director Jeff Green. "We've had a couple nibbles from some restaurants based here in Central Ohio." Full story at http://www.snponline.com/NEWS12-13/12-13_cwredev.html