buildingcincinnati

From the 12/1/06 (OSU) Lantern: PHOTO: Students at the Farewell to the Ohio Union dinner waited for festivities to begin Wednesday evening. Fifties-style tablecloths were part of a theme to honor the time period when the Union was built. Media Credit: Beth Ullum Students say farewell to Ohio Union at reflective bash Campus fixture to close in January for renovations Kathryn White Issue date: 12/1/06 Section: Campus A group of students and faculty gathered to bid the Ohio Union a fond farewell Wednesday night. It had been 55 years - almost to the day - since the Union was dedicated in 1951. Several classic antique cars were on display on the east side of the union, and coordinators dressed in retro-style clothing and handed out a reprint of a newspaper article that originally ran the day the union was dedicated. Student Affairs is moving out of the union in January and the building is set to be torn down during spring quarter, said Heather McGinnis, assistant director of the Ohio Union. A new student union is expected to open in 2010. "This event is for the student leaders on campus to celebrate the history of the Ohio Union," said Laura Corry, one of the coordinators of the event. She said the plan for the evening was to re-tell the union's history through a storyteller and various types of food that have been served at the union throughout its colorful history. All of the services in the union will be relocated to different parts of campus. For more information visit ohiounion.osu.edu/new. Read more at http://www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2006/12/01/Campus/Students.Say.Farewell.To.Ohio.Union.At.Reflective.Bash-2517830.shtml?norewrite200612242137&sourcedomain=www.thelantern.com

From the 12/14/06 Blade: Document envisions UT ‘highly ranked nationally’ A tug of words about the University of Toledo’s post-merger identity resulted in a 12-page plan yesterday that envisions a “comprehensive” institution with “profound strengths in science and technology.” The document broadens the language of an earlier proposal by UT President Lloyd Jacobs, who ran the Medical University of Ohio before the two schools merged in July. In October, Dr. Jacobs presented an initial strategic proposal to a committee of administrators, professors, students, trustees, and community leaders. That rough draft promoted a narrower, deeper UT more oriented toward science and technology. Released yesterday, the committee’s revision calls for UT’s academic programs to be “highly ranked nationally” and for graduate programs that achieve economic self-sufficiency. The revised document will be presented this month to the UT board of trustees. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061214/NEWS17/61214005/-1/NEWS

Both from the 12/7/06 (UT) Independent Collegian: Future still uncertain Planning group sees more document drafts, takes no vote Melinda Lauber Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: News It could be a sign that the members of the Executive Strategic Planning Committee are itching to move forward in their plans, or it could mean that even they aren't immune to the restless effects the end of the semester brings. Either way, yesterday morning's meeting presented what might be a final draft - minus a few grammatical corrections - of UT President Lloyd Jacobs' Directions: The University of Toledo, known better as the White Paper. The draft is an extension on what an ESPC subcommittee of five women put together for the Nov. 22 meeting of the group. The draft was well-liked then, and new additions to it within the past few weeks were also well accepted. Full article at http://www.independentcollegian.com/media/storage/paper678/news/2006/12/07/News/Town-Halls.Held.To.Help-2527057.shtml?norewrite200612242102&sourcedomain=www.independentcollegian.com

From the 11/29/06 Blade: CUTBACK CONCERNS University of Toledo official fears for black studies By CLYDE HUGHES BLADE STAFF WRITER Abdul Alkalimat, director of the University of Toledo's Africana studies program, said yesterday he believes there is an effort afoot to reduce or eliminate the program he has guided for the past decade. Speaking during a meeting with other faculty members and students at UT's Student Union yesterday, Mr. Alkalimat said the black studies program had been cut out of discussions that will shape the future of the college of arts and sciences. But two university officials denied the allegations, including one who was in attendance at the meeting. Samuel Hancock, who is UT President Dr. Lloyd Jacobs' assistant for institutional diversity, told Mr. Alkalimat at the meeting that the president had no intention of getting rid of the Africana studies program. Full article at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS21/611290387/-1/NEWS

From the 11/27/06 (UT) Independent Collegian: Board discusses core Andrea Sinclair Issue date: 11/27/06 Section: News Reading, writing, 'rithmatic - the essentials, right? UT's core curriculum, however, might be lacking at least one of these. "The most troubling thing to me is that the people who come out of the business, pharmacy or engineering disciplines don't have the same writing skills as others," said UT Trustee Tom Brady. Brady, naming several colleges at random, recognized some problems that UT's core curriculum isn't solving. "You need to be competent in writing when you graduate - we've been using the CAAP test, but some people are going to law school and not having the writing skills," said Carter Wilson, chairman of the Faculty Senate. The CAAP test is similar to the ACT test. It is administered to randomly selected students every other year to determine skills acquired by students while at UT. Full article at http://www.independentcollegian.com/media/storage/paper678/news/2006/11/27/News/Board.Discusses.Core-2507915.shtml?norewrite200612242058&sourcedomain=www.independentcollegian.com

Both from the 11/16/06 (UT) Independent Collegian: Planning group agrees on vision New draft document to help committee decide the future of The University of Toledo Melinda Lauber Issue date: 11/16/06 Section: News The Executive Strategic Planning Committee is pressed for time even though they've already decided on a vision statement for the new UT. UT President Lloyd Jacobs is expecting actual plans for the direction of the university by sometime early next semester. "Early on in December, President Jacobs would like to get our strategic directions," said Dean of the College of Business Administration and Co-Chairman of the ESPC Tom Gutteridge at yesterday morning's meeting. This may have been made more difficult yesterday by the introduction of an alternative planning document written by five women within the committee. Carol Bresnahan, UT vice provost, Sue Ott Rowlands, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Kaye Patten Wallace, director of Student Life, Penny Poplin Gosetti, executive assistant to the president, and Mary Jo Waldock, interim dean of University College, presented the committee with an alternative to Jacobs' White Paper. More at http://www.independentcollegian.com/media/storage/paper678/news/2006/11/16/News/Changes.Could.Affect.Classes-2463757.shtml?norewrite200612242056&sourcedomain=www.independentcollegian.com

I agree. Anything below Class A should not be measured because it isn't marketable at all, and probably never will be again--at least as office space. There is no demand.

From the 11/20/06 (UT) Independent Collegian: Classrooms to get remodel Melinda Lauber Issue date: 11/20/06 Section: News Ceilings that are brown and water-stained; desks that are squeaky, creaky and just plain gross; lights that don't look like they will stay on - this isn't a good place to study for anyone. What's sad is that some of UT's classrooms actually have some of these qualities, according to some students. http://www.independentcollegian.com/media/storage/paper678/news/2006/11/20/News/Classrooms.To.Get.Remodel-2469629.shtml?norewrite200612242043&sourcedomain=www.independentcollegian.com

From Flyer News, 11/20/06 (Vol 54, No 17): New Web site provides visual aid, invites feedback on master plan Mike Kane Staff Writer The future development of the physical UD campus will now be influenced by students, faculty, alumni and Dayton residents that are interested in the continuous progression of the campus master plan. The addition of a new Web site will allow the Dayton community to offer its input, suggestions and concerns toward the shaping of the layout of the campus. http://www.flyernews.com/article.php?section=News&volume=54&issue=17&artnum=06

From the 11/29/06 Blade: TPS plan to address deficit due in January No specific reductions identified yet The superintendent of Toledo Public Schools last night said the district's plan to address a predicted $12.7 million deficit for the 2007-08 school year would be presented in January. The school system has laid off hundreds of teachers and closed several schools over the last several years to balance its budget. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS04/611290435/-1/NEWS

From the 11/16/06 Blade: 8 new schools to open by next fall Committee is told construction appears to be on schedule By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER Toledo Public Schools is set to have eight of its new school buildings open by next fall, the district’s chief business manager reported yesterday. Dan Romano told the district’s community oversight committee that construction of the buildings appears to be on schedule. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061116/NEWS04/61116059/-1/NEWS

From the 12/23/06 Xenia Daily Gazette: Clark State goes Greene Community college moves in next to Wright State AARON KEITH HARRIS Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD – The proposed locations for the first phase of Clark State Community College’s entrance into Greene County may be announced as early as next week, according to the college’s president. Clark State will partner with Wright State University to renovate a Wright State building to provide short-term facilities for Clark State. The school also plans to build new facilities at a “prime location” near I-675, north of US 35 and south of the Wright State area, said Clark State President Karen E. Rafinski. ... http://www.xeniagazette.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=153396&TM=69059.24

From the 12/20/06 Springfield News-Sun: Greene County sites eyed by Clark State Community college appoves resolution to negotiate leases on two sites for future campuses. By Kelly Baker Staff Writer Wednesday, December 20, 2006 Clark State Community College is putting its foot down in Greene County. The college board approved a resolution Tuesday to negotiate leases on two sites in Greene County for future campuses. ... http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/19/sns122006clarkstate.html

From the 11/30/06 Springfield News-Sun: Colleges may fight over territory Clark State and Sinclair community colleges are on opposite sides in a possible rule change that could affect Clark State's plans for Greene County. By Stephanie Irwin, Gail Cetnar Staff Writers Thursday, November 30, 2006 Two local colleges battling for potential students in Greene County are closely watching a statewide debate involving geographic boundaries for community colleges. An Ohio Board of Regents task force is looking at whether the state should open up the geographic territories of community colleges, saying the 30-year-old system is obsolete. ... http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/29/sns113006regents.html

New Ada school site progressing Ada Herald, 12/6/06 Construction of the new Ada school slated to open June 30, 2008, is progressing on schedule, said Charlie Ayers, on-site project manager with R.L. Bowen and Associates. The workers "are driving the project at a pretty good rate," said Ayers in a special report at the board of education meeting Thursday. According to Ayers and Jim Smith, senior project manager, the past several weeks of warm temperatures have allowed the construction crew to make significant headway on the building. However, some board members raised concerns about how rapid temperature decreases, predicted for last Friday, would impact the building project.

From ThisWeek Clintonville, 12/21/06: Legislators delay sale of Urban property Thursday, December 21, 2006 By RANDY NAVAROLI ThisWeek Staff Writer Opponents of the proposed sale of a property willed to The Ohio State University are applauding the work of two area legislators whose efforts have bought them a little more time to convince university officials to preserve the site as it is. State Sen. Steve Stivers (R-Upper Arlington) confirmed Monday (Dec. 18) that he and state Rep. Jim Hughes (R-22nd District) successfully removed the property at the corner of West Dominion Road and North High Street from a bundle of other properties the university is planning to sell. The sale of the Clintonville property was originally included in the state's capital budget bill, which passed Tuesday (Dec. 19). Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=clintonville&story=sites/thisweeknews/122106/Clintonville/News/122106-News-282492.html

That place is depressing, ink. I haven't been there since the late 1980s. I didn't realize it had fallen so far.

From the 11/30/06 AP: Scotts sued by smoker it fired Thursday, November 30, 2006 Melinda Trujillo ASSOCIATED PRESS BOSTON — A 30-year-old man who has smoked for more than a decade filed a lawsuit yesterday against Scotts Co., alleging the lawn-and-garden company violated his privacy and civil rights when it fired him because he smokes. Scott Rodrigues, of Bourne, Mass., says he was fired from the lawn-care job he had for several weeks after a drug test came up positive for nicotine. But he said he wasn’t told he would be tested for the substance and was told Scotts would help him quit. Rodrigues’ lawsuit, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, says the company violated his rights under the Massachusetts Privacy Statute, which bars the unreasonable, substantial or serious interference of privacy. The lawsuit asks for unspecified damages and legal fees. Read More...

From Business First of Columbus, 12/22/06: OhioHealth gets green light for Westerville center Business First of Columbus - 1:15 PM EST Friday The Westerville Planning Commission has given OhioHealth Corp. the green light to build a $35 million outpatient health center. The three-building campus will be on 42 acres on the northeast corner of Africa Road and Polaris Parkway. It will provide outpatient surgery, orthopedics, sports medicine and urgent care, among other services. Construction is expected to begin early next year and the first phase, which includes a 40,000-square-foot medical office building and a 116,000-square-foot surgery and health center, should be complete by winter 2008, OhioHealth said Thursday. A timeline for the second phase, another 40,000-square-foot office building, has not been set. Read more at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/12/18/daily35.html?surround=lfn

From ThisWeek Westerville, 12/14/06: School board extends tax deal with OhioHealth Thursday, December 14, 2006 By MACKENZIE WHITE ThisWeek Staff Writer The Westerville Board of Education on Monday approved a resolution that extends a tax abatement agreement with OhioHealth to 15 years. The tax incentive/redistribution agreement the city of Westerville and the school board entered into in 1998 limits the terms of any abatement granted by the city in a particular area to 12 years without the school board's consent. OhioHealth, which has proposed building a medical campus on 20.6 acres at the northeast corner of Africa Road and Polaris Parkway, had requested that the term of the abatement be extended. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=westerville&story=sites/thisweeknews/121406/Westerville/News/121406-News-279246.html

From ThisWeek Westerville, 11/30/06: School board may extend tax agreement Thursday, November 30, 2006 By MACKENZIE WHITE, [email protected] ThisWeek Staff Writer The Westerville Board of Education heard the first reading Monday night of a resolution that would extend a tax abatement agreement with OhioHealth to 15 years. The tax incentive/redistribution agreement the city of Westerville and the school board entered into in 1998 limits the terms of any abatement granted by the city in a particular area to 12 years without the school board's consent. OhioHealth, which has proposed building a medical campus on 20.6 acres at the northeast corner of Africa Road and Polaris Parkway, has requested that the term of the abatement be extended to 15 years. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=westerville&story=sites/thisweeknews/113006/Westerville/News/113006-News-271416.html

Columbus Chamber eyes HQ at Lazarus By Brian R. Ball, Business First of Columbus Friday, December 22, 2006 The Columbus Chamber is considering moving to the former Lazarus department store building downtown. The organization's directors Dec. 14 directed a real estate search committee to begin negotiating with Columbus Downtown Development Corp., the building's landlord, for up to 25,000 square feet of space along Front Street. If the two sides can reach a deal in early 2007, the chamber expects to move late next year. Chamber CEO Ty D. Marsh said the business organization this year rekindled its decade-long interest in moving from its 31,000-square-foot building at 37 N. High St. to improve efficiency for its 23 employees. MORE: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/12/25/story3.html

This appeared in a couple of the SNP newspapers on 11/29/06: Columbus, UA officials seek ways to save historic house By JENNIFER WRAY and LYNDSEY TETER Columbus City Council has approved spending $200,000 in an effort to preserve an aging stone house that dates back to the late 1700s. The Dam Tender's House, also known as the "Richards House," originally was owned by the Richards family, early settlers in what is now northwest Columbus and Upper Arlington. Located just north of Griggs Reservoir and in Columbus, it can be reached by traveling along Nottingham Road across Riverside Drive and heading south along the river... http://www.snponline.com/NEWS11-29/11-29_coluadam.html

From BG News, 12/6/06: Rumors of plan for land not on target By: Lisa Early Issue date: 12/6/06 Section: Local There is a possibility of a new store or restaurant being built next door to the Super Wal-Mart, located on South Main Street near Gypsy Lane. For months there have been rumors of a Target or Kohl's being placed on the site where the old Wal-Mart once stood. However, Ken Taylor, member of Bowling Green's City Planning Commissions, assures there is no truth to the rumors. More at http://www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2006/12/06/Local/Rumors.Of.Plan.For.Land.Not.On.Target-2524215.shtml?norewrite200612240008&sourcedomain=www.bgnews.com

From Bexley News, 12/20/06: Potential of land still a subject of discussion By DAVID J. CROSS Discussion over what Bexley should do with the site of its former tree nursery is expected to continue at Tuesday's council meeting. Councilman Rick Weber told city officials Dec. 12 that the city's attorney on the matter, Mike Minister, is expected to give an opinion on whether Bexley can accept a bid for the land near Parkview and Caroline avenues from resident Jay Schottenstein. In December 2003, a bid from L. Rider Brice to develop 30 plus condominiums on the site was accepted over a proposal from Schottenstein. At that time, Schottenstein wanted to purchase the land for $150,000 and make $100,000 in improvements to it before turning it into a nature preserve and giving it back to the city. After much controversy over the number of condominiums that should be built at the site, Brice's proposed project was rejected by both the city's planning commission and board of zoning appeals, opening discussion about accepting Schottenstein's bid. Read more http://www.snponline.com/NEWS12-20/12-20_betreenursery.html