buildingcincinnati

Four more years: ODOT pushes back bypass building Casey Elliott, Staff Writer Friday, December 22, 2006 NELSONVILLE - The construction work of the proposed Nelsonville bypass has been pushed back four years - a delay the Ohio Department of Transportation claims is the result of increasing material and fuel costs. The bypass was expected to be completed by 2011, but rising costs prompted ODOT officials to push back its projected completion date to 2015, ODOT District 10 Acting Deputy Director T. Steve Williams said Thursday. "Although not ideal, we understand that rescheduling phases of some large-scale Ohio projects such as the Nelsonville bypass is necessary in order to balance the significant offset of rising construction costs," he said. "In the meantime, District 10 will continue to develop this project according to its original schedule. We are actively pursuing this project, and we will be ready to construct as soon as funding becomes available." Full article: http://www.athensmessenger.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=273&ArticleID=2125

From the 11/30/06 Blade: PHOTO: The Catherine Desgagne, a laker from Quebec, is at the head of the line at the Port of Toledo. Behind it yesterday were two oceangoing vessels, the Puffin and the Orla. ( THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER ) Bustling port reflects jump in shipping traffic By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER If you feel like you've been stopped by freighters at either the Craig Memorial or Martin Luther King, Jr., bridges more often this year than last, you may be right. Despite one of its three primary grain elevators being closed for repair for most of the year, grain business at the Port of Toledo is up more than 50 percent this year, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority statistics show. ... http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/NEWS11/611300370/-1/NEWS

From the 12/14/06 Blade: Hotels ask Senate to reject Lucas Co. tax for new arena By JIM PROVANCE BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU COLUMBUS — The hotel industry yesterday urged Ohio senators not to place the burden of funding construction of a downtown Toledo arena and expanded convention center on the backs of one industry. Contact Jim Provance at: [email protected] or 614-221-0496. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061214/NEWS33/61214003/-1/NEWS

From the 12/12/06 Blade: 25% increase in hotel tax is expected Bill would let Lucas County implement hike By JIM PROVANCE BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU COLUMBUS - Despite protests from the lodging industry, visitors to Lucas County hotels and motels could be charged another 2 percentage points in taxes to pay for a downtown Toledo arena and expanded convention center. The full House is expected to consider today a $1.8 billion capital budget bill, a wish list of bricks-and-mortar and equipment projects across the state that would, among numerous other things, authorize the county commissioners to raise the local hotel tax from 8 percent to 10 percent. Contact Jim Provance at: [email protected] or 614-221-0496. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061212/NEWS33/612120397/-1/NEWS

From the 12/5/06 Toledo Blade: 17 advisers named to help design arena Lucas County panel includes NBA's Jackson as athletes' voice An advisory committee was named yesterday to help guide the design of the new Lucas County arena. The committee, which includes professional athlete Jim Jackson, is modeled on the committee that helped produce Fifth Third Field, said Tina Skeldon Wozniak, president of the Lucas County commissioners. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061205/NEWS33/612050334/-1/NEWS

From the 11/30/06 Toledo Blade: Multiple firms vie for work on downtown Toledo arena Lucas County received plenty of interest from companies that are vying to work on a proposed $82 million arena in downtown Toledo in the form of responses to the county's call for requests for qualifications. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/NEWS16/611300342/-1/NEWS

From the 11/30/06 Blade: Parks board plans to buy 958 acres near Lake Erie Toledo Area Metroparks board members plan to buy 958 acres near Lake Erie in Jerusalem Township, which would be the largest land transaction in the park district's history. The board has secured a $6 million purchase agreement for the property known as Howard Farms, along State Rt. 2 just west of the Metzger Marsh State Wildlife Area in eastern Lucas County. The agreement runs for 18 months. Park officials plan to use a combination of funds, including $1.7 million secured from the Clean Ohio Fund and $1.3 million from the park district's 0.3-mill land acquisition levy approved in 2003. Board members this week approved the application for $3 million in federal funding to complete the purchase. Scott Carpenter, metroparks spokesman, said the board, which has been granted federal funding for other projects, should learn by spring whether the federal money is available this time. More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/NEWS17/611300347/-1/NEWS

^ Thanks. I didn't know that was you. Keep us updated!

From the 12/7/06 ABJ: Falls vote to define 'blight' nearing Decision could be step toward gaining control of State Road retail area By Gina Mace Special to the Beacon Journal CUYAHOGA FALLS - Cuyahoga Falls City Council members are expected to vote next week on legislation that could be the first step toward taking the nearly vacant State Road Shopping Center by eminent domain... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/16183872.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business

From the 12/4/06 Cuyahoga Falls News-Press: City says blight measure key to new development Proposed code change could be first step to upgrading State Road site by Lauren Krupar Reporter Cuyahoga Falls - Before improvements could begin in the downtown and the State Road Shopping Center, a new chapter in the city’s code must be added... http://www.fallsnewspress.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/12042006/news/&file=_news1.txt&article=1&tD=12042006&PHPSESSID=8f36e122aec3ceebecb6920bd4bd0c41

From the 11/28/06 ABJ: Mayor backs plaza bill Falls' Robart endorses measure that would enable city to move against owners of State Road Plaza By Gina Mace Special to the Beacon Journal CUYAHOGA FALLS - Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Robart wants City Council to help him make good on his pledge to do something about State Road Plaza... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16113112.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

From the 11/29/06 Fostoria Focus: Ritz Theatre to continue as the HeART of the Community By MICHAEL STRONG Ritz Executive Director TIFFIN — Just 10 months ago the future of The Ritz Theatre appeared bleak when a January 2006 press conference was scheduled to announce the theatre would cease operations at the end of that month. Eleventh hour negotiations between the board of Tiffin Theatre Inc. and the group of sevent banks which held its mortgage resulted in a reprieve. The Ritz has reorganized and recently embarked on a new capital campaign to reduce the remaining debt and establish a stable endowment account to ensure the long term operations of this architectural and cultural gem. MORE: http://www.fostoriafocus.com/viewarticle.asp?artID=7769

^ Clifton Hts. I would think that it would have to be between Ohio and Clifton.

From the 11/29/06 Newark Advocate: Buckeye Central Railroad's future still in doubt By MARK SZAKONYI Advocate Reporter HEATH -- Buckeye Central Scenic Railroad leaders have a vision for the organization's future, but several Heath officials and residents are skeptical after hearing promises of change before. The group has come under fire from the community for allowing its old train cars to become eyesores and shelters for vagrants. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS01/611290317/1002/rss01

Covington medical center OK'd Project at I-75 could start in '07 BY RYAN CLARK | [email protected] A new Covington medical center could be breaking ground as early as next year, officials said Tuesday. City commissioners voted unanimously to enter into a development agreement with St. Elizabeth Medical Center and HealthPoint Family Care to build a multi-use community health care facility on city-owned property adjacent to Interstate 75 near the 12th Street exit. Doug Chambers, vice president of facilities for St. Elizabeth, said the 120,000-square-foot building would be constructed on 10 acres and offer a variety of services, from cardiology and radiology to doctor's offices and other specialists. Ground could be broken on the project as early as the end of 2007, he said. Read full article here: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061213/NEWS0103/612130396

Health center goes urban St. E, HealthPoint to build along I-75 BY PATRICK CROWLEY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Over the next three years, a significant investment in Northern Kentucky health care will rise out of a grassy tract that abuts Interstate 71/75. St. Elizabeth Medical Center and HealthPoint Family Care are teaming up to build the $34 million facility that eventually will employ up to 450 people making an average salary of $45,000 a year. The facility could dramatically change the delivery of health care, particularly in Covington and northern Kenton County, and especially in emergency care. St. Elizabeth will close the emergency room it operates at its hospital on 20th Street in Covington, and HealthPoint will close public health clinics on Pike Street and another on Greenup Street. Read full article here: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061125/NEWS0103/611250393

Road to lead to 450 jobs Fletcher unveils $3.2M access project for health-care campus BY PATRICK CROWLEY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER A $3.2 million access road announced Wednesday will trigger construction of a $34 million health-care center that will employ up to 450 people in Covington. Gov. Ernie Fletcher and other state officials unveiled plans for the road that will lead to a planned Medical Arts Campus being developed by St. Elizabeth Medical Center, HealthPoint Family Care and Gateway Community and Technical College. The campus will be built on 10 acres of land along Interstate 71/75 at the bottom of Covington's "cut in the hill." The road will lead from 12th Street to the property. The state is planning a major restoration of 12th Street from the interstate east toward the Licking River. Read full article here: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061123/NEWS0103/611230398

From the 12/21/06 Springfield News-Sun: Surgeons defend plan for hospital They dispute charges that their facility would siphon funds from Community Mercy Health Partners and ruin its plan to build a new hospital. By Kelly Baker Staff Writer Thursday, December 21, 2006 Local physicians continue their quest to open their own surgical hospital despite local and state efforts to squelch their plans. On Wednesday, the surgeons met with U.S. Rep. Dave Hobson, who has voiced strong opposition to the plans. In a statement, Hobson said he sensed a willingness on behalf of the surgeons to do what's in the best interest of the community. Hobson said he encouraged them to "work to satisfy their interests and those of the hospital." He said he would help the physicians to that end. State legislation passed last week banning such specialty hospitals for 90 days to allow further study. If not vetoed by the governor by Dec. 26, the moratorium will go into effect in February. That legislation "was highly discriminatory " said Springfield physician Joseph Cromwell. "If a $20 million business wanted to open up in Springfield, would it encounter this many roadblocks?" Those roadblocks prevent healthy competition and brings into question anti-trust laws, he said. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/20/sns122106surgeons.html

From the 12/13/06 Springfield News-Sun: Group discusses ideas for downtown By Samantha Sommer Staff Writer Tuesday, December 12, 2006 Julie Garrigan doesn't want Springfield to look like Hilliard or Beavercreek. "Why not take a stand and maintain a standard of who and what we want to be?" she said. About 20 people discussed what those standards should be at a downtown design workshop Tuesday. The workshop is part of a unified planning process of the city to unite several master plans from groups such as Wittenberg University and the downtown hospital. A consultant for the city has developed a proposal that calls for different land use districts and design standards. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/12/sns121306redevelopment.html

From the 12/6/06 Springfield News-Sun: Surgeons look into new niche hospital Specialized surgical center could take revenue away from Community Mercy Health Partners. By Kelly Baker Staff Writer Wednesday, December 06, 2006 Some local doctors are considering opening their own specialty hospital, which city, state and local officials said could devastate Community Mercy Health Partners. The Springfield surgeons have hired Cincinnati consultant Don Jensen to determine the viability of a niche hospital for surgery patients. Jensen said plans are "very preliminary." Officials from Community Mercy Health Partners and local leaders are meeting to discuss how such a hospital could affect the city's existing hospitals and its plans to build a $300 million health care campus downtown. The surgeons said a limited-use hospital would allow them to be more involved in the care of their patients. But Community Mercy President George Miller said it would drain the hospital of a revenue stream it needs in order to fund its uncompensated and under-compensated services such as many emergency room and charity care cases. Surgery provides the greatest profit margin for the hospital, Miller said. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/05/sns120606hospitalmain.html

From the 12/1/06 Springfield News-Sun: Residents offer ideas for downtown design By Samantha Sommer Staff Writer Thursday, November 30, 2006 Joe Fritts wants to see a well-lit downtown with ample green space, including rose gardens. "We used to be known as the Rose City," Fritts said. "Now we're the city where nothing grows. It's important for us to have a landmark we're known for." Virginia Weygandt wants a walkable downtown that integrates and preserves existing buildings into any new design standards. Paul Miller would like to see a multi-purpose arena for all kinds of events. Those are some of the ideas generated at a downtown design workshop Thursday night at City Hall. About 30 people came to the workshop. They reviewed master plans from groups such as Center City Association and Wittenberg University. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/30/sns120106workshop.html

From the 12/3/06 Times-Reporter: Space faces tougher road than hero JFK By PAUL M. KRAWZAK, Copley News Service WASHINGTON – Rep.-elect Zack Space says he is thrilled to be moving into the same Capitol Hill office that his political hero, John F. Kennedy, occupied when he began his political career in Congress. “Hopefully some of that energy and optimism that he brought when he got into public service will rub off on us and serve as an inspiration to me in Congress,” said the Dover Democrat, who is succeeding convicted ex-Rep. Bob Ney, a Republican. But Space’s choice of quarters on the third floor of the Cannon House Office Building also brings to mind a notable difference in the political realities faced by Space and Kennedy, who was elected to the House 60 years ago. More at: http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=61525&r=2&Category=1

From the AP, 11/29/06: For Space, thrill of victory soon gives way to hard work By DAVID HAMMER Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - Congressman-elect Zack Space's path to Congress seemed charmed, as if it led to Camelot. The Democrat won a longtime Republican seat in eastern Ohio with 62 percent of the vote, drew the seventh choice in the lottery for office space next to the Capitol and wound up with John F. Kennedy's first congressional digs. On Tuesday, he and about 35 other House freshmen started training sessions at Harvard University's graduate school of government, which was named for Kennedy. More at: http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS01/611290337/1002/rss01

From the 11/15/06 Dispatch: GOP already targets Ohio lawmaker Ney’s problems led to Space’s win, party says Wednesday, November 15, 2006 Jonathan Riskind THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH WASHINGTON — From meeting President Bush at the White House to participating in freshman orientation on Capitol Hill, Democrat Zack Space is just taking stock of his surroundings this week as the newly elected congressman from Dover. He’s even heard from Bob Ney, the GOP congressman-turned-admitted-felon, who offered advice on constituent service. More at: http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=60899&r=4&Category=5

From the 11/14/06 Times-Reporter: Mr. Space goes to Washington Freshman representative takes it all in during first day of orientation sessions By KYLE KONDIK, T-R Staff Writer Representative-elect Zack Space was among more than 50 new members of the House of Representatives to attend orientation sessions in Washington, D.C., Monday. Space, the Democratic Dover law director, defeated state Sen. Joy Padgett, R-Coshocton, to win the sprawling 16-county 18th Congressional District. He replaces former Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, who pleaded guilty to corruption charges in October. In a telephone interview, Space said he was in awe of his new surroundings. More at: http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=60881