buildingcincinnati

^ Infighting...I love it.... Commissioner: Deerfield to blame for WellPoint spurning Warren Calls township's government 'dysfunctional'; Deerfield says it simply wanted to negotiate other options By Tiffany Y. Latta Staff Writer Monday, December 04, 2006 DEERFIELD TWP — Ohio and Warren County leaders lost their fight to land a 150,000 square-foot distribution center that would have brought 800 to 1,500 jobs to the region. WellPoint Inc., the Indianapolis-based health insurer, announced Monday that it plans to open the mail-order pharmacy operation and call center at the Indianapolis International Airport instead of Deerfield Twp. Ohio and Indiana had been in a battle for months to become home to the facility, offering the company about $10 million in tax credits. http://www.pulsejournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/04/ws120406wellpointweb.html

From The Sun, 11/23/06: Nagel design on way Thursday, November 23, 2006 By Mary Davies The Sun AVON Possible designs for a new Interstate 90 interchange at Nagel Road should be ready for public inspection by mid-January, said an engineer leading the project's planning. Susan Swartz, of TranSystems, a Dublin, Ohio planning firm, told a nearly full City Council chambers on Nov. 16 her firm will spend the next several weeks completing preliminary studies and drafting design proposals. "If you have concerns or questions, I encourage you not to wait until the public comment (meeting in January)," Swartz told the approximately 100 people who attended the meeting. Project leaders and city officials want continuous public input to address in the planning stages as many potential problems as possible. More at http://www.cleveland.com/sun/sun/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1164300023103680.xml&coll=3

From the 11/22/06 Aurora Advocate: Firm buys Pultrusions, saves 100 jobs by Brent Hovey Reporter Aurora - A new company has purchased the bankrupt Omega Pultrusions facility, according to its chief official and president, saving the jobs of about 100 people. Composite Technologies of America Inc. purchased the assets of the former Omega Pultrusions on Oct. 24. The latter had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sept. 5 and announced it would close its doors by year’s end... E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3115 http://www.auroraadvocate.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/11222006/news/&file=_news1.txt&article=1&tD=11222006&PHPSESSID=050c4efea59b0607346abd13fe9df701

Cincinnati Post, 12/12/06: State launches Web site to track I-471 ramp plans The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has set up a new Web site for residents to monitor progress on the Interstate 471/Ky. 8 interchange modification project. Residents can visit www.471project.org for the latest news on planning and developments in the project. The project would replace the ramps from I-471 to Ky. 8 in Newport to relieve congestion brought on by riverfront development. It could be 2012 or later before construction begins. - Post staff report http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061212/NEWS02/612120370/1014

From the 12/11/06 Enquirer: Taylor-Southgate Bridge often ignored by southbound Ohioans BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER NEWPORT - While Kentucky transportation officials work on improving traffic flow and safety at Interstate 471 and Ky. 8, another potentially quick route to Newport on the Levee is languishing. http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061211/NEWS0103/612110375

From the 12/9/06 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: Profiles of Levin, Sabety 2 old Celeste hands given job of writing first budget Strickland names Sabety and Levin to key cabinet posts Saturday, December 09, 2006 Joe Hallett THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH With his first biennial budget due to the General Assembly by March 15, Gov.-elect Ted Strickland yesterday appointed two veterans of Ohio’s last Democratic administration to key budgetary cabinet posts. Strickland selected Pari Sabety as director of the Office of Budget and Management and Richard A. Levin as state tax commissioner. Their salaries are being negotiated. ... [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/09/20061209-C3-00.html From the 12/9/06 Dispatch: Democrats form corporations Nonprofits to pay for inauguration activities Saturday, December 09, 2006 Mark Niquette and James Nash THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH After a campaign that broke Ohio fundraising records, Gov.-elect Ted Strickland has created a nonprofit corporation to raise about $1 million more in chunks of up to $25,000 apiece to pay for the weekend events around his formal inauguration on Jan. 13. Incoming Democratic Attorney General Marc Dann, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Treasurer Richard Cordray are following suit — but with contribution limits at $5,000 — to pay for their inaugurations and, in the case of Brunner and Cordray, to pay staff salaries for their transitions as well. ... [email protected] [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/09/20061209-C1-00.html

From the 12/8/06 PD: Familiar faces seek jobs with Ohio's new governor Friday, December 08, 2006 Mark Rollenhagen Plain Dealer Bureau Chief Columbus -- The line to get into the Strickland administration is getting longer. More than 1,500 job-seekers have filed résumés through a Web site -- www.govelect.ohio.gov -- set up by Ted Strickland, who will become Ohio's first Democratic governor in 16 years on Jan. 8. Richard Shank, who was director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency under the last Democratic governor, Dick Celeste, wants his old job back. ... To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 1-800-228-8272 http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1165572413326570.xml&coll=2

From the 12/6/06 Gallipolis Daily Tribune: Deel will coordinate Strickland advisory group By Kevin Kelly Wednesday, December 6, 2006 7:32 PM EST GALLIPOLIS — Gallia County Commissioner Fred Deel will serve as coordinator of a team for incoming Gov. Ted Strickland that will look at an area considered key to southern Ohio. Deel will lead the team for the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, the agency that facilitates needs for the 29 counties considered part of Appalachia in Ohio, including Gallia. ... http://www.mydailytribune.com/articles/2006/12/06/news/local_news/news00.txt

From the 12/5/06 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: Key players Strickland teams look at what works Advisory groups mark return of ‘Celestials’ Tuesday, December 05, 2006 Mark Niquette THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Gov.-elect Ted Strickland has assembled teams featuring some "Celestials" and other high-profile Democrats to study key areas of state government for the incoming administration. The teams will evaluate practices in 14 areas, including education, economic development and criminal justice, and submit their findings and recommendations to Strickland. ... Dispatch Senior Editor Joe Hallett contributed to this story. [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/05/20061205-D2-01.html From the 12/5/06 Enquirer: Strickland names 8 from area to key roles BY JON CRAIG | ENQUIRER COLUMBUS BUREAU COLUMBUS - Gov.-elect Ted Strickland named eight Cincinnati-area politicians, public officials and business leaders to key transition posts Monday. Strickland, a Democrat, organized his transition teams into 14 major government areas. Coordinators appointed to each area will lead teams to evaluate the budgets, regulations and performance of various government agencies and departments. ... E-mail [email protected] http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061205/NEWS01/612050350/1056/COL02 From the 12/5/06 DDN: Area leaders get roles in Strickland transition Former MeadWestvaco Corp. chairman, Dayton mayor are part of team. By William Hershey Staff Writer Tuesday, December 05, 2006 COLUMBUS — Former MeadWestvaco Corp. Chairman Jerry Tatar on Monday was named chairman of Gov.-elect Ted Strickland's transition review team on regulatory climate. Tatar was one of four Dayton-area representatives named to leadership roles on the 14 review teams that will evaluate state government operations and report to Strickland before he and Lt. Gov.-elect Lee Fisher take office Jan. 8. ... Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or [email protected]. http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/04/ddn120506transition.html From the 12/5/06 ABJ: Plusquellic named to Strickland team Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic has been appointed to the transition team of Ohio Gov.-Elect Ted Strickland. Plusquellic will chair economic development and work-force planning, along with Mark Barbash, Columbus development director. ... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16166960.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news From the 12/5/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Strickland picks 3 from Valley for his teams A Columbiana County commissioner will serve as a team coordinator. By DAVID SKOLNICK VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER Gov.-elect Ted Strickland appointed Mahoning Valley politicians to serve as co-chairmen of two of his 14 transition teams, and a Youngstown native as head of his ethics team. Strickland, of Lisbon, along with Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, the transition team's chairman, announced the team leaders Monday. The teams will concentrate on 14 major areas, which include personnel, economic development and work force issues, government efficiency, and education. ... http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/330393549326049.php

From the 11/25/06 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: Counting same-sex couples Same-sex pairs on rise More couples publicly affirming relationships, expert says Saturday, November 25, 2006 Alayna DeMartini THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A lot more same-sex couples in Ohio are stepping out of the closet, at least for government surveys. Between 2000 and 2005, Ohio had the sixth-highest percentage increase in the number of couples who said they were in same-sex relationships, U.S. Census figures show. The Midwest had the largest increases reported in that period. Wisconsin had an 81 percent jump. ... [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/25/20061125-D1-00.html

From the 12/11/06 Dispatch: PHOTO: Rendering of medical office buildings being developed by Drew Berlin and Colin Trueman in Hilliard MEACHAM & APEL ARCHITECT CONSTRUCTION ZONE Medical-office, retail project being developed in Mill Run area Monday, December 11, 2006 Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH While working as a contractor building Red Roof Inns, Drew Berlin got to know the hotel’s founders well. Years later, Berlin has joined with Colin Trueman, the son of Red Roof Inns founder Jim Trueman, to bring offices and retail shops to a slice of land near Mill Run in Hilliard. Berlin and Trueman are developing 22 acres near the corner of Trueman Boulevard and Hilliard Cemetery Road. Twelve acres will become medical office buildings and the remainder is being pitched to retail users. The developers are finishing two medical office buildings of 12,000 square feet each. They sold one building to a group of physicians and have three-fourths of the other building for sale. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/11/20061211-F6-00.html

From the 12/13/06 Enquirer: PHOTO: The Fine Arts Council is seeking financial help from the city to fix up the old Act One Theater in Sharonville and turn it into a place for performing arts. The Enquirer / Cara Owsley New life sought for old cinema BY JANE PRENDERGAST | [email protected] SHARONVILLE - She remembers standing in line outside, waiting to see Marlon Brando in "Mutiny on the Bounty." It was 1962. So this theater is a special place for Janey Kattelman, now a city councilwoman. She understands, though, that other people might not see that right now, with the musty smell and Tuesday's rain leaking through the marquee outside the Act One Theater. But Kattelman, Mayor Virgil Lovitt and others hope the rest of City Council will see the possibilities when they take up budget discussions next month and consider helping the city's Fine Arts Council renovate the 1920 building. They'd like to see it become a place for performing arts, with the former bookie joint above it turned into space that artists could rent and the former butcher shop next door maybe an art gallery. "It's a great concept that I think will really work," Lovitt said. "It's got good bones, but it needs a lot of work": About $1.5 million in new windows, a new roof, tuckpointing and other upgrades, according to an estimate the arts council received in 2003. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061213/NEWS01/612130376/1056/COL02 From Northeast Suburban Life, 12/8/06: PHOTO RICH SHIVENER/COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF Triangle is 'right on schedule' BY RICH SHIVENER | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER MONTGOMERY - The exterior of the Montgomery Gateway Triangle property should be completed by Dec. 22, according Bob Nikula, the city's public works director. Nikula said the city will not be done with its streetscaping work - such as installing streetlights, sidewalks and trees - around the triangle by Dec. 22. He said People's Bank, who is occupying the smaller building to the south, should begin operations in January. Scaffolding and construction is still present along the Montgomery Gateway Center, the 38,000-square foot, two-story building to the north, slightly narrowing Montgomery Road and Cooper Road. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061208/NEWS01/612080478/1062/Local

Great stuff. I like Ann Arbor. My only problem with it is that it's filled with Wolverines fans.

From the 11/22/06 PD: Geauga Lake's X-Flight coaster is taking off for parts unknown Wednesday, November 22, 2006 John Horton Plain Dealer Reporter Bainbridge Township - Geauga Lake is losing a twisting steel giant from its skyline, as one of its newest and most popular roller coasters is being dismantled for relocation to another amusement park. Workers recently started taking down X-Flight from its location along Ohio 43 near the park's front gate, said Bryan Edwards, a Geauga Lake spokesman. The ride is destined for another park owned by Cedar Fair LP, the parent company of Geauga Lake. Cedar Fair operates a dozen amusement parks across the country, including Cedar Point in Sandusky; Edwards said he did not know where X-Flight would land. http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/geauga/1164189192118180.xml&coll=2

Update from Delaware News, 12/13/06: Offices, bed and breakfast approved By MATT GERISH Delaware City Council approved plans Monday which will bring two new medical office buildings and a bed and breakfast to the city. Possible approval for plans to bring 149 acres of retail-residential development will have to wait, as council tabled the proposal for the second time in a month. The preliminary development plans for the medical offices envision two, mirrored office buildings totaling 6,000 square feet each on 2.45 acres of land on state Route 521 at the southeast corner of the Bowtown Road-Route 521 intersection. Council's approval on Monday also paved the way for the Winter Street Inn Bed and Breakfast to open at 185 W. Winter St. The Winter Street Inn was originally constructed in 1876. The conditional use permit requested by Rodger Collom and Debbie Aburmaieleh would bring the Inn back to life as a three-bedroom bed and breakfast. MORE: http://www.snponline.com/NEWS12-13/12-13_decouncil.html

Congratulations on your new terrible name.

There is a concealed-carry thread in Ohio Politics.

From the 12/12/06 Urbana Daily Citizen: City council to meet KATHLEEN FOX Assistant Editor The Urbana City Council today will hear the first of three readings of proposed amendments to Corridor Development Standards that caused controversy after being enacted last summer. The planning commission is recommending the amendments, which resulted from consideration of the standards by a citizens task force and city staff. Most controversial were regulations concerning signage. The proposed changes grandfather existing signs except when signs are in need of repair and/or when properties are to undergo a substantial change. Other proposed changes generally relax existing standards, including allowing time/temperature signs and not requiring particular materials be used for signs. MORE: http://www.urbanacitizen.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=142383&TM=43712.85 From the 12/13/06 Urbana Daily Citizen: Urbana School Board: District would seek reimbursement under TIF agreement with city BETH DEERE Staff Writer Members of the Urbana City Schools Board of Education came to a consensus of how they would like to proceed with a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) contract with the city of Urbana. The board met Tuesday evening to discuss three options proposed by the city administration for a tax agreement that could finance the construction of streets, sidewalks and storm sewers around the district's future building site. The first option was for a 20-year agreement at 100 percent, which would generate $128,609 a year, based only on the value of the new Wal-Mart Supercenter. Wal-Mart's estimated value is $8.5 million, with an estimated assessed value of $2.975 million. The city's debt would be $1,709,000 to construct five streets in the area. The second option proposed would again be for 20 years, but would include a $30,000 a year reimbursement to the school district. That option would generate just over $100,000 in taxes, based on construction of four streets. A third option would be one the city could perform without a vote by the school board. It would be for 10 years at 75 percent, generating just over $96,000. This is based on construction of only two streets. MORE: http://www.urbanacitizen.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=142387&TM=45306.41

City press release, 12/8/06: State resources allocated for Hilltop redevelopment press release State Rep. Dan Stewart, D-Columbus, announced today that the state Controlling Board has approved the release of $750,000 from the Clean Ohio Fund, for the demolition and redevelopment of the Village of Wheatland Park on the Hilltop. The City of Columbus will use this money in conjunction with the $250,984 it has pledged for the project, to clean up the 20.1 acres site of the former State of Ohio hospital and juvenile evaluation facility located on the Hilltop. The redeveloped site is the location of a proposed project that would include over 100 new homes. “I am excited about the state resources going to help our community, along with the significant contribution from the city of Columbus,” said Stewart. “This is a major piece to help in the redevelopment of the Hilltop and I believe along with other efforts will lead to a renaissance that will benefit our entire community.” http://columbusretrometro.typepad.com/columbus_retrometro/2006/12/state_resources.html

^^^ Thanks, TCK. From the 12/11/06 Cincinnati Business Courier: Housing Authority urged to sell property Activist suggests private development in E. Price Hill Cincinnati Business Courier - December 8, 2006 by Dan Monk Senior Staff Reporter Neighborhood activists are renewing their effort to bring single-family homes to a seven-acre parcel owned by the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority in East Price Hill. The land, on Considine between Glenway and Warsaw avenues, is a vacant lot that once held a low-income apartment complex. In 2001, CMHA proposed a mixed-income neighborhood on the site, with 15 of its 47 units reserved for low-income buyers. Neighborhood leaders got Cincinnati City Council to impose restrictive zoning on the site, but CMHA put a $2 million price tag on the property - effectively keeping bidders away. Now, Price Hill activist and CMHA board member Pete Witte is pushing for the low-income housing agency to sell the land. MORE: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/12/11/story6.html From the 12/13/06 Enquirer: RENDERING: Artist's rendering of a new Holiday Inn to be built in Bellevue, on long-vacant land southeast of the Party Source. Provided New Holiday Inn raises city profile Mayor sees lure for new residents BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | [email protected] BELLEVUE - After a new Holiday Inn Express is built on Landmark Drive, people who rent rooms there might discover Bellevue, Mayor Jack Meyer hopes. "It's possible that maybe somebody staying at that Holiday Inn who may be relocating to this area will then discover what a good town Bellevue is, and it could be potentially a good way of bringing in new residents to the area," Meyer said. Officials will gather at 4 p.m. Thursday to celebrate construction of the 77-room hotel on 2.13 acres of land southeast of the Party Source. The site has been vacant well more than a decade. The three-story complex is being built by InterContinental Hotels Group, the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. It will be owned and managed by Bluegrass Hospitality Properties LLC under a license agreement. MORE: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061213/NEWS0103/612130397

From the 12/12/06 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Delphi facing pension deficit By the staff, wire report DETROIT — Federal pension regulators estimate that auto parts supplier Delphi Corp. is now at least $1.25 billion behind in required pension funding payments since it filed for bankruptcy, although they said shortfall isn’t unusual for a company in bankruptcy. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., the federal agency that insures private pension plans for millions of Americans, said Monday that Delphi’s pension fund, which covers about 75,000 people, was underfunded by $7.1 billion in July, according to the agency’s latest filing made in July. The previous estimated underfunding was $10.6 billion. Troy-based Delphi, the nation’s largest auto parts supplier and parent of Delphi Packard Electric in Warren, filed for bankruptcy protection in October 2005. Such companies are shielded from creditors seeking payment until a settlement can be negotiated, and the company emerges from court supervision. ... http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=12236

From the AP, 12/9/06: GM considers more buyouts Ford's popular offers to workers are model for next payroll reduction Saturday, December 09, 2006 Tom Krisher Associated Press Detroit - General Motors Corp. may further reduce its blue-collar work force by offering another round of buyouts, according to an industry analyst. In a note to investors after a meeting with Troy Clarke, GM's North American president, JPMorgan analyst Himanshu Patel wrote that GM has studied Ford Motor Co.'s buyout packages and may make another offer to workers in 2008 or later. "We sensed an implicit statement that certain aspects of Ford's [more successful] buyout program could have been implemented at GM," Patel wrote in the note, distributed Thursday. ... The Detroit Free Press contributed to this story. http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business/1165671068143250.xml&coll=2 From the 12/9/06 Warren Tribune Chronicle: GM Lordstown impresses V.P. By LARRY RINGLER Tribune Chronicle LORDSTOWN — One of General Motors Corp.’s key manufacturing decision-makers left impressed after visiting the Lordstown Complex Wednesday, although he made it clear tough decisions lie ahead. ‘‘He told us basically what we need to do to get a new product,’’ United Auto Workers Local 1112 President Jim Graham said of Tim Lee, vice president of manufacturing and labor relations for GM North America. ‘‘They may not be things you want to do, but that’s the way things are to get a new product.’’ Graham declined to elaborate, but he noted ‘‘there are always things we can do. I’m confident the bargaining committee will address those issues.’’ ... [email protected] http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=12114

From the 12/7/06 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Pact to keep Delphi open By LARRY RINGLER Tribune Chronicle WARREN — Union and Delphi Packard Electric bargainers reached agreement Wednesday allowing employees who took a buyout to return to work temporarily — something designed to ease a worker shortage and maintain shipments to automaker General Motors Corp. ‘‘We’re probably 400 people short. The local didn’t want to shut down our biggest customer,’’ said Don Arbogast, shop chairman for International Union of Electrical Workers-Communications Workers of America Local 717. Plant 10, for instance, in the North River Road Complex, has just four workers for 55 spots, Arbogast said. The plant, which reduces large copper cables into wires used in the division’s electrical wiring harnesses, is one of five ‘‘core’’ plants Delphi Corp. plans to keep when it emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy around mid-2007. ... [email protected] http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=12032

From the 12/6/06 DDN: Ex-Delphi workers ruled eligible for retraining funds By John Nolan Staff Writer Wednesday, December 06, 2006 DAYTON — Employees of Delphi Corp.'s Needmore Road brake plant who accepted buyouts to leave the company during its work force reduction are eligible to apply for federal job retraining money, the U.S. Department of Labor said. United Auto Workers Local 696, which represents those workers, had applied for the Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits eligibility months ago and welcomed the government's approval. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville, made the announcement Tuesday. Nearly 2,000 employees could be eligible for assistance, Turner said. The approval allows those workers to apply for money they can use toward expenses of learning new job skills. ... Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or [email protected]. http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2006/12/05/ddn120606delphi.html

From the 12/5/06 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Delphi lowers monthly loss By LARRY RINGLER Tribune Chronicle Delphi Corp. in October posted its lowest monthly loss since it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to the auto parts maker’s court filing. The parent of Delphi Packard Electric in Warren said it lost $54 million on sales of $1.5 billion for the month. Its previous lowest loss was $56 million last March. In September it reported losing $673 million on sales of $1.37 billion. Since it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Oct. 8, 2005, Delphi said it has lost $4.43 billion on sales of $14.73 billion. ... [email protected] http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=11971