buildingcincinnati

From the AP, 12/3/06: Talks progressing, court documents say A Delphi lawyer says talks have advanced considerably. DETROIT (AP) — Talks are progressing between Delphi Corp. and former parent General Motors as they negotiate to try to help the auto parts supplier emerge from bankruptcy protection, according to court documents. The two sides have exchanged "draft agreements," according to a 110-page report that was filed late Thursday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York, The Detroit News reported. "The parties have exchanged various draft agreements and term sheets, which taken together, have advanced negotiations considerably," Delphi bankruptcy lawyer Jack Butler wrote in the report. "The framework agreement remains a work in progress." ... http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/308068574364199.php

From the 11/29/06 Dispatch: PERMANENT JOBS Delphi workers’ status changes Wednesday, November 29, 2006 Paul Wilson THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH About 280 temporary workers at Delphi Corp.’s Columbus plant have become permanent employees, and a union leader predicted that total will reach about 450 in the next several months. The 450 new workers, a total the company could not confirm, would replace about 700 longtime employees who recently took buyouts, early-retirement offers or jobs with General Motors as part of a plan by Delphi to cut costs, union officials said. In many case, new workers will be paid half as much as their successors, according to United Auto Workers Local 969, which represents the Columbus hourly employees. ... [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/29/20061129-D1-02.html

From UC News, 11/21/06: PHOTO: Architecture graduate student Jacqueline Squires with the solar house model. Photovoltaic roof panels will help power the house. PHOTO: Architecture graduate student Tom Rudary displays the underside of the model. The grooves under the house may be used for water storage tanks. PHOTO: A basic model of the solar house. A Power-Full Challenge for UC Students: Build a Solar House UC students are energized as they work on a solar house project to include functioning, sun-powered appliances and mechanics. When completed next year, the house will be transported to Washington, D.C., in a competition amongst the world’s 20 leading university design programs. Date: 11/21/2006 By: M.B. Reilly Phone: (513) 556-1824 Photos By: Andrew Higley University of Cincinnati students are in a heated raced against their counterparts at schools throughout the United States, Canada, Germany and Spain to build the best solar house in the world. UC is one of 20 international competitors participating in the Solar Decathlon, a contest among the world’s best design, engineering and business programs to envision, build and then finally display a fully functioning, completely solar-powered house. The final collection of homes will be exhibited on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in October 2007. ... http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.asp?id=4786

^ I read very little of it comprehensively. I pretty much skim through everything to get some idea what it's about. Some articles I couldn't care less about (though I know other forumers will) and I post them without reading.

Finally...this topic has been split from the Marina District thread. I made the split with articles occurring after March 14, 2006. This is the date in which an accord was reached to divide $7.5M originally intended for an East Toledo arena. Instead, $5.5M was targeted to an arena and $2M was set aside for the Marina District. This symbolically sealed the fate of any idea of an arena being a component of the Marina District project. http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=2004.msg84097#msg84097

From the 12/7/06 Cincinnati Business Courier: GE Aviation wins $950M GEnx order Cincinnati Business Courier - December 7, 2006 German airline Lufthansa has placed a firm order for 20 Boeing 747-8 intercontinental aircraft, powered by GE Aviation's GEnx engine, with an option for another 20. The firm jet engine order, worth $950 million, is scheduled for delivery in 2010, GE Aviation said in a news release. Read more here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/12/04/daily41.html?surround=lfn

From the 12/6/06 Cincinnati Business Courier: GE Aviation wins $61M military contract Cincinnati Business Courier - December 6, 2006 The U.S. Air Force's need to upgrade its fleet of F-16 aircraft produced a contract extension of more than $61 million for GE Aviation. The Evendale-based unit will provide newly designed engine parts and components for the F-16s, including high-pressure compressor and turbine assemblies, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Defense. The work will be completed by December 2008. Read more here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/12/04/daily27.html?surround=lfn

From the 12/1/06 Cincinnati Business Courier: U.S. Navy signs maintenance contract with GE Aviation Cincinnati Business Courier - December 1, 2006 The U.S. Navy awarded GE Aviation in late November a four-year performance based logistics contract covering the repair, replacement, consumables and program support for F414-GE-400 engine components for several aircraft. Read more here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/11/27/daily45.html?surround=lfn

From the 11/21/06 Enquirer: $825M deal for GE Aviation THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND THE ENQUIRER South Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air said today it will buy 25 aircraft from Boeing Co. for around $5.5 billion, the largest aviation deal in the nation’s history. Read more here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061121/BIZ01/311210030/

From the 11/21/06 Dispatch: TECHCOLUMBUS State provides $6.8 million in seed money Tuesday, November 21, 2006 Monique Curet THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A Columbus organization that works to develop and expand the region’s technology industry will receive $6.8 million over three years from the state to help create tech businesses. It was a sizeable award for TechColumbus, with an annual budget of $3 million, about $500,000 of which is provided by the state, said Ted Ford, president and chief executive of the nonprofit organization... "[email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/21/20061121-C1-03.html

From the 11/21/06 Toledo Blade: Most space in Westgate spoken for, owner says BLADE STAFF Most space in Westgate Village Shopping Center’s ongoing $35 million revitalization has been spoken for, and officials are hopeful that a gourmet grocer will occupy most of what remains to be filled, said the owner’s chief executive. The redevelopment is to add Costco, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and other stores, and retain space for Westgate favorites such as Stein Mart and Rite Aid. When the shopping center project is finished, owner Abbell Credit Corp. of Chicago plans to focus efforts north of Central Avenue as it works to revitalize that corridor, Liz Holland said yesterday during a visit to Toledo. Abbell wants to develop a mix of retail, office, and residential space where it owns or leases parking spaces, an office building, two former restaurants, and ground near Sears and Elder-Beerman, Ms. Holland said during a Toledo Rotary meeting. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061121/BUSINESS03/61121015/-1/BUSINESS

From the 12/12/06 Athens Messenger: Developers ask city to vacate some roads Casey Elliott Staff Writer An apparent lack of funding for road bonds and the need to change the plat map for the first phase of University Estates is forcing the developers to ask the city of Athens to vacate some roads at the project. The issue was discussed at an Athens City Council committee meeting Monday. http://athensmessenger.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&ArticleID=2043

From the 11/20/06 Athens News: Developer takes city to court over Armitage Road project By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Monday, November 20th, 2006 University Estates developer Richard Conard has sued the city of Athens, Mayor Ric Abel and code enforcement director Steve Pierson in a federal court for allegedly reneging on a deal to waive zoning requirements. Pierson said Friday that city officials did everything possible to avoid a lawsuit, including holding a face-to-face meeting with developers Wednesday afternoon. "We met until about 1:30," said Pierson. "Their lawsuit was filed at 1:38." More at http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=26692

From the 12/5/06 (UA) Buchtelite: UA research paves way for fuel alternative New coal fuel technology will be more efficient, cleaner and cheaper, university says by Joe Habbyshaw Buchtelite News Reporter Staff [email protected] The University of Akron has received close to $1.3 million to research and develop new fuel cells. The latest grant was received to develop a five kilowatt coal-based fuel cell. New technology using coal will lead the way for a reliable and affordable alternative source of energy. The new C-fuel cell, or carbon fuel cell, converts oxygen into carbon dioxide through an electrochemical reaction, which generates power. ... http://www.buchtelite.com/2006/1205/news_05.shtml

From the 12/2/06 ABJ: Rolls-Royce fuels Ohio's tech plans Jackson Twp. to be fuel-cell unit's U.S. base By Paula Schleis Beacon Journal business writer At the start of the millennium, a consortium of Ohio business, academic and political leaders decided the state would become the nation's leader in fuel-cell development. They must be getting close. Rolls-Royce plc, a global supplier of power systems based in England, is opening the U.S. headquarters of its fuel-cell subsidiary in Jackson Township. ... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/16147890.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business

Here are a couple of stories regarding the trustees' opposition to the funding. I post these stories from the Community Press newspapers because they seem to contain more quotes and info than the brief, watered-down versions that appear in the Enquirer. (Yes, I do realize that both papers are run by the same entity.) From the 11/17/06 Forest Hills Journal: Trustees ask state not to support Freedom Center BY LIZ CAREY | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER ANDERSON TWP. - Anderson Township trustees passed a resolution at their Nov. 16 meeting voicing their opposition to the Ohio General Assembly capital grant budget request from Hamilton County. And they're letting everyone know about it. http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061208/NEWS01/612080413/1084/Local

From ThisWeek Pickerington, 12/7/06: Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Pickerington City Council clears initial hurdle (12/6/06) ThisWeek Pickerington: Despite defeat, JEDD plan returns to council (11/30/06) Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Pickerington council deadlocked (11/22/06) Columbus Dispatch: Pickerington land deal fails in backer’s absence (11/22/06) ThisWeek Pickerington: Joint development agreement to get full council vote (11/16/06) JEDD agreement nearing approval Thursday, December 7, 2006 By SEAN CASEY ThisWeek Staff Writer Pickerington is close to adopting a cooperative development agreement with Violet Township that could direct the growth of the city for the next 30 years. Meeting Tuesday night, Pickerington City Council again heard the first reading of the proposal, which would lay the foundation for joint development agreements drafted for individual commercial projects outside city limits. Under the city charter, an ordinance must pass three readings before it becomes law, something that is expected to happen by early next month. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=pickerington&story=sites/thisweeknews/120706/Pickerington/News/120706-News-274374.html

From ThisWeek Delaware, 12/3/06: Large 36/521 project is in limbo Sunday, December 3, 2006 By NATE ELLIS ThisWeek Staff Writer A plan to build nearly 560,000 square feet of retail space and 332 single-family housing units on the city's far east side remains in limbo, as Delaware City Council members last week delayed a vote on the proposal. Citing the need for more cost-impact information, council members last Monday unanimously moved to take no action on a proposed 150-acre commercial and residential development near the intersection of state Route 521 and U.S. Route 36/state Route 37. Consequently, a decision on Zaremba Group LLC's proposal to build 559,122 square feet of retail space featuring two "big-box" stores south of routes 36/37, east of state Route 521 and west of Glenn Road, will not be made before council's Dec. 11 meeting. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=delaware&story=sites/thisweeknews/120306/Delaware/News/120306-News-272719.html

From the 12/10/06 Springfield News-Sun: Razing the barn roof ... a whole lot more Chamberlin barn taken apart piece by piece so it can be reassembled next summer at George Rogers Clark Park By Samantha Sommer Staff Writer Sunday, December 10, 2006 Lynn Chamberlin Miller used to have slumber parties and bottle-fed lambs in the old barn on her family farm. Now she hopes visitors will learn some farm history and appreciate the 1840s hickory timber frame barn at its new home in George Rogers Clark Park. "It was really very precious," Miller said. "It was very well built and very well taken care of." Timber framers took the barn's frame apart piece by piece last week in Miamisburg and next summer it will be reassembled in George Rogers Clark Park. The National Trail Parks and Recreation District will have a community barn raising to erect the timbers in July with the Timber Framers Guild of America. In 1951, the state owned the park and tore down the 1850 Hertzler House barn that was in disrepair, but it left foundation with a roof over it. The intent was to repair it eventually, said Jim Campbell, National Trail open space manager said. "But it didn't happen," he said. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/09/sns121006barn1c.html From the 12/7/06 DDN: Huber Heights Courier: Tipp City to benefit from local Meijer development (11/30/06) Road issues solved for new Meijer By Valryn Warren Staff Writer HUBER HEIGHTS — Meijer is moving ahead with plans to locate at Brandt Pike and Executive Boulevard after working out traffic and landscaping concerns with the city. Huber Heights Human Resources Director and spokesman Jim Bowers said Meijer had to work out wetland mitigation with the Environmental Protection Agency and address road improvements necessary to handle the increase in traffic near the new store. Meijer owns 43 acres at the southwest corner of Brandt and Executive. The 207,000-square-foot store and parking will occupy about 30 acres. Bowers said Meijer will put in two traffic intersections and lights, one on Brandt Pike with one right and two left turn lanes and a signal, the other on Executive in front of the proposed store with a right turn lane in and out. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/northeast/2006/12/07/ddn120706z5meijer.html Improvements continue at BCIS Centerville-Bellbrook Times, 12/9/06 The remodeling project at the Bell Creek Intermediate School project in the former Bellbrook Junior High on Upper Bellbrook is progressing, as Sugarcreek Local School board members accept a $10,000 donation for sound enhancements and approve a more than $53,000 change order for additional equipment needed in the school's new sound system. The John E. and Betty J. Meyer Family Foundation donated the $10,000 to the current Bell Creek Elementary School for equipment to improve the sound quality in each classroom, said Dr. Keith St. Pierre, during the board's November 9 meeting. St. Pierre said what they will put up in classrooms at Bell Creek is portable. St. Pierre noted that the Meyer Foundation has given the district donations in the past. School board president Elizabeth Betz said she really appreciated their support. The $53,931.04 change order to Sollman Electric includes an additional electric panel for the new sound system that is being installed at BCIS, said St. Pierre.

From the 12/7/06 Dublin Villager: 136,000-square-foot Shamrock Crossing development planned Thursday, December 7, 2006 By MARK MAJOR Villager Staff Writer Dublin's Planning & Zoning Commission is expected to consider a zoning change that could lead to the development of about 24 acres at West Dublin-Granville Road and Shamrock Boulevard. The developers of Shamrock Crossing will attend tonight's P&Z meeting to request a change in zoning from residential and suburban office and industrial district to planned-unit-development district. The site's owners plan a 136,000-square-foot development made up of retail, office and service uses. The issue was tabled after October's commission meeting amid concerns the proposed development might not be in keeping with the desired character of the West Dublin-Granville Road area, as envisioned by city officials. "What planning commission wanted was a more urban streetscape, with buildings located closer to the street," said Claudia Husak, city planner. "They asked for a distinct streetscape and a pedestrian-centered environment." Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=dublin&story=sites/thisweeknews/120706/Dublin/News/120706-News-275379.html

From the 12/11/06 Cincinnati Business Courier. The rest of the article is unavailable to non-subscribers. If online or print subscribers could elaborate on the story, that would be great. Condo project mulled for Vine Discussion continues for project near Square, above JeanRo Bistro Cincinnati Business Courier - December 8, 2006 by Laura Baverman Staff Reporter The developers of condo pro­jects The McAlpin and 18 E. Fourth St. are at it again, quietly plotting a condominium conversion of two Vine Street buildings in the heart of downtown. Advertising for the Lofts at Fountain Square at 413 and 417 Vine St., home to JeanRo Bistro and a vacant Jersey Mike's, appeared in local magazines in November. The ads listed contact information for local developer Roger Thesing; Terry Jacobs, radio mogul and president of JFP Group; Jacobs' son Jeff; and associate Alex Sulfsted, as well as Comey & Shepherd agent Tom Andrews. GBBN Architects was pinpointed as the architect. MORE: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/12/11/story3.html From the 12/7/06 Enquirer: Drawbridge plans upgrade Work follows bankruptcy rescue BY RYAN CLARK | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER FORT MITCHELL - Less than three years removed from bankruptcy, The Drawbridge Inn and Convention Center is ready for a $7 million makeover. Work has begun on the building's first major renovation since the hotel opened its doors 36 years ago, Dec. 6, 1970. Nathan Deters, the owner of the inn, said the bulk of the construction is scheduled to start in January and should take about a year to complete. Cost estimates have ranged between $5 million and $7 million. "The major things we're doing include all new carpet everywhere, as well as redoing all the walls and putting new paint in the hallways," Deters said. "We're updating all lighting and repaving the parking lot." MORE: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061207/NEWS0103/612070394

From the AP, 12/11/06: Ford closings damage cities Without plants, economy suffers BY M.R. KROPKO | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LORAIN, Ohio - He glances through the chain-link fence at hulking, dark buildings and weeds growing tall in pavement cracks. The chilling scene on a gray November day makes John "Larry" Wargo sigh with sadness. He remembers when the parking lots were packed - with workers' cars and freshly assembled vehicles waiting to be sent from the Lorain Ford Assembly Plant to market. "We were working double shifts and making 58 cars an hour, Thunderbirds and Cougars," says Wargo, 70, a retired Ford Motor Co. worker who put in 40 years, mostly as a maintenance electrician. "I feel sorry for the younger generation, because they won't see what really happened there." MORE AT: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/BUSINESS09/61211011/-1/BUSINESS

From the 12/8/06 PD: Brook Park Ford union rejects buyout offer Friday, December 08, 2006 Peter Krouse Plain Dealer Reporter Tom Trojan feels left out. For 28 years he has toiled at the Ford plants in Brook Park as a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. He and 35 other members of his union maintain boilers, air compressors and heating and air conditioning systems at two engine plants and a casting plant. But unlike the vast majority of Ford's hourly workers, most of whom belong to the United Auto Workers, Trojan and his fellow IUOE members have not been offered buyouts by the company. It's not likely to happen, either. It's not that Ford isn't offering. It's just that the union isn't accepting. At least not on Ford's terms. William Fadel, the union's attorney, believes it has good reason.... To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-4834 http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business/1165571534326570.xml&coll=2

From the 12/1/06 Enquirer: Ford exec mum on possible layoffs BY MIKE BOYER | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Despite plans to shrink its payroll and plants, Ford Motor Co.'s Sharonville transmission plant will continue to have a key role as the automaker tries to stem multibillion-dollar losses and regain market share, a Ford executive said Thursday in Cincinnati. "Sharonville plays a big part in our new structure,'' said Ken Williams, manufacturing director for automatic transmission and driveline operations, before a speech to the Cincinnati Rotary Club on the automaker's future at the Hilton Netherland Plaza downtown... E-mail [email protected] http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061201/BIZ01/612010334/1076/BIZ From the 12/1/06 Elyria Chronicle-Telegram: Ford: We can still get the job done Shift in work force to balance buyouts Brad Dicken The Chronicle-Telegram AVON LAKE — Although about 25 percent of the workers at Ford Motor Co.’s Ohio Assembly Plant have agreed to take buyouts or early retirements next year, the strength of the work force will remain about the same, according to the union. United Auto Workers Local 2000 President Tim Donovan said as Ford consolidates its operations through a series of plant closings and buyouts, workers will be shifted from other plants to cover those leaving Ohio Assembly... On the line Econoline production 2005: 203,071 2004: 201,319 2003: 178,308 Econoline sales in the U.S. 2005: 179,543 2004: 171,017 2003: 161,721 Source: Ford Motor Co. http://www.chroniclet.com/Daily%20Pages/120106head15.html

From the 11/30/06 PD: 40% of Ford workers take buyout Over 2,000 sign up at Brook Park, Avon Lake plants Thursday, November 30, 2006 Peter Krouse Plain Dealer Reporter About 30,000 hourly employees of Ford Motor Co., or 40 percent of its UAW work force in the United States, accepted buyout offers that expired Monday, the company said Wednesday. The buyouts were part of a companywide offering to nearly 75,000 members of the United Auto Workers in September. In Northeast Ohio, more than 2,000 employees signed up, mostly from Local 1250 in Brook Park... Plain Dealer reporter Joe Wagner contributed to this story. To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-4834 Ford buyouts in Northeast Ohio UAW Local 1250, Brook Park 1,423 out of about 3,000 took the buyout. UAW Local 2000, Avon Lake 650-700 out of about 2,800 took the buyout. UAW Local 420, Walton Hills Buyout number not available. About 800 UAW-covered employees. SOURCE: The UAW locals http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business/1164881146222660.xml&coll=2 From the 11/30/06 Elyria Chronicle-Telegram: 684 take buyout at Ford Ohio Assembly workers among 38,000 nationwide Brad Dicken The Chronicle-Telegram AVON LAKE — Nearly 700 workers at the Ford Motor Co.’s Ohio Assembly Plant will leave the plant through buyouts and early retirement as the troubled automaker tries to cut expenses as part of a massive plan to reinvigorate itself. Ford officials on Wednesday announced that 38,000 employees — nearly half of its 83,000 unionized employees — have agreed to buyout offers throughout the year, the latest round of which ended Monday. But local officials still are worried that Ohio Assembly might not survive Ford’s cost-cutting measures, even with 684 workers leaving the plant... The Associated Press contributed to this story. http://www.chroniclet.com/Daily%20Pages/113006head8.html