buildingcincinnati

From the 11/9/06 DDN: Air Force base preparing for the biggest building boom in memory By Timothy R. Gaffney Staff Writer Thursday, November 09, 2006 One year since they became law, the recommendations of the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission have yet to be widely felt in the Dayton region... Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2390 or [email protected]. http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2006/11/08/ddn110906brac.html

From the 11/8/06 Toledo Blade: LUCAS COUNTY BALLOT ISSUES Voters support zoo's 2nd levy try By JENNI LAIDMAN BLADE STAFF WRITER COSI Toledo's levy request was too close to call early today, but it appeared the Toledo Zoo elephants are going to get a little breathing room with the projected victory of the zoo's second bid to pass a capital improvement levy. "We're happy with the way it looks thus far,'' said Anne Baker, the zoo's executive director, late last night with a substantial portion of Lucas County votes remaining to be counted. "I'll be happier when 100 percent of the vote is in.'' MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061108/NEWS09/611080477/-1/NEWS

From the 11/2/06 Lima News: More buildings coming down at Kibby Corners BY HEATHER RUTZ - Nov. 2, 2006 LIMA — More buildings are coming down in the Kibby Corners neighborhood and city officials are asking residents their vision for what will take their places. The old Siferd Funeral Home property, near the intersection of Kibby and Main streets, and adjacent to property, including the old Majestic Theater, that was torn down last year, will be demolished soon, Mayor David Berger said during a meeting with residents Wednesday. "Some other properties at the intersection have some serious code deficiencies and if they’re not fixed or torn down, the city will do the demolition," Berger said. "The plan is to have a good majority of the intersection available for future development." Last year the city demolished two commercial buildings and earlier this year demolished a third. Berger said a Virginia company that now owns the old Siferd property will be donating it, and the city will hold the land. Full story at http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=31614

From Business First of Columbus, 11/27/06: COTA levy win made official Business First of Columbus - 11:36 AM EST Monday The Franklin County Board of Elections said Monday that the Central Ohio Transit Authority's 0.25 percent sales and use tax increase has been approved by voters. The board could not determine the outcome of the initiative, dubbed Issue 7, on election night because of the need to count provisional votes and absentee ballots in a contest that was too close to call immediately. COTA spokesman Marty Stutz said the levy passed by a margin of about 7,000 votes out of more than 326,000 votes cast. COTA's existing quarter-cent levy brought in $44.8 million in 2005 and officials expect the new 10-year renewable levy would double the transit system's annual sales and use tax revenue. The tax increase kicks in April 1. http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/11/27/daily3.html?surround=lfn

Addyston cancer not linked to plant County health agency gives study results BY WILLIAM A. WEATHERS | ENQUIRER STAFF REPORTER ADDYSTON - A case assessment study by the Hamilton County Health Department identified a number of risk factors - including smoking and diet - shared by village cancer victims, and none of those risk factors involve the Lanxess Corp. plant. The study results were detailed Monday at a meeting of the Addyston Environmental Task Force, which was formed after residents expressed concerns about emissions coming from Lanxess, a thermoplastics manufacturing plant. Lanxess plant manager Sandy Johnson said after the meeting that the cancer study results indicate "that there is no direct link to the plant. There are other health factors at play." More at: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061121/NEWS01/611210393/1056/COL02

Ohio EPA wants more air pollution controls from Lanxess Cincinnati Business Courier - November 8, 2006 Lanxess Corp. will have to come up with more ideas to control its air emissions, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday. The agency told the company to identify additional measures to control the emission of 1,3-butadiene and acrylonitrile at its Addyston plant, the Ohio EPA said in a news release. The EPA will evaluate the measures and may require their implementation in later orders. More at: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/11/06/daily23.html?surround=lfn

From the 11/9/06 Mount Vernon News: Economic realities lead to changes at TRW By Dylan McCament, News Staff Writer Thursday, November 09, 2006 MOUNT VERNON Company spokesman John Wilkerson said economic realities led to TRW Automotives plan to move a number of assembly and machining operations from its local brake manufacturing plant by July 2007. The plan would affect about 160 of the companys Mount Vernon employees. The company made the announcement on Monday. He said the companys recent settlement with a large group of current and former employees who said conditions at the local plant made them sick and led to an outbreak of respiratory illness was not a factor in the decision... http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/06/11/09/trw.html

From the 11/8/06 Dispatch: TRW brake plant to cut 160 jobs Mount Vernon business likely wont recall 100 workers Wednesday, November 08, 2006 Paul Wilson THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH TRW plans to cut 160 jobs at its Mount Vernon plant next year and about 100 employees who have been on temporary layoff likely wont be brought back. The moves, which TRW announced yesterday, would bring the brake plants employment to about 180. Fewer workers will be needed at the Mount Vernon plant, about 50 miles northeast of Columbus in Knox County, because work performed there will be moved to other TRW operations in the U.S. next year, said John Wilkerson, company spokesman... http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/08/20061108-D1-02.html

Both from the 11/14/06 Daily Kent Stater: PHOTO: Construction on the C-Midway lot is expected to be completed by Nov. 27. SEAN DAUGHERTY | DAILY KENT STATER C-Midway lot nears completion Erica Weisburn Issue date: 11/14/06 Section: News Despite unexpected delays, the Office of University Architect expects construction of the Midway commuter lot to be finished Nov. 27. Michael Bruder, assistant director for the Office of University Architect, said the original late October opening date had been pushed back because of weather conditions and foundation problems. "September had record breaking rainfall which held us up a bit," he said. "It has been our biggest problem." Bruder said foundation issues with the northeast corner of the remaining portion of Terrace Hall — the ROTC building also halted progress. "We modified the original plan when we realized a new foundation for that portion of the building had to be built." The C-Midway lot project began on July 20 to create about 200 new parking spaces, most of which will be for commuter students. Senior education major Maggie Larke has been anticipating the opening of the C-Midway lot all semester. Class projects require her to dress up on Monday and Tuesday. Most Tuesdays she would rather walk a mile from home to class because it's more convenient than searching for an open commuter space. "I'm sick of walking to White Hall from the Music and Speech lot in high heels," Larke said. "I hope the new lot will make my C-permit more useful." Tom Clapper, senior assistant to the vice president of administration, said that more C-permits will be sold in the spring to better utilize the new lot. "But, for the first semester we are going to be cautious until we see what the trends are," he said. Senior education major Tricia Bonds hopes the new lot will clear out the C-lot behind Verder Hall. Bonds is an Engleman Hall resident and is allotted a row to use her S-35 pass in that lot. "Some commuters park in the S-35 spaces when their parking spaces are filled," she said. I hope the new lot minimizes, if not eliminates that temptation, Bonds said. Tiffany Rose, senior early childhood education major, drives 45 minutes from Warren to class. Due to parking issues, she leaves home an hour early to get to arrive in time, she said. "My Tuesday classes begin at 11 a.m. and it's nearly impossible to find a spot at that time." Rose thinks the C-Midway lot will better help her get to class on time. "Any more parking we have is better than nothing," she said. "I'm just ready for it to be finished." Contact transportation reporter Erica Weisburn at [email protected]. http://www.stateronline.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2006/11/14/News/CMidway.Lot.Nears.Completion-2457462.shtml?norewrite200611271917&sourcedomain=www.stateronline.com Sheetz and the C-lot: A tale of two sites Adam Milasincic Issue date: 11/14/06 Section: News Exactly 134 Kent State students want to know: How can Sheetz construct a gas-station superstore in less time than university officials can pave a dirt lot? The students are members of a group on Facebook that pokes fun at differences between two high-profile construction projects in Kent. "Are you stalking people in your car for a parking spot near Taylor or the Art Building?" the site asks. "Have you happened to notice that an entire Sheetz was constructed out of a swamp before our new parking lot was level enough to pave?" Sheetz crews began work on the store's new state Route 59 location in early July. By late September, they had completed a brick building that includes a car wash, a fast food restaurant and a large, canopied bay of gas pumps. Also in early July, Cavanaugh Construction demolished the former Terrace Hall building at Kent State to make way for a 330-by-360-foot commuter parking lot. As Sheetz hosted its grand opening, the Terrace Hall site remained covered with dirt mounds and bulldozers. Kara Solinsky, senior visual communication design major, created the Facebook group dedicated to this quandary after driving past the future commuter lot with friends. "We saw the sign saying 'Opens Fall 2006,' and that's going to be over pretty soon," she said. "We just thought it was weird how they built a whole Sheetz which includes underground tanks and a restaurant before the new c-lot was even paved." Since the group, named "An ENTIRE SHEETZ was built before the new C-LOT was even paved," was created, it has drawn joking comments from students both enthralled with the Sheetz menu of "made-to-order" food and irked by the unavailability of parking on portions of north campus. "I'm excited to have a new Sheetz and a new commuter lot," Solinsky said. "It's all in good fun. I don't want anyone to hate me." Once completed, the new parking lot will feature 172 spaces for commuter students' cars, said Michael Bruder, who coordinated the project for the university architect's office. Progress was weather-dependent. "If we've got a week of rain, that pushes things," he said. The additional space is expected to significantly reduce congestion around north campus academic buildings, where many students search in vain for parking between peak times from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, said parking services manager Larry Emling. "During the day, I still expect (spaces) to be in high demand," Emling said. "They're still going to move over to Music and Speech during peak hours, but it will also ease parking for people coming to White Hall for 4 p.m. classes." Emling's department, which is funded entirely by student parking fees, paid nearly $3.1 million for the new lot, which amounts to about $7,400 per completed parking spot. The Terrace Hall lot is likely to be the last expansion of parking on north campus because few additional sites are available there, Emling said. Bruder said comparisons between the parking lot and the Sheetz project are perhaps comical, but not especially relevant. Because the university is state-operated, it faces extra months of regulatory requirements, he said. Additionally, the Terrace Hall lot took longer to finish because of the extensive excavation required to uproot the building's former foundation. "No two projects are alike from the private sector to the public sector," Bruder said. "We have (state) regulations that do take longer in terms of situations like bidding and advertising and contracts and things. ... The work itself in general should take about the same amount of time." Sheetz builds around 20 new stores each year, but the company features more variation in its sandwiches than in its facilities. That consistency allows construction crews to complete a new store in a strict 15-week schedule, said Doug Knisely, the construction manager for the Kent Sheetz. "There's minor changes here and there," Knisely said. "Seating areas and restaurant size and that type of thing." Each Sheetz store features a brick veneer and contains no pre-fabricated parts, but the company's business model allows for fast turnaround times, Knisely said. After construction is completed, only one week of stocking and employee training remains before a grand opening. "We have the same typical design, and we've got a pretty good handle on the schedule," Knisely said. "I put one of my guys in the field to manage the subs and the general contractor. They help put the schedule together and the timing of the subs coming in, and that really adds to the speed of the project." Sheetz, based in Altoona, Pa., is rapidly expanding its presence in northeast Ohio and elsewhere, Knisely said. Contact StaterOnline correspondent Adam Milasincic at [email protected]. http://www.stateronline.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2006/11/14/News/Sheetz.And.The.CLot.A.Tale.Of.Two.Sites-2457128.shtml?norewrite200611271919&sourcedomain=www.stateronline.com

From the 11/7/06 ABJ: KSU group wants May 4 visitors center Task force requests first floor of Taylor Hall near site of 1970 shootings. Space already promised to others By Carol Biliczky Beacon Journal staff writer A Kent State student organization has asked the university to establish a visitors center to preserve the memory of May 4. Ideally, the center would occupy the first floor of Taylor Hall, which overlooks the site where four students were killed and nine wounded by Ohio National Guardsmen during a Vietnam War protest on May 4, 1970, said John Behnken Jr., president of the May 4 Task Force... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/15948501.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

From the 11/16/06 Springfield News-Sun: Springfield News-Sun: High school vision approved (11/10/06) PHOTO GALLERY Work continues on high school By Gail Cetnar Staff Writer Thursday, November 16, 2006 Wednesday's chilly drizzle didn't dampen the pace of work at the Springfield High School construction site. "We're moving along despite all the weather," said Steve Midgley, project superintendent for the construction manager. The classroom wing is beginning to take shape as workers prepare to pour concrete for the first and second floors. Tarps will encase the first floor of the classroom wing soon. That area needs to be heated so the concrete poured on the second floor doesn't freeze. Close to half of the concrete for the second floor will be in place by next month, Midgley said. Construction of the $59.4 million high school began in May behind the current North High School, 701 E. Home Road. North and South high schools are scheduled to consolidate into the new building in the fall of 2008. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/15/sns111606highschool.html From the 11/16/06 DDN: Details about plaza's parking raise eyebrows Planners discussed traffic ideas for the Wilmington Pike shopping center featuring a Frisch's and a LaRosa's. By Joanne Clodfelter Contributing Writer KETTERING | The Kettering Planning Commission held major discussions finalizing minor details about Kettering Crossing, a new development at 2801 Wilmington Pike, at its Nov. 6 meeting. The development will have both Frisch's and LaRosa's Restaurants, along with condominiums and other retail space. One item on the final development plan that generated a lot of discussion was a requirement that only Frisch's customers could park in the Frisch's parking lot, although Frisch's customers would be allowed to park in LaRosa's parking lot. "This type of easement agreement is detrimental to the whole shopping center," Commissioner Dale Kress said. "I would concur," commission chairman Don Rethman said. "I was a little surprised that this one's in here. We want to make this the best development we can for everybody with shared parking." MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/kettering_oakwood/2006/11/17/ddn111606kettplan.html Rezoning sought for day care center Celina Daily Standard, 11/25/06 The owners of land along Staeger Road east of Celina are seeking the rezoning of a 2.65-acre tract that could pave the way for construction of a day care center. Mercer County Commissioners have scheduled a public hearing for 3 p.m. Dec. 5 to discuss the request and accept public comment. The Mercer County Regional Planning Commission already has given the rezoning request its approval. The day care center could be located on the northwest corner of state Route 703 and Staeger Road. The property is owned by the Linus Braun Trust. The property is now zoned agricultural-residential and is farm ground located south of Celina Aluminum Precision Technology (CAPT) and east of Grand Manor Mobile Home Park. The owners seek to have the tract rezoned to commercial-light. Regional Planning Commission members gave the rezoning their tentative approval at that group's Nov. 15 meeting. The proposed day care center would sit on land inside an area designated as a "development area" and is adjacent to property zoned "industrial-commercial."

From the 11/21/06 Lisbon Morning Journal: Lisbon’s new village hall will be open for business By JEFF MARTIN Journal Staff Writer LISBON — Back in 1978 was the first time Police Chief Buck Higgins heard talk about a new village hall. Over 20 years later, Buck is still around to see it happen... [email protected] http://morningjournalnews.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=4366 From the 11/22/06 Youngstown Vindicator: City pursues river land for recreation use The city hopes to create a park on the property. By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR. VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF GIRARD — A waste company has been pushing to put a landfill on about 20 acres adjacent to the Mahoning River, but the city hopes to use that land for recreational purposes. Mayor James Melfi said the city recently filed paperwork in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to take the land by eminent domain. He said the plan to acquire the land is not an attempt to stop the landfill but is keeping in step with a recreational-use plan developed by the county several years ago... [email protected] http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/318338878139216.php Officials seek public input on projects Youngstown Vindicator, 11/27/06 The Springfield School District will soon take the next step toward its proposed building/renovation project by scheduling several community input meetings early next year... To build or renovate? Officials seek opinions from residents Youngstown Vindicator, 11/26/06 South Range School District is edging closer to deciding how to proceed with its proposed building/renovation project, and administrators are looking for input from residents... Salem News: South Range sets meetings for input on school facilities (11/21/06) Taking one last stroll through East High Youngstown Vindicator, 11/26/06 The halls were dimly lighted, musty and cold; many of the classrooms were in disarray and a few hall lockers stood partially open. Warming up the atmosphere at the recently vacated East Middle School, though, were the numerous fond memories many people had from when they attended it when it was East High School... Buildings continue progress Youngstown Vindicator, 11/25/06 Cranes are lowering steel beams, bulldozers are moving earth and workers are putting bricks on buildings as the first two Warren schools in a districtwide construction project move forward...

From the 11/23/06 Dublin Villager: Rezoning will bring project to Dublin in Union Co. Thursday, November 23, 2006 By MARK MAJOR Villager Staff Writer Dublin City Council Monday night authorized a rezoning that is expected to bring a 61.35-acre commercial and residential development to a part of the city located in Union County The Oak Park development, which will be located at the southwest corner of Hyland-Croy and Mitchell-Dewitt roads, is expected to include 108 housing units -- 36 of those townhomes -- as well as 39,700 square feet of mixed-use retail space and 31.3 acres of open space. In spite of some residents' concerns there might already be too much retail development in Dublin, council authorized rezoning the tract from rural to planned unit development district, paving the way for the project. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=dublin&story=sites/thisweeknews/112306/Dublin/News/112306-News-265964.html

Community center effort gets donation Findlay Courier, 11/7/06 The effort to construct a community center for the village got a jump start Monday with a $50,000 donation. Paul and Jeanne Burson delivered 1,000 shares of Cincinnati Financial Corp. stock to the village. The firm is a holding company with subsidiaries which underwrite various types of insurance. The local couple specified the funds be set aside for development of community center. Legislation will be presented at the Nov. 20 council meeting accepting the donation. Under state law, the village can accept the gift, but is not allowed to purchase stock, according to Clerk-Treasurer Toni Ahlberg. As a result, the stock will be sold and the funds will be placed with other village investments. If the stock sells for less than $50,000, Burson has told village officials he will write a check for the difference.

From the 11/7/06 DDN: Ohio could win part of FutureGen project Feds want partners to test ways to push coal-burning waste into underground pockets instead of into air. By John Nolan Staff Writer Tuesday, November 07, 2006 Ohio lost out in July in a nationwide competition to host FutureGen, a prototype for the coal-burning power plant of the future, but there could be a chance for the state to participate in research to support the project. The U.S. Department of Energy plans in 2007 to choose partners to receive more than $450 million in funding over 10 years to test methods of injecting carbon dioxide thousands of feet underground, rather than releasing that waste into the air as pollution from coal combustion. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2006/11/06/ddn110706coalresearch.html

This article appeared in ThisWeek Clintonville, 11/2/06: Defining downtown Interstates and railroad tracks, or something more? Thursday, November 2, 2006 By KEVIN PARKS ThisWeek Staff Writer The line between one neighborhood and another is often blurry at best. In no part of a city is this more true than for the downtown. Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor of urban studies and history Robert M. Fogelson, in his 2001 book "Downtown: Its Rise and Fall, 1880-1950," wrote: "As a place, downtown was hard to define. Legally, it did not exist. Unlike the city of which it was a part -- indeed, unlike every parcel of real estate in the city -- downtown had no formal boundaries, no precise lines to show where it began and where it ended." http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=clintonville&story=sites/thisweeknews/110206/Clintonville/News/110206-News-251482.html

Let's hold off on our BCS talk, because it appears we've probably lost our coach. Rumors are that Dantonio will be going to Michigan St. Just when he's built the program up to a respectable level, now they may have to start all over again.

East Walnut Hills: New retail NE corner of McMillan and Victory The owners of the Skyline Chili at 1202 E McMillan St are planning a retail development consisting of a new Skyline Chili and several other retail/restaurant storefronts. To begin the process, they were seeking a zoning change for the properties at 1202 E McMillan St (Skyline), 1216 E McMillan St (Cinelect union building), and 2516 Victory Pw (Clermont Pharmacy). The zoning would change from OG Office General and CC-M Commercial Community-Mixed to CC-A Commercial Community-Auto. As it stands now, the Clermont Pharmacy property is not part of the proposed development. However, it is surrounded on all sides by the other two properties, and talks have been ongoing about possibly including it. (Let's hope so.) Though I have seen no plans, the zoning that they're seeking screams "strip center". (Though the main argument for CC-A is that it may be necessary, due to topography, to put drive-through facilities in front of buildings, which is not allowed within other zoning categories.) Even the East Walnut Hills Area Assembly (EWHAA), who supported this project in general, wss opposed to the rezoning because of its auto-oriented nature. They do not believe that it is a proper use for land bordering a parkway. The EWHAA and the developer came to a compromise--the Cinelect property at 1216 E McMillan would be rezoned to CC-M, making all of the properties on that corner CC-M. The developer could then seek a variance for the drive-through uses. The City Planning Commission approved this compromise. The architect is currently working on site plans and working with DOTE to insure that the ingress and egress issuesare hammered out. (Cinelect and Clermont Pharmacy buildings) Round-up: City of Cincinnati AVONDALE The rehab of 849 Rockdale Ave is complete. The home, built in 1896, has been converted from a two-family to a single-family and is on the market for slightly less than $100,000. In 2005 it was assessed at just over $95,000 but deteriorated to the point that it was purchased in May 2006 for $8,000. CLIFTON/CORRYVILLE Major Changes Begin Tuesday on MLK Construction Project UC News, 11/20/06 The City of Cincinnati is improving Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in order to improve traffic flow and enhance safety for motorists at the intersection with Jefferson Avenue and Vine Street. New lane restrictions will begin on Tuesday, November 21. This phase of the project will last for about two months; however, these detours are expected to be maintained until August 2007. Two lanes of traffic will remain open in both directions on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive during this phase of construction.Cars traveling north on Jefferson Avenue will be able to access MLK, Jr. Drive from the Jefferson Avenue Connector (this connector is currently used by cars traveling northbound on Jefferson Ave. wanting to head westbound on MLK, Jr. Drive.). From there, cars can turn east or west onto MLK, Jr. Drive. A section of Jefferson Avenue will be closed from the Jefferson Avenue Connector to MLK, Jr. Drive. This closure is expected to last about two months. There will be additional changes in how traffic will access, exit and cross Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive: * From eastbound MLK, Jr. Dr. to northbound Vine St.: Traffic will be detoured east of Vine Street to Eden Avenue. Traffic will proceed north on Eden to westbound Goodman Street. From Goodman, cars can access northbound Vine Street. * From northbound Jefferson Ave. to northbound Vine St.: Traffic will turn east onto MLK, Jr. Dr., then proceed to Eden Avenue. Traffic will proceed north on Eden to westbound Goodman Street. From Goodman, cars can access northbound Vine Street. * From southbound Vine St. to Jefferson Avenue: Traffic will turn west onto MLK, Jr. Drive and south onto the Jefferson Ave. Connector. COLLEGE HILL After being vacant for over a year, 1301 Cedar Ave has a new owner. It looks like this will become a rental property. In fact, the city had ordered it vacant but, upon inspection, found a tenant had been moved in. Apparently the structure is in good enough condition. EAST PRICE HILL 704 Hawthorne Ave has been rehabbed. It had been vacated by the city in February 2006. The owner lost it in foreclosure and the new buyer rescued it in July 2006. EVANSTON 1868 Kinney Ave is being converted from a four-family to a three-family, pending building plan approval. The work will combine the two first-floor apartments including Apartment 1, which has serious code issues. LOWER PRICE HILL A public hearing regarding the multi-family at 2129 Staebler St has been scheduled for December 1, 2006 after several stays. The building has been kept vacant/condemned for a number of years and has been a danger to children around the Oyler School area. Recently, new owners have started work. New windows have been installed, as well as new gutters and downspouts. The masonry has been tuck-pointed and the building is barricaded. These owners plan on applying for a VBML soon, which would eliminate the need for the public hearing. This building was recommended for demolition in April 2006. Now it looks like it might have been saved. MILLVALE The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority is currently accepting bids for the modernization of 4 buildings (24 units) in Millvale South. Bids will be accepted until December 14, 2006. PRICE HILL After 13 months on the market, 1532 Beech Ave has been purchased from Fannie Mae for $9,000. The adjacent vacant parcel at 1530 Beech was also included. It looks like this will turn out to be a rental property. SOUTH FAIRMOUNT 2486 Seegar Ave is supposed to be razed. Condemned for years, it was declared a public nuisance in May 2006. Throughout that time it has had multiple owners who have tried to evade the City. The building lacked almost everything that makes a building a building, except for four walls and a roof. Intent to Raze came in August 2006. I believe they are now doing asbestos abatement. (House built in 1891.) More of South Fairmount dies. WALNUT HILLS 2226 Park Ave is getting some work done on it. I have seen some porch work and work on the front stairs. Round-up: Metro ANDERSON TWP The Anderson Township Zoning Commission will be holding a public hearing on November 27, 2006 regarding a final development plan for Beechwood Terrace, an 87-bed skilled nursing facility to be located at the corner of Mt. Carmel and Beechwood roads. The applicant, Clint Baggette of Harrel PPB, LLC, proposes a 64,750-square-foot building on 5.41 acres. BROWN COUNTY Forum set for Brown County Thoroughfare Plan Hillsboro Times-Gazette, 11/22/06 Following the study and development of a transportation plan for Brown County, the Ohio Department of Transportation will host a public meeting to present the findings of the Brown County Thoroughfare Plan. The public meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Gaslight Theater in Georgetown, 301 S. Main St. The purpose of the meeting is to share the results of the study and present recommendations to the local community. "The Brown County Thoroughfare Plan is a study of the existing transportation network and the potential future needs of the area," said Todd Long, ODOT District 9 planning administrator. "It is important to note that while we have the outcome of the study and recommendations for Brown County, we do not have any specific highway projects slated as a result of the study." Initiated in March of this year, the Brown County Thoroughfare Plan assesses long-term transportation needs, and it involves an analysis of safety and congestion issues on the state and federal highway system, as well as land use and growth in the county and regional connectivity with the city of Cincinnati and the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The recommendations in this plan were made based on input from a variety of sources, including advice from a stakeholder committee comprised of elected officials, local government representatives and major employers. The plan also comprises suggestions from comments received during a public meeting held in May and public survey responses. BROWN COUNTY Sterling Twp.:Land Use Plan draws criticism, praise Georgetown News Democrat, 11/26/06 The subject of land zoning, commonly referred to locally as the "z" word, for residents in many parts of Brown County is one preferably avoided. But there is one township in the county that has been looking very closely into the adoption of a Land Use Plan, which tends to be more lenient than zoning. On Nov. 16, 45 people crowded into Bloomrose Church in Sterling Township to voice their opinions on the township trustees plans to adopt a Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The process would involve the creation of a Land Use Plan Guide, which designates specific areas of the township for specific use, as well as other things. The Sterling Township trustees welcomed John E. "Jack" Pflum, vice president of Edwards and Kelcey of Cincinnati, to share his knowledge of a Land Use Plan with concerned Sterling Township residents. Edwards and Kelcey specializes in engineering, architectural, planning and construction. According to Pflum, making changes to a Land Use Plan can be a simpler process than making changes to zoning plan. COLERAIN TWP Sidewalk variances requested for two Colerain Township projects Northwest Press, 11/15/06 Colerain Township trustees had two different requests to participate in the new sidewalk variance program this week. The new program allows developers with sidewalks that are difficult to install or don't connect to other sidewalks to pay into a sidewalk fund in lieu of building sidewalks that would be impractical to install or not used by pedestrians because of their location or isolation from other sidewalks. The money in the sidewalk fund will build and maintain sidewalks in areas of the township that need them. The new SuperAmerica at Springdale and Pippin roads, wants a waiver for sidewalks along the Pippin Road side of the project. Zac Snyder, project manager for Marathon Oil, asked the board to allow participation in the program. COVINGTON 401 E 16th St has been rehabbed. This is a 5-unit building. COVINGTON OFFICE BUILDING GOING UP AT MORE CENTRE Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/26/06 Paul Hemmer Cos. plans to build a medical and professional building on a 9-acre site on Chancellor Drive at the Thomas More Centre. The $8 million project, to be called Chancellor Commons Building C, will be about 45,000 square feet and designed for doctors, lawyers, accountants and other professional services clients. Two existing buildings in the Chancellor Commons development total nearly 90,000 square feet and are almost fully occupied, said Jack Levermann, vice president of real estate and development at Paul Hemmer. He said the new building will allow the company to fill a demand for medical and professional office space at its 160-acre Thomas More Centre office park. Construction is to be completed by spring 2008. DELHI TWP Weather derails skate park completion Delhi Press, 11/22/06 If the weather cooperates, the new skate park at Delhi Township Park should be ready to roll next month. Taking over the old tennis courts adjacent the concession stand in the park, the skate facility has been delayed because of rain. "Rain and mud have been our biggest problems," said Jeremy Stump of Suburban Rails, the company building the park. Work started in October and was scheduled to be finished by now. "If it continues to be nice, weatherwise, we should be finished by mid December," Stump said. FOREST PARK City takes steps toward redevelopment Hilltop Press, 11/22/06 City officials are in the midst of a community assessment that could lead to redevelopment projects throughout Forest Park for years to come. The city's strategic redevelopment assessment began in August with Property Advisors Real Estate Consulting Co. conducting a residential market study to determine areas in which the city could focus on redeveloping. The market study is the first of five phases to be completed before the city begins redevelopment. Phase one is the market study, completed in early November. Consultants looked at the overall community and identified areas, niches and opportunities throughout the city. City Manager Ray Hodges said city council is looking at 12 locations as targets for community redevelopment. He said the city would choose a site based on which of the 12 would provide the greatest financial and quality of life return as well as which one would benefit most from the involvement of local government. "We're looking at those areas that may need an extra boost," he said. Phase two involves strategic planning. Community Development Director Chris Anderson said that by the end of this step, the council should know which city property will be developed. Hodges said phase two will narrow the city's focus, with the consultants helping to determine what redevelopment project would go best with each property. HAMILTON TWP Ball fields will get renovated, renamed Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/26/06 Hamilton Township's ball fields will be renovated and renamed in honor of Kevin Barnhill, a Little Miami High School graduate who was stabbed to death this summer. As a youth, Barnhill played Knothole, soccer and baseball at Testerman Park. Now, the Warren County Community Foundation and the Reds Community Fund are teaming up through the Kevin C. Barnhill Memorial Scholarship Fund to give the park a face lift. The six major baseball fields will be resurfaced and a "championship field" will be built and named the Kevin C. Barnhill Memorial Field. Renovations are being funded by the Reds and are expected to be completed by the beginning of the baseball season in 2007. The community will seek donations to develop the championship field. LOCKLAND 714 Walnut St has been renovated and updated. This is now a clean and safe affordable housing option. MT HEALTHY Not too noteworthy, but it is near me--7414 Hickman St has owners. I think the house, built around 1865, has been vacant for a couple of years. The new owners also bought another house just down the street in July. Like I said, it's not noteworthy but I do like the house. NEWPORT The Campbell County Development Board is accepting proposals to renovate and to add an annex to the County Court House. Proposals are being accepted until November 28. 2006. NEW RICHMOND Historic Rogers home being restored in New Richmond Clermont Sun, 11/24/06 The historically significant Rogers riverfront home in New Richmond is being restored. Purchased and saved from demolition in September by New Richmond native and economic development expert Robert Lees, the restoration has been underway for the past 60 days. "I was born and raised only a couple of houses up the street from the old Roger's house," said Lees. "As a child, my friends and I would play along the riverbank behind the home. I have bought the property and am saving the home not only for nostalgic reasons, but because it represents a vibrant part of New Richmond's history." Lees has hired S&K Contractors to renovate the building as close to its original condition as possible. "There is not much that you can save in an old building like this, but we are doing our best to restore it and keep it as close to the original condition as we possibly can," said S&K site foreman Glen Hampton. "We will have to of course modernize it, but our goal is to keep as much of the historical feel as possible." NEW RICHMOND New Richmond pursues development Clermont Sun, 11/24/06 "New Richmond is ready to explode, it only needs the right fuse to ignite it." These were the words spoken by New Richmond resident, councilman, and former mayor Nick Wolf at the village's third economic development meeting Nov. 18. For six months, village residents have been formulating plans to locate that fuse and revitalize the village with an explosive economic development plan. In July, the initiative kicked off with a public meeting; the newly-formed economic development steering committee introduced the project and solicited ideas and suggestions from the public at that time. The second phase of the initiative was to have those concerned residents (some 30 in all) volunteer and sign up for seven areas of public interest and expertise.

Pavilion center closer to being built Target, Home Depot will be going up west of I-471 BY SCOTT WARTMAN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER The Newport City Commission unanimously approved a measure Monday that will allow the city manager and mayor to finish the development agreement for the Newport Pavilion shopping center. It also paves the way for the city to sell the property so development can start. The city and developer Bear Creek Capital LLC still have to sign the agreement and close on the property. The city must close by Nov. 30. Otherwise it will have to reissue $12.1 million in bonds, a move that would have significant costs. With the commission's approval of the development agreement, City Manager Tom Fromme is confident the sale will happen before the deadline. Read full article here: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061114/NEWS0103/611140378

Target plans 'upscale' look 'Higher-class store' good for Fort Thomas, neighbor says BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF REPORTER Fort Thomas resident Joe Schwerling is glad Target and Home Depot plan to be anchor tenants of the proposed Newport Pavilion, because that will give people living in his city more shopping options. "For Fort Thomas, we've got a Lowe's (home-improvement store) in Highland Heights, so this would be the next closest, and would have a different option, with Home Depot," said Schwerling, 60, a retired bank examiner. He also looks forward to having another grocery store nearby. Images released by Newport of the stores' proposed façades feature lots of brick on the Target and connected stores, for a more upscale look than at developer Bear Creek Capital's recent shopping center in Crescent Springs near Interstate 71/75 and Buttermilk Pike. A proposed layout shows a 127,000-square-foot Target and a 116,000-square-foot grocery store (Kroger Marketplace has been mentioned), wrapping slightly around Wiedemann Hill to their west and connected by three smaller retail spaces of no more than about 27,000 square feet apiece. Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061112/NEWS0103/611120378/1077/COL02

From the 11/1/06 News Leader: Developer: $2 billion in business possible from stadium project Officials waiting for promised financial study by Eric Marotta Editor Twinsburg - A proposed Major League Soccer stadium and accompanying retail development could bring up to $2 billion in economic activity to the area, according to Paul Garofolo, president of the Wolstein Sports and Entertainment Group. But local officials say they want to see hard numbers before they will play ball. Garofolo made the claim and detailed plans for the project before a crowd of about two dozen who attended a meeting at Twinsburg City Hall Oct. 25 hosted by County District 1 Councilman Nick Kostandaras. More: http://www.the-news-leader.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/11012006/news/&file=_news1.txt&article=1&tD=11012006

From the 11/2/06 Stow Sentry: Dam project progress cause for celebration by Kristin Casale Reporter Munroe Falls - Despite periodic rain and chilly temperatures, approximately 50 people turned out to celebrate the restoration of the Cuyahoga River during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 27. Sponsored by Summit County, the ceremony included remarks from Munroe Falls Mayor Frank Larson and Summit County Executive James McCarthy, a tree planting to commemorate the approaching completion of the Munroe Falls Dam Project and music from members of the Stow-Munroe Falls High School Marching Band to mark the occasion. Summit County removed the dam last fall as part of a $2.68 million project designed to improve the water quality of the river. More at http://www.stowsentry.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/11022006/news/&file=_news3.txt&article=1&tD=11022006

From the 11/7/06 Springfield News-Sun: Clark wins U.S. funds for farmland protection By Ben Sutherly Staff Writer Tuesday, November 07, 2006 SPRINGFIELD Clark County will receive $36,000 in federal funding to pilot a farmland protection project with potential statewide implications. The project will involve locating and creating a long-term funding source to protect 10,000 more acres of county farmland, said Krista Magaw of the Tecumseh Land Trust, which already holds the development rights to more than 5,800 acres in Clark County and is a partner in the project. In terms of protected acreage, the county is "ahead of everyplace in the state so far," Magaw said. The project should streamline the process of applying for state farmland preservation funds, said county commissioner John Detrick. ...... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/06/ddn110706farmland.html

From the 11/24/06 Middletown Journal: AK: Union keeps moving target By Dave Greber Staff Writer Friday, November 24, 2006 There are two issues remaining on the bargaining table that are perpetuating the nine-month lockout between AK Steel and its hourly work force, a union official said Wednesday. Since the first "final" company proposal was rejected by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 on Sept. 25, local and international union officials have said AK Steel's offers regarding contracting-out work and the plan to return employees to the Middletown mill are unfair. However, company officials have said the issues keeping the lockout going between the two sides are a moving target because the union's demands continue to change. "Their one issue has been 12 issues," said AK spokesman Alan McCoy. "It just depends on what day it is." Machinists Local 1943 President Brian Daley disagrees. "If we got these issues resolved, this thing would be over," he said. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/24/mj112406unioncompare.html

From the 11/23/06 Middletown Journal: AK, union agree to arrange talks Company claims union wasn't prepared for bargaining this week while union spokesman says holiday and time conflicts caused delay. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, November 23, 2006 MIDDLETOWN — AK Steel Corp. and its locked-out hourly work force have agreed to return to the bargaining table next week after the union allegedly wasn't prepared for negotiations this week, a company official said Wednesday. However, a spokesman for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 said delaying negotiations until next week was not a matter of preparedness, but the approaching holiday and time conflicts with negotiators. "It wasn't a matter of not being prepared," said Machinists spokesman Jim Tyler, adding that the negotiating team was dealing with illness and the death of a relative. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/22/mj112306ak.html