buildingcincinnati

Funding OK'd for purchase of forestland KRISTIN HEINICHEN Messenger staff writer The final piece of funding has been granted to allow a local organization to permanently protect 1,205 acres in Trimble Twp. Appalachia Ohio Alliance was granted $300,000 for the purchase of the forestland through an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant. Sen. Joy Padgett announced Tuesday that the State Controlling Board approved the release of funds -- which, coupled with a Clean Ohio grant, will allow the alliance to purchase the land for $1.2 million. "One thing that makes our region so special is the wealth and diversity of our natural resources, and we must work to protect these areas for future generations," Padgett said. "They not only offer Ohioans tremendous recreational opportunity, pumping thousands of dollars into the local economy each year, but these areas have excellent research potential as well." Read full article here: http://athensmessenger.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&ArticleID=3152

From the 4/9/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Union Institute leases back larger of 2 buildings School to stay in Walnut Hills as smaller remains for sale Cincinnati Business Courier - April 6, 2007 by Laura Baverman Staff Reporter A private university known for its criminal justice degrees has chosen to stay in Walnut Hills, despite the sale of one of its historic buildings. Union Institute announced in July that it would sell its two East McMillan Street buildings and seek smaller administrative and classroom space inside the Interstate 275 loop. But negotiations with a private investment group have allowed the school to sell and then lease back the larger of the two buildings. The 55,000-square-foot building sold for its asking price of $3.95 million on April 2. Union will lease it for 10 years... http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/04/09/story7.html

From Business First of Columbus, 4/9/07: GM hoping changes on field, office help Crew in stands, bottom line Business First of Columbus - April 6, 2007 by Jeff Bell Business First Columbus Crew General Manager Mark McCullers thinks the soccer club is headed for improvement on and off the field when it opens a new season April 7 at Crew Stadium against the New York Red Bulls. Read more: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/04/09/story12.html

New retail space to decline, but that's good news By Lisa Biank Fasig - Cincinnati Business Courier An added 10,400 area jobs, combined with a decline in new retail space, will translate to a 3.7 percent gain in Cincinnati-area retail sales, according to research by one national real estate firm. That would compare with a 3.1 percent increase in sales in 2006, the smallest gain in three years, according to a report by Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services. The reason: an improved economy and a pullback in new retail centers. Marcus & Millichap predicts developers will add 1.4 million square feet of retail space in 2007, down from 1.6 million square feet in 2006 and 2 million square feet in 2005. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/07/16/newscolumn2.html

I'm still amazed that they want to add MORE commercial space and they haven't yet sold any in their current development.

Also posted in the Dayton restaurants thread. From the 7/16/07 Dayton Business Journal: Miller Lane development lands tenants Dayton Business Journal - July 13, 2007 by Yvonne Teems DBJ Staff Reporter There's no slowdown in sight for new development on Miller Lane in Butler Township. Singer Properties -- the Dayton-based developer of much of the area -- has built a 20,000-square-foot retail center that will house a half dozen new tenants, potentially including the second location for The Dublin Pub, a popular Irish bar in the Oregon District. The retail center is part of Singer's York Commons, a 100-acre commercial district home to Wal-Mart Super Center, Office Depot, and Olive Garden, among many others, set right off Interstate 75, near Interstate 70. Most recently, a New Orleans Bistro opened there mid-July. The new building on York Commons Boulevard has several tenants committed to the space, said Alex Kolodesh of Singer Properties and Kolodesh Development: * Cork-N-Vine, a locally owned wine retail shop and wine bar, will open its second location in a 4,000-square-foot space in about two months; * Petland, a national pet store retail chain, will open in a 6,800-square-foot space in about two months; * Cincinnati Bell plans to open a shop in a 1,500-square-foot space; and * GameStop, a national video game retail chain, opened in a 1,600-square-foot space in July. MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/07/16/story3.html From the 7/16/07 Springfield News-Sun: Springfield High coming into focus Construction is on schedule. About 8 to 10 precast concrete walls are going up each day, project leader says. By Lucas Sullivan Staff Writer Monday, July 16, 2007 There's now a face to put with the name. Workers started putting the outside walls on the new Springfield High School this week as the skeleton structure is showing what its completed appearance will look like. At least on the outside. Construction is progressing on schedule, said Steve Midgley, the project's superintendent for Ruscilli/Kapp Construction. The precast concrete outside walls have been going up in the back of the school since July 9, providing the backdrop for the classrooms. "We are getting about 8 to 10 done a day," he said. "It's something we've been waiting to see for awhile. It's one of those things that shows we are starting to make very good progress." The fabricated walls — complete with layers of insulation over concrete — come as one solid piece from a concrete pourer near Cleveland and take about an hour to anchor, Midgley said. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/07/15/sns071607skulupdate.html

From the 7/16/07 Enquirer: CPS budget: Little margin for error BY BEN FISCHER | [email protected] Cincinnati Public Schools starts its third straight academic year in August with less money to spend than the year before. Holding the line has been no small feat for the district. The steady, painful drumbeat of teacher layoffs, school closings and spending cuts has lasted for Rosa Blackwell’s entire 27-month reign as superintendent. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070716/NEWS01/307160023/

From the 7/13/07 Oxford Press: Oxford Planning Commission tables proposed project Campus Ave. development would include 22 duplexes, Rose Ave. extension. By Sean Strader Staff Writer Friday, July 13, 2007 Planning commission put a temporary hold on a potential development between South Poplar Street and South Campus Avenue that would include 22 duplex lots and one single-family lot. The proposed subdivision would be built on six acres of greenspace, owned by the Paul W. Baer Trust, behind Campus Courts Apartments, Faith Lutheran Church and Delta Sigma Pi's fraternity headquarters. Planning denied a proposed planned unit development of townhouses on the property in January for density and zoning issues. The plan would connect dead-end Rose Avenue to Campus and create cul-de-sac extensions of Linden Drive, Wooster Place and Bern Street within the property. Planning voted unanimously to table the issue until their Aug. 14 meeting while they consulted the city engineering department, which recommended widening the narrow South Poplar Street and connecting it to Rose Ave. The current plan would not change South Poplar except for improving the intersections. Several local residents spoke against widening Poplar Street and argued for preservation of the trees and greenspace. "The connection of Wooster Lane and South Poplar Street would destroy the natural beauty of the area and destroy the oldest and largest Elm tree we have," said Dorothy Varchol. MORE: http://www.oxfordpress.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/07/11/op071307planning.html Family Video coming to Westwood Building Cincinnati, 7/11/07 A Family Video store is coming to the corner of Werk and Glenmore. Construction will require the demolition of the vacant Humbert's Meats retail structure* and a single-family home built around 1880. Family Video currently operates over 450 stores in 14 states. Local stores include College Hill, Fairfield and Hamilton. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW (looking west) GOOGLE AERIAL MAP * Humbert's Quality Meats continues to operate at locations in Bridgetown and in Delhi. http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/07/family-video-coming-to-westwood.html Land annexed; road concern persists Wilmington News Journal, 7/16/07 In the final step of the annexation process, Wilmington City Council voted 5-2 Thursday to annex 110 acres of farmland north of town. The tract, owned by Wilmington vehicle dealer Bill Marine, is proposed as a site for a residential development. The property is at the Prairie Avenue end of Lowe's Drive. One of the two council members who voted against annexation, Scott Kirchner, proposed two things following the clinching roll call vote. He wants council to ask the City Planning Commission to treat the entire parcel as a Planned Development 1 (PD 1) zone. Kirchner believes this would better protect the corridor for a planned road in the development. Kirchner also wants city council to ask the city law director to draft a written opinion addressing the question to what extent public officials should participate in property-related issues when an official has an ownership or vested interest. The second request stems from Kirchner's wish the issue be clarified in light of Wilmington Mayor David Raizk's position as chairman of the City Planning Commission plus the circumstance of the newly annexed land being owned by Raizk's employer, Bill Marine.

From the 7/16/07 Blade: Downtown arena to focus on green Commissioners see energy savings need By LAREN WEBER BLADE STAFF WRITER Rising energy costs are driving the nationwide trend to build "green," and the Lucas County commissioners have joined the effort to build anenvironmentally friendly multipurpose arena. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070716/NEWS16/707160327/-1/RSS10

Both from the 7/13/07 Ashtabula Star Beacon: KSUA to break ground on new $15 million Health and Science Building on Tuesday Star Beacon ASHTABULA - - In answering needs to a growing concern for Northeast Ohio, Kent State University-Ashtabula will break ground on it's new $15 million Health and Science Building Tuesday... http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_194122334 Kiwanis donates to KSUA's new health science building LISA DAVIS Star Beacon ASHTABULA - - Kent State University-Ashtabula is taking baby steps toward it's goal of raising $1.6 million with the Kiwanis Club of Ashtabula's recent donation... http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_194172328

From the 7/16/07 Athens News: City asks judge to toss latest lawsuit aimed at Coates Run Monday, July 16th, 2007 The city of Athens has asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit by a south-side couple, which seeks to raise a regulatory hurdle for a large student apartment complex planned for a site off Richland Avenue. Don and Joyce Lambert of Greenbriar Drive filed their complaint in Athens County Common Pleas Court June 18, seeking a declaratory judgment that the city has to treat the Summit at Coates Run project as a planned unit development. This would mean that the project has to get City Council approval before it can proceed, from a council that has already raised questions about the plans. Currently, the city is treating the apartment block as a single building, which skirts the need for council to review and vote on it. The Summit at Coates Run is being developed by Edwards Communities of Columbus. Plans call for a 242-apartment block, with beds for more than 870 tenants, and more than 335,000 square feet of space. Read more at http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=28791

From the 7/16/07 Dispatch: AGING MUNICIPAL COURT City vies for deed to S. High building $7.7 million in repairs offered if county gives up ownership Monday, July 16, 2007 3:30 AM By Robert Vitale THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The drafty, leaky, too-hot, too-cold Franklin County Municipal Court building is in for a multimillion-dollar makeover. Columbus plans to spend up to $7.7 million over the next five years to fix problems in the 28-year-old S. High Street building, a source of friction between city and county officials for years. However, in exchange for pumping so much money into the Franklin County-owned building, Columbus wants the deed. The county borrowed money to construct the building in the 1970s, but the city's lease covers 85 percent of the payments. More at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/07/16/municourt.ART_ART_07-16-07_B1_RL79RR8.html

From Business First of Columbus, 7/16/07: Smoking ban proponents look to Marysville park rule as model Business First of Columbus - July 13, 2007 by Cindy Bent Findlay For Business First The statewide ban on smoking in indoor workplaces and public spaces passed by voters in November exempts outdoor spaces such as restaurant patios. But as the Smoke Free Workplace Act in Ohio settles in, municipalities around the state are beginning to think about further smoking restrictions - in certain outdoor public places. In November, the Marysville Parks and Recreation Department banned smoking in Eljer Park, a 25-acre park with playgrounds, ball fields, picnic areas and walking trails. Read more: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/07/16/focus6.html

From Business First of Columbus, 7/16/07: Parts maker eyes Delaware city for 2nd plant Business First of Columbus - July 13, 2007 by Brian R. Ball Business First A maker of aftermarket bus parts has tentative plans to build a second production plant in the city of Delaware. North American Business Industries Inc. has been offered a 50 percent real property tax abatement for 15 years to entice it to build a 215,000-square-foot facility that would employ 45 workers. The value of the tax break, which was approved July 9 by the city, is valued at $1.4 million over the term of the incentive. Under a development plan approved earlier, CenterPoint Development LLC could expand the complex to 350,000 square feet. Gus Comstock, the city's economic development coordinator, welcomed North American Business Industries' proposal to double its employment and build a second plant in the city within six years. An expansion, he said, "is the best economic development project there is." MORE: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/07/16/story7.html

From the 7/16/07 PD: Cleveland homicides on track to top 2006's 119 Bloody Sunday: 3 people slain Monday, July 16, 2007 Jesse Tinsley Plain Dealer Reporter Cleveland is on track for another record-setting deadly year, after a bloody weekend pushed the city's unofficial homicide total to 71. If slayings continue at this rate, more than 130 people will have died violently by year's end - beating last year's 119 homicides. Three people were killed early Sunday morning in unrelated shootings, and another person is being treated at MetroHealth Medical Center for stab and gunshot wounds. ... To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-4889[/i] http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1184574773124870.xml&coll=2

From the 7/16/07 Hamilton JournalNews: Trustee: 'Loop road' would contribute to spawl in township Oxford City Council to hear first reading of plan Tuesday. By Sean Strader Staff Writer Monday, July 16, 2007 OXFORD — With the controversial thoroughfare plan on its way to Oxford City Council, a number of issues with the plan were raised at a joint work session between the council and the Oxford Twp. Trustees. The two governing bodies met before the council is set to hear first reading of an ordinance to adopt the plan Tuesday. Trustee Larry Frimerman said that while the trustees supported Oxford having a plan for future roadways, there were concerns with a "loop road" that extended into the township. The west side connector would potentially link U.S. 27 from south of town to College Corner Pike, connecting from there to Brown Road. "We believe it actually would contribute to sprawl," Frimerman said. "It has set off a lot of unwarranted fears about what may be coming down the road." Frimerman urged the council to table that part of the plan and engage in more discussion about other options while the city and township work on their comprehensive plans. "Delay consideration of the loop road until we go through our planning process and can work through whatever issues we have," Frimerman said. "Have your first phase be within Oxford and the next phase be within the areas that connect up." Vice Mayor Prue Dana said the council would discuss these proposals Tuesday and possibly come up with "a mutual time frame" to deal with the contentious parts of the plan. However, Councilman Dave Prows said taking links off the west side connector would not make sense from a planning perspective. "I would ask how one would incorporate one key parcel of ground and only plan for that parcel of road and then stop," Prows said. "Without this plan ... when annexations come we cannot express our desire as to where to put the roads." Trustee Gary Salmon said that many township residents also were alarmed because the plan indicated the road corridors as lines of dots that, in some cases bisected properties. "When they saw the lines on the maps, it was a reaction where they thought the bulldozers were coming next week ... but not all of these are going to be built." Councilman Ken Bogard said that population projections showed that some growth may be coming to Oxford in the next 20 years, so planning for areas that might be developed soon is crucial. "We need to get away from the concept of 'not in my backyard,' " Bogard said. "We have to look at it from the perspective of the entire region." Councilman Alan Kyger said it troubled him when the west side connector is referred to as a "bypass" because it would be built for providing access to developments if the city limits expand in the future, Kyger said. "At one point, Locust Street and Sycamore Street were our bypasses," Kyger said. "It's a way to get from one side of town to the other side of town." Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or [email protected]. http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/07/15/hjn071607trustees.html From the 7/15/07 Enquirer: FAIRFIELD TWP. BRIDGEWATER FALLS GAINS CLOTHIER, COPIER Two new tenants have signed leases to move into the Bridgewater Falls Shopping Center along Ohio 129. The tenants are Boutique Allie and FedEx Kinko's, says Sue Walkenhorst, the center's general manager. She says Boutique Allie, a ladies' clothing store, plans to lease 2,394 square feet and open by October. Walkenhorst says FedEx Kinko's, the printing, copying and binding services company, plans to lease 2,000 square feet and is expected to open by August. She says Bridgewater Falls is about 85 percent occupied with 33 retailers and restaurants. Another seven tenants are expected to open within two months. Contact: 513-895-6800. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070715/BIZ01/707150344/

Link contains a photo. From the 7/16/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Packages, partnerships fusing region's tourism rep RTN is keying on events that attract out-of-towners Cincinnati Business Courier - July 13, 2007 by Lucy May Senior Staff Reporter Cincinnati Museum Center CEO Douglass McDonald had a secret weapon when trying to land the world premiere of National Geographic's "Real Pirates" exhibit: the Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network. The network, known as the RTN, promised to invest in promoting "Real Pirates" in surrounding markets to draw visitors from Indianapolis, Lexington, Dayton and points beyond. That was critical in convincing National Geographic and Arts and Exhibitions International LLC to open the exhibit here, McDonald said. In addition to helping the Museum Center promote "Real Pirates," the RTN has teamed up with the Cincinnati Reds to try to bring out-of-town fans back to Cincinnati to catch a game and visit other attractions while they're here. Those efforts resulted in selling 887 tickets in its first three weeks, said RTN President Sean Rugless. Overall, weekend hotel occupancy is up nearly 5 percent through the first four months of the year, according to data compiled for the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau and the RTN. Full article at http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/07/16/story9.html

From the 7/15/07 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Megabus offers cheap trips around the Midwest By NIKKI G. BANNISTER The Eagle-Gazette Staff COLUMBUS - Intercity bus company Megabus is reaching out to central Ohio for a second time, offering cheap service with faster travel times throughout Midwestern cities. "I think it's about time," said Joni Goldberg, of Blacklick. "With the gas prices the way they are, the ordinary person would be able to travel." Megabus began in April 2006 and initially had service from Columbus. However, executives did not see a demand from central Ohio as its other bus stops, so Megabus discontinued service. A recent jump in interest prompted the bus company to start service again from Columbus this past April. According to Megabus executives, starting the Columbus service again was a good move. "Within the first eight weeks, we didn't see the demand that we saw in the rest of the cities," said Dale Moser, president and chief operating officer of Megabus. "It wasn't until after we discontinued the service that we began seeing more inquiries. We heard enough outcry to revamp it and put more marketing dollars into it." MORE: http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070715/NEWS01/707150312/1002/rss01

From the 7/15/07 Lorain Morning Journal: I-90 exit study worries Avon officials ALEX M. PARKER, Morning Journal Writer 07/15/2007 AVON -- Avon Mayor Jim Smith said he disagrees with some of the assumptions underlying a report which estimates how much growth the proposed Nagel Road Interstate 90 interchange would cause -- claiming it overestimates how much growth the gate would cause. Smith said the report, the second ''Progress Report'' of an economic assessment submitted to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, overestimates the impact the interchange will have. The full report will be completed in September, when the NOACA board is expected to vote on whether to approve the project. Avon officials hope to break ground sometime in 2008. More at http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18588588&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6

From the 7/11/07 Tipp City Herald: Planning board approves Eidemiller rezoning request By MIKE KELLY Managing Editor The Tipp City Planning Board gave their approval Tuesday night to rezone a 75 acre tract of land into a 68 acre tract Planned Residential and the remainder Planned Commercial. The entire site located along W. Kessler-Cowlesvill Road, know as the Eidemiller property, is now zoned Industrial. The developer of the site, David Burig, of H.D. Living intends to build "active adult" or luxury condos. Initial plans call for 20 pods consisting of four condos each. "We are targeting the units for empty nesters and baby boomers," Burig said. Burig presented a similar plan before council, in May, which received a lukewarm reception by city council. In a special meeting last month with council and planning board members, Burig presented the new version of the plan. Planning Board member Mark Springer said he was against the plan in the beginning because of what might be built in the commercial part of the site. Burig stated they will not be building anything that would be included in a Highway Service zoning including drive through, car washes, bars, auto repair, etc., which are now allowed. Instead he said the tenants would be more along the lines of professional office buildings, medical facilities, light research and development firms, churches, etc. MORE: http://www.tcnewsnet.com/main.asp?SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=144547&TM=52096 Red Cross to expand Xenia emergency housing facility Xenia Daily Gazette, 7/13/07 The Greene County Emergency Housing Program will break ground later this year on a new transitional housing wing thanks to two grants -- one public, one private -- totaling more than $750,000. The program, a part of the Dayton-area chapter of the American Red Cross, moved into its current building in 1990 and has been short on space from day one, said Marlene Elliott, advisory board chair. The combined grants will pay for a new seven-unit transitional housing wing built next to the current six-unit emergency housing wing at 1080 E. Main St., which also houses the program's office. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency approved $428,500 for the project -- about $90,000 more than was requested -- from its Housing Development Assistance Program. The private grant of $334,125 came from an affordable housing program of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati.

Zenobia renovations to delay charter school's move-in plans Toledo Blade, 7/5/07 The controversy stirred up last month over plans for a charter school company to take over and run a school at the former home of the Zenobia Shrine since 1949 seems to have been for nothing - at least until next year. Imagine Schools of Arlington, Va., had planned to open The Magnet School of Math, Science, and Technology at the Shriners former building but will instead occupy the closed St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic school at 1030 Clay Avenue. City Council last month voted 9-2 to override Mayor Carty Finkbeiner's veto to allow Imagine Schools to buy 1517 Madison Ave. and convert it to a charter school. Shriners said they had lost members and no longer could afford to maintain the building. The permit initially passed, 8-4, one vote short of a veto-proof majority.

Corbly townhomes get go-ahead Building Cincinnati, 7/11/07 Cincinnati City Council unanimously approved a rezoning for 14 townhomes on Corbly Road in Mount Washington. The developer, Tanner Custom Homes, estimated that sewer hookups at the site could support a total of 14 units. They had originally planned only 12 units on the 1.76-acre site. The zoning change from SF-6 to SF-4 Single-Family allows for the development to meet minimum lot size requirements*. Refusal of the rezoning would have resulted in the planned 12 units being built. No date for construction has been set. Site plan: Click to enlarge * For an explanation of the math and of the differences between the zoning classifications, please see this post and check within the comments: Building Cincinnati: EDC to consider rezoning for Mount Washington townhomes (6/13/07) http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/07/corbly-townhomes-get-go-ahead.html Price Hill: 1215 Rutledge Avenue Building Cincinnati, 7/10/07 Kevin Murray is rehabbing the apartments of this long-vacant, blighted building. The building was purchased for $108,000 in May. As recently as 2005, the four-family house was a hotbed of drug activity. The building was in disrepair and animals had made a home there. People used it as a toilet. It was built in 1929. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW (looking west) GOOGLE AERIAL MAP (left of arrow) http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/07/price-hill-1215-rutledge-avenue.html City Council to vote on property sale, zoning Cincinnati Enquirer, 7/15/07 Erlanger City Council is expected to vote next month on a zoning amendment and the sale of a one-acre tract of city property that could allow for an expansion at Silverlake Family Recreation Center. Owners of the center approached Erlanger officials in May and inquired about the purchase of an acre of property located within the city-owned Silverlake Park, according to Economic Development Director David Hahn. "From what we understand, they're looking into possibly expanding and adding an outdoor pool area ... and (the property) is needed," Hahn said. "That area is not currently being used as part of the park and selling it won't affect the playing fields or playground areas at Silverlake Park." Silverlake Park, on Division Avenue, is one of 10 parks in Erlanger. In order for the center to expand, Hahn said, city council would also have to approve a zoning text amendment for the property to allow for an outdoor pool and recreation area. Work progressing at Panther complex Price Hill Press, 7/13/07 Student athletes at Elder High School should be able to use the new Panther Athletic Complex in spring 2008. A purple-roofed building that will house concessions, a ticket office, restrooms, storage, batting cages and golf range is nearly completed, and five tennis courts are scheduled to be finished by the end of summer. The private organization formed by seven Elder alumni to fund the 50-acre complex off Quebec Road should select a general contractor to build the baseball stadium by the end of this month, and construction will begin soon after. Tennis and baseball teams will start using the complex next spring, and the practice fields for all sports, including football, soccer and lacrosse, are also scheduled to be ready for use in 2008. "We're pretty excited about it," said Steve Asman, a 1976 Elder grad who is chairing the annual Panther Athletic Complex Golf Outing, a July 30 event that raises money for the estimated $3.5 million project. Muchmore Park gets much-needed updates Eastern Hills Journal, 7/13/07 Muchmore Park isn't much more than a slice of childhood paradise nestled on the Madeira and Columbia Township border, but recent improvements have made it a safer and more inviting, according to township officials. "We were concerned about the age and risk factors with the old equipment," Columbia Township Administrator C. Michael Lemon said. "Our insurance company risk management officer made the suggestion to us that we should update the existing equipment, which the trustees approved." The park's overhaul is slated to be complete by Tuesday, July 17, but could run slightly over schedule, Road Superintendent John Servizzi said. Although the park hadn't experienced any known injuries due to faulty or dangerous equipment, township officials and insurance agents agreed preemptive measures would be prudent. "The park would have already been done but some parts came in wrong and one of the new spring riders is not in from the factory yet," said Servizzi. "We have cleaned it up significantly and added new trash receptacles. Last year we added 16 tons of gravel to the fall zones for cushioning." Voters may force Montgomery to buy park land Northeast Suburban Life, 7/12/07 Council is anticipating an issue on the November ballot that would require the city to buy 10 acres for a nature preserve. A group of residents are circulating a petition, which needs a minimum of 525 signatures, to get the issue on the ballot. The residents oppose development of 13 homes and an access road on the acreage between Hopewell and Schoolhouse roads. Council has requested Hamilton County Auditor's Office to report the amount of money three different property tax levies would generate: .75 mills, 1 mill and 1.25 mills. The city doesn't have funds to build a park, Councilman Todd Steinbrink wrote in a July 4 guest column in The Northeast Suburban Life. Improved facades give Fort Thomas a new look Fort Thomas Recorder, 7/12/07 Parts of Fort Thomas are looking pretty different these days. From new signs and decorations to fresh coats of paint, seven businesses in the city's Midway and Renaissance districts have spent the past year making improvements to their exterior facades. Part of the improvements were funded by a $150,000 Renaissance on Main Facade Grant the city received in March 2006. Renaissance Manager Debbie Buckley said there are only some odds and ends to finish up before all the facade improvements are complete. "The grant was basically to help reinvigorate the city's downtowns through beautification," Buckley said. "It certainly drew everyone's attention to the buildings while they were being worked on."

From the 7/14/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Oakhill payment held up by judge The county tried 'to make an end run around' the trial court, the landlord says. By PETER H. MILLIKEN VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — A visiting judge has issued a temporary restraining order barring the Mahoning County commissioners and county Auditor Michael Sciortino from issuing a $75,000 check for the county's purchase of Oakhill Renaissance Place. Judge Richard M. Markus orally issued the order, which remains in effect for 14 days, during a Friday telephone conference with county Prosecutor Paul Gains; Thomas Anastos, a lawyer representing Ohio Valley Mall Co.; and Atty. John B. Juhasz, who represents Sciortino. Gains confirmed that the judge issued the order in the late afternoon teleconference. http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/302096092701414.php Schools had support across town Warren Tribune Chronicle, 7/15/07 The Warren City School District’s recent announcement that declining enrollment figures require a change in the construction plan for the remaining K-8 schools has divided the district geographically, with west side residents saying they are getting the short end of the stick. Over the last month, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held a picket in front of the Board of Education offices and a rally in Courthouse Square, both urging the district to build two new schools on the west side as promised and eliminate the disparity between the east and west sides of town.

Hayes Museum starts $1M restoration Toledo Blade, 7/1/07 FREMONT -- Calling it the most significant project in its history, the Hayes Presidential Center has launched a $1 million restoration aimed at making key areas of the president's home look just as they did when Rutherford and Lucy Hayes lived there, right down to the upholstery on the chairs and the pictures on the walls. Restoration experts were at the house last month to search for clues to original paint colors, wallpaper designs, furniture upholstery, and light fixtures. In many cases, they were able to match what they found - or what they suspected - with photographs taken by a Hayes relative while the president was still living. Gail Caskey Winkler, a Philadelphia-based design historian, said it's a huge help to have so many photographs of the home's interior, receipts, and contracts for nearly every purchase President Hayes made for the house, as well as a nearly complete collection of furnishings, pictures, and personal belongings of President Hayes and his wife.

Both from the 7/13/07 News-Herald: PHOTO: Joe Flowers of Mack Industries Inc. measures the foundation for precasting at the new Larimar housing and condominium community on Lake Shore Boulevard in Willowick. Maribeth Joeright/[email protected] Building for Northeast Ohio's future Construction projects taking shape in several area communities By: Jenny May [email protected] 07/13/2007 The exhilaration in Willowick Mayor Richard Bonde's voice as he describes the two newest housing developments under construction on Lake Shore Boulevard says it all... Willowick Willowick expects to welcome about 1,000 new residents in the next few years, thanks to the Larimar and Shoreland Crossings projects, Bonde said... Mentor Mentor city officials are eagerly anticipating the new Great Lakes Stadium 16 movie theater coming to the Great Lakes Mall... Willoughby Hills Classic Auto Group owner Jim Brown is turning a once-blighted spot at SOM Center Road and Interstate 90 into two car dealerships... http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18582332&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=6 Developer seeks informal rezoning Development company starts process of having 39 acres of land rezoned on Heisley Road in Mentor By: Jenny May [email protected] 07/13/2007 A local development company has started the process of having 39 acres of land rezoned on Heisley Road in Mentor, with the hope of securing commercial tenants for the property... http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18582323&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=6