buildingcincinnati

From the 6/18/07 Bellefontaine Examiner: Jefferson wind vote coming June 26 By Joel E. Mast Bellefontaine Examiner Staff Writer 06/18/07 Jefferson Township Trustees put off a vote Saturday regarding the fate of a citizen- initiated zoning amendment that would restrict the placement of wind turbines on private land. Trustee Tim Tillman said there is some room for modifying the proposed amendment and he wanted more time. He said there was not enough notice time to change the meeting start from 4 p.m., but he assured about 50 people in attendance that the trustees would handle other business first and take up the amendment question late in the meeting. The trustees are considering a recommendation from the Jefferson Township Zoning Commission to reject the amendment. To modify or adopt the zoning amendment, the trustees will have to vote unanimously. Full article at http://www.examiner.org/news06.18.3.php

From the 3/28/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Streestscapes drops Route 224 island idea Streetscapes will focus on other plans instead, its president said. By DENISE DICK VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER POLAND — Saying it was stirring divisiveness in the community, a beautification group has withdrawn its proposal to install islands in the center of U.S. Route 224. J. Michael Thompson, chairman of the village planning commission, said that Town One Streetscapes withdrew its proposal at a planning commission meeting Tuesday. "It was becoming apparent to us that it was getting to be pretty divisive," Larry Warren, Streetscapes president, said after the meeting. Village council conducted a public workshop and forum on the proposal last week that drew about 60 people — most opposed the idea. http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/358169508214353.php

From the 3/21/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Route 224 island plan draws crowd of critics Most of those opposed talked about safety and access concerns. By DENISE DICK VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER POLAND — Installation of islands along a portion of U.S. Route 224 would leave travelers stranded in a sea of danger and congestion, say some who oppose the plan. About 60 people packed village council chambers Tuesday for a public forum/workshop on the proposal by Poland Town One Streetscapes to placed the raised boulevards along Route 224 from Interstate 680 to state Route 170. Most attending indicated they oppose the plan because of safety or access. When an emergency vehicle travels the road to reach a scene, either that emergency vehicle or the others traveling pull into the center lane to allow the emergency vehicle's passage, said Connie Coloutes, who owns a business along the road. http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/320083044702058.php

From the 3/9/07 Youngstown Vindicator: The Poland Village Planning Commission has not approved islands on U.S. Route 224... The Poland Village Planning Commission has not approved islands on U.S. Route 224 from Interstate 680 to state Route 170. Incorrect information was provided to The Vindicator for a story in Thursday's edition. Trumbull County's chief deputy, Ernie Cook, is not retiring, as was reported in Thursday's Vindicator. The story should have noted that Capt. Tom Stewart is considering retirement. Verifiable errors, omissions and clarifications are handled here. If you believe the information in an article was incorrect, call the appropriate department heads at (330) 747-1471; Regional Desk, Ext. 1226; Social, Ext. 1282; Entertainment, Ext. 1236; Sports, Ext. 1292. http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/314489424163321.php

From the 3/8/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Route 224 island plan raises safety issues By DENISE DICK VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER POLAND — A proposal from a community beautification group to install islands along a stretch of U.S. Route 224 raises safety concerns among some. Poland Town One Streetscapes wants to place raised boulevards along Route 224 from Interstate 680 to state Route 170. Larry Warren, president of the group, said aesthetic enhancement is the idea behind the plan. "It would make it more appealing as you drive through that area," he said. Each of the eight planned islands, or boulevards, would feature greenery and landscaping to soften the look of the well-traveled road. http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/339690980759570.php

From the 3/5/07 Dispatch: RENDERING: A rendering of the OhioHealth Westerville Medical Campus OHIOHEALTH CONSTRUCTION ZONE OhioHealth names developer for Westerville project Monday, March 05, 2007 Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH OhioHealth has tapped Equity to develop and build its planned $33 million medical center in Westerville. The parent of Riverside Methodist Hospital announced plans a year ago to create the OhioHealth Westerville Medical Campus, which will be its largest outpatient structure. It will combine general and specialty medical services with an urgent-care center and physician offices. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/03/05/20070305-C6-00.html

From ThisWeek Hilliard, 3/8/07: Designers of Britton Parkway win award Thursday, March 8, 2007 By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Staff Writer The construction of Britton Parkway, which includes two roundabout intersections, met two important needs -- providing access for 750 employees to the new BMW Financial Services headquarters and opening the way for the new Britton Central mixed use development. The $10-million project included two roundabout intersections, a 4-lane, 100-foot bridge and more than 4,000 feet of roadway as well as the extension of city water and sewer lines and landscaping. http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/030807/Hilliard/News/030807-News-315956.html

From Northland News, 6/13/07: Stonehenge shares plans with NCC Home improvement store won't be built until late 2008 or early '09. By JENNIFER NOBLIT Hot on the heels of last month's announcement of new tenant for NorthlandPark, Stonehenge Co. President Mo Dioun again shared his plans for the former Northland Mall site with members of the Northland Community Council at its June meeting. May 11, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, Columbus Urban Growth and the Stonehenge Co. announced plans to formally begin redevelopment of NorthlandPark into Northland Village, a 54-acre, mixed-use development. Urban Growth -- a property development agency of the city -- holds a 99-year lease on the property, whose major tenants presently are the Ohio Department of Taxation and Vaud-Villities Productions. Stonehenge will serve as the Northland Village developer, said Urban Growth President Mark Froehlich, who also attended the NCC meeting June 5. Read more at http://www.snponline.com/NEWS6-13/6-13_nnnorthlandpark.htm

From the 6/15/07 Enquirer: Westwood getting second Citirama BY JEFF MCKINNEY | [email protected] WESTWOOD - As part of an effort to boost homeownership in the city of Cincinnati , work will begin next month on the second phase of the Brodbeck Park housing development in Westwood. Known as Brodbeck Park II, the $5 million phase will eventually include 24 new homes and be the site of the 2007 Citirama home show off Brodbeck Place along Fox Cove Court. Up to 13 of the homes will be showcased at the eighth annual Citirama from Oct. 6-14, building and city officials say. Homes will be priced from $170,000 to $210,000 and range from about 1,600 to 2,000 square feet. The first phase had 24 homes that were priced mostly from about $140,000 to $200,000, with some fetching higher prices. Work is expected to be completed in about two years. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070615/BIZ01/706150350/ Columbia Tusculum: 540 Delta Building Cincinnati, 6/14/07 Front elevation of new 540 Delta C A R Construction will be building a new single-family at 540 Delta Avenue after demolishing the existing house. The new home will be two stories with two bedrooms and two and a half baths. A two-car attached rear-entry garage will be built with access from Empress Avenue. It's currently listed at $299,900. The house to be demolished was built around the turn of the last century and is listed by the auditor as being only 468 square feet. 540 Delta, soon to be demolished WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW (looking south) GOOGLE AERIAL MAP http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/06/columbia-tusculum-540-delta.html High school beginning rebuilding project Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/17/07 A groundbreaking ceremony at Lloyd Memorial High School on June 7 kicked off construction on a four-phase project that will completely rebuild the school. The ceremony marked the start of the first phase, which will be built in front of the existing school. It will house the main office, two science labs, five science classrooms and five special education classrooms. The structure will be connected to the old building, which was built in 1954, so it can be accessed until the other three phases are completed. The cost of the first phase is estimated at $5.5 million and should be completed next fall.

The village only has about 3500 people, so it could make a significant difference. From the 6/17/07 DDN: Antioch alumni plan to confront trustees about closure Weekend reunion could provide perfect forum for those who question moves. By Stephanie Irwin Gottschlich Staff Writer Sunday, June 17, 2007 YELLOW SPRINGS — — Far-flung Antioch College alumni are beginning to descend on Yellow Springs for a weekend-long reunion beginning June 21, despite the college's recent announcement it will be closing in 2008. Alumni dating back to the 1940 graduating class have signed up for the reunion, an annual event featuring local music, sports and intellectual conversations on topics ranging from politics to medicine to city planning. Speculation is swirling among local alumni about the Antioch University board of trustees' decision to shutter the campus beginning in 2008 for at least four years to regroup and recoup its finances. Full story at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/06/17/ddn061707antioch.html

From the 3/8/07 Middletown Journal: Another Kohl's coming to area? By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, March 08, 2007 SOUTH LEBANON — Construction is expected to begin next week on the first phase of a proposed 300-acre, multi-million-square-foot mixed use development in South Lebanon. Cincinnati-based developer Bear Creek Capital — together with CBL & Associates Properties, owners of Middletown's Towne Mall — will start pouring the foundation for Kohl's department store off State Route 48. ... http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/08/mj030807crossing.html

From the 6/14/07 Sun Star: Schools may sell Abbey land for radio towers Thursday, June 14, 2007 By Joanne Berger DuMound The Sun Star NORTH ROYALTON The city, schools and the Town Center developer are discussing a plan for the district to sell its 38-acre Abbey Road property to help relocate the downtown radio towers to that land. The school board heard the proposal at a special meeting last week. Board members agreed to update a 2006 land appraisal, which at the time was set at $1.2 million for the Abbey Road land. http://www.cleveland.com/sun/sunstar/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1181839235239670.xml&coll=3

From the 4/12/07 Sun Star: City to pick retailers for Town Center Thursday, April 12, 2007 By Joanne Berger DuMound The Sun Star NORTH ROYALTON A "conservative" estimate has the city's proposed mixed-use downtown center valued at $100 million. The Coral Co. is developing the project, which will include retail, residential, office and a civic component within the 293-acre incentive district. Mayor Cathy J. Luks spoke to the North Royalton school board Monday about the project's progress and when to expect a discussion of a Tax Incentive Financing proposal, which will include a revenue-sharing agreement. http://www.cleveland.com/sun/sunstar/index.ssf?/base/news-0/117639614858340.xml&coll=3

From the 3/15/07 Sun Star: YMCA may build facility Thursday, March 15, 2007 By Joanne Berger DuMound The Sun Star NORTH ROYALTON The YMCA that is slated to appear in the Town Center district would be a collaborative effort among several parties. Glenn Haley, YMCA of Greater Cleveland's president and CEO, said while the local undertaking is just in the talking stages, the facility would be a joint venture with the city, a hospital and others. It would be located on the 60-acre radio tower property along as part of the mixed-use Town Center project being developed by The Coral Company. http://www.cleveland.com/sun/sunstar/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1173980436228750.xml&coll=3

From the 3/8/07 Sun Star: Town Center plan rolls along Thursday, March 08, 2007 By Joanne Berger DuMound The Sun Star "Very promising" is how Mayor Cathy J. Luks describes the progress of the city's proposed Town Center District project. She said developer Peter Rubin of The Coral Company has moved into the second phase of the proposal, which includes property acquisition and site planning. http://www.cleveland.com/sun/sunstar/index.ssf?/base/news-0/117337557345320.xml&coll=3

From ThisWeek Worthington, 6/14/07: ODOT to fix dangerous I-270 to S.R. 315 ramp Thursday, June 14, 2007 By CANDY BROOKS ThisWeek Staff Writer One of Worthington's most dangerous stretches of roadway will be reconstructed by the state next year. Since January 2005, seventy-six accidents have occurred on the I-270 eastbound ramp onto Rt. 315 southbound. Typically, the crashes involve one car that has gone too fast on the ramp which curves, straightens out, curves again, and merges with two lanes of traffic coming onto the ramp from I-270 westbound. "It is a significant safety hazard," City Manager Dave Elder told city council on Monday. Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) plans call for reconfiguring the curves to discourage speed and eliminating the merge by increasing the ramp from two to three lanes. "Flattening out" the curves and doing away with the merge will reduce the number of quick decisions required by drivers, said ODOT engineer Gary Harrington. ODOT has made several changes to the ramp in recent years, including some realignment, new signs, and installing rumble strips. More at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/061407/Worthington/News/061407-News-372474.html

Link contains a photo. From the 5/6/07 Dispatch: I-270 renovation at Rt. 23 poses hurdle for kids' camp Northbound traffic to lack direct access Sunday, May 6, 2007 3:49 AM By Tim Doulin THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Summer camp is supposed to be a pleasant experience. But the operator of a popular camp on the Far North Side said a proposed highway project would test bus drivers' nerves and could hurt her business. The state plans to reconfigure the I-270 interchange to move vehicles more quickly along Rt. 23 and eliminate backups on the north Outerbelt. But Marci Ryan worries that the improvements will make it more difficult for buses carrying kids to reach Camp Mary Orton. "We serve 200 inner-city kids who come on buses every day in the summer," said Ryan, director of the camp founded in 1911 on Rt. 23, north of the Pontifical College Josephinum. "How is that going to happen? I have to figure out a way to make that happen." Two northbound express lanes are expected to be added to Rt. 23 heading north from I-270 by 2016, at the latest. Northbound motorists will no longer be able to turn left off Rt. 23 to enter the camp. Instead, they will have to drive past the camp entrance about a quarter-mile to North Woods Boulevard to turn around and come back south. More at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/05/06/MARYORTON.ART_ART_05-06-07_B3_NS6JT3I.html

From ThisWeek Worthington, 3/8/07: ODOT to look to city in I-270 design plans Thursday, March 8, 2007 By CANDY BROOKS ThisWeek Staff Writer The state will consider Worthington's concerns when designing the new interchange at I-270 and North High Street. Worthington City Council on Monday approved a letter from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) outlining its commitment to the city. It will be attached to a MORPC resolution permitting the design work to proceed on the project. The resolution will be considered for approval at a MORPC meeting set for Thursday. In the letter, ODOT District 6 director Thomas Wester committed to "maximize the availability of greenspace on I-270 and U.S. 23 interchange and to provide aesthetics that are consistent with the Worthington Architectural Review guidelines." The letter also commits the state to investing $2-million for the development and construction of a bicycle/pedestrian facility over I-270. Construction of the new interchanges at I-270 at Rt. 23 and at Rt. 315 is not scheduled to begin for five years, but council members are concerned because the aesthetics of the project will impact the first impression of the city to many motorists. More at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/030807/Worthington/News/030807-News-317219.html

Here's a link to that EPA report that the article mentions: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/solec/ From the 6/8/07 Blade: Great Lakes restoration effort receives mixed review CHICAGO - Efforts to restore the Great Lakes got mixed reviews in a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report released here yesterday. The agency said in its biennial Great Lakes Highlights Report that there is less air pollution and a decline in the lakes' overall abundance of toxins. But smog remains a public health issue in several metropolitan areas, the agency said, and medical waste and harsh chemicals from fire retardants and personal health-care products are being detected more often. Pollution remains high enough for advisories on fish consumption to remain in effect. Invasive species continue to threaten the biological food web of native fish. And more water is expected to be lost to evaporation as climate change continues to drive up temperatures and reduce winter ice cover, the report said. But nearly three-quarters of the monitored U.S. and Canadian beaches were clean enough for swimming. The report was released at the International Joint Commission's biennial meeting. The commission is a U.S.-Canada governmental agency that helps the two countries address boundary-water issues. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070608/NEWS06/706080365/-1/NEWS

From the 5/24/07 PD: Raw sewage dumped in lake Imagine '3 billion toilets flushing' Thursday, May 24, 2007 Aaron Marshall Plain Dealer Bureau Columbus - More than 10 billion gallons of untreated raw sewage were dumped into Lake Erie from dozens of communities in 2005, according to a report an environmental group released Wednesday morning. "Ten billion gallons of sewage floating into Lake Erie is equivalent to 3 billion toilets flushing into the lake," said Amy Gomberg, a spokeswoman for Environment Ohio, a nonprofit group that presented its study at a Statehouse news conference. "Sewage contamination poses an environmental threat to Lake Erie and a health threat to the millions who swim, boat and fish in it each year." The problem stems from sewer overflows that allow the raw sewage to pass into waterways during heavy rains. Cleveland, Toledo, Fremont, Sandusky and Akron were the top offenders in the report, with Cleveland's regional sewer system alone dumping almost 5 billion gallons of untreated sewage into Lake Erie in 2005. In all, 38 communities in the Lake Erie water basin are built with combined sewer systems, which discharge untreated sewage and storm water into waterways when it rains... http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1179996005315830.xml&coll=2

From the 6/10/07 Cuyahoga Falls News-Press: Road leads to GOJO, future new businesses by Lauren Krupar Reporter Cuyahoga Falls -- A more than 1,000-foot new road could connect the GOJO Inc. Lippman campus off Steels Corners Road to additional development of the site. Preliminary and final subdivision plans, unanimously approved by the Planning Commission June 5, call for dividing the more than 83 acres of the Lippman campus into five blocks of land for development or conservation. GOJO officials also proposed building a new 1,195-foot road to be called Lippman Parkway near the current private driveway, to connect a new more than 385,000 square foot warehouse and manufacturing center with Steels Corners Road and open up the area for additional industrial development. The plans need to be approved by Council before construction could begin. Council next meets June 11 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the community room of the Natatorium, 2345 Fourth St. Read More...

From the 4/1/07 Cuyahoga Falls News-Press: PHOTO: This picture shows the current GOJO Industries Inc. building on Steels Corners Road. On March 26, Falls City Council approved the site plans for a more than 385,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center to be built next to, and connected to this site. New GOJO site coming to city by Lauren Krupar Reporter Cuyahoga Falls -- Cleaner hands could be in Cuyahoga Falls' future after a warehouse center for the maker of Purell® Instant Hand Sanitizer and other personal hygiene products was approved. City Council approved site plans March 26 for what Mayor Don Robart has described as the "largest manufacturing investment in the city's history." The site plans depict a more than 385,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center for GOJO Inc. to be built off Steels Corners Road near State Road. The center will be built on 8.8 acres on GOJO's Lippman campus on State Road, a more than 72-acre site. Read More...

From the 3/25/07 Cuyahoga Falls News-Press: Warehouse plan headed to Council by Lauren Krupar Reporter Cuyahoga Falls -- Ground may be broken soon on a more than 8-acre warehouse and distribution center if Council approves the plan. Council's planning and zoning committee brought out the site plan March 19 for the development of a more than 385,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center for GOJO Inc. to be built off Steels Corners Road near State Road. The building, which could be visible from Wyoga Lake Road during fall and winter, would sit on 8.8 acres and could be the first step in creating a new industrial park in the city estimated to generate more than $60 million in new investment, city officials said. Read More...

From the 3/11/07 Cuyahoga Falls News-Press: Planning commission approves GOJO site design by Lauren Krupar Reporter Cuyahoga Falls -- A new warehouse and distribution center for GOJO Industries Inc. is an approval away from breaking ground. Planning commission on March 6 unanimously approved the site plan for GOJO's proposed 385,778-square-foot building, to be located off Steels Corners Road near State Road. City Council would need to approve the plans before GOJO officials break ground, which company officials said is slated for December. Council could hear the plan at its March 12 regular meeting. Read More...

From the 3/4/07 Cuyahoga Falls News-Press: Work to begin on road to new GOJO facility by Lauren Krupar Reporter Cuyahoga Falls -- Council Feb. 26 approved the construction of a more than $700,000 road improvement project that will create a new industrial park off Steels Corners Road. The new street will connect to the Wyoga Lake Preserve, a proposed employment park on 100 acres owned by GOJO Industries Inc. The preserve is part of GOJO's Lippman campus on State Road and is the planned location for a new GOJO facility. The new facility is expected to be 350,000-square-feet. Design plans are slated to be presented at the March 6 planning commission meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m. in the community room of the Natatorium, 2345 Fourth St. Read More...