buildingcincinnati

From the 6/9/07 Blade: Finkbeiner opposes permits for school site Mayor vetoes zoning for 2 charter facilities By TOM TROY BLADE STAFF WRITER Mayor Carty Finkbeiner yesterday vetoed the special-use permits granted to two proposed downtown charter schools, saying the sites are inappropriate. The veto drew strong opposition from the developer of one of the sites, the former Zenobia Shrine building at 1517 Madison Ave. The Maritime Academy of Toledo is seeking a permit for a building at 1000 Monroe St. and Imagine Schools, based in Arlington, Va., is seeking a permit for the Shrine building. City Council approved both zoning permits May 29, each by an 8-4 vote, one vote short of the nine needed to override a veto. Mr. Finkbeiner said putting schools at the two locations would conflict with the Toledo 20/20 Comprehensive Plan, which requires the area to be a mixed-use zone with an emphasis on entertainment. The two sites are better suited for businesses or offices that would not be exempt from property taxes, the mayor's memo to council said. More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070609/NEWS16/706090380/-1/RSS10

From the 6/9/07 Blade: Dana settles dispute with Citation Corp. WASHINGTON — Dana Corp. has resolved a series of long-standing disputes with Citation Corp. in a deal it said defuses the risk that one of its biggest suppliers might halt the shipment of parts used in Ford Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. automobiles. In papers filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan this week, the Toledo auto parts supplier said the deal sharply lowers the price it has paid for Citation parts used to make such automobile components as axle assemblies. It also obligates Citation to pay Dana about $790,000 to settle quarrels involving past overpayments.

^ I would agree insofar as it's a cooler use for the building, but I think downtown could definitely use more rental units.

From the 3/15/07 Blade: Questions loom as Sylvania, township explore merger Opinion sought on whether officials can comment By JANET ROMAKER BLADE staff WRITER Sylvania Township trustees are seeking a legal opinion on whether elected officials can discuss their views on a possible merger of the township and the city of Sylvania. DeeDee Liedel, chairman of the trustees, said that when she attended a recent merger meeting in the village of Swanton, she was told by a township official from Fulton County that the Ohio Revised Code prohibits elected officials from speaking out about mergers. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070315/NEIGHBORS05/703140329/-1/NEIGHBORS

From the 3/14/07 Blade: Trustees may cut city from township Fire protection issue prompts suggestion BLADE STAFF Kicking the city of Sylvania out of Sylvania Township might be one way to resolve differences over the operations of the township fire department, a trustee suggested yesterday. DeeDee Liedel, president of the trustees, said the township should consider a move that would "conform its borders," meaning that the city would be excluded from the township. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070314/NEWS18/703140373/-1/RSS09

From the 3/3/07 Blade: Sylvania merger may have spot on November ballot By JANET ROMAKER BLADE STAFF WRITER Formation of a steering committee could result in an organized effort to get the Sylvania community merger issue on the November ballot. The Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce's community action committee will put together the steering committee to address further steps necessary for the merger process, said Gary Madrzykowski, chairman of the chamber's community action committee. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070303/NEWS18/703030387/-1/RSS09

Link contains a photo. From the 3/2/07 Blade: Sylvania merger benefits outlined Income tax may be top revenue source Sylvania-area residents last night listened to details about a possible merger of the city of Sylvania and Sylvania Township, trying to get a better idea of how a merger would impact their community - and their wallets. About 130 people attended a public forum at the Sylvania Senior Center, a smaller group than the 275 people who packed the center last month when the recently completed merger study was introduced. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070302/NEWS18/703020416/-1/RSS

New Ada school on track and taking shape Ada Herald, 6/11/07 The new Ada K-12 school is taking shape and on schedule as they move toward a June 30, 2008 opening. With only a year to go the construction site is beginning to look more like the education facility that it will become. According to the construction manager on site Charlie Ayers he said the site is moving ahead on schedule.

Spader Freight plans $3 million expansion in Clyde Sandusky Register, 6/12/07 Spader Freight Services is moving up. The company plans a $3 million expansion at its Clyde location that would secure the jobs of 81 full-time employees. According to Clyde City Manager Dan Weaver, Spader Freight Services President David Spader has applied for a 15-year, 75 percent tax abatement for building a new warehouse. Operating out of Tiffin, Spader has proposed constructing a third 115,000-square-foot building at its Elm Street property, an area that Spader said is a viable location for the business to expand and produce. According to the company's Web site, company officials decided that the best route to handle overwhelming customer support and demand would be to add another distribution center to keep the company ahead of the game.

From the 3/7/07 Defiance Crescent-News: Antwerp officials await Ohio Supreme Court ruling on cameras By PETER GREER [email protected] ANTWERP -- Antwerp village officials are awaiting word of a ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court that could go a long way toward reducing red light and speeding violations at the town's busiest intersection. In November, village council heard from Joe Moore of RedFlex Traffic Systems, a Scottsdale, Ariz., company that has installed and operated cameras that record drivers violating traffic laws in 18 states. Antwerp has dealt with for decades -- particularly at the U.S. 24-Ohio 49 intersection. http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/1693691

Link contains a photo. From the 3/1/07 Blade: GRAPHIC: City of Toledo automated camera program revenue NEXT STOP: OHIO SUPREME COURT Traffic cameras face new hurdle Lawsuits say police must see violations, hand driver a ticket By MARK REITER BLADE STAFF WRITER The cameras that snap photos of speeders and red-light violators at high-risk intersections are praised by police for improving safety and reducing crashes. But the future of the devices, which generate millions of dollars for Toledo and other communities throughout Ohio, is hinging on the outcome of class-action challenges before the state Supreme Court. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070301/NEWS02/703010439/-1/RSS

From Business First of Columbus, 5/22/07: Port Columbus traffic up 10% in April Business First of Columbus - May 22, 2007 Port Columbus International Airport saw 10 percent more travelers come through its gates last month than in April 2006. Traffic at the airport grew to about 617,000 passengers, compared with 561,593 a year earlier, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority said Tuesday. More at http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/05/21/daily11.html?from_rss=1

Link contains photos. From the 5/10/07 Blade: Change under way, O-I CEO says Leader presides over first shareholder meeting By HOMER BRICKEY BLADE SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER Albert Stroucken, chairman and chief executive officer of Owens-Illinois Inc., told shareholders yesterday that he "cannot be happy about our performance over the last two years." But Mr. Stroucken, speaking at the glass-container firm's first annual meeting at its Perrysburg headquarters campus, said, "Change is under way." Mr. Stroucken, who took over as CEO in December, told about 100 shareholders that the board of the Fortune 500 firm will make a decision within two months whether to sell its plastics-packaging operation that last year generated $772 million in sales, more than 10 percent of O-I's $7.5 billion in revenues. He replaced CEO Steven McCracken, who resigned after stomach cancer surgery. Mr. Stroucken has been a board member since 2005. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070510/BUSINESS03/705100359/-1/RSS04

From the 3/2/07 Blade: Analysts to get firsthand look at local glass-container maker By HOMER BRICKEY BLADE SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER Within the next month, Owens-Illinois Inc. will be host to two groups of analysts and investors at its new headquarters in Perrysburg. It also plans this year to take its show on the road to meet with groups in New York and other large cities, as it has done several times in recent months. Meanwhile, top Owens Corning executives are on a swing this week through East Coast cities to talk to analysts and institutional investors, such as large mutual funds. The Toledo firm also plans a presentation in New York for dozens of analysts and big investors, its first since emerging last fall from a six-year Chapter 11 bankruptcy. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070302/BUSINESS03/703020347/-1/RSS04

From the 6/5/07 Marietta Times: MC partnership with Chinese leaders may help local businesses By Kate York, [email protected] The local business community could benefit from a new opportunity for Marietta College, which will allow greater partnerships with Chinese government employees and business people. Marietta College has been named one of five new U.S. schools to receive government approval from China’s State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA), meaning SAFEA experts will come to the college for training and those associated with MC will go to China to learn about business and management. Marietta College’s international connections have already benefited the local business community, said Charlotte Keim, president of the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce. “Marietta College has already reached out with the students and professors from Brazil, who have helped build ties,” she said. “Any exposure we can get to countries that are doing well economically or developing economically can only be good.” MORE: http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/new43_65200781450.asp

Link contains photos. From the 5/16/07 Blade: Visiting China delegates voice interests in trade By JOSHUA BOAK BLADE POLITICS WRITER A Chinese trade delegation looking for international ventures heard two conflicting messages about Toledo yesterday. Mayor Carty Finkbeiner described a dynamic city in America's manufacturing heartland that is ripe for foreign investment. Block Communications Chairman Allan Block talked about a complacent city that could learn from China's economic boom. Qinhuangdao Mayor Jian Ruiting diplomatically agreed that both versions were correct. After lunch with the mayor, Mr. Block, and other area business leaders at the Toledo Club, Mr. Jian expressed interest in partnering with local firms in the automotive parts, glass, and molding industries. "China is a very big market," he said. "We have 1.3 billion people. So no country, no one, can neglect China." MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070516/NEWS16/705160413/-1/RSS

Link contains photos. From the 5/15/07 Enquirer: Risk, rewards in Chinese trade As state official signs trade agreement, senators urge protection against piracy BY CLIFF PEALE | [email protected] The power and pitfalls of trade with China went on display in Greater Cincinnati on Monday. In a downtown hotel ballroom, the state of Ohio signed a trade agreement with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce to strengthen ties that provide low-cost labor and millions of dollars in new sales to local companies. About 20 miles away in Sharonville, U.S. Sens. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, and Evan Bayh, D-Ind., appeared at Ford Motor Co.'s transmission plant to tout a proposal that would educate business owners about the issue and strengthen global enforcement against China for allowing piracy of U.S. products. The two put the cost of such piracy at $250 billion a year and 750,000 jobs. Voinovich said some cities in China are known by the American product that is copycatted there. He conceded that dealing with copycats and counterfeiting is viewed by many as a cost of doing business in the world's fastest-growing market. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070515/BIZ01/705150328/

From the 5/10/07 Portsmouth Daily Times: SSU, Chinese university join forces By FRANK LEWIS PDT Staff Writer Wednesday, May 9, 2007 11:19 PM EDT South China Normal University is far from the shores of the Ohio River and Shawnee State University, but for the next few days, those institutions will be much closer together. A delegation from South China Normal University will be in Scioto County as a part of an agreement that was hammered out over a long period of time and by people on both sides of the ocean. “We are part of the most exciting exchange between two universities, but it has a much more far-ranging effect on our two countries,” said Dr. John Lorentz, professor of international studies at SSU. “This is brand new. This is the first time our university will be able to send students to teach in China.” MORE: http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/articles/2007/05/10/news/local_news/3news_ssuchina.txt

From the 4/26/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Sweet plans to lead delegation to Asia Travel expenses will be financed through private sources. YOUNGSTOWN — The president of Youngstown State University will lead a university delegation to China and Taiwan this spring to develop new and stronger academic ties and opportunities with universities in the region. Dr. David C. Sweet announced the trip Wednesday at the conclusion of a visit to YSU by a five-member delegation of leaders from Lunghwa University in Taiwan. "YSU has developed good relationships with several universities in China and Taiwan, and we have had several representatives from those universities visit YSU over the past few years," Sweet said. "This trip will help to further cement and expand those partnerships, which will result in even more opportunities for our faculty and staff to fully interact with and experience this increasingly important region of the world," he said. Wen Fang Yen, the president of Lunghwa University, who was part of the Lunghwa delegation that visited YSU this week, formally invited Sweet to visit his university. Sweet has also received a formal invitation from Lin Zhengfan, president of Hangzhou Normal University in Hangzhou, China, who visited YSU in January 2006. MORE: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/298070150822279.php

From the 4/15/07 PD: Ohio firms tap into China Manufacturers exporting tools, materials and machinery Sunday, April 15, 2007 Peter Krouse Plain Dealer Reporter Ron Ortiz has made a dozen trips to China in the past three years, the last several to drum up exports. That's a lot of business-class flights across the Pacific Ocean for the 54-year-old chief executive officer of Stride Tool Inc. in Glenwillow, but the payoff has begun. For years, the privately owned maker of specialty hand tools has exported to countries like Japan, Korea and Italy, helping to rack up annual sales of $40 million to $50 million. But in 2006, Stride Tool exported to China for the first time, shipping more than $75,000 worth of its Imperial brand products. The biggest-selling items were tube benders and tube cutters, destined for the hands of skilled tradesman who install heating and air-conditioning ducts in the commercial plants and residential high-rises sprouting all over China. MORE: http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/other/1176539738101780.xml&coll=2

Link contains photos. From the 2/26/07 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: Teaching Chinese Chinese, please The world's most prevalent tongue proves popular as central Ohio schools offer more languages Monday, February 26, 2007 By Jennifer Smith Richards and Charlie Boss THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The students read the symbols as if they were music, each character a precise sound, each sentence a lyric. And with every wrong note and flat tone, the teacher hands down his correction as swiftly as a maestro slashes his baton. "You're not the Sioux Indians greeting the settlers," Jack Wills, a Mandarin Chinese teacher, tells his students. It's hao-hao," he says, providing the pronunciation for the Chinese translation of "OK, OK." Wills' students at Groveport Madison High School might not realize it, but they are in the cool class. Chinese is the it language in schools, and those in central Ohio are catching on. Schools had their pick of "high need" languages - Arabic, Farsi, Japanese and Russian among them - after President Bush and then the state and federal education departments urged them to branch out in their foreign language offerings. Grant money to do so followed. Chinese won out, in part because it's the most-spoken language in the world and businesses increasingly need employees fluent in Mandarin, the most common form of Chinese. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/02/26/20070226-C1-03.html

From the 6/8/07 Martins Ferry Times Leader: Illegal workers targeted By MICHAEL SCHULER, Times Leader Staff Writer BELLAIRE VILLAGE Council voted Thursday to outlaw “unauthorized workers,” in the village in a crackdown to stop illegal immigration. During the regular village council meeting, council unanimously passed an ordinance that will make it unlawful to hire workers who do not have proper documents to work in the United States. Under the ordinance that had all three readings Thursday, those who employ undocumented workers who work in the village of Bellaire will be subject to a maximum $500 fine and up to six months in jail for each day of each offense. The legislation, which was brought in by village Solicitor Ed Sustersic, was drafted after Bellaire Police Chief Michael P. Kovalyk requested the village create the legislation. MORE: http://timesleaderonline.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=7846

From the 6/8/07 Marietta Times: Amendment sought for smoking ban By Brad Bauer, [email protected] A bar owners association is seeking an exemption to the state’s smoking ban for some taverns, saying voters didn’t understand how restrictive the ban would be and businesses are losing too many smoking customers. The proposal would allow smoking at bowling alleys after 6 p.m., at bars where no more than 10 percent of sales are food and at private clubs, such as Veterans of Foreign War posts. A group of about 300 bar owners will try to take the plan to lawmakers first and then to voters on the November ballot if rejected in the Legislature. Cindy Lanning, owner of North Hills Lanes in Marietta, said she thought the presence of two smoking-related issues on last November’s election ballot was confusing for many. Read more: http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/new32_68200784104.asp

From the 6/7/07 Dublin Villager: * View the modified concept plan (.pdf format). * View the Northwest Corner rendering (.pdf format). * View the parking lot plan (.pdf format). Bridge-High plan unveiled $9-million investment proposed for Historic Dublin Thursday, June 7, 2007 By BRITTINY DUNLAP Villager Staff Writer Dublin's city staff unveiled its updated plan Monday night for a $9-million public and private investment in the northwest corner of Bridge and High streets in Historic Dublin. The project would be jointly funded and constructed by a partnership between the city and The Stonehenge Co. City council reviewed the agreement, which provides for the sale of city-owned property, the purchase of 37 Darby St., lease of patio space, the construction of a municipal parking lot with 103 spaces, the construction of two public plazas, streetscape improvements and the construction of about 20,000 square feet of private commercial office, restaurant and retail space. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/060707/Dublin/News/060707-News-367855.html

From the 6/7/07 Maple Heights Press: Developer looks to possibly build on Maplepark Drive by Tim Troglen Reporter Maple Heights -- A developer has approached the city about possibly building some senior housing apartments on Maplepark Drive... E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 440-232-4055 ext. 4109 http://www.mapleheightspress.com/news/article/2094612 From the 6/7/07 Nordonia Hills Sun: Public hearing rescheduled Thursday, June 07, 2007 Nordonia Hills Sun Northfield Center Township trustees have rescheduled Monday's public hearing to discuss the zoning commission's recommendation to disapprove a rezoning request that would allow condominiums to be built on 18 acres between Brandywine and Olde Eight roads... http://www.cleveland.com/nordoniahillssun/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1181155291168560.xml&coll=4