Posted August 18, 200420 yr Marion, Ohio population 35318 county seat of marion county. its home to the popcorn festival, and a popcorn museum. president harding lived here and is buried here...courthouse...is now part of columbus csa (ridiculous!)...has a 'large granite stone in a cemetary that revolves without motors and only uses the movement of the earth'. they also have alleys dedicated to power lines going thru 'em.
August 18, 200420 yr cute! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 18, 200420 yr Wow dude. How many miles have you put on your car lately? You seem to have covered just about every little town within a 100 mile radius of Columbus.
August 18, 200420 yr Cool photos from Marion (I can't believe it's considered part of Columbus' CSA either). The downtown looks quite nice, much larger than I expected. Though the area immediately around the city, especially along the 23 corridor going towards Findlay is pure trash.
August 18, 200420 yr He didn't visit the westside of Marion. Home of a former Steam Shovel plant (whose name escapes me, but was the major employer for Marion for many years), that will make you think of Mansfield. The first strike against Marion proper was the opening of Southland Mall on the southern outskirts of town. Now even that mall is falling into disrepair due to folks from Morrow, Delaware, and Union Counties who used to travel north for the same services, with less hassle than the Columbus stores, are now going to Polaris, Easton, and Tuttle malls because they have stores Marion could only dream about, or are closer/easier to reach than the previous malls/shops in Columbus.
August 18, 200420 yr Marion Steam Shovels dug the Panama Canal. The ones used on that project were huge, but they built all sizes. There are pictures of a smaller Marion Steamshovel here
October 30, 200519 yr From the 10/24/05 Marion Star: PHOTO: A crane tears off a large chunk of roofing from the east side of the former East Lawn Manor last week. Demolition of the former Marion County nursing home will make way for a new shopping development. The Marion Star/Bill Sinden East Lawn demolition ushers development Restaurants and retailers in line to locate here By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - Grinding and groaning of brick and metal served as a reminder of an expected retail boom on Ohio 95, as a demolition crew's shovel dismantles the former East Lawn Manor. Removal of the facility that had been the county's nursing home clears ground for Phoenix Group's plan to bring several retailers to a 26-acre property it's developing. East Lawn time line * June 12, 2001: Marion County Commissioners Kathy Lyons, Ken Frayer and Andy Appefeller unanimously vote to close East Lawn Manor, the 129-year-old county nursing home. The 51 residents of the facility were given 90 days to find new homes. * June 13, 2001: A group of 11 employees of the nursing home picket in front of the county courthouse to "Save Our Home." * July 3, 2001: The last resident moves out of East Lawn Manor. The commissioners reject an appeal by Mike Thomas, Mid-Ohio AFL-CIO president, to put a tax levy for the home on the general election ballot. * Nov. 5, 2002: Voters elect Dave Columber over Lyons, who attributed her defeat to her decision to close the nursing home. * July 22, 2003: By unanimous vote, the commissioners decide to put the 22.69 acres of land up for bid. * Aug. 26, 2003: The commissioners reject the lone bid for the land from MRN Property Management LLC in the amount of $1.5 million. Patrick Sens, vice president of MRN, says the company wants to develop restaurants, apartments and offices on the property. * July 20, 2004: A new date for sale of the land at public auction is set by the commissioners. * Aug. 26, 2004: Commissioners Dave Columber, Andy Appelfeller and Ken Frayer accept the $3.1 million bid of Phoenix Group for the land. Controlled by Charlie, Patrick, Greg and John Sens, the company plans to develop a retail area. * Oct. 18, 2005: Demolition of the former East Lawn Manor begins. Read more at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051024/NEWS01/510240301/1002/NEWS17
October 31, 200519 yr I went to OSU Marion for 5 quarters (97-8) and I can't picture (or remember the nursing home they're talking about. Though I wish the "Oh 529 extension" was around when I was commuting from Morrow County to Marion back then.
October 31, 200519 yr There's a small photo of it in the link above. It's not a very noticeable building, though. It looks kind of like the type of architecture one forgets.
December 28, 200519 yr Thought I'd go ahead and dump the news about Domo's Legacy Crossing in here.... Kohl's in works for development on Ohio 95 County approves TIF plan for project BY BRENDA J. DONEGAN The Marion Star MARION - The proposed Domo Development at the McMahan farm located on Ohio 95 East will move forward and will reportedly include a 68,000 square foot Kohl's Department Store. Marion County Commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesday to grant a Tax Increment Financing plan to developer John Domo for his Legacy Crossing project. In addition to the commitment from Kohl's, Domo says he has everything from letters of intent to full commitments from other retailers totaling 155,000 square feet. Domo won't reveal who the other retailers are. Commissioners Ken Frayer and Dave Columber voted for the TIF. Andy Appelfeller voted against the proposal. Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051221/NEWS01/512210318/1002/NEWS17
January 14, 200619 yr From the 1/8/06 Marion Star: Money matters: Ohio 95 agreement still needs auditor's signature By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - A tax increment financing agreement that the Marion County commissioners approved in December has stalled, as questions continue to arise. Marion County Auditor Joe Campbell has concerns that the agreement, or TIF, for work done in conjunction with a commercial development on Ohio 95 East will commit revenue the county won't be able to recover. Commissioner Ken Frayer is upset with County Prosecutor Jim Slagle, who recommended against the agreement approved: "This is very important to our community. Mr. Slagle's just flat wrong." Slagle contends Commissioners Frayer and Dave Columber, who voted for the TIF, with Commissioner Andy Appelfeller voting against it, based their decision on property value estimates they didn't support with documentation. Slagle said the projected figures were provided by an attorney representing the commissioners but paid for by the developer. Under the TIF, the county agrees to redirect tax on the property developed in the Domo Development Corp. project to pay for construction of roads and other infrastructure for the development. The 30-year agreement also would direct payments to the River Valley Local Schools to make up for the property tax revenue not received by the district. Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060108/NEWS01/601080334/1002
January 17, 200619 yr From the 1/11/06 Marion Star: Pf-f-f-f-f-ft goes TIF dispute Auditor OK with signing after Ohio 95 developers change certificates By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - With the Marion County auditor signing off on a tax increment financing agreement, the transition of farmland to retail development along Ohio 95 East grows nearer. "Right now we're in final review," said Kevin Hall, the Marion attorney representing Domo Development Corp., a Chagrin Falls-based company that plans to build a commercial development including Kohl's department store. Closing on the sale of McMahan farm to Domo Development is expected later this month, said County Commissioner Ken Frayer. The project, known as Legacy Crossings, also awaits final approval from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the Edgefield Boulevard intersection, which will include installation of a traffic signal, and final plat approval by the county engineer. Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060111/NEWS01/601110301/1002/NEWS17
January 20, 200619 yr As mentioned in this thread, Marion has received a grant an loan package for a regional intermodal center at the Marion Industrial Center. This article appeared in the 1/12/06 Marion Star, the day of the decision from the ORDC, before it was announced: PHOTO: Train car in railyard. MAP/GRAPHIC: The Marion Industrial Center, 3007 Harding Highway E., may become an intermodal TOFC (Trailers on Flat Cars) facility if it receives a grant and loan package totaling $750,000 as recommended by the Ohio Rail Development Commission. The Marion Star/Bill Sinden Transfer station may spur business here By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - An intermodal facility at the Marion Industrial Center would make the area more attractive to business and industry, an economic development official said. Motorists traveling Ohio 309 east of the city also may notice more train and truck traffic if a local businessman's effort to build the intermodal facility succeeds. Whether such a facility, where freight trailers can be transferred from trains to trucks and from trucks to trains, appears will depend on a decision today by the Ohio Rail Development Commission. The commission is considering Ted Graham's application for a $750,000 grant and loan package. The commission's staff recommended approval of the project, which would rebuild or rehabilitate more than 14,000 feet of rail at the Marion Industrial Center, which Graham owns. Graham said he's been working toward upgrading railroad track at the center to an intermodal capability since he refurbished and opened the former Marion Engineer Depot in 1990. Currently, the center is used as an off-loading, storage and distribution facility for thousands of new cars and trucks brought in by rail. Other customers using the rail there trans-load lumber products for Boise-Cascade and vegetable oil for ConAgra. It's also home to six businesses, including a ConAgra microwave popcorn plant and a General Mills distribution facility. Full article at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060112/NEWS01/601120301/1002
January 20, 200619 yr That grant and loan package was approved as part of a series of such packages for projects arounf Ohio. here's a link to the release from rail commission's website... http://www.dot.state.oh.us/ohiorail/Press%20Releases/06%20-%20Major%20Projects%20Get%20ORDC%20Approval.PDF
January 22, 200619 yr From the 1/20/06 Marion Star: Commissioners OK Ohio 95 development Staff Report MARION - A commercial development slated for Marion is one step closer to getting the go ahead. Marion County commissioners approved a resolution Thursday that will allow Domo Development Corp. to fund the construction of a new public road through a tax increment financing plan. The county will sell bonds to private investors to pay for the infrastructure, and property owners of the development will make payments to service the debt in lieu of taxes for up to 30 years. County Commissioner Ken Frayer said that in order to protect the county, the commissioners were unwilling to use funds from their general or reserve fund to pay for the construction of the roads. The new roads are part of a development going in where McMahan farm currently stands, on the north side of Ohio 95 west of U.S. Route 23. Domo Development Corp. is in the process of purchasing the land in order to build retail spaces, including a Kohl's Department Store. The commissioners also agreed Thursday to name the north-south road McMahan Boulevard. Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060120/NEWS01/601200302/1002/NEWS17
February 7, 200619 yr From the 1/29/06 Marion Star: PHOTO: A vehicle travels north on South State Street, which is one way from Delaware Avenue to Fairground Street. The Marion Star/Bill Sinden Are one-ways the wrong way to go? Road project could make way for a street redesign By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - Construction of a road expected to divert a significant amount of truck traffic around the city could prod into action supporters of a return to two-way traffic in downtown Marion. Some see changing streets from one-way to two-way as a way to help revitalize the central business district, which also is home to Marion County and city governments. In the city of Mansfield an alliance of government officials and other community members has acted on similar sentiments. The group expects to complete a $52,000 traffic flow study, including conversion of one-way streets into two-way streets, by April. Downtown Marion's two-way streets were made one-way in the 1960s about the same time that with mostly state funds overpasses were constructed on State and Prospect streets to deal with train traffic, and U.S. 23 was moved from downtown to its current location east of the city. Lucinda Floyd, Downtown Marion manager and owner of Red Door Boutique, cheered the idea of allowing motorists to drive both ways on West Center Street, which her shop borders. Pam Hall, president of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce, would like to see it happen, too. Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060129/NEWS01/601290321/1002 From same: Downtown pedestrians could see street redesign go either way By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - Ask folks about two-way streets in downtown Marion and their answers are liable to go either way. At least that was the case when The Marion Star spoke to pedestrians in the neighborhood of Center and Main streets last week. "I think it'd be great," said Karen Walter of Marion. "I just hate one-way streets. I just think the downtown is hindered. I think it hurts the businesses." Peggy Caserta, house manager at the Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., sees benefits in restoring eastbound traffic to the street that currently allows only westbound motorists. "For one, they could see the mural (facing west on the southeast corner of Prospect and Center streets)," Caserta said, as she hurried to cross with the traffic light, "and it would be good for the shops." Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060129/NEWS01/601290322/1002
March 29, 200619 yr From the 3/28/06 Marion Star: Housing also part of planned development By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - A tax package moves forward and so does construction for the first retailer committed to Legacy Crossing on Ohio 95 East. Meanwhile one state route away on Ohio 309, an $18 million 176-unit, 11-building multifamily apartment project has received the support of the Board of Marion County Commissioners. Legacy Crossing: A 92-acre property on the north side of Ohio 95 East on the former site of John and Jerry McMahan farm is being developed by Domo Development Corp. The first retailer to commit to the retail center is Kohl's Department Store. Former site of East Lawn Manor: A 23-acre property on the north side of Ohio 95 East, west of Legacy Crossing, is being developed by Phoenix Group, owned by Charlie, Patrick, John and Greg Sens. Plans are to develop a retail area, including stores and restaurants. Mark and Kelly Lawrence property: 44 acres along Ohio 309, north of the Phoenix Group property and across Ohio 309 from the west end of the Harding High School site. Kibbey Development Group, owned by Dale, Ilan and Josh Kibbey, allowed an option on the property to expire in August, but it remains available. Avalon Lakes Apartments: A 16-acre property owned by Kibbey Development Group on the north side of Ohio 309 East, east of U.S. 23 and west of Pole Lane Road, is being developed by Pedcor Investments LLC, Cincinnati. Plans are for a 176-unit apartment complex for households with annual incomes of $18,000 to $36,000. Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060328/NEWS01/603280311/1002
April 27, 200619 yr This despite Marion offering them a boatload of incentives. From the 4/27/06 Marion Star: AHP moving diaper plant jobs to Delaware in 2007 Plant owners expect current workers will commute By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star A Marion diaper-manufacturing plant that employs about 227 people will close near the end of 2007 as its owners open a new facility in the Delaware area. Associated Hygienic Products LLC will open a multimillion-dollar plant in the Delaware area, closing its Marion site in the process, said George Jackson, chief executive officer of the Georgia-based company. Mayor Jack Kellogg said he received a phone call from Jackson informing him of the decision, which Kellogg said was made Tuesday afternoon. "Anytime you lose a company like that it hurts," Kellogg said, estimating that the city receives about $100,000 annually in income tax from the workforce at the plant located at 333 Joseph St. Construction of the new plant is expected to be completed by the end of November 2006, an AHP news release states. The company received an $8 million bond and loan package through the state to locate the manufacturing facility in Delaware. Kellogg noted that the package also was available if the company had chosen to build its new plant in Marion. MORE: http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060427/NEWS01/604270324/1002/rss01
April 28, 200619 yr Not that big of a deal, So they didn't have the power requirements, and now people have to drive 30 min to Delaware. cry me a river, at least they still have jobs.
April 28, 200619 yr ^ And Marion doesn't have the revenue the company generates. And for the workers, a 30-min drive can be a big deal with gas prices what they are. So, yeah, there would be many people in Marion who would "cry you a river".
April 29, 200619 yr From the 4/29/06 Marion Star: Here comes Panera Bread, Hobby Lobby & Starbucks Developer: Ohio 95 stores open by fall, more on the way By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - Hobby Lobby, Panera Bread, Starbucks, MC Sports, PETCO and Maurices will join Kohl's Department Store at Legacy Crossing on Ohio 95 East in Marion Township. "It's been a long time coming," said developer John Domo, who introduced subdevelopers Tom Brigdon and Jason Zadeh of Northstar Realty, who purchased approximately 17 acres from Domo Development Corp. adjacent Kohl's. Kohl's, which is under construction, and the other retailers announced Friday at an informal ground-breaking ceremony will be open by fall, Domo said. Construction of the other retailers on the Northstar property along the east side of McMahan Boulevard will begin "probably in less than 30 days," Bridgon said. Other retailers expected to locate at Legacy Crossing are Dollar Tree, Shepherd's Nook, First Choice Haircutters, Corporate America Family Credit Union, Great Clips and CheckSmart. Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060429/NEWS01/604290328/1002/rss01
May 8, 200619 yr From Business First of Columbus, 5/8/06: Company's plan to move factory to Delaware disappoints Marion Business First of Columbus - May 5, 2006 by Dan Eaton Business First A diaper maker with a 20-plus-year history in Marion will be taking its business and 250 jobs about 20 miles south to a plant in Delaware. The move comes with the assistance of the state and the city of Delaware, which together could give Associated Hygienic Products LLC up to $10.6 million in incentives. "Our No. 1 concern was keeping these jobs in Central Ohio," said Lee Yoakum, Delaware city spokesman. "We did not want to do this at the detriment of Marion. We wanted (Associated Hygienic) to decide on Delaware first, then we talked about incentives. We didn't do anything without telling Marion first." "This community has been behind them and helped them grow," said Dave Claborn, president of Marion Can Do, a nonprofit development organization that had been working with the company. Claborn said Associated Hygienic's facility is old and the city and company had discussed moves and incentives for several years, but Marion had trouble getting financial information from the company to help put together a deal. MORE: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/05/08/story7.html
June 1, 200619 yr There is state funding from the Ohio Rail Development Commission in this project. Most of it will upgrade rails and switches. If you want a microcosm of what Rickenbacker will be like, this is a good example. Another thing this project does is to bypass the huge rail bottlenecks in Chicago. SCHNEIDER NATIONAL TO INTRODUCE DEDICATED TRAIN SERVICE IN OHIO VALLEY: Schneider National Inc., a premier provider of transportation, logistics and intermodal services, today announced that it will begin offering dedicated intermodal service to customers in the Ohio Valley by June 5. The new service is a collaboration between Schneider, CSX Intermodal, Inc., the Kansas City Southern railroad and the Marion, Ohio Industrial Center. Schneider is the first truckload carrier to offer this unique solution to better optimize shippers' supply chains The new offering features a Schneider-operated intermodal ramp as well as dedicated trains running from Marion, Ohio, to Kansas City, Mo., with connecting service to California and the Southwest. The Marion operation provides reliable capacity for shippers in the Ohio Valley and the Midwest. Four trains will run the 700-mile route from Marion to Kansas City and back, allowing for departures six days a week in each direction -- ultimately cutting up to one day from existing transit times for freight originating in this market. Schneider plans to expand the offering to include service to both Dallas and Mexico later this year, and is also exploring service to the Pacific Northwest. "Schneider is committed to providing leading-edge solutions, quality service and great value to our customers," said Scott Arves, president, transportation at Schneider National. "Customers have been searching for an Ohio-based intermodal service solution. Schneider's collaboration with CSX Intermodal, Kansas City Southern and the Marion Industrial Center will enable us to provide an exciting range of services to our Ohio Valley customers, shorten the transit time to the West Coast and cut costs in their supply chains." This Marion train is designed to deliver cost-effective rail access, competitive transit and guaranteed capacity to shippers in time for the upcoming surge shipping season. Schneider operates the ramp and drayage to provide clients door-to-door freight control to achieve greater flexibility, visibility and better on-time service into, and out of, the Ohio Valley. The primary offering will be in containers, but trailer on flat car service will also be available. "CSX Intermodal is meeting the rising logistics demand," said Jim Hertwig, president of CSX Intermodal. "This solution will provide the additional capacity and the quality service that shippers need while complementing the products we already provide in this market." "Kansas City Southern is pleased to be part of this innovative supply chain solution that will allow shippers in the upper Ohio Valley to connect with more Midwestern, Southwestern and Mexican markets, using the shortest route miles and bypassing the busy Chicago gateway," said Michael J. Smith, Kansas City Southern vice president sales and marketing, intermodal and automotive business unit. The Marion Industrial Complex offers warehousing, yard, rail and ramp facilities that provide full-service intermodal capabilities. The initial phase of this offering is designed to service the local markets between Northeastern Ohio and both Kansas City and California, but will have the potential to interline to other points, including Mexico. "We're thrilled to work with Schneider to bring intermodal service to Marion," said Ted Graham, president of the Marion Industrial Center, the 200-acre industrial/logistics complex that once served as a U.S. defense depot. "Since it was constructed, this facility has served strategic logistics functions and will now continue that role with the introduction of modern intermodal capabilities. We've put millions into improvements at the Marion Industrial Center, so that today, with eight miles of rail in our center, ample buildings, and greenfield space in and near the center, we are prepared to serve any customer's needs." (CSX, KCS - posted 5/31/06) http://railpace.com/hotnews/
June 7, 200619 yr From the 6/7/06 Marion Star: Commissioners vote to negotiate TIF with developer From Staff Reports MARION - The Marion County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday authorized its legal counsel to draft a tax increment financing document for the former East Lawn property. After 90 minutes of discussion with Phoenix Group, the commissioners voted 3 to 0 to enter negotiations with the developer of a planned retail project on the former nursing home property. Phoenix Group, a development firm owned by the Sens family, is seeking the TIF to cover the estimated $2.67 million cost of constructing roadway improvements on the property. http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060607/NEWS01/606070312/1002/rss01
June 7, 200619 yr From the 6/7/06 Marion Star: County to seek $230,000 tax penalty from departing AHP By BEVIN PEPPARD The Marion Star MARION - A local business that failed to meet the terms of an agreement for a tax abatement will be penalized by the county. The Marion County Commissioners Tuesday unanimously agreed to terminate an agreement with Associate Hygienic Products LLC. (AHC) and to recoup previously exempted property taxes from the company. "At a minimum, (the penalty) will be $230,000," said Ken Lengieza, director of the Regional Planning Commission. He explained that number may increase since the company has yet to file their 2005 taxes. The commissioners determined the company failed to meet its obligations to employ 330 full-time employees and to continue operations within Marion County. The company recently announced that it will move its operations to Delaware County and released a report to that county of a total of 201 full-time employees. MORE: http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060607/NEWS01/606070336/1002/rss01
June 9, 200619 yr MARION INTERMODAL CENTER Hub helps firms steer clear of congestion Friday, June 09, 2006 Adam Sichko THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH MARION, Ohio — The centerpiece of Marion’s new rail and trucking hub straddles railroad tracks, while standing 48 feet tall and weighing 290,000 pounds. The mammoth bright-orange crane doesn’t move very fast, inching up and down the tracks. But the device will help speed shipping and distribution, particularly for businesses in the central and northern parts of Ohio. The hub, which opened this week as the Marion Intermodal Center, will allow more Ohio goods to bypass snarled transportation yards in Chicago, a necessary stop for many goods headed west. Intermodal operations allow goods to be shipped by a combination of methods, such as rail, road and air. At the Marion hub, the crane moves large containers between rail cars and tractor-trailer trucks as they change routes on their journey. Officials said the operation is a costeffective way to knock a day or two off travel time when shipping and receiving goods. And they also think it will attract shippers and distributors to the area. Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/06/09/20060609-G1-00.html
June 11, 200619 yr From the 6/11/06 Marion Star: PHOTO: A translift crane is used to lift containers off of truck trailers and onto railroad cars for transport to western states at the Marion Intermodal facility at the Marion Industrial Center. The Marion Star/James Miller PHOTO: James Smith uses a joystick to guide a crane used to lift containers off of truck trailers and onto railroad cars. Smith works at the new Marion Intermodal facility at the Marion Industrial Center. The Marion Star/James Miller PHOTO: Graham Train gains ahead? Marion now has line on potential supply chain benefits Rail hub facility brings low-cost transport option By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - Framed by a sunny sky, the 53-foot-long orange container being lowered by a crane onto the bed of a train car suggested a child at play. Looking on, it wasn't hard to imagine a giant 5-year-old reaching out with his chubby fingers to grab a crank on top of the apparatus and turning it to load the box onto the rail car. This scene taking place daily at the rear of the Marion Industrial Center on Harding Highway East isn't play time for oversized youngsters, however. It's serious business for Schneider National, known as the largest truckload carrier in North America, and Marion Intermodal, MIC President Ted Graham's latest enterprise. On Monday, the $2.5 million intermodal facility began shipping freight to Kansas City where it is loaded onto a Kansas City Southern train and delivered to parts as far west as California. On Wednesday, shipments also began arriving from Kansas City for delivery to Marion and points east. Full article at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060611/NEWS01/606110335/1002/rss01 From same: Marion has a rail history for business prospects By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - Startup of the Marion Intermodal facility at the Marion Industrial Center is a reminder of the Marion area's connection to the railroad. While recent perception of trains in Marion often focuses on upset motorists waiting for a locomotive to clear a crossing, history shows the community's close ties to the network of iron rails criss-crossing the countryside. Discussion of the new intermodal site stirred such comments from Dave Claborn, president of Community Area New Development Organization Inc. "Marion's always been a rail hub," Claborn said. The arrival of the Bellefontaine & Indiana Railroad in 1852 brought with it a more industrialized Marion. The city became home to five railroads including the Erie-Lackawanna and the Big Four as well as two interurban electric trains named the Columbus, Delaware and Marion, and the Columbus, Marion and Bucyrus for the routes they provided. Full article at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060611/NEWS01/606110337/1002/rss01
June 15, 200618 yr From the 6/14/06 Marion Star: PHOTO: An eastbound truck enters the intersection of West Center and Davids streets as it heads back through Marion. The Marion Star/Bill Sinden MAP: Road project Railroad concerns delay NW connector Local officials seek state, federal assistance By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - A railroad crossing is blocking progress on a multimillion-dollar road project that participants say would improve a vital transportation route and foster economic development here. Marion's county and city officials have signed off on letters to federal and state officials asking for help in completing the Northwest Industrial Connector project, which would link Ohio 95 West to Marion-Williamsport Road. Estimated cost of the project is $6.6 million, which Ken Lengieza, Marion City/County Regional Planning Commission director, has described as a "starting estimate." Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060614/NEWS01/606140323/1002/rss01
June 17, 200618 yr From the 6/16/06 Marion Star: PHOTO: Domo Development Corporation's Legacy Crossings development off Ohio 95 East moves along Thursday. The Marion Star/Bill Sinden Roadwork ahead on Ohio 95 site? TIF talk draws disagreement Commissioner says county 'needs' developers' project By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - Taxpayer money is at stake as the Marion County commissioners try to determine whether to approve a tax increment financing agreement for the Phoenix Group's development of the former East Lawn Manor property. Phoenix Group purchased the 25.8-acre site, located on Ohio 95 East, for $3.5 million in 2004, agreeing to complete a north-south road through the property by June 2007. Plans are to create a retail center. The development company, formed by the Sens family of Marion, wants the county to approve a TIF for an estimated $2.67 million in roadway and sanitary sewer work for the project. http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060616/NEWS01/606160328/1002/rss01
June 24, 200618 yr NEW OHIO VALLEY TRAIN SERVICE IS CELEBRATED: Schneider National Inc., a premier provider of transportation, logistics and intermodal services, national railroad executives and elected officials will gather in Marion, Ohio, today to officially celebrate the arrival of dedicated train service to manufacturers and businesses in the Ohio River Valley. The new service, a collaboration between Schneider, CSX Intermodal, Inc., the Kansas City Southern railroad and the Marion, Ohio Industrial Center, makes Schneider the first truckload carrier to offer this unique solution to improve shippers' supply chains. "Shippers in the Ohio Valley were looking for reliable, committed capacity," said Chris Lofgren, president and CEO at Schneider National. "We thank the railroads and the Marion Industrial Center for collaborating with us to deliver a solution that not only quadruples intermodal capacity in the region, but further establishes our position as a leader in the industry." In addition to Lofgren, other dignitaries speaking at the event include Steve Rand, AVP sales and account development, CSX Intermodal; Dan Avramovich, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Kansas City Southern Railroad; Ted Graham, president, Marion Industrial Facility; Marion Mayor Jack Kellogg and Ohio State Senator Larry A. Mumper. Comments about the new service were followed by a symbolic "christening" of the train and a presentation of a train bell to the city of Marion for its warm welcome to Schneider National. According to Bill Matheson, vice president and general manager, Intermodal for Schneider National, the new offering features a Schneider-operated intermodal ramp as well as dedicated trains running six days a week from Marion, Ohio, to Kansas City, Mo., with connecting service to California and the Southwest. The service will ultimately cut up to one day from existing transit times for freight originating in this market. Schneider plans to expand the offering to include service to both Dallas and Mexico later this year, and is also exploring service to the Pacific Northwest. "The congested Chicago gateway was burdening shippers' supply chains, and with this solution we have enabled them to improve service levels, cut costs and expand their market reach," said Matheson. "Since the launch of the new service on June 5, we have seen strong initial demand which we expect will grow with the upcoming shipping surge season." (Schneider National Inc - posted 6/22/06) http://railpace.com/hotnews/
June 30, 200618 yr From the 6/30/06 Marion Star: TIF scrutiny focuses on funding shortfalls Commissioners vote 2-1 to move forward By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - The possibility that legal action could ensue was one point made during discussions surrounding the Marion County Board of Commissioners' authorization for the drawing up of a tax increment financing agreement for the former East Lawn Manor property. While some officials have said the project is an important piece of the puzzle in the county's future development, the plans project estimated shortfalls that the county would have to cover. Lack of an approved TIF, the developers say, is impacting the ability for them to move forward. http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060630/NEWS01/606300312/1002/rss01
July 17, 200618 yr From the 7/16/06 Marion Star: Project funding estimates revised By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - The county may not have to ante up more money for a tax increment financing agreement on the former East Lawn Manor property after all. Questions linger, however, about other aspects of the proposal being sought by Phoenix Group for a $2.67 million commercial development at the Ohio 95 East site. http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060716/NEWS01/607160326/1002/rss01
August 6, 200618 yr From the 8/6/06 Marion Star: Ethanol plant in plans for Holland Rd. Hearing for zoning changes is Monday By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - A Columbus man plans to build an ethanol plant at Ohio 309 and Holland Road just west of Marion. A request by Herbert Pfeifer of Herbert Pfeifer Construction for a conditional use permit is scheduled to receive a public hearing before the Marion Township Board of Zoning Appeals at 7 p.m. Monday. The plant would employ an estimated 30 to 40 people and cost approximately $40 million to $60 million to construct, said Ken Lengieza, Marion County Regional Planning Commission director. Pfeifer needs the conditional use permit to allow him to move forward with plans for construction. He also must obtain Environmental Protection Agency permits including an air pollution control permit and a storm water permit, said Dina Pierce, spokeswoman for the agency's Northwest Ohio District. Pfeifer is one of "probably five" businesses interested in Marion County as the possible site for an ethanol producing facility, said Dave Claborn, president of Marion Community Area New Development Organization Inc. MORE: http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060806/NEWS01/608060343/1002/rss01
August 18, 200618 yr From the 8/16/06 Marion Star: Avalon Lakes project gets county's OK Company assumes all risk for $9M bond issuance By JOHN JARVIS, The Marion Star MARION - Households with a yearly income of approximately $18,000 to $36,000 will have another option for housing possibly as early as next fall. The Marion County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted to authorize issuing bonds in an amount not to exceed $9 million to help finance a 176-unit apartment complex being developed by Pedcor Investments of Carmel, Ind. Avalon Lakes Apartments will be located on the north side of Ohio 309, a half mile east of U.S. 23. Construction on the $18 million project will begin in September with a target completion date of fall 2007, said Bill Parrish, senior vice president of development at Pedcor. Read more at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060816/NEWS01/608160312/1002/rss01
August 18, 200618 yr From the 8/17/06 Marion Star: TIF talk delays Questions still remain for East Lawn plan Numbers getting close, says county official By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - Tax increment financing for commercial development of the former East Lawn Manor property remains in question. The Marion County Board of Commissioners removed a possible vote on awarding a TIF agreement to Phoenix Group, developer of the Ohio 95 East site, from its agenda for today's regular meeting. http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060817/NEWS01/608170336/1002/rss01
September 3, 200618 yr From the 9/1/06 Marion Star: State funds revive northwest connector Rail commission awards $6M for overpass By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - A connector road project halted by a railroad company's objection to allowing an at-grade crossing has new life with a $6 million contribution of state funding to build an overpass. The Ohio Rail Development Commission informed Marion County Engineer Brad Irons that it has committed the $6 million, or 100 percent of project costs, in grade crossing safety funds. In return, the county would be expected to close three existing grade crossings to vehicular traffic "as a quid pro quo for the grade separation funding," states a letter dated Aug. 25 to Irons from James Seney, executive director with the commission. The Northwest Industrial Connector project grew from a request by Whirlpool Corp., Marion Division, to the Ohio Department of Development to provide an alternate route for trucks shipping to and from the county's largest employer. Estimated cost of the entire connector project is $6.6 million, with the Ohio Department of Develoment offering a $3.25 million grant. With Issue 2 Public Works Commission funding and revenue from tax increment financing for the Dual Rail Industrial Park, the cost to local government is about $975,000. The county commissioners, county engineer's office and city each would pay $325,000 toward the project. Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060901/NEWS01/609010319/1002/rss01
September 4, 200618 yr From the 9/3/06 Marion Star: An overpass to progress Business benefit just one of the pluses from rail funds Plan was sunk without commission's contribution, says Commissioner Frayer By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - Play ball. A chief freight rail planner with the Ohio Rail Development Commission described the Northwest Industrial Connector project in baseball terms, saying the road promises to be "kind of a triple play." Explaining why the commission has committed up to $6 million toward construction of an overpass, Lou Jannazo said, "The project itself has dual aspects, it's a very good safety project and it's a very good economic development project." Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060903/NEWS01/609030308/1002/rss01
September 9, 200618 yr From the 9/8/06 Marion Star: Some bumps still remain over TIF agreement Officials seek breakdown, announce possible vote on East Lawn site funding By KURT MOORE The Marion Star MARION - Public good versus public cost. That question remains at the center of a debate whether to grant a tax-increment financing agreement to the developer of the former East Lawn Manor property. The Marion County Board of Commissioners and attorney Steve Grassbaugh, who is representing the county on TIF issues, met with representatives of developer Phoenix Group and members of the public Thursday to discuss remaining issues. By the end of the meeting, Grassbaugh told commissioners he planned to put together a draft agreement for their yet-to-be-scheduled next meeting to be held on the issue and commissioners agreed to alert River Valley Local Schools, whose district is affected by the agreement, that a vote may be taken in the "near future." http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060908/NEWS01/609080330/1002/rss01
October 8, 200618 yr From the 10/4/06 Marion Star: Company's owner reports progress on ethanol plant $100 million-plus plant pitched for Ohio 309 West site By BRENDA J. DONEGAN The Marion Star MARION - Herb Pfeifer of Pfeifer Construction Co. of Columbus told Marion County commissioners plans are progressing to construct an ethanol plant at Holland Road and Ohio 309 just west of the city. Pfeifer said at Tuesday's commissioners meeting that his company had met with CSX officials and has a contract for use of 14 acres adjacent to Ohio 309 and to move an approximate 55 feet of rail making a one-track crossing into the development approximately 280-300 feet off Ohio 309. Commissioners proposed Pfeifer meet with County Engineer Brad Irons to work out engineering issues and offered support of the project. The $100 million-plus ethanol plant, Pfeifer said, would take nine months to build to completion. It would create 40 new jobs at an average pay of $17 to $20 per hour using local labor. MORE: http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061004/NEWS01/610040309/1002/rss01
October 20, 200618 yr From the 10/13/06 Marion Star: Residents pack room to talk about TIF By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - Several Marion County residents spoke out Thursday against the approximately $2.9 million tax increment financing agreement being considered by the Marion County Board of Commissioners. A standing-room-only crowd of about 77 people attended a Thursday morning meeting called by the commissioners to discuss the Phoenix Group proposal for the former East Lawn Manor property it purchased in 2004 for $3.5 million. http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061013/NEWS01/610130323/1002/rss01
October 30, 200618 yr From the 10/19/06 Marion Star: Phoenix Group ends development plan Future of Ohio 95 site unclear By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION — Phoenix Group has ended its project to develop the former East Lawn Manor property that it purchased from Marion County, the developer’s attorney said. “They’ve decided it’s not a conducive environment for investing,” said Martin J. Hughes III, the lawyer representing Phoenix Group, the development firm owned by the Sens family of Marion. Phoenix Group doesn’t have an alternative plan for the property, he said; “It’s not going to happen.” http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061019/NEWS01/61019013/1002/rss01
October 30, 200618 yr From the 10/22/06 Marion Star: Is East Lawn at a dead end? Phoenix Group still expected to build road, prosecutor says By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - Construction of a road that is expected eventually to serve as a connector just east of the city will go forward despite a local firm's decision to stop a development project, the county prosecutor says. "They have to build the road," said Jim Slagle, Marion County prosecutor, on Friday, referring to officials for Phoenix Group, which purchased the former East Lawn Manor property for $3.5 million in 2004. He said the road will be the one that was included in discussion of the developer's tax increment financing proposal. http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061022/NEWS01/610220315/1002/rss01
October 30, 200618 yr From the 10/27/06 Marion Star: Frayer says school board scuttled development plan unnecessarily By BRENDA J. DONEGAN The Marion Star MARION - Marion County Commissioners Vice President Ken Frayer, took the River Valley School board to task when he read a prepared statement concerning the recent actions of the board concerning the proposed TIF for the former East Lawn Manor property. Frayer said the school board intervened twice with the TIF - first by tabling the document on Oct. 11 and then rejecting it Oct. 24. He said the school board said they did not like the document in its present form. Frayer said he was not completely satisfied with the document but that it was a working document. Read more at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061027/NEWS01/610270320/1002/rss01
March 2, 200718 yr From the 1/14/07 Marion Star: What would you do with our courthouse? Much needed repairs may bring the county commissioners around to asking you By JOHN JARVIS, The Marion Star MARION - Small pieces of ceiling have fallen while Sue Schweinfurth and her co-workers do their jobs in the Marion County Probate Court office. Rainwater has left stains in ceiling tile in a room where the public can look at microfilmed records. Plastic covers the device and the floor. A white cardboard box containing common pleas court records temporarily stored in the former county auditor's office wears a brown line, evidence of standing water produced by a heavy rain storm last summer. A portable heater rests beneath Schweinfurth's desk, her effort to compensate for degrees lost through a nearby drafty window. The Marion County Board of Commissioners will meet with an architect Jan. 19 to discuss what can be done to correct such situations, which have accumulated in a county courthouse suffering from years of disrepair. "It looks like it's a $7 million, $8 million project whether we rebuild, remodel, reconstruct or whatever the project ends up being," said Ken Frayer, board chairman. "In all probability we're going to need voter assistance when all's said and done." Fast Facts Construction of the Marion County Courthouse began in 1884 and was completed in 1885 at a cost of $115,000. In 1973, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1975, the interior was remodeled at cost of $900,000. Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070114/NEWS01/701140306/1002/rss01
March 2, 200718 yr From the 2/25/07 Marion Star: PHOTO: Signs of wind and water erosion and damage is evident in the courthouse sandstone. The Marion Star/Bill Sinden PHOTO: The Marion County Courthouse stands on the northeast corner of North Main and East Center streets. For some time now the county has been looking at the possibility of renovating the building. The Marion Star/Bill Sinden Our courthouse ... Should it stay or should it go? It'll cost millions to renovate, but some say preserving our history may be worth it By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star What's at stake Two centuries after it was built, the Marion County Courthouse heads for an uncertain future. Its interior remodeled at a cost of $900,000 in 1975, the courthouse must be renovated, demolished or allowed to deteriorate further. The price tag for renovation could be $4 million to $8 million. With the county projecting deficit spending of $1.1 million in 2007, the Board of County Commissioners is looking for grants, but say voters likely will be asked to pass a tax levy if they decide to renovate. Full story at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070225/NEWS01/702250317/1002/rss01
March 3, 200718 yr From the 3/1/07 Marion Star: Voters asked to get behind school funding Two districts see ballot in May; amendment wouldn't be until November By KURT MOORE The Marion Star MARION - A decision on whether Marion City Schools Board of Education will seek a property or income tax in November is being delayed for a month as board members talk to the public, the board's president said on Wednesday. Meanwhile residents will soon have the chance to get behind a school funding amendment that may also make the November ballot. The discussions are centering around how best to fund public education, an ongoing debate in several communities within the state. For the Marion board, which is seeking additional funding, the question is whether to seek a 0.5-percent income tax or a 4.9-mill, five-year property tax levy. The Ohio Department of Taxation estimates the income tax, which would be phased in over a few years, would raise about $2.1 million per year by 2010. The Marion County Auditor's Office forecasts a 4.9-mill, five-year property tax would raise about $1.8 million per year. MORE: http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070301/NEWS01/703010326/1002/rss01
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