December 4, 200618 yr "A proposal to build a hike-and-bike path along busy Section Road in the southwestern part of the village (Amberly) is sparking a debate again between supporters and opponents." Its a fraking sidewalk, what kind of community actually has to debate whether or not they should have sidewalks? such hubris.
December 5, 200618 yr A couple stories out of Hamilton, both from the 12/5/06 Journal-New: New animal shelter to be built on Princeton Road Even with the passed levy to build a new building, the humane society still needs donated funds to operate the facility. By Candice Brooks Higgins HAMILTON — By this time next year, a new $3.8 million Butler County animal shelter may be standing in the county seat. County officials announced Monday they selected county-owned property on Princeton Road in Hamilton — adjacent to the Butler County Care Facility — to build the animal shelter taxpayers supported as Issue 12 in the general election. "It's still in central Butler County for easy public access and it's in Hamilton, where we get most of our animals from," said Leland Gordon, executive director of the Animal Friends Humane Society, which operates the existing shelter in Trenton. Demolishing the existing shelter and rebuilding was considered, Gordon said, but a temporary shelter would have been needed until construction was complete, and there is no public sewer line to the current site. The Princeton Road location was a better fit because it's county-owned open land donated decades ago that will leave more funds dedicated to the construction project, County Administrator Derek Conklin said. MORE: http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/04/hjn120506animalshelter.html ____________________________________________________________________________ Planners delay Sonic rezoning request By Chris Dumond HAMILTON — The Sonic drive-in restaurant that opened just a few months ago has been big enough of a hit to set plans in motion to bring a second to the city's West Side, but not everyone is thrilled about the development. Local franchisee The Harmon Organization wants to build the restaurant at the northern corner of the intersection of Northwest Washington Boulevard and North Brookwood Avenue at the site of a defunct Fifth Third Bank. Disgruntled residents and at least one businessman told city planning commissioners Monday that the restaurant will cause havoc at the already dysfunctional intersection. ... In other business, commissioners granted approval for a development plan for a previously announced 60,000-square-foot medical office building for Prexus Health Partners at the Hamilton Enterprise Park. (Previously announced? It is news to me.) MORE: http://www.journal-news.com/o/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/04/hjn120506sonic.html
December 6, 200618 yr Author From the 11/27/06 Eastern Hills Journal: Oakley to take another shot at street grant BY FORREST SELLERS | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER OAKLEY - Next year Oakley will reapply for grant funding for streetscape improvements. The city of Cincinnati did not approve the community's most recent funding request. "We were hoping for the best, but we realize we wanted too much (of) the funding which would be allowed citywide," said Oakley Community Council member Bob Luthy. Oakley had applied for a $600,000 grant in June from the city of Cincinnati's Invest in Neighborhoods department. Luthy said the community will reapply for grant funding in March but in a smaller amount. Luthy said Oakley would request funding for several projects including: * Streetscape improvements such as lighting, trees, signage and street furniture. * Signage bearing the name of Oakley which would be located on the railroad pass above Madison Road. * Median landscaping and a fountain at the Oakley Esplanade park. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061127/NEWS01/611270406/1090/Local From the 11/30/06 Enquirer: Carnegie library draws interest Built to last, now vacant, it needs ideas to begin a new century of use BY SCOTT WARTMAN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER NEWPORT - During the christening of Newport's Andrew Carnegie endowed public library on June 25, 1902, John Burke, superintendent of Newport Schools, called the library the soul of the city, said local historian and author Jan Mueller. The ornate stone and marble building at Fourth and Monmouth streets has sat vacant for two years after the library moved to Sixth Street. Newport officials want the building to be an active part of the community. The city owns the property and will ask for proposals from developers and business owners in the next month on what it could be used for. It likely will go up for sale, officials say. Library history 1896: Newport leaders get a charter to start a public library. 1898: Board of directors is assembled. 1899: Newport's first public library opens on the second floor of the Mutual Fire Insurance building across the street from where the Carnegie library eventually would be built. November 1899: Library receives $20,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie to build the library. The library will get another $6,000 from Carnegie. June 25, 1902: Grand opening ceremonies. Early 1900s: A state report says the public libraries in Newport, Covington and Paris are the only ones in Kentucky open to both black and white people. March 1961: The Committee of 500, a group set on reforming Newport and ridding the city of gambling houses and mobsters, meets in the second floor auditorium to rally for sheriff candidate George Ratterman, who won on a reform platform. 1979: Campbell County Public Library assumes control over library operations from the City of Newport. 1982: Campbell County Public Library buys the building. May 1, 2004: Carnegie Library closes. Campbell County Library re-opens Newport branch on Sixth Street. MORE: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061130/NEWS0103/611300390 From the 11/29/06 Erlanger Recorder: Erlanger gears up for further development, new council BY AMANDA VAN BENSCHOTEN | COMMUNITY RECORDER STAFF WRITER ERLANGER - Two developments in the works since June have gotten the go-ahead to break ground. On November 28, city council unanimously approved an office condominium complex for the former Triple E Swim Club site and an office building at the corner of Dixie Highway and Dry Creek Road. Both required zone changes, which council approved along with development plans. The Kenton County Planning Commission had recommended approval of the projects. Erlanger-based Terrace Holdings plans to build two 20,000 square-foot office buildings on the swim club site. The façades of the two-story buildings will match that of the city building next door. The office condominiums would have flexible floor plans ranging in size from 700 to 1,400 square feet at a price of $155 per square foot. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS01/611290372/1080/Local
December 6, 200618 yr From the Newport Carnegie Library article above.... The building is a block away from the bustling Newport on the Levee, plus it's on the city's main business thoroughfare. No wonder it is empty, their tenant probably moved into NOTL :-D
December 6, 200618 yr I noticed yesterday that construction has finally resumed on the townhouses in Walnut Hills at the corner of W.H. Taft and Stanton. I believe there are already two-four units built on either side of Taft and it is backed by the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation. Should fill another vacant hole on Taft, the designs aren't overly sexy, but the are built to the curb and blend in nicely with the neighborhood.
December 6, 200618 yr Author ^ It's about time. I didn't think those were ever going to happen. From the 11/30/06 Enquirer: Eyesore to be gone by year's end Royal Crown center has become a royal pain BY FEOSHIA HENDERSON | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER SYCAMORE TWP. - An old hotel and convention complex that for years has been the scene of criminal activity will be history by year's end, Sycamore Township officials said. Tennessee-based Citizens Bank owns the Royal Crown Hotel and Convention Center, on Reading Road near Roselawn. The complex was in foreclosure, and the bank plans to start tearing down the building early next week, Sycamore Township Fire Chief B.J. Jetter said. "The timeline is to have it done by Christmas," Jetter said. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/NEWS01/611300365/1056/COL02 From the Enquirer, 11/30/06: Seton High School Dedicates New Building Contributed By Shauna Steigerwald | The Enquirer The completion of Seton High School’s two-year, $13.5 M building and renovation project will be celebrated and dedicated at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 10. Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk will preside over the Dedication Mass in the school’s new gymnasium. During the liturgy, a statue of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton will be blessed and dedicated in honor of the Sisters of Charity and their commitment to Seton High School. Seton commissioned the statue from Sister Margaret Beaurdette, SC, of New York City. MORE: http://rodeo.cincinnati.com/getlocal/gpstory.aspx?id=100172&sid=105006 From the 11/29/06 Enquirer: PHOTO The Enquirer / Carrie Cochran Photo: Sign of growth THE ENQUIRER Work is progressing on a $100 million expansion of Cincinnati Financial Corp.'s headquarters in Fairfield. The company, which operates six different insurance firms, is adding about 500,000 square feet of space to its existing building on Gilmore Road. The company already has 800,000 square feet of space for about 2,700 employees. Cincinnati Financial plans to add about 200 workers annually over six years once the addition is completed. The addition includes seven stories of office space and a three-story garage. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061129/BIZ01/611290339/
December 7, 200618 yr <i>Some possible changes in store for Burnet Woods. I always kept my distance from this park during my days at UC. </i> Park Won't Take Houses Burnet Woods to change, but no eminent domain <i>By Margo Pierce</i> Whatever improvements come to Burnet Woods, they won't involve the use of eminent domain to displace any neighbors, according to people involved in the planning process. A proposal no longer under consideration had included the possible redevelopment of part of Bishop Street, generating concern among people who live there. A group of 22 neighbors met Dec. 3 with the intention of starting to organize opposition, which they learned late last week is unnecessary. To read more: http://www.citybeat.com/current/news2.shtml
December 7, 200618 yr "They don't feel comfortable going there, there's nothing to do there, it's underutilized." Used to be, people would go to a park to enjoy the peaceful surroundings, use the playground, have a picnic, etc. In other words, the people had the fun. Now there is this attitude that what good is a park unless is is a prepackaged experience that makes the fun for me? Sheesh. Burnet Woods park has a playground, a fishing pond, a frisbee golf course, a picnic shelter, walking trails, and even a planetarium (though that was closed for a while and may still be). What more do people want besides perhaps better lighting?
December 7, 200618 yr I don't know one person that has ever said that Burnet Woods was too dangerous to walk in. Thats ridiculous. The only time that could possible be applicable is at night. How annoying. They could however turn it into a water park, something everybody could enjoy;)
December 7, 200618 yr I think a resturaunt would be a good idea if done right. It would be a signature Uptown destination, keep law abiding people in the park afternight and increase the safety of everyone walking through the park at night. As long as they don't put a big parking lot in the park (I'm thinking they could put sawtooth parking on one of the roads inthe park that is closed to through traffic) it could be interesting. That being said, having a nearly 100 acre park in the area is a great resource and it needs to be preserved, too much programing would be a bad idea.
December 7, 200618 yr In my opinion, the problem with Burnet Woods has always been accessibility. The entrances don't lead to anywhere, a la Ault Park or Alms Park. There's no center to the place. I think the layout needs to be redesigned. Also, That area has gone from being largely residential to largely office/commercial. They need to get more people living near the park, and the only real way to do that would be to encourage UC to build future housing on MLK.
December 8, 200618 yr Author From the 12/4/06 Milford-Miami Advertiser: Clermont Lumber Yard condo deal falls through BY JESSICA NOLL | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER MILFORD - After three years of working on a development contract, the condos once meant for the Clermont Lumber land in Milford are no more - but a new development deal is in the works, said land owner Brian Critchell. There was some disagreement between land owner and the developer (Tom Hume of Great Traditions) about four months ago, said Milford Mayor Lou Bishop. "All we know is that it was called off," he said. Hume, who was the developer working with the city on the project was disappointed and frustrated that the deal fell through, he said. "We could not reach an agreement on the terms and conditions ... We had been working on this for a long time - but at the end of the day, the land owner decided to sell the property," said Hume. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061204/NEWS01/612040366/1119/Local From the 12/5/06 Miami Student: PHOTO: The Hard Hats organization is in the process of raising $1.6 million to improve the center. Media Credit: Andrea Lohse Local residents raise funds to renovate art center David Matthews Issue date: 12/5/06 Section: Community A historic uptown establishment is in need of repair, and to help fund renovations an organization called Hard Hat has found a solution that will resonate with many students: Throw a party. Hard Hat is an organization of community members who have organized to fund-raise for the renovation of the Oxford Community Arts Center (OCAC), by hosting a holiday party from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Oxford College Ballroom. The holiday party, featuring the acoustic band Wildwater, is the second of three events the organization is hosting to fund a $1.6 million renovation of the building, which is located on High Street, according to OCAC employee Sarah Michael. The group's goal is to make the OCAC handicapped-accessible and to provide a solid electric infrastructure to the building. For more information, see www.oxfordartscenter.org. MORE: http://www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2006/12/05/Community/Local.Residents.Raise.Funds.To.Renovate.Art.Center-2521743.shtml?norewrite200612071934&sourcedomain=www.miamistudent.net
December 9, 200618 yr Author From the 12/5/06 Enquirer: PHOTO: Mary Beth Brestel, manager of the science and technology department, works in the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. As the library changes in the future, more searches will be self-directed by patrons. The Enquirer/Gary Landers Main library ready for overhaul Changes aimed at improving service BY LORI KURTZMAN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER You enter through the automatic doors, slightly confused. You're not sure what you want and you haven't a clue where to find it. So you fiddle with the racks. You pace up and down the aisles. Finally you hear a voice - "Can I help you?" - and you look up to see a smiling face, a name badge and a headset. Help has arrived. Sounds a little like Old Navy, but this is not a clothing store. This is the future of the downtown library, which is about to undergo a restructuring that will change the way it addresses customer needs - which have shifted dramatically since the library opened 50 years ago at Eighth and Vine streets. The Main Library for the 21st Century plan - ML/21 for short - calls for nearly $1 million in physical changes. These include creation of a first-floor "popular library" that would house high-demand materials, including DVDs, CDs and fiction books, and the installation of informational kiosks throughout the building. Other additions include a center to hold programs and collections geared toward teens, a homework help space and a technology centerstaffed with computer-savvy workers. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061205/NEWS01/612050333/1056/COL02 From the 12/5/06 Eastern Hills Journal: Chestnut Street office plan on hold for now BY LIZ CAREY | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER MARIEMONT - Mayor Dan Policastro said his investigation into plans to develop an area on Chestnut Street are on hold until after the Resthaven Barn project is under way. Policastro said in October he would investigate the possibility of allowing a developer to put office buildings along a stretch of Chestnut Street and Plainville Road. However, attention must be paid now to the Resthaven Barn renovation. Last month, the Women's Art Club of Cincinnati Foundation bid $55,000 to renovate the Resthaven Barn. On Nov. 28, Policastro raised concerns over whether the group could do the proposed project. Since the bid for the Resthaven Barn has come into question, he said any work on the Chestnut Street area would have to wait. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061205/NEWS01/612050329/1090/Local
December 9, 200618 yr It seems kind of contrary for the library to try to be more proactive while they cut staff, but it sounds like they have their theory right in evolving to meet modern demands.
December 9, 200618 yr ^they did say that they had a 40 percent drop in the requests for reference librarians. Information is a lot easier to find than it used to be, we can all thank google (or whoever your favorite algorythm provider) for that.
December 9, 200618 yr One thing the library needs to change is the ridiculous amount of materials you're allowed to check out. I think it's up to around 25 items at a time. And, on top of that, you can place a hold on 25 items at a time. Therefore, one person can lock up 50 items at a time. I suspect this is why I can never find the book I'm looking for. What average person (researchers and educators get unlimited checkouts) needs to check out 25 books for a 2-3 week period? It's just silly.
December 11, 200618 yr Author UPDATE East Walnut Hills: 2310-2312 Gladstone Here are renderings for the two townhomes. They are currently on the market for $599,900, 3 BR/3 BA. The homes that remain on the site are still standing. A demolition premit for the homes expired in February 2005. (The homes can be seen by clicking "LAST UPDATE".) There are currently no building permits applied for or issued. LAST UPDATE (2/12/06) UPDATE East Walnut Hills: New retail NE corner of McMillan and Victory A public hearing for the rezoning of parcels at 1202 and 1216 E McMillan and 2516 Victory Pw will be held in the Economic Development Committee, December 19 at 10:30 AM. Rezoning of these properties would allow a new retail development, anchored by Skyline Chili, on that corner. LAST UPDATE (11/27/06) RENDERING Colerain Twp: Trilogy Health Care Campus Yawn. Here's a rendering of the 108-bed assisted living campus that has been approved for Pippin Rd, just north of I-275. LAST UPDATE (9/7/06) Round-up: City of Cincinnati BOND HILL 1839 Avonlea Ave has been renovated for resale. CLIFTON The condo conversion of 3460 Whitfield Ave has been completed. There are three units. COLLEGE HILL After 11 months, 5654 Hamilton Ave was finally purchased from the mortgage company for $40,000. The home, built around 1830, was purchased by an investor. COLUMBIA TUSCULUM 3611 Morris Pl is currently being converted from a two-family to a single-family and is having the exterior restored to be historically correct. COLUMBIA TUSCULUM It looks like 4401 Eastern Ave is being renovated for possible residential and commercial use. I also noticed a deck structure being built on the outside. COLUMBIA TUSCULUM Plans were shown to the Columbia Tusculum Community Council for a new house to be built on the vacant land at 3733 Sachem Ave. Being in a historic district, the plans must be approved by the Cincinnati Historic Conservation Board. CORRYVILLE After 16 months, 241 Fosdick St finally sold for $25,000. The building is up to code. EAST PRICE HILL The Cincinnati Preservation Association is opposing a possible demolition of 716 Mt. Hope Ave, also known as the Moore-Knight House. The 4,000-square-foot-plus house, built around 1890, is an individually designated landmark. The 1.3-acre property, which also includes a barn/shed, was purchased by a developer in October. He has looked into ways of developing the property, including the demolition of the current structure and the construction of a residential condo. The site has city views. (no good photo exists) HYDE PARK The condo conversion at 2809 Griffiths Ave is complete. There are four units. NORTHSIDE I believe interior demo on 4204 Williamson Pl (Chase and Williamson) has begun. The building has been vacant since at least 2004. I'll update if I find anything out. (on left) PRICE HILL After seven months, 1216 Texas Ave was purchased from the bank for $34,900. This looks like the kind of house that the bank was trying unload and get off the books, and the buyer got a great deal. RIVERSIDE A substantial rebuilding of 4495 Hillside Ave is underway, including a rear addition and a second-story deck. WESTWOOD 3245 Stanhope Ave has had extensive renovations. (after only) Round-up: Metro BLUE ASH Rec center bids coming in Cincinnati.com (reader submitted), 12/8/06 Blue Ash officials this week are set to receive bids on its recreation center improvements. The planned changes for the center, funded by voters' November approval of Issue 15, include a new walking track, a two-story fitness center and an expanded lobby area. The improvements, which should start in late summer 2007, are expected to take about a year to complete. City leaders also will examine bids for the new golf clubhouse project, which will be big enough for individual dining and contain meeting/reception space and an expanded pro shop. According to planners who worked on the preliminary proposal before the November 7 vote, it would take more than 7.4 million golf balls to fill the volume of the new clubhouse. BOONE COUNTY Mine might have new life as a park Boone County Recorder, 12/6/06 A former gravel mine in Boone County north of Belleview could one day be a park. The Boone County Conservancy owns the 46-acre site near Ky. 18 and Ky. 20. Kristi Nelson, chair of the conservancy's board, said the organization's No. 1 objective is reclaiming the property, putting it back into more of a natural condition and preserving green space. "In partnership with the (Boone County) parks department though, if there is an appropriate use for recreation or any kind of park usage, we're interested in pursuing that," she said. Nelson was among officials and residents attending a workshop Dec. 4 at the Boone County Cooperative Extension Service about the project. She said it was premature to say if the conservancy would turn over the property to the county for it to become a county park. BOONE COUNTY Hobby park 'would be a gem' Boone County Recorder, 12/4/06 Boone County could be home to park where one could fly a remote-controlled airplane, control a model car, ride a model train or watch a toy boat move across water. The facility is something that people like Greg Morehead and Kenny Walker would love to see in Boone County. With such a park, Boone County could hosts events such as air shows and other events that would bring visitors to the community, Morehead and Walker say. "When I say it would be a gem for Boone County, it would be a huge gem," said Morehead, president of the Flying Cardinals of Northern Kentucky, a model aviation group. "It would be a feather in their cap like they'd never seen." A list of priorities for the county's parks department presented to the Boone County Fiscal Court listed the hobby park 26th out of 38 possible projects. David Whitehouse, the parks department director, said the hobby park is interesting but also said at this point there is no site for the park. DEARBORN COUNTY Land use debate kicks off Dearborn County Register, 12/8/06 About 50 people attended the first in a series of interactive public open houses being held to discuss the land use element of the Dearborn County comprehensive plan, Monday, Dec. 4, Sunman-Dearborn Middle School, St. Leon. County Planning Director Mark McCormack led the meeting, explaining the process and purpose of the land use element. The public was then encouraged to ask questions and provide comments. A summary of the meeting hopefully will be posted by the end of the week for review at www.dearborncounty.org/planning. Comprehensive plan and other related study materials also are posted on the Web site. Nine written comments were received during the open house. Most of the comments dealt with specific zoning issues, said McCormack. DEER PARK Deer Park council says no to rehab home Suburban Life, 12/4/06 A Webster Avenue home that had created some controversy in the community is up for sale. Last month the Deer Park City Council unanimously denied a zoning variance for the facility. The zoning variance would have allowed Donald and Patricia Whitaker to operate the home as a vocational skills facility for women. However, many residents said it was more like a halfway house that helped women who had just gotten out of prison. "The concern by residents was a primary factor (in the decision)," Deer Park Mayor David Collins said. FAIRFIELD Spinning fork may spin again Cincinnati.com (reader submitted), 12/4/06 The fork atop the Spinning Fork restaurant along Fairfield’s Dixie Highway may start spinning again. Last week the planning commission approved a change in the development plan for the restaurant, which opened in its present location more than three years ago. “The owner asked us to revisit the part of the plan addressing the rotation of the fork,’’ said Tim Bachman, director of development services. “Everybody asks why the fork doesn’t spin anymore,’’ said George Shteiwi, who owns the 25-year-old business, now in its second Fairfield location. The fork is part of the sign that sits on the roof on the facade of the building. When the restaurant opened in its current location the city sign ordinance did not allow for the rotation and it was not allowed in the planned unit development for the site. FOREST PARK School use considered in Winton Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/5/06 A group opposed to creating grade-level buildings in Winton Woods schools told the school board Monday that almost as much money would be saved keeping the elementary schools as they are. Parents of students who mostly attend Lakeside Elementary in Springfield Township said they agree with the proposed plan to close Cameron Park Elementary because it would cost too much to renovate. But the parents took issue with Superintendent Camille Nasbe's other recent recommendation to change the remaining four neighborhood elementary schools - including Lakeside - into schools with only two or three grade levels, drawing students from throughout the district. Nasbe has said it would save money and delay a levy proposal at a time when state support and enrollment are declining. The board may vote on her proposal Monday. HAMILTON Lindenwald getting makeover Hamilton JournalNews, 12/10/06 Debbie Doerflein remembers when Lindenwald had a bustling business corridor. Growing up in the southeastern Hamilton neighborhood, she saw vibrant activity on Pleasant Avenue and lots of foot traffic, she said. A plan to give the business district entrance an extreme makeover may bring those days back, Doerflein said. "If people see Lindenwald is prospering and changing, then I think there will be more people who try to bring their businesses to Lindenwald and see that it's not a big scary place," said Doerflein, who owns Heaven Sent Bookstore on Pleasant Avenue. The rehab — dubbed the Lindenwald Streetscape project — will coincide with a water main replacement along Pleasant Avenue starting early next month and a road resurfacing project in 2008. The first phase of the project is to replace two blocks of water mains between Symmes and Belle avenues. That phase, which requires the east sidewalk on Pleasant Avenue to be broken up, will be completed near the end of February, said Hamilton Engineer Jim Collins. The second phase will be to replace the east sidewalk between Belle and Williams avenues with a brick walkway. The third phase will begin sometime in June to replace the west sidewalk with the same brick walkway. INDEPENDENCE Library closes, ready for move to new building Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/8/06 The Independence branch library will close for the last time at 5 p.m. Dec. 30. The closing is in preparation for a move to a facility that's four times larger, has double the staff and offers more programming and meeting space, library staff said. The $9 million William E. Durr branch at 1992 Walton-Nicholson Road will open at 2 p.m. Jan. 28. "We think it will be well worth the wait," said Susan Nimersheim, who took over as the manager of the Independence branch this week. The 7,000-square-foot branch was crowded when it opened in May 1995, said Anita Carroll, project manager and former branch manager. The new library will have 39,000 square feet, of which 25,253 will be public space. LOVELAND Council: How important is Y public input? Loveland Herald, 12/7/06 Two more public hearings on a new YMCA proposal have been scheduled at Loveland City Council meetings. The city is pursuing a partnership with YMCA in hopes to bring a recreation center to the city. The second hearing will be on Jan. 9 at 8:30 p.m. Comments from the first meeting Dec. 12 could not be gathered by a reporter before the Loveland Herald deadline. What began as a motion from Councilmember Katie Showler - who called for hearings about the recreation center Dec. 12 and Jan. 9 - shaped into a full-fledged discussion. The council unanimously voted in favor of scheduling the two public hearings. Each councilmember put in their two cents on the hearings and the proposal. Here's what they had to say: Todd Osborne: "I think that the second public hearing is redundant - that being we have open forum at every meeting. We will have already had a public hearing on the same subject on Dec. 12. So I think that we can have as many public hearings as we want, but we always have public hearings, and that's open forum. I don't see the point of a second public hearing. " Paul Elliott: "I think the point of the second public hearing is .... this such a big project. And as of yet, there are still many questions out there and details to be worked out. It just makes sense to have further discussion." MADEIRA Madeira field to get synthetic turf Suburban Life, 12/6/06 The half-century old football field at Madeira High School should be replaced with synthetic turf in time for the 2007 football and soccer season. The Madeira Schools Foundation, an alumni group, will oversee a two-part plan to replace the playing surface and renovate the stadium. The $1.5 million project was unveiled at the Board of Education meeting Dec. 4. "It has not been working the last couple of years," said Mike Hummel of the Madeira Schools Foundation. "It's probably the most used field in the county." MARIEMONT Historic barn continues to rest in Mariemont Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/4/06 Doubts about the future of Mariemont's historic Resthaven Barn have surfaced now that one of its prospective buyers has backed off the deal. Village officials had hoped the architectural firm of Childress & Cunningham Inc. in Walnut Hills and the Women's Art Club of Cincinnati would buy and restore the building, a relic from Mariemont's founding. But the Women's Art Club was the only party to submit a bid to buy the property. For financial reasons, Childress & Cunningham decided not to submit a bid at this time, Mariemont Mayor Dan Policastro said. The firm had planned to occupy the barn's second floor, and the art club was going to use the first floor for exhibits and meetings. Without the financial resources of the architectural firm, the Women's Art Club can't finance the $1 million to $1.2 million renovation unless it receives grants. MIAMI TWP (Clermont County) Miami Township to get outdoor amphitheater Clermont Sun, 12/7/06 Miami Township residents may soon enjoy an improved atmosphere for outdoor music performances. Recent moves made by the township administration have started a process to build a new outdoor amphitheater in Community Park that will add a beautiful new amenity for township residents. "We've been talking about building an amphitheater at Community Park for years," said township administrator David Duckworth. "It's one of those matters where we've never had the funds to do it. We received some state funding to the tune of $50,000 to apply towards an amphitheater. That's what got the ball rolling." When constructed, the new facility would be able to accommodate various outdoor performances, such as the annual performance by the Clermont Philharmonic. In addition, it could help expand programs such as that, bringing additional live music events to the township, or, when no music is available, quite possibly serve as a very classy picnic shelter. The details, said Duckworth, are still being ironed out. NORWOOD 2127 Cameron Ave has been rehabbed for sale. SPRINGDALE Springdale sells house after total renovation Tri-County Press, 12/7/06 Last year, it had chipping paint, a rusty light fixture in the front, sagging gutters and shrubbery in dire need of a trim. The vacant home at 703 Yorkhaven was an eyesore. For two years, Springdale officials received complaints about the house. But the property was tied up in foreclosure. For two years, city officials tried in vain to track down the owner, according to Springdale Mayor Doyle Webster. SYCAMORE TWP (Kenwood) New, larger BP station in the works Northeast Suburban Life, 12/8/06 The BP station on the corner of Kenwood and Montgomery roads was demolished in early November in order to rebuild a larger convenience store area with brick and stone exterior, a car wash where the previous incarnation's repair shop stood and larger canopies above the gas pumps. Sycamore Township Building and Zoning Administrator Greg Bickford said workers are also burying the utilities outside the station. Work on the BP station is scheduled to be completed in late January. SYCAMORE TWP Developers are planning to develop 8.25 acres of property at the southeast corner of Reed Hartman Hwy and Fields Ertel Rd. The development, designed to be compatible with the adjacent Brookwood Retirement Center, would include two two-story office buildings totalling 41,000 square feet. A third one-story building of 11,200 square feet would feature neighborhood-oriented businesses/services. There will be 246 parking spaces. The developer needs a zoning chane, and there is a public hearing before the Sycamore Township Zoning Commission on December 11. SYMMES TWP Church hoping to build in Symmes Loveland Herald, 12/7/06 Currently housed in Loveland, The Northstar Vineyard Community Church is looking to build a new facility in Symmes Township. K4 Architecture, which will build the site, is working out details that would grant the church a "conditional use" zoning to build the new church at 9745 and 9767 Union Cemetery Road, which is zoned residential. According to project manager Christopher Sample, the Religious Worship Facility would be built on a total of 8.37 acres of land and hold about 800 people. The current plan also calls for community amenities such as ball fields, playground equipment and park spaces. The facility itself would be approximately 26,000 square feet and would connect to a 227-space parking lot and more than 5,000 square feet of green space, including a retention pond on the south end of the property. All current plans are subject to change, and approval by the township will be on a conditional basis. WYOMING Wyoming to buy property, revitalize retail area Tri-County Press, 11/26/06 The city is buying retail property at 500 Wyoming Ave. so it can have direct control over the future redevelopment of one of the key pieces of property in downtown Wyoming. The property, once home to a flower shop and current home to the gift shop Fancy This, is being sold to the city for $430,000. "The redevelopment of that property with uses that will benefit the business district is very important," Wyoming City Manager Bob Harrison said. So important that the city plans to hire a consultant, the Buxton Co., to study and develop a profile for the redevelopment of the property, which was appraised at $520,000, Harrison said. "They'll provide some guidance in terms of retail firms we'd be able to target for that site," Harrison said.
December 11, 200618 yr if those east walnut hills townhomes come with the squigglies then sign me up.
December 11, 200618 yr UPDATE East Walnut Hills: 2310-2312 Gladstone They are currently on the market for $599,900, 3 BR/3 BA. Another little stretch that went from being...er...let's just say, very East End-y... UPDATE East Walnut Hills: New retail NE corner of McMillan and Victory .... Rezoning of these properties would allow a new retail development, anchored by Skyline Chili, on that corner. With the Schoolhouse Lofts down the street one way and DeSales corner the other way, it's disappointing to see a Skyline going in there... The BP station on the corner of Kenwood and Montgomery roads was demolished in early November in order to rebuild a larger convenience store area with brick and stone exterior, a car wash where the previous incarnation's repair shop stood and larger canopies above the gas pumps. Yeah, there aren't enough gas stations in that area! Jeez... Developers are planning to develop 8.25 acres of property at the southeast corner of Reed Hartman Hwy and Fields Ertel Rd. The development, designed to be compatible with the adjacent Brookwood Retirement Center, would include two two-story office buildings totalling 41,000 square feet. ...and hey, more commuters on already stressed infrastructure! Yay! Actually, if you're going to add them, that's the spot - the whole interchange there was recently improved massively...
December 11, 200618 yr Author From the 12/6/06 Enquirer: Deal OK'd to buy ex-Kmart THE ENQUIRER FOREST PARK - Forest Park is finalizing a deal to buy the vacant former Kmart at Hamilton and Waycross roads, a site officials have long hoped they could redevelop. City Council members voted unanimously Monday night to proceed with the $806,000 purchase, which includes about eight acres. "We simply have to take advantage of the unique opportunity," City Manager Ray Hodges wrote about the sale in an e-mail to residents. He and Mayor Jim Lawler both have said they would like to include the site with other nearby property, including possibly the vacant Thriftway across the street, for a bigger redevelopment project for which they would create a tax-increment financing district to pay for the site and public improvements. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061206/NEWS01/612060369/1056/COL02 From Northeast Suburban Life, 12/6/06: Traffic study examines Twin Lakes proposal BY RICH SHIVENER | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER MONTGOMERY - A new senior-citizen housing development near Hopewell Road could be approved by the city's Planning Commission Dec. 18. Twin Lakes, a non-profit organization, is seeking to build 13 dwelling units on three acres of greenspace property along Montgomery Road, next to the Montgomery Safety Center. Sam Boymel, a resident of Amberley Village, owns the property, according to city officials. Frank Davis, Montgomery's community development director, said Cincinnati Capital Properties Inc., a representative of Twin Lakes, will bring a final site plan before the commission Dec. 18. The original site plan, proposed to planning commission in July, has sparked some controversy. Residents of Forestglen Drive and its adjacent streets are concerned about the housing component Twin Lakes seeks to build on the Boymel property. "Many of us think the city ought to purchase the land and leave it as passive parkland or a nature preserve," resident Connie Pillich wrote in an e-mail. "Of course, there is no budget for something like this, although we have been seeking out some sources of funding." MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061206/NEWS01/612060382/1106/Local
December 11, 200618 yr I thought that TIF's were over for Ohio? But in Forest Park's case, I hope not, that area needs help!
December 12, 200618 yr Author From the 12/11/06 Cincinnati Business Courier. The rest of the article is unavailable to non-subscribers. If online or print subscribers could elaborate on the story, that would be great. Condo project mulled for Vine Discussion continues for project near Square, above JeanRo Bistro Cincinnati Business Courier - December 8, 2006 by Laura Baverman Staff Reporter The developers of condo projects The McAlpin and 18 E. Fourth St. are at it again, quietly plotting a condominium conversion of two Vine Street buildings in the heart of downtown. Advertising for the Lofts at Fountain Square at 413 and 417 Vine St., home to JeanRo Bistro and a vacant Jersey Mike's, appeared in local magazines in November. The ads listed contact information for local developer Roger Thesing; Terry Jacobs, radio mogul and president of JFP Group; Jacobs' son Jeff; and associate Alex Sulfsted, as well as Comey & Shepherd agent Tom Andrews. GBBN Architects was pinpointed as the architect. MORE: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/12/11/story3.html From the 12/7/06 Enquirer: Drawbridge plans upgrade Work follows bankruptcy rescue BY RYAN CLARK | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER FORT MITCHELL - Less than three years removed from bankruptcy, The Drawbridge Inn and Convention Center is ready for a $7 million makeover. Work has begun on the building's first major renovation since the hotel opened its doors 36 years ago, Dec. 6, 1970. Nathan Deters, the owner of the inn, said the bulk of the construction is scheduled to start in January and should take about a year to complete. Cost estimates have ranged between $5 million and $7 million. "The major things we're doing include all new carpet everywhere, as well as redoing all the walls and putting new paint in the hallways," Deters said. "We're updating all lighting and repaving the parking lot." MORE: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061207/NEWS0103/612070394
December 13, 200618 yr From the 12/11/06 Cincinnati Business Courier. The rest of the article is unavailable to non-subscribers. If online or print subscribers could elaborate on the story, that would be great. Condo project mulled for Vine Discussion continues for project near Square, above JeanRo Bistro Cincinnati Business Courier - December 8, 2006 by Laura Baverman Staff Reporter The developers of condo projects The McAlpin and 18 E. Fourth St. are at it again, quietly plotting a condominium conversion of two Vine Street buildings in the heart of downtown. Advertising for the Lofts at Fountain Square at 413 and 417 Vine St., home to JeanRo Bistro and a vacant Jersey Mike's, appeared in local magazines in November. The ads listed contact information for local developer Roger Thesing; Terry Jacobs, radio mogul and president of JFP Group; Jacobs' son Jeff; and associate Alex Sulfsted, as well as Comey & Shepherd agent Tom Andrews. GBBN Architects was pinpointed as the architect. This was the article relating to an image I posted a few weeks ago, the last post on page 20 of this thread. There really is not a lot of info past what is in this article and the ad.
December 13, 200618 yr I actually spoke to someone who works in JeanRo about the project and they said there might be a wine bar next door where the McCormick and Schmidt's temporary offices are/were now.
December 14, 200618 yr Author ^^^ Thanks, TCK. From the 12/11/06 Cincinnati Business Courier: Housing Authority urged to sell property Activist suggests private development in E. Price Hill Cincinnati Business Courier - December 8, 2006 by Dan Monk Senior Staff Reporter Neighborhood activists are renewing their effort to bring single-family homes to a seven-acre parcel owned by the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority in East Price Hill. The land, on Considine between Glenway and Warsaw avenues, is a vacant lot that once held a low-income apartment complex. In 2001, CMHA proposed a mixed-income neighborhood on the site, with 15 of its 47 units reserved for low-income buyers. Neighborhood leaders got Cincinnati City Council to impose restrictive zoning on the site, but CMHA put a $2 million price tag on the property - effectively keeping bidders away. Now, Price Hill activist and CMHA board member Pete Witte is pushing for the low-income housing agency to sell the land. MORE: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/12/11/story6.html From the 12/13/06 Enquirer: RENDERING: Artist's rendering of a new Holiday Inn to be built in Bellevue, on long-vacant land southeast of the Party Source. Provided New Holiday Inn raises city profile Mayor sees lure for new residents BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | [email protected] BELLEVUE - After a new Holiday Inn Express is built on Landmark Drive, people who rent rooms there might discover Bellevue, Mayor Jack Meyer hopes. "It's possible that maybe somebody staying at that Holiday Inn who may be relocating to this area will then discover what a good town Bellevue is, and it could be potentially a good way of bringing in new residents to the area," Meyer said. Officials will gather at 4 p.m. Thursday to celebrate construction of the 77-room hotel on 2.13 acres of land southeast of the Party Source. The site has been vacant well more than a decade. The three-story complex is being built by InterContinental Hotels Group, the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. It will be owned and managed by Bluegrass Hospitality Properties LLC under a license agreement. MORE: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061213/NEWS0103/612130397
December 14, 200618 yr Author From the 12/13/06 Enquirer: PHOTO: The Fine Arts Council is seeking financial help from the city to fix up the old Act One Theater in Sharonville and turn it into a place for performing arts. The Enquirer / Cara Owsley New life sought for old cinema BY JANE PRENDERGAST | [email protected] SHARONVILLE - She remembers standing in line outside, waiting to see Marlon Brando in "Mutiny on the Bounty." It was 1962. So this theater is a special place for Janey Kattelman, now a city councilwoman. She understands, though, that other people might not see that right now, with the musty smell and Tuesday's rain leaking through the marquee outside the Act One Theater. But Kattelman, Mayor Virgil Lovitt and others hope the rest of City Council will see the possibilities when they take up budget discussions next month and consider helping the city's Fine Arts Council renovate the 1920 building. They'd like to see it become a place for performing arts, with the former bookie joint above it turned into space that artists could rent and the former butcher shop next door maybe an art gallery. "It's a great concept that I think will really work," Lovitt said. "It's got good bones, but it needs a lot of work": About $1.5 million in new windows, a new roof, tuckpointing and other upgrades, according to an estimate the arts council received in 2003. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061213/NEWS01/612130376/1056/COL02 From Northeast Suburban Life, 12/8/06: PHOTO RICH SHIVENER/COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF Triangle is 'right on schedule' BY RICH SHIVENER | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER MONTGOMERY - The exterior of the Montgomery Gateway Triangle property should be completed by Dec. 22, according Bob Nikula, the city's public works director. Nikula said the city will not be done with its streetscaping work - such as installing streetlights, sidewalks and trees - around the triangle by Dec. 22. He said People's Bank, who is occupying the smaller building to the south, should begin operations in January. Scaffolding and construction is still present along the Montgomery Gateway Center, the 38,000-square foot, two-story building to the north, slightly narrowing Montgomery Road and Cooper Road. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061208/NEWS01/612080478/1062/Local
December 18, 200618 yr Author UPDATE Gov. Taft urges $2.1M for business park here Business digest ENQUIRER STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS Ohio Gov. Bob Taft recommended $2.1 million in funding Friday for the City of Cincinnati to prepare a 25-acre development site in Bond Hill adjacent to the TechSolve Business Park. If approved by the state controlling board, the money would pay for demolishing the former Millcreek Juvenile Psychiatric Hospital on Paddock Road and building roads and utilities. The funds are part of the state's Job Ready program intended to create an inventory of ready-to-develop properties to attract desirable businesses and jobs. The site would be suitable for a 300,000-square-foot technical-research campus to complement TechSolve, the city said. Cincinnati's is the largest urban site in the first round of funding. The Bond Hill property is near the recently improved Paddock Road interchange on Interstate 75. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061216/BIZ01/612160329/1076/BIZ Downtown: 123 W Ninth St The owner/developer of 123 W Ninth st is looking to make some major changes to his place. 123 W Ninth St consists of a four-story (main) building with ground floor retail fronting Ninth and an adjoning two-story building that fronts on Weaver Alley. Most of the work would occur on the two-story building. This work would consist of a wooden deck atop this building and an overhead garage door to replace the window and two doors. A metal bridge would connect the deck to the third floor of the main building. The windows on the back of the larger building would be converted to doors. A secondary point of egress for the first-floor commercial space of the main building would be via this metal bridge (somehow), since the doors of the two-story building would be replaced and the building would become a garage. Since this building is part of the Ninth Street Historic District, the Historic Conservation Board has been reviewing this request. They support the building of the deck, but still have issues with garage opening and the metal bridge/fire escape. The developer is currently working this stuff out. UPDATE Corryville: New townhomes on Rochelle, Eden and Vaughn The new townhomes adjacent to Stetson Square are now on the market. Each will be three stories with 3 BR/3 BA and built-in two car garages. Prices are in the $299,900-$315,000 range. Is there demand? LAST UPDATE (11/13/06) UPDATE College Hill: Savannah Gardens Apartments City Council has approved unanimously (Cole was absent) a Rental Rehabilitation Loan in the amount of $768,000 for the repair of the Savannah Gardens Apartments on the 1900 block of Savannah Ave. This HOME fund loan will cover 40 years at 1% interest. The total project cost is expected to be $5,642,645. Other sources of funding include Low Income Housing Tax Credits and tax-exempt bonds. This project will provide 120 units of affordable rental housing. LAST UPDATE (11/13/06) Round-up: City of Cincinnati AVONDALE 3588 Eden Ave has been rehabbed as affordable housing. AVONDALE 334 Rockdale Ave is currently undergoing a rehab. This building was condemend in 2004 after a fire. Now Ca-Josh Development is restoring it. The house was once a three-family, but I'm not sure whether or not it will remain that way. COLUMBIA TUSCULUM 3518 Handman Ave has been rehabbed. EAST END The City has passed an ordinance allowing it to sell surplus CRC property on the SW corner of Eastern Ave and St. Peters St. The fair market value has been assessed at $275,000, which is the minimum bid they will accept. KENNEDY HEIGHTS 3635 Solar Vista Pl has been rehabbed. MADISONVILLE Damaged areas of 5343 Chapman St are currently being repaired. A fire on August 3, 2006 caused this damage, which was estimated at $15,000. MADISONVILLE 6616 Madison Rd has been razed by the City. This neighborhood eyesore has been vacant for a very long time. It appeared that it was abandoned and a threat to public safety. MT LOOKOUT 3555 Kroger Ave has been restored. Purchased for $90,000, on the market for $309,000. NORTHSIDE 4136 Jerome Ave has been rehabbed. NORTHSIDE 4558 Hamilton Ave is getting a full rehab. The two-family has been vacant by City request. I can't find a good photo, but it's one of those houses up on steep front yards near the Comet. Round-up: Metro ANDERSON TWP The city will be selling 3.629 acres of property at 2821 Little Dry Run Rd. This is vacant property left over from the construction of a water tower. The minimum bid (assessed market value) will be $175,000. (Left of street, around area of clearing) GOOGLE MAP ANDERSON TWP ANOTHER 80 HOMES TO GO INTO IVY TRAILS Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/17/06 Another 80 homes geared to affluent individuals will be built at the Ivy Trails subdivision in Anderson and Union townships. Peter McGarey, president of Ivy Trails LLC, the project's developer, is trying to sell land for the remaining 80 homes, to be built at the 150-house subdivision at Eight Mile Road and Stoney Bridge Drive. He said the lots that range from a quarter acre up to nearly 2 acres are being sold to a select group of local builders. McGarey expects the entire subdivision to be completed by 2009. He said the homes will run from $500,000 to $3 million and from 2,500 to 11,000 square feet. The subdivision, which already includes 70 upscale homes, also features 2 ½ miles of wooded walking trails, 54 acres of private green space and wooded walkout lots. Ivy Trails also includes a homeowner's association fee of $900 annually. CAMPBELL COUNTY Lincoln signs going up in Campbell County Campbell County Recorder, 12/11/06 The new "Welcome to Kentucky - Birthplace of Abraham Lincoln" signs are going up in Campbell County. They are part of an effort to promote Kentucky's ties to Abraham Lincoln during the Lincoln Bicentennial commemorations, which begin in 2008. The national celebration of the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth will begin Feb. 12, 2009 with festivities in Hodgenville and will continue through February 2010. In Campbell County, the signs will be located at I-275 westbound from Ohio and I-471 southbound from Ohio. HILLSBORO Brown County thoroughfare meeting set for Dec. 13 Hillsboro Times-Gazette, 12/11/06 Officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation will host a public meeting next week to present the findings of the recently completed Brown County Thoroughfare Plan. The Brown County Thoroughfare Plan is a study of the existing transportation network and the potential future needs of the area, and the purpose of the meeting is to share the results of the study. The meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 5-7 p.m. in the Gaslight Theater in Georgetown, 301 S. Main St. "We encourage the general public to join us and area representatives for this important meeting," said Todd Long, ODOT District 9 planning administrator. "Although the study does not denote any specific highway projects slated as a result, it is an assessment of Brown County's long term transportation needs." Initiated in March of this year, the Brown County Thoroughfare Plan is an analysis of safety and congestion issues on the state and federal highway system, as well as land use and growth in the county and regional connectivity with the city of Cincinnati and the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The public meeting scheduled next week will be an open house format, with brief presentations at approximately 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. INDEPENDENCE Ace to anchor Independence shopping center Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/15/06 A new shopping center that will feature an Ace Hardware superstore as its anchor tenant will be built at Declaration Drive and Ky. 17 in this Kenton County city. Plans for the project that is being called Independence Towne Center will include about 26,000 square feet of space for up to six tenants, said Kathy Groob, spokesperson at Paul Hemmer Cos., the Fort Mitchell-based developer of the project. She said the project is a separate development from the existing shopping center but is a continuation of the city's master plan for the area that includes shopping and city services along Ky. 17. The existing center includes some city government buildings, a Kroger, McDonald's and other retailers. The new $4 million project will have smaller storefronts that could accommodate tenants such as a dry cleaner, gift shop or hair salon, Groob said. Hemmer hopes other tenants sign by spring. LOVELAND Building YMCA pool debated Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/12/06 Even before the first public hearing tonight, the debate is growing over building an $8 million pool with the YMCA and asking residents to pass a levy to pay for it. The future of recreation in the city has been discussed at several public meetings before and since City Council passed the recreation master plan almost a year ago. But tonight's will be the first time residents get to weigh in on the proposal for the city to join with the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. The topic already is prompting rumors and questions on an e-mail listserve circulating among residents, with Councilman Paul Elliott forwarding a list of questions to his council colleagues. Among them: Whether lower-income Loveland residents could afford to join the pool; whether the streets around the pool would be able to handle the traffic; and what the best location would be. City Manager Tom Carroll posted his 11-page response on the city's Web site, www.lovelandoh.com. He said he doesn't mind the questions, but that he wants people's opinions to be informed ones. Many specifics are still being worked out, including exactly what the fee would be. It's currently $76 a month for a Y membership. The city plans to offer substantial discounts to residents because they'll already be paying for the facility through their taxes, and Carroll said anyone earning less than $25,000 would be eligible for a scholarship that would make the membership almost free. MADEIRA Madeira raising stadium funds Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/12/06 Madeira Schools Foundation is leading a $1.5 million fundraising campaign to renovate the school stadium with artificial turf and other changes. The Madeira Stadium "Field of Dreams" Project will have two phases. The initial phase would replace the existing grass field with a synthetic surface. Installation is expected to begin this spring in time for the 2007 football and soccer season. Of the $1.5 million, the turf is estimated to cost about $700,000. The second phase, to be completed by the spring of 2009, includes renovating the 50-year-old stadium with a new entrance, ticket booths, restrooms, scoreboard and locker rooms, and redesigned concession stands. The stadium has no restrooms or locker rooms. Fans and players must use restrooms inside the school. Gym floors covered with rubber mats serve as locker rooms. No district taxpayer money will be used, said Mike Hummel, who is co-chairing the project with Terry Jacobs. School booster groups also are helping with the fundraising. MARIEMONT This new construction at 3718 Petoskey Ave has recently been completed. 4 BR/4 BA, on the market for $565,000. This is in an established neighborhood of homes in the $200,000-$350,000 range. MIAMI TWP (Clermont County) New features coming to township's parks Milford-Miami Advertiser, 12/11/06 When residents head out to the township's parks next spring, they will find a couple of new things waiting for them. The Bark Park, Miami Township's first dog park, which is in Miami Meadows Park on Ohio 131, was completed in October, said Service Director Walt Fischer. It has two fenced-off areas - a larger one for more active dogs and a smaller one for less active dogs - as well as a secured area where owners can safely unleash their dogs before bringing them into the park, said Recreation Director Krystin Thibodeau. Park guidelines will be posted, and dogs must have a current license and be up-to-date on their shots to play in the park, said Thibodeau. "We will be spot-checking the park." The park also will feature "doggie fire hydrants and water fountains," she said. MT ORAB Land to be donated to Mt. Orab Fire Department Georgetown News Democrat, 12/17/06 At a regular meeting of the Mt. Orab Council held on Tuesday, Dec. 12, Tim Hale, who owns approximately 70 acres of land located between Eastwood Road and the south side of state Route 32 in Mt. Orab, suggested that he donate some of that land to the Mt. Orab Fire Department as a future site for another fire house. "Sterling Township has been good to us," said Hale, speaking of himself and his fiancee, Angie Graham. "I would like to see the land put to good use, and I feel the Fire Department is doing an excellent job." WALTON City purchases Abner Gaines tavern Boone County Recorder, 12/14/06 The city of Walton purchased the historic Abner Gaines Tavern and seven acres of surrounding property for $300,000 the morning of Dec. 13. The city obtained the option to buy the property in March and received a grant for its purchase from the Kentucky Department of Transportation in July. The c. 1814 building and property on Old Nicholson Road will eventually be developed into a public museum, but the project will take years of time and effort. To oversee the project, the Walton City Council and mayor appointed seven people to the Abner Gaines Advisory Board. The board will make recommendations to Walton city council about the development of the Walton Gaines Tavern History Center. The board's first meeting, held on the evening of Dec. 12, lasted a full two hours. Several members attended, along with Mayor Phillip Trzop and some city council members.
December 18, 200618 yr This is good news. Cincinnati Financial buys Springfield Twp. site Cincinnati Business Courier - 11:25 AM EST Monday A former Kroger store on Winton Road will be renovated into a facility for Cincinnati Financial Corp., Springfield Township officials said Monday. The Fairfield-based insurer has purchased the property and will renovate it for an IT disaster recovery center and data center, the township said in a news release. The site was vacated when Kroger opened a larger grocery store at Brentwood Shopping Center in Finneytown. Cincinnati Financial estimated that it will take about a year to renovate the interior and exterior of the building, and begin operations there. The insurer is also completing an office tower and expansion at its Gilmore Road headquarters in Fairfield. MORE: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/12/18/daily5.html?jst=b_ln_hl
December 18, 200618 yr Not bad at all. Maybe I'll get to see the project up close every once in awhile. Having an IT recovery center in the area should be decent business, especially if it serves home-based needs in addition to business data needs. Good for Funnytown(Finneytown) ;p
December 18, 200618 yr Midland Atlantic Properties is tearing down the former Your Pet's Shop at the corner of Isabella and Wasson in Oakley/Hyde Park. The old buildings are trash and I will not miss them. Their website www.midlandatlantic.com has a site plan, but no architecturals. The site plan shows a 6,750 s.f. building (the flyer lists 4,500 s.f. for lease) with 44 parking spaces. It looks like they will also be tearing down the first house on Isabella as well, a POS as well.
December 18, 200618 yr I saw construction at 1106 Race Street storefront, and the workers said a Deli from Northern Kentucky was moving in. They told me the name, but I now forget. Supposed to be a coffee shop / deli. This is just north of Central Parkway across from the site of the proposed SCPA.
December 21, 200618 yr Downtown: 123 W Ninth St The owner/developer of 123 W Ninth st is looking to make some major changes to his place. 123 W Ninth St consists of a four-story (main) building with ground floor retail fronting Ninth and an adjoning two-story building that fronts on Weaver Alley. Most of the work would occur on the two-story building. This work would consist of a wooden deck atop this building and an overhead garage door to replace the window and two doors. A metal bridge would connect the deck to the third floor of the main building. The windows on the back of the larger building would be converted to doors. A secondary point of egress for the first-floor commercial space of the main building would be via this metal bridge (somehow), since the doors of the two-story building would be replaced and the building would become a garage. Since this building is part of the Ninth Street Historic District, the Historic Conservation Board has been reviewing this request. They support the building of the deck, but still have issues with garage opening and the metal bridge/fire escape. The developer is currently working this stuff out. We've got the issues resolved with HCB, with approval of the deck and garage door opening on the south (alley) side. The original plan was a convoluted fire escape over the two story rear building (new garage) but we've been able to achieve that through the garage with some creative code work. There will be no changes from the 9th Street side. It will be owner occupied residential on the upper three floors (which is currently vacant), with a privage garage in the rear. The first floor storefront is still vacant, but hopefully he can get someone in there.
December 26, 200618 yr Developer buys troubled apartments Cincinnati Business Courier - December 22, 2006 by Laura Baverman and Dan Monk, Staff Reporters A changing of the guard at Alms Hill Apartments could spur the cleanup of one of Walnut Hills' biggest trouble spots. Veteran low-income housing developer Downtown Property Management recently signed a purchase contract to buy the Alms, a 212-unit apartment building owned by a Seattle-based limited partnership. Downtown Property Management, founded in the 1960s by former Xavier University Professor Ayyanna Ramineni, owns or operates some 5,000 local apartment units. His son Hari Ramineni, one of five brothers who now own the company, said the family hopes to convert the building to upscale condominiums over the long term. It took over management in December. Neighborhood leaders say the Alms Hill complex has a history of lax management and high crime. They call it Walnut Hills' single biggest problem, a property where dozens of tenants are under 25 and unemployed, qualifying for government subsidies that pay all but $25 of monthly rent. "The problem needs to disappear," said Kam Misleh, owner of Skyline Chili adjacent to the property. "It is the worst-managed building and has a negative impact on everything." MORE: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/12/25/story3.html?page=1&b=1167022800^1393937
December 26, 200618 yr ^Anyone know anything about Downtown Property Management? How likely are they to look at developing condos?
January 2, 200718 yr Author MORE INFO Westwood: The Bluffs at Woodcrest Details have been sketchy on this townhouse project on Queen City Ave, just west of sunset. Total buildout is 21 lots. Phase one consists of 12 single-family attached townhomes, with attached garages,. Lots 13 through 20, now much larger than the 12 phase one lots, will be developed with the same style of housing in future phases. These large lots will be subdivided. M/I Homes plans to develop a total of 60 units. The 21st lot is 10 acres of open space, which surrounds the residential units. Total acreage for the project is just over 13.1 acres. Ingress and egress will be via Bluffcrest Lane. Another named street, Turningleaf Court, runs off of Bluffcrest. Both streets are private and will be maintained by a Homeowners Association. Downtown: 211 W Ninth St Chris Gibbons, owner of 211 W Ninth St, which is in the Ninth Street Historic District, is planning a major rehab project. The building currently has ground-floor commercial space (usually vacant) with two apartments (one occupied) on the second floor. There is an owner's residence on the third and fourth floors. Gibbons wants to remove the commercial space and rebuild it as a garage. There is no other place on the property to provide indoor or outdoor parking. The original doorway would remain. He also wants to build balconies on the elevation along Goshen Alley. These would replace the fire escapes. The Historic Conservation Board is not too pleased about the garage door idea, though they do realize that allowing such conversions may become necessary to redevelop new buildings and to encourage homeownership. Board member Beth Sullebarger raised the strongest opposition to the proposal, saying that the Historic Conservation Board should not be encouraging garage doors in place of storefronts downtown. Others voiced some opposition to the project, hoping that it wouldn't set a precedent for future hearings. Others pointed out that the current storefront is not original to the building, having been built in the 1980s. And the garage that replaces it could easily be removed in the future. The Board voted 7-1 to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project. Sullebarger was the lone no vote. (The building is in the middle. The auditor's site incorrectly labels this photo as 213 W Ninth.) Mount Washington: 2312-2316 Beechmont Ave The City Planning Commission has voted to approve the extension of the Mount Washington Urban Design Boundary and to rezone, from Residential Multi-Family (RM-1.2) to Commercial Commmunity-Pedestrian (CC-P) the vacant residential properties at 2312-2316 Beechmont Ave. This change fits with the recently drafted Comprehensive Plan for the neighborhood, which addressed the lack of modern commercial space in the business district and cited such for the business district's inability to attract new retailers. Any commercial redevelopment of this property would be subject to public hearing. I would expect to see this in front of the Economic Development Committee on January 8 and then probably in front of Council on January 10. WINDOWS LIVE LOCAL BIRD'S EYE VIEW Clifton Heights: 315 Warner St 315 Warner St (corner of Warner and Victor) has been vacant for about four years and has been the subject of Clifton Heights Improvement Association scrutiny. The property, which includes one large retail/apartment building and a smaller single-family that fronts on Victor, was purchased in May. Improvements were made to the one-family. The larger structure, which contains three apartments, faces bigger issues. For some reason, this property has been in a SF-2 (single-family) zone since 2004, while an adjacent area to the northeast of Warner and Victor is zoned RMX (multi-family, essentially). The owner wants to rehab this property. However, with the ground-floor bar long closed and the apartments long vacant, the non-conforming use rights have lapsed. What this means is that no building permits can be issued to create (rehab) multi-family housing in a single-family zone. Ahh, bureaucracy. Some neighbors opposed any type of zoning change due to the lack of adequate on-street parking. I would ask them if they would prefer to have the blighted empty building on that prominent corner. I believe that the City Planning Commission approved of this zoning change. I would expect to see this in front of the Economic Development Committee on January 8 and then probably in front of Council on January 10. UPDATE East Price Hill: New Warsaw Ave Kroger Bids will be opened for the demolition of the properties within the footprint of the new Kroger store on January 8. The demolished properties will be as follows: 3606-3618 Van Vey St 943-949 McPherson Ave 944-950 Enright Ave The site will feature a larger, newer Kroger store with a fuel island and a ton of parking fronting on Warsaw Ave. LAST UPDATE (9/11/06) UPDATE Newport Carnegie Library The following was posted on go2newport: The City of Newport, Kentucky is seeking a qualified development firm or organization interested in the renovation and economic reuse of the Newport Carnegie Library, located at 401 Monmouth Street,Newport, Kentucky in the Monmouth Street Renaissance District. The Carnegie is located one blocksouth of the Newport on the Levee development and one block east of the Campbell County Court House. The Carnegie is a designated Historic Landmark building. VIEW THE RFP LAST UPDATE (12/6/06) Round-up: City of Cincinnati COLLEGE HILL 5782 Lantana Ave has had a nice updating. COLLEGE HILL 1141 Homeside Ave was demolished. It burned down in August, causing the roof to cave in and the walls to give out. It was a total loss. EAST PRICE HILL A large addition and a general rehab of 534 Enright Ave is currently going on. LOWER PRICE HILL The long-vacant, condemned house at 1466 Fitzpatrick St is in the process of being demolished. MADISONVILLE Habitat for Humanity has purchased the vacant residential lot at 5306 Chapman St. They also purchased the vacant residential lot at 6305 Sierra St. MT WASHINGTON Housley Homes is building a new $232,850 house at 6491 Mariwood Ln. NORTHSIDE 4145 Langland St has been rehabbed and converted from a two-family to a single-family. This house joins 4141 and 4143 Langland as houses that have been/are being rehabbed. NORTHSIDE 4221 Fergus St has been rehabbed. WALNUT HILLS The owner of 1112 Yale Ave has been working on bringing the two-family up to code. This has been a painfully slow process, and this place has been a long-time eyesore. The owner still hasn't obtained a VBML and this may go criminal soon. Round-up: Metro ALEXANDRIA Council ready to vote on Arcadia annexation Alexandria Recorder, 12/22/06 A representative of a company planning to build a 916-unit housing development assured city leaders Thursday, Dec. 21 that attempts are being made to build a secondary access road. Tollgate LLC, a partnership between Fischer Homes and Drees Homes, plans to build a mix of condominiums, townhomes, and single family homes off an extension of Pat Fanning Way between Alexandria Pike and Tollgate Road called Arcadia. The intersection of Tollgate Road and Breckenridge Drive would be the logical place to put a second exit from Arcadia because of the topography of the ridge line, said Michael Schoettelkotte, an administrative manager in land development for Drees Homes. Schoettelkotte spoke to two of the three members of the Alexandria City Council annexation subcommittee at the meeting. The only reason there's not a second entrance in the plans for Arcadia is because the land is owned by another developer, Schoettelkotte said. AMELIA Former village hall demolished in Amelia Clermont Sun, 12/29/06 The village of Amelia lost a piece of it's rich history with the demolition of the old village hall/Masonic Building Nov. 30. Amelia residents Roberta and Claude Dodson, who have owned the building and the property since 1985, decided to level the historic structure due to its unsafe and deteriorating condition. "It was just getting old," said Claude Dodson. "The deterioration of the building was making it unsafe. We understand and appreciate the historical significance of the structure, but we felt that the time had come to bring it down." According to official county historian Richard Crawford, the building's history started in the 1850's when it was constructed by Knights of Pythias fraternal organization. In addition to serving as the center of Amelia's social life for many years, the building also served as the village hall when Amelia was incorporated on Dec. 20, 1900, with John Slye as the first mayor. BETHEL History and future intertwine in Bethel Georgetown News Democrat, 12/24/06 Bethel Council chambers were filled to overflowing with members and supporters of the Burke Park Log Cabin Committee during the council meeting Monday, Dec. 11. Ron Shouse, chairman of the committee, presented a plan for the restoration and historical interpretation use of the cabins located in Burke Park. He introduced community leaders George Rooks, Howard Daugherty, Lois Denney and Terry Daugherty as officers of the newly formed committee and told council they currently have 46 members at large. Renovation of the 18 X 24 foot Acord cabin and 16 x 20 foot blacksmith cabin will not be an easy task, according to Shouse. "We are seeking all possible revenue sources and fund raising efforts," said Shouse. "We currently have $2,000 in the bank and are seeking funds from a Duke Energy grant, the Burke Trust fund, the Appalachian Foundation, private donations and the village of Bethel." The plan of action includes two phases. The first phase would call for the renovation and utilization of the Acord cabin on the current site costing an estimated $26,350. The blacksmith cabin would follow at an estimated cost of $23,400. Some of the work would entail volunteer efforts as well. BROWN COUNTY Road plan is discussed Georgetown News Democrat, 12/24/06 More than 50 Brown County residents made their way to the Gaslight Theater Wednesday, Dec. 13, for a presentation from representatives of the Ohio Department of Transportation District 9 and consulting firm Wilber Smith Associates concerning the Brown County Thoroughfare Plan. As the expected completion date of the final Thoroughfare Plan report draws near, ODOT District 9 planning administrator Todd Long said the meeting was held not only to present results of studies, meetings and surveys associated with the plan, but also to clarify the plan's purpose and to dispel any misconceptions that may be circulating. An executive summary, including improvement recommendations, was distributed and Long and Wilber Smith representative Erica Witzke fielded questions from the audience. Long and Witzke began by explaining the final draft of the Thoroughfare Plan will simply be a suggested guideline that local, state and federal officials may consider when making transportation-related decisions now and in the future. The point was repeated throughout the meeting that the plan will not constitute a decision by local or state officials to proceed or not proceed on any highway improvements, and Long said several more steps must be taken by local entities before any particular recommendation outlined in the plan becomes a reality. "(The plan) is a conceptual document," said Witzke, "something area leaders put together as a planning tool." COVINGTON The Board of Commissioners of the City of Covington have agreed to enter into a development agreement to provide HOME funds to Housing Opportunites of Northern Kentucky (HONK) for the construction of two owner-occupied homes as 919 and 921 Philadelphia St. The amount of the funds is $178,437. DELHI TWP Athletic fields nearing completion at Delhi park Delhi Press, 12/20/06 With just the scoreboard and a few finishing touches left to do, Seton High School is itching to take the field at its new fast pitch softball facility at Delhi Township Park. Coach Mary Agricola said both her schedule, including a Best of the West tournament, and her roster, including several returning players, are set. "We are so excited," Agricola said. "Having our own home field will really be a boost to our program." The home field advantage she's expecting is thanks to the Cheviot Savings Bank and township trustees. The Cheviot bank donated $15,000 to the Delhi Township Parks and Recreation Department in August. Of that, $2,000 was earmarked for the township summer programs with the remaining $13,000 being earmarked for field improvements. Township public works department crews have been doing a lot of the work at Field Four, including turning the knothole field into a regulation fast pitch softball area. ERLANGER School board chooses architect for Lloyd Memorial project Erlanger Recorder, 12/19/06 The Erlanger-Elsmere School Board announced they will partner with Robert Hayes and Associates to help with the construction of the new Lloyd Memorial High School. The board was presented with preliminary plans in September for possible designs of the school, which is expanding to accommodate more students. The school currently has approximately 600 students enrolled. In addition to providing more space, the new school will feature science and math wings, where classrooms and labs will be grouped together for easier access, as well as a new gymnasium and commons area. "This is just the first of many steps to getting this off the ground," said Superintendent Michael Sander of choosing the architect. "Once this approved by the state, we have to sit down and get into the details of the plan, and see exactly how we can get this done. But we're excited to get started." The preliminary plans presented in September involved building the new school in phases and gradually shifting from the old facility to the new one. Those plans showed that part of the existing school would still be in use in the new one, although Sander said the plans may change once they look deeper into them. FAIRFIELD Springdale company moving to Fairfield Cincinnati.com GetPublished!, 12/21/06 A Springdale manufacturer of specialized printing media is moving its operations to Fairfield next summer. Diversified Converter Materials Inc. has tentatively set a Dec. 28 groundbreaking ceremony for a 20,000-square foot plant. It will be constructed on a 3.5-acre site at 8650 Seward Road, just south of Union Centre Blvd. Co-owner and chairman Bob Swanson said the masonry and steel structure is expected to be finished June 1, weather permitting. It will house both manufacturing operations and offices for the 23-year-old company. “It’s a good project for us,’’ said Greg Kathman, Fairfield’s economic development manager. “They’re taking a vacant piece of ground and putting a good business there. It brings revenue to the city through income tax and revenue to the school district through property tax.” In the past five years sales at the family-owned, privately held business have doubled, to $10 million annually, Swanson said. That growth is expected to continue and is why the company is leaving its rented space on Chesterdale Road and building a facility twice the size of the space it is renting, Swanson said. FORT THOMAS Students will return to new classrooms after break Fort Thomas Recorder, 12/23/06 Highlands High School students will return from Christmas vacation to a few new classrooms now that the first stage of the high school's renovation is complete. "Stage one's renovations included all the math classrooms, a couple multipurpose classrooms and an area for our special education room," said Highlands High School Assistant Principal Brian Robinson. "These renovations were primarily on the first floor and on part of the ground floor," he said. "Our new guidance office is almost done and the main entrance of the building should be open in February." The school's renovations are taking place at the north end of the building and have been in the works for four years. "We are extremely excited," said Highlands High School Principal Elgin Emmons. "I can't believe we are finally getting a new school." FORT WRIGHT South Hills Civic Club gets facelift Erlanger Recorder, 12/25/06 The city announced that the exterior of the South Hills Civic Club will be updated next spring. The club, which the city took over ownership of 10 years ago, will have a new entrance installed, complete with a small foyer and covered overhang. There will also be stone facing and new siding installed to make the building more aesthetically pleasing and to match the surrounding area. "We're very pleased with the use that it gets now, and we think this will only make it nicer for the residents," said city administrator Larry Klein. "We want this to be a place that our families can enjoy and be proud of." Klein said the city performed some minor changes since taking over the building, including the installation of new restrooms about six years ago. He said that since this project will involve mostly work on the outside of the building, the club will remain open and available for use throughout the construction. Gene Weber, of Hub and Weber Architects, said the firm is currently finalizing the plans for the building, and expects to have bids for the project available by February. He said that the project will likely begin in early spring, and should take 45-60 days to complete. GOSHEN TWP Goshen takes more steps in completing site plan Community Journal North Clermont, 12/26/06 The Goshen Local School District is taking the next few steps in making its site plan for future development a reality. At a special meeting Wednesday, Dec. 20, the school board voted to accept a bid from The Motz Group to put new turf on the football field. The project will cost $525,000, district Treasurer Todd Shinkle said. Work on replacing the turf will most likely begin after the first of the year, said Eric Lutz, a partner with McCarty and Associates, the firm the district hired to help implement its site plan. The project should be completed by July 1. The board also discussed a new storage building, which will house cafeteria and maintenance supplies. Bids for the building were opened Friday, Dec. 15; however, the board had to reject all bids because they were too high, said Jane Schmidbauer, director of personnel and student services. GREEN TWP Green Twp. uses grant to preserve undeveloped land Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/24/06 Green Township is turning greener. On Dec. 18, the township acquired a 4.8-acre tract of undeveloped land on Jonkard Lane overlooking Interstate 74 for $71,500. The township also plans to purchase, during Christmas week, a 12.5-acre piece of wooded hilltop land overlooking the intersection of Interstates 74 and 275 for $200,000. Both purchases are Clean Ohio Grant acquisitions, with the state paying for 70 percent of the purchase price and the township picking up the remaining 30 percent. Both parcels of land will remain wild and green. HAMILTON Dream vision taking shape for church Hamilton JournalNews, 12/27/06 The framework for the new Pilgrim Baptist Church multipurpose fellowship hall on South Fourth Street is beginning to take shape. The steel studs now outlining the new 5,000-square-foot facility have added dimension to the project which has been a dream of the congregation for 35 years. "It feels real good seeing it," said Logan Stone. "It has made people very happy." The unseasonably warm weather this month has worked in favor of the project. "We've had really good weather," said Stone. "We're looking for a late May completion." HILLSBORO New construction threatens trailer park Hillsboro Times-Gazette, 12/29/06 At least six Hillsboro residents, with several more to follow, are searching for new lots for their mobile homes after a company purchased the property on which their homes are located. Residents of Lynwood Court and Lynwood Terrace, off of Springlake Avenue, received letters during the month of December stating that within six months to a year they will have to vacate the properties on which their trailers are situated. Some have been asked to move by Jan. 20. According to a letter provided to The Times-Gazette by Springlake Avenue resident Floyd Morgan, the property that presently houses his rented lot has been purchased by KL Highland Investment Co. LLC. According to the letter, the property's previous owners "requested that we provide you with an assistance available to make this transition as smooth as possible for all the tenants. As the new owners, we no longer wish to continue the use of this property as it is currently is being used. It is the intent of the new owners to phase out the entire park over the next three years." Hillsboro businessman Christopher Lewis, who said he purchased the park with Tim Kiefer in the last few weeks, said the park will be vacated in multiple phases. However, he is not sure exactly how they will be using the property in the future. INDEPENDENCE Kenton Library Turns $8M Page Kentucky Post, 12/30/06 The Independence branch of the Kenton County Public Library closes today - and library officials say it was a long time coming. "We've been planning to replace that building for five years," said interim director Dave Schroeder. "We wanted to locate a little further south." The library is abandoning the branch on Taylor Mill Road in favor of a new, $8 million building on Walton-Nicholson Road that has more than three times as much space. That's near the intersection of Ky. 17 and Ky. 16, a spot library officials consider more accessible to the public. "It's a real nice location where those roads are coming together," Schroeder said. The move will take most of next month and the library will open in its new quarters Jan. 28. LAWRENCEBURG New road, same name Dearborn County Register, 12/29/06 Flashing message signs relayed the news to drivers along U.S. 50 Thursday afternoon Dec. 21. The new section of Ind. 48 had been opened to traffic about two years after construction first began. The road was built to replace the old, curvey portion of Ind. 48 from about Tower Road to U.S. 50 alongside the Dearborn Plaza shopping center in Lawrenceburg. The new section begins on U.S. 50 across from the PSEG power plant driveway next to the TLC car wash. “The road is open for traffic, but it is certainly not a completed project,” Marvin Jenkins, Indiana Department of Transportation. LEBANON Fecon to expand facility Cincinnati Business Courier, 12/22/06 Manufacturing company Fecon Inc. plans to expand its facility in 2007, the Lebanon company announced. Plans call for adding 60,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space and 3,000 square feet of office space to its existing 56,000-square-foot facility. Fecon, which employs 112 people, designs and manufactures vegetation management equipment used for land clearing, firebreaks, park trails and maintenance. LOVELAND Pool report is available Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/26/06 A consultant's preliminary report on Loveland's hopes of building a pool and recreation center is available on the city's Web site, www.lovelandoh.com. A team of planners from Brandstetter Carroll Inc. in Lexington explained what it analyzed, including residents' income levels, ways to pay for a facility and impacts on traffic. A public hearing on whether the city should go into a partnership with the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and let that agency operate the pool is scheduled for Jan. 9. Officials are pushing for recommendations soon after from the recreation committee. If council decides to go ahead, it could put a levy on the ballot in 2007. LOVELAND Memorial park isn't livable, according to city Loveland Herald, 12/17/06 A chemical with deadly potential has caused city officials to redefine the use of Loveland Veterans' Memorial Park. The park, at 116 Riverside Drive, will now and, possibly forever, be a piece of non-residential property. "You couldn't build a house on it or an apartment," said City Manager Tom Carroll. "I don't imagine that it would be used for anything else (besides a park)." In 1990, the city confirmed that the property was contaminated with benzene by a service station on the property from the late 1940s to 1983, and a dry-cleaning facility, according to a city memo written by Carroll. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Web site, benzene derives from coal and petroleum. MARIEMONT Art club given time to form proposal to restore barn Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/24/06 The village will give the Women's Art Club of Cincinnati more time to develop a plan to restore the historic Resthaven Barn, which was built on Cambridge Road at the time of Mariemont's founding. The art club wants to buy the building for $50,000 and then apply for grants to restore it in phases. The total cost of restoring the two-story building is estimated at $1 million to $1.2 million. The art club won't qualify for many potential grants until it owns the building. Mariemont has agreed to pay just under half of the $1,800 cost of conducting an environmental study of the property. If Village Council likes the art club's plan for Resthaven's restoration, Mariemont will sell the building. Eastern Hills Journal: Mariemont, art club agree to make barn 1st priority (12/18/06) MILLVILLE Building marks church's growth Hamilton JournalNews, 12/24/06 Just a little more than a year ago, parishioners at Queen of Peace Church broke ground on the Queen of Peace Parish Center and six new classrooms. A 10 a.m. mass and a visit by Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk to bless the new addition is scheduled Jan. 1. "Now that we have the opportunity for growth, we are seeing interest from people in the community who are considering our school as an option for their kids," the Rev. Michael Hay said. The parish center is a high-school-sized gymnasium, but will also be available for use by other parish groups. It includes retractable bleachers — seating for at least 336 — two restrooms; two team rooms and a concession area. MT HEALTHY Mt. Healthy schools to consolidate Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/25/06 Even though a bond issue for new schools didn't pass last month, Mount Healthy is moving forward with plans for school consolidation. The district school board recently voted close North Middle School at the end of the school year and move those students to South Middle School, where temporary classrooms will be added. The closure saves $400,000 and clears the way for construction of a new elementary school if voters pass a $33 million bond issue on the ballot in February. Mount Healthy seeks to shrink from eight buildings to three new buildings, with Ohio paying $57 million of the cost if the bond issue passes. The newly merged South Middle school would have about 550 students next year, said David Horine, superintendent. NEW RICHMOND Ruben Willis Ballpark may go up for sale Clermont Sun, 12/21/06 The New Richmond Village Council has notified the community that the eight-acre Ruben Willis Ballpark may someday be sold for commercial development. The ballpark has been utilized by youth-oriented sports teams for more than 20 years. Addressing council at its regular Dec. 12 meeting was president of the New Richmond Knothole Association Aaron Humphries. "The knothole association received a notification letter from the village regarding the evaluation of the ballpark land that the village holds," he said. "Kids from the village and the surrounding areas play ball there and we are here to ask questions and hopefully, get answers. We would just like to know what to expect. Is the land up for bid or auction yet? What is the timeline? What is the general plan for the property? Do we need to start looking for other places for the kids to play?" New Richmond Mayor Terry Durrette provided the concerned residents in the community some answers to these questions. NORWOOD Norwood church starts year, addition Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/30/06 For New Year's Eve, one Norwood church is looking at its past and future and focusing on God. Trinity Pentecostal Church, 2719 Norwood Ave., is celebrating its 35th anniversary and breaking ground on a new addition Sunday after its 10 a.m. service. "It's exciting to see where we've been and to where we're going," said Pastor Stanley Webb, who founded the church in a borrowed building in 1971. The independent Pentecostal church has been working on the addition, a family life center with classrooms and a multipurpose room, for eight years. "We are very excited. Our pastor has worked so diligently to get this project going," said Andrew Clark, the church's youth leader. "This is a space we can really use." PENDLETON COUNTY Bethel Cemetery church restoration seeks donations, descendents Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/30/06 Two Methodists and two Baptists came together in 1881 to build a church at the Bethel Cemetery. Charlie Pyles of Cold Spring hopes the community can come together like they did then to restore this historic structure at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Ky. 17. "We think the building can be restored. It's a magnificent old church," said Pyles, 62. His wife, Betty, 58, is the great-great-granddaughter of one of the Methodists who built the original church, Thomas J. Campbell. Pyles is working with the Bethel Cemetery Association on the project and is looking for monetary and material donations for the building. SARDINIA Sardinia looks to annex Georgetown News Democrat, 12/24/06 Sardinia Village Council passed an ordinance at its Dec. 12 meeting to bring 33.116 acres of the Kenton Stoker Development Company mobile home park into the village. Council voted unanimously to annex the land into the village following requests from the developer. Sardinia Village solicitor George Pattison said he mailed letters of notification to surrounding property owners on Oct. 18. "We received no complaints or indications that there is a problem," said Pattison. With the annexation included in council's minutes, the village clerk was directed to file copies with involved public entities, including the country recorder and auditor, the Board of Elections and the Secretary of State. SOUTHGATE Apartments a hot issue Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/19/06 As three new members of the six-member council prepare to take office in January, the fate of the apartment complex slated for 13 acres on Moock Road appears uncertain. The Campbell County Planning and Zoning Commission conditionally approved the Stage 1 development plan for the apartments 4-2 last week. Southgate City Council will have final approval, thanks to a stipulation the council made this year when approving a zone change for the property. The development plan likely won't come before council until early next year, council members say. It's such a hot-button issue in Southgate that some residents ran for council in the November election because of their opposition to it. The developer, Herman & Kittle Properties of Indianapolis, has planned to construct 230 apartments in nine buildings at Moock Road and U.S. 27. SPRINGDALE Springdale to study need for new fire station Tri-County Press, 12/23/06 If building a new fire house is necessary to save lives then Terrytown Court resident August Kraemer said he is in favor of a possible new Springdale fire station on the east side of town. City officials are planning a $50,000 study with a consultant next year to determine if a second fire station should be built to service the area east of state Route 747 and the Heritage Hill area, said Springdale Administrator Cecil Osborn. After living in the Heritage Hill area for more than 30 years, Kraemer said he recalls just one fire in the area in which he lives. "There is a fire house in Sharonville on Crescentville, a half-mile from my house. I don't think they would let my house burn down, Sharonville wouldn't... "If it didn't cost that much out of my pocket and they think it would be safer, I would say yes, go for it." SPRINGFIELD TWP The township Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on January 3 regarding the possible demolition of these properties: * 1381 Summit Rd * 75 Ridgeway Rd * 11865 Canfield Ct All three properties have been deemed dangerous. (1381 Summit, 75 Ridgeway, 11865 Canfield) SYMMES TWP Historical society awaits grant to develop museum Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/31/06 The Symmes Historical Society hopes to soon receive $100,000 from the state to refurbish an early 1800s-era township cabin for an educational museum. The money, included in the state's capital budget, is less than the $286,000 requested, said the group's secretary, Carol Sims. The society will plan fundraisers for the remaining amount, she said. The state capital budget has been approved by the House and is awaiting Senate approval. Loveland Herald: Historical society may get $100K for cabin (12/19/06) VILLA HILLS Villa Hills to expand city property Erlanger Recorder, 12/21/06 The city announced that they have reached an agreement to close on a property across the street from the current city building, allowing them to expand. According to Mayor Mike Sadouskas, the property, located at 720 Rogers Road, became available about six months ago. The city looked into the idea of expanding the current city building to accommodate the growing records room and the police department, which is currently housed in the basement. "This will allow us to deal with some of our space and storage issues," said Sadouskas. "The opportunity presented itself, and we received a good price, so I'm glad we were able to do this. There's been a lot of discussion that's gone into this, and we think it's the best move for the city." City attorney Michael Duncan said the city will pay approximately $140,000 for the property and house, although they had to clear another hurdle before they could announce the closing. Since the property had a restriction mandating it could only be for residential use, the city had to obtain signatures of a majority of the neighborhood stating that it would be okay to use the house as an extension of the city building. "We only needed 27 signatures, and I think we ended up with 35," said city administrator Corky Brown. "That is directly a result of the hard work of the administrative staff and the council here. A lot of people put a lot of effort into this to make it happen." WEST CHESTER TWP Gym bulks up newest facility Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/30/06 Lexington-based Global Fitness Holdings LLC is kicking off the new year with its eighth Gold's Gym in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky - this one billed as bigger and better than any that have come before it. "It's been called the Gold's Gym super club," said Bill Robinson, the chain's vice president of sales. "It's twice the size of some of our clubs." At 53,000 square feet, the fitness facility that opens today on Allen Road is a third larger than Gold's Norwood location (in the Cornerstone office park along Interstate 71). The West Chester site is costing $8 million to build, including the cost of the property. Some other locations are leased. The facility is a prototype for more Gold's on the way. Global Fitness expects to open one in Florence by the end of the year and another on the banks of the Ohio River in Bellevue in mid-2008. WILMINGTON New CMH cancer center will feature patient-friendly suites Hillsboro Times-Gazette, 12/26/06 Patients at the new Foster J. Boyd, MD, Regional Cancer Center will receive chemotherapy five days a week in surroundings that are comfortable and offer the option for privacy or interaction with othess. These infusion suites are another example of how the new center, which opens in February, will pair compassionate care with leading edge technology for cancer patients in the region. "Often, cancer patients are dealing with feelings of anxiety about having been diagnosed with the disease," says Tim Crowley, president and chief executive officer of CMH Regional Health System, which is building the cancer center. "Treating patients in a calming and friendly environment can go a long way toward easing the additional stress of receiving treatment for the disease." While one of the center's 10 chemotherapy suites will offer complete privacy, the remaining nine suites will be connected with one another through doorways. Patients can choose to leave the doors open and converse with their neighbors or close them for more privacy. Each suite will also have comfortable lounge chairs for patients, family seating, a television, DVD and headphones, and a window overlooking the center's healing garden, which will also serve as a meditative environment to which patients, families and staff may retreat during times of healing. "We want patients to feel connected to others, and to the world outside," says Crowley. The garden, which will also include a soothing water feature, will add to the center's overall calming and life-affirming environment.
January 2, 200718 yr ^ Thanks. I didn't know that was you. Keep us updated! I'm not the owner, just the architect. We just got the building permit approved, so the project is finally moving forward. I'll try to throw up some photos as the project progresses.
January 2, 200718 yr ^Anyone know anything about Downtown Property Management? How likely are they to look at developing condos? All I have seen of them is slum subsidized type housing. Lots of drugs in their buildings on Republic Street.
January 3, 200718 yr Author Yeah...the chance of Downtown Property Management developing condos is about -16%.
January 3, 200718 yr Downtown Property Management is looking to overhaul their in city facilities and go more market/upmarket rate this is from one of their advisors.
January 7, 200718 yr Look Who's Talking: David Birdsall Bringing the 'Supercenter' to Fairfax BY JOHN ECKBERG | [email protected] Few redevelopments have the challenges of a $60 million plan to bring a Wal-Mart Supercenter to Fairfax by 2008: $11 million decontamination, resistance to Wal-Mart, a zoning change, the blight of a long-abandoned factory. David Birdsall, vice president investments for Regency Centers, the Jacksonville, Fla.-based developer, talked with Enquirer staff writer John Eckberg. About 1,000 jobs, more than $500,000 annually in taxes, a blighted factory gone - pretty strong arguments right there for this effort. We're doing what people have been asking developers to do for last 50 years: stop digging up cornfields and figure out a way to revitalize urban cores. And if you look at the history of Red Bank Road, it was the vital commerce corridor here until the mid-'80s. It had a Swallens prior to onset of big boxes, but then the area was dormant for years. It's a huge deal and a huge opportunity for the village of Fairfax. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070107/BIZ01/701070307/1076/BIZ
January 8, 200718 yr I don't mind it being Section 8 - I just hope the day will come when I don't see a couple cops outside the place every other time I go past it...
January 8, 200718 yr Author UPDATE East Walnut Hills: New retail NE corner of McMillan and Victory City Council approved the rezoning of 1202 and 1216 E McMillan, as well as 2516 Victory Pw, to CC-M Commercial Community-Mixed. This decision will allow for the redevelopment of these properties, most likely as a strip mall involving a Skyline Chili. A final development plan, which is in the works, should come before the City Planning Commission within the next few months. LAST UPDATE (11/27/06) Round-up: City of Cincinnati EVANSTON 1734 Dexter Ave is currently undergoing a rehab that will basically involve the entire single-family. This was once a very nice house, but it has been neglected by the last few owners. HARTWELL 8089 Woodbine Ave has been renovated and looks so much better. MT AUBURN The Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency is currently seeking bids for the rehab of 2265 Loth St. This is a single-family home built around 1880. Bids are being accepted until January 22, 2007. SEDAMSVILLE The delapidated building at 644 Steiner Ave has been brought up to code and is inhabited. SOUTH FAIRMOUNT 1648 Lionel Ave was demolished. I have no idea why. This home was built in the 1860s. Round-up: Metro CRITTENDEN Public to get look at CMZ expansion Grant County News, 1/3/06 Crittenden-Mount Zion Elementary will host a dedication, ribbon cutting and open house on Jan. 7 to celebrate its recent renovation. Festivities will begin at 2 p.m. with a dedication program in the CMZ cafeteria, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony in the new entryway. Tours and refreshments will be available until 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend. The CMZ renovation project includes eight additional classrooms, a new cafeteria and kitchen, a new front office suite and expanded seating in the gym. There is also a new entryway with awnings to provide shelter for bus transfer students, as well as separate bus and car parking to allow for expanded staff and visitor parking and safer bus loading. CMZ is located on Crittenden-Mount Zion Road, a half mile off U.S. 25. ERLANGER New high school on agenda Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/1/06 A vote from the Erlanger-Elsmere School Board next month will determine if the first phase of the district's new high school construction project will begin in 2007. The board is expected to vote on whether to submit a project application for funding approval to the Kentucky Department of Education for phase one of the proposed four-phased project that will rebuild Lloyd Memorial High School. The first phase of the project, which is expected to cost about $5.5 million, will go in front of the existing school, which was built in 1954, and connected to the old building so students can access it until the other three phases are completed. Under the current plan, the new area will house the main office, two science labs, five science classrooms and five special education classrooms. "The board already approved the architect for the project and we've been seeking input from Lloyd's staff to come up with more definite plans," said Superintendent Mike Sander. "Once the board approves submitting the application and we receive the state's approval, we can put the project out to bid." If all goes according to plan, Sander estimates the district could break ground on the first phase of the project as early as May. FAIRFIELD Fairfield board delays action on surveys Hamilton JournalNews, 1/6/07 Before the Fairfield Board of Education hired a firm to gather public input on future school facilities decisions, members decided they had better first collect their own thoughts. The Santa Rita Collaborative and the FLAGG group presented proposals to the board on the process they would use to get the community involved. Their services would cost $20,000 to $30,000, and neither group could guarantee public participation. "It is a risky business trying to involve a community of this size," Superintendent Robert Farrell said, cautioning the board to think about how members could best get a representative sample of opinions. Board member Arnold Engel said he wanted the board to think about the end goal of the surveys, and if it was to fund a levy, he said that is against the law. The board agreed, saying there is no levy on the ballot, and they merely want to assess community needs and wishes. FORT THOMAS Fort Thomas wants to beef up museum Fort Thomas Recorder, 1/2/06 Fort Thomas Renaissance Manager Debbie Buckley is looking for volunteers and artifacts for a new museum dedicated to the history of the city. "Most people don't know that there is a museum at the Armory but it's kept under lock and key and not available to the public because of vandalism problems in the past," Buckley said. "I'd like the artifacts inside to be brought out and showcased in a new museum open to the public." Buckley said that a city rich in military history should have its own museum. "Fort Thomas was originally built as a fort to protect this area," she said. "My grandfather also came here to sign up and be trained for WW I" Buckley said she is hoping to find a new location for the museum in the Midway District, as well as artifacts from local residents and museum volunteers. HILLSBORO Future Plans for HHS/HMS Hillsboro Times-Gazette, 1/4/06 The image provided by the Quandel Group Inc. shows an aerial view of where various facilities at the new Hillsboro High School and Hillsboro Middle School will be located. The front of the facility will face the south. Hillsboro School Board President Laura Bagshaw said last month that it would have cost more than $500,000 in additional expense to have the facility face U.S. Route 62. Currently, excavation site preparation work is taking place. Actual construction is expected to begin in April of this year. When complete, the school buildings will contain 211,620 square feet and will have a capacity of 1,319 students. INDEPENDENCE Fire District hopes for new station by fall 2007 Kenton Community Recorder, 1/2/06 The Independence Fire District plans to break ground in early spring to replace the Fire Station #2 building located on Cox Road. The Fire District recently removed the current facility, and has already sent out bids to begin looking at the new one. The new building will be almost identical to Fire Station #3 on Richardson Road, which was opened in April 2006. "It was just a matter of upgrading the facility," explained Chief Richard Messingschlager. "The old building was built in the early 1970s, and it wouldn't have been cost feasible to try to modify or add onto the existing structure. The new building will have the living quarters we need, and we're anxious to get this going." Messingschlager said he hopes to break ground in March, and the facility should be completed by late fall. The blueprints will be the same as Fire Station #3, only reversed, with the fire bays on the left side and the living quarters on the right side. The new facility will be just over 5,000 square feet. The cost for the Fire Station #3 project was approximately $1.1 million, and Messingschlager said he expects this project to cost a similar amount. INDIAN HILL Kurlemann is building a new custom home at 8175 South Clippinger Rd. The asking price is $1.849 million. This is the site of a teardown--a $600,000, 2600+ SF ranch built in 1955. LOVELAND Tax increase expected to pay for new pool Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/7/07 Loveland residents have expected they'll be asked in May to vote for a tax increase to pay for a pool, but officials plan to vote Tuesday on the kind of increase - a 20 percent increase in the city's income tax. The increase, if passed, would raise the income tax rate from 1 percent to 1.2 percent and generate $612,000 more in 2008. The city's 1 percent credit to residents who pay income taxes in other cities where they work also will increase to 1.2 percent. Other options on the table included a property tax increase and reducing the credit, but staff and members of the finance committee recommended the income tax increase to allow non-residents who work in the city to pay some of the extra money and to protect Loveland's sizable number of older residents on fixed incomes, City Manager Tom Carroll said. "When we're looking for additional revenue," he said, "we don't want to keep going back to property taxes." A sampling of city income tax payments found that about 45 percent of Loveland's taxpaying residents get a credit because they pay income taxes to another jurisdiction. Eighty percent of those people already pay more than 1.2 percent to another jurisdiction. That's the case, for example, for any Loveland residents working in Cincinnati, where the income tax is 2.1 percent. Those residents would not see an increase; they pay no income tax to Loveland now. MADEIRA 7330 Iuka Ave has been remodeled and updated. MONTGOMERY Robert Lucke Homes is doing a teardown project at 8200 Margaret Ln. The sale price is $689,000. NEWPORT Campbell County expanding its jail Kentucky Post, 1/2/06 While Kenton County tries to weather a storm of opposition to its planned jail in Independence, Campbell County continues to expand its jail in Newport with little fanfare. Campbell is in the process of expanding the Campbell County Detention Center on Central Avenue from 135 to 256 beds. That portion of the renovation is scheduled for completion by June 1. When the renovation is complete, jail staff will begin using direct supervision to monitor the inmates, which county officials say is more efficient. Under that arrangement, inmates will be housed in one of four, 64-bed dormitories with a deputy overseeing the entire room. In the past, inmates were housed in individual cells that deputies had to individually check on a periodic basis. In the dormitory setting of direct supervision, most meals and medical treatments are brought directly to the dormitory. With teleconferencing capabilities, inmates will not even have to leave the dormitory for visitation, said Campbell County Administrator Robert Horine. NORTH COLLEGE HILL 6832 Bake Ave has been rehabbed for resale. SYCAMORE TWP Refusal could cost Sycamore Twp. taxpayers $1.7 million Northeast Suburban Life, 1/5/06 Very rarely does a zoning change case come before the Sycamore Township Trustees with such a steep price as $1.7 million, but that's the circumstances surrounding the property at 6840 Kugler Mill Road. A public hearing was held Jan. 4 to hear the case for and against changing the zoning at the property on the corner of Kugler Mill and Montgomery roads from single family residential to planned office. The hearing is required by law since it involves a zone change, though no vote was taken during the township trustees' regular hearing later that evening. The zone change itself is part of a settlement from a lawsuit filed by Ohio Valley Sports Medicine in 2004 claiming monetary damages from Sycamore after the township denied Ohio Valley's application to tear down three homes on Kugler Mill in 2002 to build an 18,000-square-foot building. After Sycamore denied the request, Ohio Valley took the township to the Court of Common Pleas for an appeal. SYCAMORE TWP (Kenwood) Township beautifying area near Kenwood Mall Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/7/06 Those aren't sidewalks being paved in the green space at the intersection of Montgomery Road and Interstate 71 beside the Kenwood Mall. Sycamore Township has started a $225,000 "landscape enhancement project" using Tax Increment Financing funds for Montgomery Road, said Sycamore Township Planning and Zoning Administrator Greg Bickford. The project should finish up this spring and includes a winding, stamped concrete paver band, which lays flat on the ground like a sidewalk but will give the illusion of a wall, Bickford said. Trees, shrubs and other greenery will be planted in the next few months. SYMMES TWP East Kemper widening starting soon Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/7/07 Construction should start in a few weeks on a portion of East Kemper Road that will be widened and improved. Hamilton County Commissioners last week approved a nearly $2.6 million contract with CJ & L Construction of Sharonville for the work between Loveland-Madeira and McKinney roads in Symmes Township. The road will be widened from 9-foot-wide lanes to 11 or 12 feet so shoulders can be added and drainage improved. The project is expected to take at least a year.
January 8, 200718 yr The Dexter house in Grasscat's update is not in a typical Evanston-ish neighborhood - it sits next door to this place: It's either in or right next to the East Walnut Hills Historic District: ...and right near all those gorgeous, humongous EWH-type 4K+ square foot mansion-looking places on Fairfield et al. Of course, going west, it's not far from much more Evanston-evoking places...but it's definitely a great candidate for rehab, after sitting empty for a number of years. Best of luck to them!
January 8, 200718 yr Downtown Property Management is looking to overhaul their in city facilities and go more market/upmarket rate this is from one of their advisors. They will not find market rate tenants unless they spend a lot of money to upgrade finishes and layouts.
January 12, 200718 yr And you wonder why all our development looks bland.... the future Zip Dip will probably be a bland building, set back from the right of way on a nice lawn, and a bland old marquee sign http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070112/NEWS01/301120008/1056/COL02 Zoning rules trip Zip Dip BY CLIFF RADEL | [email protected] GREEN TOWNSHIP – Chris Torbeck thinks $300,000 is a little steep for five wooden picnic tables. But he’s willing to spend the money. He wants to keep cone-crazed kids from getting flattened as cars swing into the tiny parking lot of the Zip Dip, his busy soft-serve ice cream emporium. From the first Friday in March to the first Sunday in October, his place is jammed.
January 12, 200718 yr ^This is what I don't understand about the issue: If Mr. Torbeck is going through the process to get a rezoning, then he should then be able to get a variance on that new (now conforming) use. The new zoning classification for the property should be treated separetly from the old zoning and nonconforming issues. I don't understand why the county planners are saying that its an either or situation...when it really is not. Mr. Torbeck could also classify the former lot with a house as a park. Parks are conforming uses in residential zoned areas. This would save him the time, trouble, and money for the rezoning process. But leave it to the Enquirer to not fully research the topic and only present the sensationalized news story.
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