November 18, 200618 yr ^You can use you DDN login, all Cox are compatable. Or I could visit the site myself... BTW, I noticed a demolition crew taking down a rather large older brick home (?) across 741 from Cox Arboretum today. It looked like it was a beautiful structure, but I can't remember what it looked like fully intact. Anyone heard of any developments?
November 25, 200618 yr From the City of Dayton's BizBites eNewsletter, 10/25/06: Grand Opening Held for Medical Center at Elizabeth Place Medical Center at Elizabeth Place, a 26-bed hospital on the site of the former St. Elizabeth Hospital, celebrated its grand opening October 11. The project will result in the creation of about 80 new jobs in Dayton. The physician-owned hospital will serve the greater Dayton community with the latest, most advanced medical procedures, including general surgery, orthopedic surgery, GI, ophthalmology, gynecology, neurosurgery, urology and diagnostic imaging. Sixty area physicians own Medical Center at Elizabeth Place. Regent Surgical Health, a Chicago-based developer of surgery centers and surgical hospitals, is a minority owner. The opening of the Medical Center at Elizabeth Place will continue the comeback of the site formerly occupied by St. Elizabeth Hospital, which closed in 2000. In June of this year, Medical Center at Elizabeth Place received a $100,000 grant from the City of Dayton to help create jobs and purchase medical equipment. The overall project represents a roughly $10 million investment in the community. "When St. Elizabeth closed six years ago, it left a hole in the community," Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin said. "Medical Center at Elizabeth Place will help continue the resurgence of St. Elizabeth, create jobs and provide Dayton with another healthcare option." "Medical Center at Elizabeth Place will allow community doctors to return to healthcare as it used to be: personal, compassionate care in a patient-focused setting," says Dr. John Fleishman, Board President. "By allowing physicians to run the hospital, we can put the needs of the patient first and offer quality healthcare that is delivered efficiently and cost effectively with less bureaucracy." From the 10/31/06 DDN: PHOTO: A new 5,000-square-feet Challenger Learning Center located at Dayton's Kiser Middle School was rededicated Monday Staff photo by Chris Stewart Challenger Learning Center launches from new pad at Kiser Former astronaut Rich Heib speaks at the opening, cites need for more students in science and technology. By Scott Elliott Staff Writer Tuesday, October 31, 2006 DAYTON — Rich Heib, an astronaut-in-training on the day of the space shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, had a seemingly easy assignment for the day — stand on the observation deck and watch the launch with the astronauts' families. The tragic events of that followed forged a close connection to the Challenger families. "I know what this means to the families of that crew," he told a gathering at the rededication of the rebuilt Challenger Learning Center on Monday at Dayton's Kiser Elementary School. "They wanted to do something with that legacy — something more than plaques and scholarships." Dayton's center opened at Kiser Middle School in 1990, one of a networks that now includes similar centers in 31 states with two others in Ohio near Toledo and Cincinnati. When Kiser was rebuilt as an elementary school as part of Dayton's construction program, the center won a new, updated and expanded home. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/10/30/ddn103106challenger.html From the 11/1/06 Celina Daily Standard: Plans for a jail Mercer County officials view designs for proposed facility, which will need voter approval of sales tax Mercer County officials got their first glimpse of what the proposed new county jail would look like - if county voters eventually approve a tax issue to pay for the project. Architects from Shremshock Associates, Dublin, showed designs of the floor plan and explained the various spaces to Mercer County Commissioners and Sheriff Jeff Grey on Tuesday. The architects also shared more striking "vignettes" - computer-generated renderings that depict the inside and outside of the proposed 100-bed, 50,000-square-foot jail. Commissioners have said they plan to put a countywide sales tax issue on the ballot sometime next year to pay for the estimated $12 million lockup. The jail is to be built on county-owned land in between the county home and Foundations Behavioral Health Services on state Route 29 west of Celina. Architect Rick Axline said designers have achieved an efficient facility designed to limit the number of staff needed to run the facility. MORE: http://www.dailystandard.com/archive/story_single.php?rec_id=1249 Centerville Board seeks input on naming two schools Dayton Daily News, 11/18/06 The Centerville Board of Education is seeking community input to name two kindergarten-first grade schools to open next fall. The Centerville Kindergarten Village on Marshall Road in the Village South neighborhood, and the new K-1 school on Paragon Road in the Oak Creek South neighborhood will need names, Centerville School Superintendent Gary Smiga said. While Centerville schools have been named after people (Cline, Driscoll, John Hole, Stingley, Weller, Magsig and Watts), the board would like to name the K-1 schools after place names such as Centerville Kindergarten Village, Normandy, Tower Heights, Centerville High School, School of Possibilities, Centerville Pre-School. A master list will be compiled and shared with the school board in December. Smiga said a number of people have included keeping the word "Village" in the one school and using "Paragon" as part of the name for the second school. Furnishing center coming to Miller Lane Dayton Daily News, 11/18/06 Morris Furniture Co. Inc. announced Friday plans for a 100,000-square-foot home furnishing center in the Miller Lane area near the Interstates 70 and 75 interchange. "We're very excited by Miller Lane," said Larry Klaben, Morris president and chief executive. "We think that will be the shopping area north of town over the next five years." The center will be larger than the company's two largest Dayton-area stores combined. The company's "The Home Furnishing Lifestyle Center" concept would put a Morris Furniture store, an Ashley Furniture store, a Home Theater Store and Sealy Sleep Shop under one roof. The concept "gives consumers the easiest way to shop for furniture," said George Hartley, Morris chief operating officer. Spiffed-up Y could be the pattern for many more in urban areas Dayton Daily News, 11/16/06 The YMCA Neighborhood Development Center celebrated the turning of a page last month when it unveiled renovated digs at 506 E. Main St. in Trotwood. The YMCA reopened Oct. 26 to show off a new fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment and a modernized locker room. With better facilities and more space, the center's director said there are plans to host community and after-school activities. The YMCA of Greater Dayton opened the Trotwood branch in 2004 as part of an initiative targeting urban areas. The Greater Dayton YMCA opened another neighborhood development center at Dixon United Church in west Dayton, which later merged with the Trotwood center. As the YMCA center's presence in the community grows, so do its partnerships, Horton said. The Trotwood YMCA already tests the fitness of children in grades three through five at Trotwood-Madison elementary schools and offers a food pantry twice a month in conjunction with Stillwater United Methodist Church. More maintenance projects ahead for Franklin schools Middletown Journal, 11/14/06 School board members are considering spending about $856,000 to keep students at the high school and Anthony Wayne Elementary safe, warm and dry. Business manager Jeff Johnson presented bids to replace heating and ventilation equipment and windows and doors at the two buildings to the Franklin City School District Board of Education Monday at a work session. Window and doors will cost the district $319,485 and heating and ventilation replacements $537,875. The projects are part of a five-year plan to perform much needed maintenance at the district's nine buildings, said Superintendent Doug Lantz. Versailles levy passes Greenville Daily Advocate, 11/8/06 After four times of taking the issue to the voters, Versailles Exempted Village School District finally passed its bond/tax levy by 73.41 percent. According to unofficial tallies at the Darke County Board of Election, 2,258 people in nine precincts voted for the bond/levy, while 818 were against it. "I'm excited and a little bit numb," said Versailles School Board President Ron Gehret. "It's the fourth time we've had it on the ballot since 2002." What is going to happen now? "We'll go back and relax," Gehret remarked at the Darke County Board of Elections office Tuesday night. "Next week, we will start the planning and designing phase. I think the exciting part about the levy of the new school is that it's the cornerstone of the future of Versailles. It will allow Versailles to grow the next 50 years. Without this school levy passing, we'd be headed in the wrong direction." "I'm just ecstatic about the voting results," stated Versailles Superintendent Tom Doseck. "It exemplifies that when people understand and support something, they'll vote for it. Certainly passing it will benefit every single student in the Versailles School District."
November 26, 200618 yr From the 11/10/06 Dayton Business Journal: St. Mary to build $5.6M West Dayton housing Dayton Business Journal - November 10, 2006 by Yvonne Teems DBJ Staff Reporter St. Mary Development Corp. is moving forward on a $5.6 million affordable senior housing project in West Dayton. The nonprofit developer will build 40 apartments, four to a building, on property located just east of S.R. 49 in West Dayton, adjacent to St. Mary's existing Hoover Place. MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2006/11/13/story7.html From the 11/9/06 Beavercreek News-Current: Ordinance given first reading By Doug Skinner Editor Beavercreek City Council recently gave the first reading to an ordinance for a planned unit development (PUD) for Willow Creek Villas. The ordinance would rezone approximately 27.471 acres of land from A-1 agricultural and R-1A one-family residential district to R-PUD residential planned unit development. The land is located on the east side of Grange Hall Road, approximately 400 feet south of Lujon Drive. "Staff has provided revised information regarding the applicant's most recent proposal for 68 rather than 74 units as previously submitted for consideration," the staff report stated. "The overall acreage for the proposal consists of 27.471 acres of land that currently includes the anticipated right of way for Park Overlook and anticipated additional right of way for Grange Hall Road," according to information provided by city planner Jeffrey McGrath. "A rough estimate of right of way needed on Grange Hall Road would be 20 additional feet along the frontage of Grange Hall Road and 60 feet ... where the applicant is proposing Park Overlook Drive to be located. Park Overlook Drive is approximately 1,410 linear feet from Grange Hall to the eastern boundary of the proposed PUD." MORE: http://tcnewsnet.1upmonitor.com/main.asp?SectionID=18&SubSectionID=263&ArticleID=142250&TM=46413.11 From the 11/8/06 DDN: Troy voters pass income tax levy, block residential development Bradford school levy fails; Concord Twp. rezoning overturned. By Doug Page Staff Writer Wednesday, November 08, 2006 TROY — School district voters Tuesday night approved an income tax that school officials touted as tax reform. At the same time, city voters overturned the rezoning for Troy's largest residential development, 4,880 to 2,481 votes, blocking the Honey Creek plan. ... The Honey Creek development would have built 298 single-family homes, ranging in price from $200,000 to $450,000, and 98 condominiums, from $180,000 to $250,000, over the next 10 to 15 years. Opponents complained the development, planned on 201 acres on the city's northeast edge, would add to traffic and stormwater problems. "I am happy for the citizens," said Lou Hart, who led the referendum campaign. "Until municipal governments go about a proper way of expanding, people will always have a referendum." ... And for the ninth time since 1995, voters in the unincorporated area of Concord Twp. have overturned the Trafalgar rezoning of 50 acres for housing — this time 1,724 to 737 votes — blocking the development. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/08/ddn110806miaissues.html Officials: Streetscape goes far beyond pretty Dayton Daily News, 11/23/06 City officials want residents to know that the years-long streetscape project is more than just putting a pretty face on Main Street. Streetscape is the phased project reconstructing the Main Street (Ohio 571) corridor from Interstate 75 to the Miami-Erie Canal Lock 15 Park, to make it safer for pedestrians and a more appealing place to live and do business. Decorative street lights with a historical look will be installed, and sidewalks will be separated form the street by a curb lawn with trees and shrubs. In the first phase, paver bricks in concrete were used in driveways/entrances. The project will also replace water and sewer lines — some in the older part of town are almost 100 years old — as well as the street. Mechanicsburg School Board: Tour shows new school now boasts stairs, walls Urbana Daily Citizen, 11/21/06 The Mechanicsburg Board of Education took a tour of the new consolidated school building Monday night prior to its regular meeting. The board was introduced to what looks more like a completed building with more internal walls rather than a skeletal structure. Also, stairs have been completed, replacing the temporary scaffolding ladder that work crews had used to travel between floors. While some windows are in place, the majority of the building is still without them. The board members were led through the construction zone by Bob Hurley, project manager of SFA Construction, as he showed them the highlights of the build and answered their questions. Board members got an idea of how the building will be colored as a few of the walls already have base coats of yellow, purple and white. Also, colored drywall is set up in some of the classrooms to show where the school colors will eventually be painted. Home improvement chain Menards looking at Tipp City Dayton Daily News, 11/18/06 A home improvement retailer is looking at a site west of Interstate 75 for what would be the city's first "big box" store. Menards, a privately owned chain of home improvement stores in the Midwest with headquarters in Eau Claire, Wis., has four stores in Ohio, the closest in the Lima area. It is the third largest home improvement chain in the country behind Home Depot and Lowe's. Menards spokesman Jeff Abbott said the company is expanding in Ohio, including new stores that will open in 2007 in Sidney and Marion. Construction is nearing completion on the Menards off Ohio 47, west of Interstate 75 in Sidney, said Lew Blackford, executive director of the West Ohio Development Council. That store is going up in a neighborhood that already includes a Super Wal-Mart, Lowes and Staples, he said. Tipp City officials told City Council in recent memos that Menards filed for rezoning of two properties north of Ohio 571 in the area of Weller Drive, just west of I-75. The city planning board last week set a Dec 12 public hearing on the rezonings. If the project moves forward, Kinna and Weller drives would be extended north and Harmony Drive to the east, and a traffic study would be required.
November 26, 200618 yr From the 11/16/06 Dayton Business Journal: State gives $800K toward local housing Dayton Business Journal - November 16, 2006 Two local housing groups will receive $800,000 from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency to build homes. The funds are part of a statewide disbursement of $4.8 million that will help build more than 200 units throughout the state, that include single-family homes and apartments. The local projects are: * St. Mary Development Corp. will receive $250,000 from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to construct Stoney Ridge Estates, a 31-home development at 2968 S. Gettysburg Ave. in Dayton. The $5.6 million project also will receive a $1 million Equity Bridge Loan. * Tri-County Community Action Agency will receive $550,000 from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to build Countryside Commons, a 60-unit project at Countryside Street and Fourth Avenue in Sidney. Sidney Senior Partners Ltd. also will receive a $1 million Direct Loan to help fund the $6.7 million project. MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2006/11/13/daily20.html?surround=lfn From the 11/16/06 Springfield News-Sun: New housing construction to start in city By Samantha Sommer Staff Writer Wednesday, November 15, 2006 The Neighborhood Housing Partnership and Building Industry Association plan to break ground before the end of the year on the first new subdivision in the inner city in five decades. Clifton Court will sit near South High School and will start with up to 18 houses, all different and constructed by local builders. The homes could be ready by March or April. Tina Koumoutsos, NHP executive director, reviewed plans for the homes at the agency's annual meeting Wednesday morning. She pointed to several other projects going on in the city core, such as a new hospital, new schools and historic renovations. Housing hasn't been a big part of that revitalization so far. But neighborhoods are essential for those other projects to succeed, Koumoutsos said. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/15/sns111606nhp.html
November 28, 200618 yr From the 11/16/06 Springfield News-Sun: Springfield News-Sun: High school vision approved (11/10/06) PHOTO GALLERY Work continues on high school By Gail Cetnar Staff Writer Thursday, November 16, 2006 Wednesday's chilly drizzle didn't dampen the pace of work at the Springfield High School construction site. "We're moving along despite all the weather," said Steve Midgley, project superintendent for the construction manager. The classroom wing is beginning to take shape as workers prepare to pour concrete for the first and second floors. Tarps will encase the first floor of the classroom wing soon. That area needs to be heated so the concrete poured on the second floor doesn't freeze. Close to half of the concrete for the second floor will be in place by next month, Midgley said. Construction of the $59.4 million high school began in May behind the current North High School, 701 E. Home Road. North and South high schools are scheduled to consolidate into the new building in the fall of 2008. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/15/sns111606highschool.html From the 11/16/06 DDN: Details about plaza's parking raise eyebrows Planners discussed traffic ideas for the Wilmington Pike shopping center featuring a Frisch's and a LaRosa's. By Joanne Clodfelter Contributing Writer KETTERING | The Kettering Planning Commission held major discussions finalizing minor details about Kettering Crossing, a new development at 2801 Wilmington Pike, at its Nov. 6 meeting. The development will have both Frisch's and LaRosa's Restaurants, along with condominiums and other retail space. One item on the final development plan that generated a lot of discussion was a requirement that only Frisch's customers could park in the Frisch's parking lot, although Frisch's customers would be allowed to park in LaRosa's parking lot. "This type of easement agreement is detrimental to the whole shopping center," Commissioner Dale Kress said. "I would concur," commission chairman Don Rethman said. "I was a little surprised that this one's in here. We want to make this the best development we can for everybody with shared parking." MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/kettering_oakwood/2006/11/17/ddn111606kettplan.html Rezoning sought for day care center Celina Daily Standard, 11/25/06 The owners of land along Staeger Road east of Celina are seeking the rezoning of a 2.65-acre tract that could pave the way for construction of a day care center. Mercer County Commissioners have scheduled a public hearing for 3 p.m. Dec. 5 to discuss the request and accept public comment. The Mercer County Regional Planning Commission already has given the rezoning request its approval. The day care center could be located on the northwest corner of state Route 703 and Staeger Road. The property is owned by the Linus Braun Trust. The property is now zoned agricultural-residential and is farm ground located south of Celina Aluminum Precision Technology (CAPT) and east of Grand Manor Mobile Home Park. The owners seek to have the tract rezoned to commercial-light. Regional Planning Commission members gave the rezoning their tentative approval at that group's Nov. 15 meeting. The proposed day care center would sit on land inside an area designated as a "development area" and is adjacent to property zoned "industrial-commercial."
November 29, 200618 yr From the 11/22/06 Dayton Business Journal: City approves $450K toward new housing Dayton Business Journal - November 22, 2006 The city of Dayton at its commission meeting Wednesday morning approved $450,000 in funds to help develop housing projects. The projects will create almost 100 new housing units in the city and help local developers invest $13.9 million. The city doled out loans and a grant for three projects: * St. Mary Development Corp. will receive a $240,000 loan to help it build the Lofts at Hoover in Residence Park off of Hoover Avenue. Ten buildings will house 40 apartments in this $5.7 million project. * St. Mary also will receive a $120,000 loan to help it build Washington Square, 45 units of single-family, scattered site housing in the Burkhardt and Springfield neighborhoods. Total project cost is $7.5 million. * Dayton Ohio Habitat for Humanity will receive a $90,000 grant to help it develop up to nine single-family homes at various locations in Dayton. The project, for low-income families, will total $650,000. MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2006/11/20/daily11.html?surround=lfn From the 11/23/06 DDN: Yellow Springs News: McGregor breaks ground for newly designed building (11/9/06) Antioch McGregor opening center for business, education The university is planning to build an institute for intellectual development. By Ismail Turay Jr. Staff Writer YELLOW SPRINGS — Rising student enrollment the past few years is prompting Antioch University McGregor to expand its campus, amid promises to stimulate MIINDs in the region. The McGregor Institute for Intellectual Development — MIIND — which will function as a think tank and host regional seminars, will be a part of the 90,000-square-foot Center for Business and Education, officials said. The new campus will be at East Enon and Dayton-Yellow Springs roads. When officials started exploring ways to accommodate the growing student body a few years ago, surrounding communities courted them, McGregor President Barbara Gellman-Danley said. But Yellow Springs officials and Community Resources — a local community improvement group — didn't want to lose the villages' largest employer, so they gave the school 11 acres of land to build on, she said. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/greene/2006/11/22/ddn112306mcgregor.html Urbana city officials to review rezoning request Springfield News-Sun, 11/28/06 The Urbana Planning Commission asked city officials Monday night to review zoning ordinances for a proposed Planned Unit Development. Larry Greenburg, of Columbus, requested in a letter that the commission consider rezoning about 10 acres of property on Scioto Street from a business and a multi-family residential designation to a commercial PUD. Unlike other zoning designations, commission members said PUDs allow the city more control over what is placed on the site. Greenburg purchased the properties that include the buildings housing Goodwill, SavALot, Odd Lots, CT Communications and CVS, for about $4 million. In his letter, he stated he will renovate the properties to promote development. Planning Commission President Martin Reich said the board feels the project should move forward.
November 29, 200618 yr The McGregor Institute for Intellectual Development — MIIND — which will function as a think tank and host regional seminars, .... I wonder what that is all about.
November 29, 200618 yr Author The McGregor Institute for Intellectual Development MIIND which will function as a think tank and host regional seminars, .... I wonder what that is all about. http://www.mcgregor.edu/miind/
November 29, 200618 yr From the link: The McGregor Institute for Intellectual Development (MIIND) seeks to provide engaging learning opportunities to adults who believe that exercise of the mind is essential to maintaining a youthful and vigorous quality of life. Modeled after the Chautauqua Institute in New York, MIIND is focused on providing an educational experience that will be attractive to: Enthusiasts of a particular discipline Current Antioch McGregor undergraduates seeking summer credits (4 quarter/ 2.5 semester) Professionals seeking to enhance knowledge in their field Anyone who values learning and wants to have a fun time doing it *Educational Leaders Seminar Series (ELSS): Graduate-level courses for educators who wish to continue their education This summer we will begin by piloting 3 week long seminars hosted by Jerry Holt, Dean of Liberal Studies at Antioch University McGregor. Playwright, published author, and educator, Jerry’s enthusiasm for each of the subject is personal and palpable, building on over 20 years as an academic and performer. This summer’s seminars all run Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with an optional, but highly recommended, Thursday night mystery soiree. Each session can admit a maximum of 40 students. June 26-30: Ohio’s Secret History Unravel the true stories behind The Bizarre History of the Serpent Mound, The Amazing – and Gut Wrenching – Way the First Settlers of Southern Ohio Dealt with Disease, and many more AMAZING tales (almost as good as the comic book.) July 17-21: The Holocaust Co-Sponsored by the Ohio Council on Holocaust Education, this one-week session focuses primarily on the Holocaust and contemporary Germany. August 21-26: Produced and Abandoned: The Greatest Movies You Never Saw Screen at least five films that Hollywood let slip through its fingers. Special Surprise Guests and Free Popcorn at every session. October 16-20: The Celluloid Scream focuses on the cultural significance of terror in the cinema. In other words, for adults who don't have 9 to 5 jobs but have a lot of free time (and tuition money...these seminars cost $1076 per seminar)... This reminds me of some of the adult education that was being offered in Sacramento when I lived there, by UC Davis, I think, where one would pay a rather hefty tuition to learn how to run an art gallery, or how to taste wine, and things like that. .
November 29, 200618 yr Author I think they want it to be like the Chautauqua Institution in NY and the whole Chautauqua educational movement that came from that
November 30, 200618 yr From the 11/29/06 Springfield News-Sun: New Carlisle Sun: Plans for annexation change (11/24/06) Springfield News-Sun: Trustees oppose annexation request (11/14/06) County receives annex petition Wednesday, November 29, 2006 The Clark County Commission on Tuesday formally acknowledged receiving a new petition for 83 acres of Bethel Township to be annexed into New Carlisle. A previous petition was withdrawn earlier this month after Bethel Township trustees expressed their opposition, pointing to technical deficiencies and a failure to agree how to maintain roads which would be split between the township and city. The land is south of New Carlisle, east of Dayton-Lakeview Road and west of Quick Road. It includes part of Studebaker Nurseries, Tecumseh YMCA, New Carlisle Cemetery and land owned by Graham Rogers of Troy Town LLC. In other business, the commission rescheduled its Dec. 12 meeting to Dec. 14. The commissioners will meet in informal session at 8:30 a.m. on the fifth floor of the County Offices/Municipal Courts Building, 50 E. Columbia St. The formal session will begin at 10 a.m MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/28/sns112906countycom.html Franklin board OKs school renovation Middletown Journal, 11/29/06 School officials are moving forward with another round of building renovations to replace doors and windows at Anthony Wayne Elementary and the high school. School board members agreed to spend $319,485 on the project at their regular meeting Monday. The money comes from a five-year, 9.79-mill emergency operating levy approved by voters August 2005 after seven tries at the ballot. The district plans to spend about $831,000 a year for five years on building improvements, said Jeff Johnson, business manager. Roof work at the high school was completed in early November at a cost of $292,000.
December 5, 200618 yr You bring good news, PrfctTimeOfDay. As someone who lives close by, I love watching progress here which was long over due. This article doesn't say, but I assume this is the spot north of Burger King. There is one building left on that lot that for some reason was freshly painted over the summer.
December 9, 200618 yr From the 11/30/06 DDN: Work ready to start on new Brown Elementary The school, set to open in late 2008, is one of 27 buildings slated in $627 million plan. By Joanne Huist Smith Staff Writer DAYTON — Officials of Dayton Public Schools shivered through the ground breaking for the new E. J. Brown Elementary School the morning of Nov. 20, but they got the job done. The new building will be constructed on 6.8 acres at 48 W. Parkwood Ave., the site of the original E. J. Brown School, which has been closed for several years and was demolished in September. School district spokeswoman Jill Moberly said the new building will open in late 2008. The front of the proposed school — for prekindergarten through eighth grade — will face Parkwood, but Birchwood Avenue will serve as the main entrance to the school. Willowwood Drive will offer a secondary entrance for parents dropping off students and for visitors. The southern portion of the school site will be used for athletic fields, including softball in the southwestern corner. The project is part of a $627 million construction program in the district. Three new schools have already opened this year including: Kiser Middle School, 1401 Leo St., Belle Haven Elementary School, 4401 Free Pike and Wogaman Elementary School, 920 McArthur St. In January, an even bigger construction year begins with the opening of Cleveland Elementary School, 1102 S. Pursell Ave. Five more schools will follow in 2007, including the first new high school — a rebuilt Stivers School for the Arts at 1313 E. Fifth St. — opening next November. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/dayton/2006/11/30/ddn113006brown.html From the 12/1/06 DDN: Roosevelt High School to host final open house Public can tour the building this weekend; school opened in 1927 and will be demolished in 2007. By Scott Elliott Staff Writer Friday, December 01, 2006 DAYTON — From old classmates to curious neighbors, anyone who wants a final peek at historic Roosevelt High School can get a last look this weekend. The school district will hold an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday as a final farewell to the school. Demolition is planned for early 2007. Electricity is on in the building but heat is not, so school officials suggest dressing for the weather. When it opened in 1927 at 2013 W. Third St., Roosevelt was one of the largest high schools east of the Mississippi and it played an important role in the city's history. The school is remembered for its racial politics as the movement for integration began in the 1950s and for educating some of the city's most important leaders. After it closed as a school, Roosevelt was used as an administration building and hosted community programs from 1975 until 2004, when the school board consolidated its administrative operations and moved out of Roosevelt . MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/30/ddn120106roosevelt.html From the 11/30/06 DDN: Bridge cost nears $12M Miami County Commission OKs plan with Dayton engineers for replacement that follows federal rules. By Nancy Bowman Staff Writer TROY — When it's time to replace a bridge such as the Adams Street Bridge over the Great Miami River, it's a big job with a big price tag. The design of the bridge now scheduled to replace the 1922 structure in 2011 will cost more than $935,000 under an agreement the Miami County commission approved last week with Lockwood, Jones and Beals engineers of Dayton. The estimated cost of a replacement or renovated structure, including the engineering, is nearing $12 million, county engineer Doug Christian told the commission. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/miami/2006/11/30/ddn113006miami.html Council approves rezoning of Groby's Dayton Daily News, 12/7/06 Kettering City Council has approved rezoning the Groby's property to bring in commercial and residential development along Far Hills Avenue. The council, on Nov. 28, held the second reading to rezone the property to an economic development overlay. After a 15-day appeal period from the date of the meeting, the rezoning will take effect. The planning commission will be responsible for final approval of details of the plan. Main Street residents opposed to change Springfield News-Sun, 11/30/06 More than 30 South Main Street residents signed their names to a petition protesting the possible rezoning of an office building at 1052 S. Main St. Building owner Ed McCall wants to change the zoning designation from multi-family dwellings and office space, to retail, restaurant and hospitality services. He said he has been trying to sell the 0.75-acre lot for about two years, and the current zoning code has limited potential buyers despite spending $25,000 in building repairs and renovations. Some councilmen said concerns have focused on what type of business it could be; for instance, residents don't want a gas station. "These people have to live there," Councilman Eugene Fields told McCall on Tuesday. "At 5 o'clock you go home and don't have to look at it."
December 11, 200618 yr From the 12/6/06 Springfield News-Sun: Grant could aid cleanup City requests $200,000 for work at former site of International truck and engine plant. By Samantha Sommer Staff Writer Wednesday, December 06, 2006 The city of Springfield will apply for a federal grant to clean up most of the former International Truck and Engine Corp. plant on Lagonda Avenue. The $200,000 grant request is due Thursday, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will notify the city in May on whether it gets the money. City commissioners discussed the grant Tuesday night. International has demolished all but the original factory building, typically the most expensive part, and is doing environmental testing. Those tests have shown lead and benzo(a)pyrene contamination, common at old industrial sites in Springfield, said Shannon Meadows, executive assistant to the city manager. "It doesn't have nearly the contamination that many expected," she said. Cleanup cost estimates aren't known because the testing isn't finished. But Meadows expects it will exceed the EPA grant and plans to apply for a Clean Ohio grant next year. The potential reuse of the site is undetermined, but Meadows said it likely will be a commercial or industrial use. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/05/sns120606citycommission.html From the 12/5/06 Springfield News-Sun: Schools, city examine tax agreement By LaToya Thompson Staff Writer Tuesday, December 05, 2006 URBANA — Urbana City Schools and the city must reach a tax agreement by Dec. 31 that could finance the construction of a mile and a half of streets around the district's future building site adjacent to Mercy Memorial Hospital and the YMCA. The two parties exchanged information Monday night about a Tax Increment Financing contract, or TIF. The agreement would freeze the tax value of a specified property when it is enacted, then the increased assessed value of the property goes to the municipality to fund capital improvement projects, such as streets. For instance, if a land's tax value is $1,000 this year and increases to $2,000 next year, the $1,000 increase would solely belong to the city. The school district and other county agencies and departments who earn revenue through property tax would not see an increase but continue to get the same amount. Urbana officials plan to try a TIF at the Urbana Commons that contains the Wal-Mart Supercenter, an area that changed from agricultural to commercial this summer. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/04/sns120506urbana.html Tipp City group exceeds goal for veterans honor in park Dayton Daily News, 12/10/06 The volunteer Veterans Memorial Committee picked a historic day — Pearl Harbor Day — to announce a major accomplishment in the drive for a memorial to honor all veterans, including those who served in World War II. The committee praised local residents, foundations and clubs and organizations for helping it raise $88,500, exceeding a $62,000 goal. Memorial plans include a 12-foot black granite monument surrounded by memorial bricks in a new city park planned at the intersection of West Main Street and Hyatt Street. The City Council this fall voted to name the small park Veterans Memorial Park, at the urging of the committee. The committee earlier convinced the city to locate the memorial at the highly visible intersection at the entry to the downtown instead of in another park off the main street. Former Wal-Mart site still awaiting tenants Celina Daily Standard, 12/9/06 Seagulls from Grand Lake are the only visitors these days to the abandoned Wal-Mart building in Celina. Although Wal-Mart officials - specifically their own realty division - and Lakewood Village Shopping Center owner Austin Management are busy trying to market the nearly 69,000-square foot building, it remains empty. Ohio has the second-largest number of abandoned or soon-to-be abandoned Wal-Mart buildings in the U.S., a growing phenomena as more Supercenters appear, according to Wal-Mart Realty's Web site. Texas leads the country with 32 former stores awaiting tenants; Ohio has 20 and North Carolina is third with 19. There are currently about 280 Wal-Mart buildings for sale across the country. In May 2005, Wal-Mart left the smaller building along Havemann Road and moved across the street to the new 204,000-square-foot Supercenter, also leaving behind a lease that doesn't expire until Jan. 2010, company spokesman Kevin Thornton said. "We usually try to find subtenants, buy out our lease or try to sell the building ourselves," he explained. U.S. funds to shore up 3 local landmarks Urbana Daily Citizen, 12/6/06 A $150,000 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant will go toward restoring and renovating the 1888 Sowles Hotel in downtown Urbana, the 1837 Second Baptist Church in Mechanicsburg and the 1881 Mt. Tabor Church in northeast Salem Township. "We're excited about the possibility of completing the Second Baptist Church, as well as contributing to work on the Mt. Tabor Church and the Sowles Hotel," said Sandy Gonzalez of the Champaign County Preservation Alliance. Former Urbana resident and historian John Bry wrote the grant application last year on behalf of CCPA, Gonzalez said, adding the group owns the Mechanicsburg church, while the Turner Foundation in Springfield owns the Sowles and Salem Township owns Mt. Tabor Church. Gonzalez said it hasn't been determined how these Economic Development Initiative Funds, which will be passed through the city of Urbana, will be distributed among the projects. She said estimates for wish-list items are being compiled and provided to Charlie McFarland of the Turner Foundation, which is using its grant expertise to assist with the project.
December 12, 200618 yr From the 12/10/06 Springfield News-Sun: Razing the barn roof ... a whole lot more Chamberlin barn taken apart piece by piece so it can be reassembled next summer at George Rogers Clark Park By Samantha Sommer Staff Writer Sunday, December 10, 2006 Lynn Chamberlin Miller used to have slumber parties and bottle-fed lambs in the old barn on her family farm. Now she hopes visitors will learn some farm history and appreciate the 1840s hickory timber frame barn at its new home in George Rogers Clark Park. "It was really very precious," Miller said. "It was very well built and very well taken care of." Timber framers took the barn's frame apart piece by piece last week in Miamisburg and next summer it will be reassembled in George Rogers Clark Park. The National Trail Parks and Recreation District will have a community barn raising to erect the timbers in July with the Timber Framers Guild of America. In 1951, the state owned the park and tore down the 1850 Hertzler House barn that was in disrepair, but it left foundation with a roof over it. The intent was to repair it eventually, said Jim Campbell, National Trail open space manager said. "But it didn't happen," he said. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/09/sns121006barn1c.html From the 12/7/06 DDN: Huber Heights Courier: Tipp City to benefit from local Meijer development (11/30/06) Road issues solved for new Meijer By Valryn Warren Staff Writer HUBER HEIGHTS — Meijer is moving ahead with plans to locate at Brandt Pike and Executive Boulevard after working out traffic and landscaping concerns with the city. Huber Heights Human Resources Director and spokesman Jim Bowers said Meijer had to work out wetland mitigation with the Environmental Protection Agency and address road improvements necessary to handle the increase in traffic near the new store. Meijer owns 43 acres at the southwest corner of Brandt and Executive. The 207,000-square-foot store and parking will occupy about 30 acres. Bowers said Meijer will put in two traffic intersections and lights, one on Brandt Pike with one right and two left turn lanes and a signal, the other on Executive in front of the proposed store with a right turn lane in and out. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/northeast/2006/12/07/ddn120706z5meijer.html Improvements continue at BCIS Centerville-Bellbrook Times, 12/9/06 The remodeling project at the Bell Creek Intermediate School project in the former Bellbrook Junior High on Upper Bellbrook is progressing, as Sugarcreek Local School board members accept a $10,000 donation for sound enhancements and approve a more than $53,000 change order for additional equipment needed in the school's new sound system. The John E. and Betty J. Meyer Family Foundation donated the $10,000 to the current Bell Creek Elementary School for equipment to improve the sound quality in each classroom, said Dr. Keith St. Pierre, during the board's November 9 meeting. St. Pierre said what they will put up in classrooms at Bell Creek is portable. St. Pierre noted that the Meyer Foundation has given the district donations in the past. School board president Elizabeth Betz said she really appreciated their support. The $53,931.04 change order to Sollman Electric includes an additional electric panel for the new sound system that is being installed at BCIS, said St. Pierre.
December 14, 200618 yr From the 12/12/06 Urbana Daily Citizen: City council to meet KATHLEEN FOX Assistant Editor The Urbana City Council today will hear the first of three readings of proposed amendments to Corridor Development Standards that caused controversy after being enacted last summer. The planning commission is recommending the amendments, which resulted from consideration of the standards by a citizens task force and city staff. Most controversial were regulations concerning signage. The proposed changes grandfather existing signs except when signs are in need of repair and/or when properties are to undergo a substantial change. Other proposed changes generally relax existing standards, including allowing time/temperature signs and not requiring particular materials be used for signs. MORE: http://www.urbanacitizen.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=142383&TM=43712.85 From the 12/13/06 Urbana Daily Citizen: Urbana School Board: District would seek reimbursement under TIF agreement with city BETH DEERE Staff Writer Members of the Urbana City Schools Board of Education came to a consensus of how they would like to proceed with a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) contract with the city of Urbana. The board met Tuesday evening to discuss three options proposed by the city administration for a tax agreement that could finance the construction of streets, sidewalks and storm sewers around the district's future building site. The first option was for a 20-year agreement at 100 percent, which would generate $128,609 a year, based only on the value of the new Wal-Mart Supercenter. Wal-Mart's estimated value is $8.5 million, with an estimated assessed value of $2.975 million. The city's debt would be $1,709,000 to construct five streets in the area. The second option proposed would again be for 20 years, but would include a $30,000 a year reimbursement to the school district. That option would generate just over $100,000 in taxes, based on construction of four streets. A third option would be one the city could perform without a vote by the school board. It would be for 10 years at 75 percent, generating just over $96,000. This is based on construction of only two streets. MORE: http://www.urbanacitizen.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=142387&TM=45306.41
December 21, 200618 yr From the Dayton Daily News: Housing Authority gets the go-ahead to raze Parkside 150 low-income Dayton families will be relocated. Proposal would use land for downtown shopping complex. By Cathy Mong, Staff Writer Wednesday, December 13, 2006 The Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority received federal approval Tuesday to demolish 38 buildings making up Parkside Homes. The go-ahead to raze the homes of 150 families came from the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Special Application Center, said DMHA Director Gregory D. Johnson. Parkside was built in 1941 with public housing money. One plan for the acreage, bounded by Keowee Street, Interstate 75 and Helena Street, and recently announced by the Downtown Dayton Partnership, is part of Vision 2010. That project entails building a shopping area anchored by a couple of big box retailers. In 2004, Tim Mahoney, DMHA assistant director of programs, said housing such as Parkside had outlived its purpose. "It's time to provide better housing resources for our clients. We don't like the concentration of the poorest of the poor in one site. It's not productive, and it's not a good environment for children," Mahoney said. The razing of the buildings and relocating residents is expected to take up to eight months. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/
December 25, 200618 yr from the Dayton Daily News: Developer to donate 50-acre park near Ohio 741, Ohio 63 By Staff Writer Sunday, December 24, 2006 TURTLECREEK TWP., Warren County — Residents will get a new 50-acre park as part of an agreement reached by a home developer and the Warren County commissioners Tuesday. The developer, J-II Enterprises, agreed to donate the land, located on Ohio 741 just south of Ohio 63, to the county park board in exchange for sanitary sewer service. Warren commissioners had to agree to let Butler County extend their sewers into the proposed 95-home development. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/
December 25, 200618 yr from the Dayton Daily News: Wider N. Main project raises ire One business owner says he may have to close his Harrison Twp. store. By James Cummings, Staff Writer Monday, December 25, 2006 HARRISON TWP., Montgomery County — A center turn lane on North Main Street, designed for safety and to help local businesses, might put some of those establishments out of business. The Ohio Department of Transportation plans to add the lane along the stretch of North Main Street from about Swallow Drive to Macy Street. ODOT this year started surveying the project north of Dayton city limits. Survey crews discovered some property owners had erected signs, paved parking lots and built other structures on state right of way. Joyce Renner, an ODOT spokeswoman, said the department has sent letters to 35 property owners on both sides of the street warning them to move anything encroaching on the right of way before the state starts construction in two or three years. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/
December 25, 200618 yr and some more from DDN: Businesses' lots cross line on right of way, state says Widening project needs more space, so back off, proprietors told. Some contend state is off base. By James Cummings, Staff Writer Monday, December 25, 2006 HARRISON TWP. — Mike Crook bought the North Main Street building a few years ago for his printing business. Now Crook fears actions by the Ohio Department of Transportation to enforce right of ways from 1938 — none of which have appeared on county plat maps since 1940 — will render his investment worthless. ODOT sent Crook a letter in August instructing him to remove 243 square yards of asphalt from the parking lot in front of the building, plus 45 feet of concrete block retaining wall and two shrubs. The state says that portion of his property is part of the state's right of way for North Main, Ohio 48. "That would basically put me out of business," Crook said. "They're doing the same thing to the barbershop next door. Businesses all up and down the street won't be able to meet zoning requirements for parking." ODOT has sent letters similar to theone Crook received to 35 property owners along North Main Street from just south of Swallow Drive to just north of Macy Street, a stretch of about one-half mile. Crook and some of the other property owners are particularly upset because they say the right of way the state is trying to enforce does not appear in property records they depended on when they bought and developed their parcels. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/
December 25, 200618 yr can someone fix my font size? I'm on my PDA and it won't let me modify. Nevermind...got it! :D
January 9, 200718 yr From the 12/8/06 DDN: Oakwood's Sugar Camp may get medical campus By Joanne Clodfelter Contributing Writer Friday, December 08, 2006 OAKWOOD — Dr. Edward Thomas will relocate his medical practice, Ohio Eye Care Specialists, to the Sugar Camp complex on West Schantz Avenue in Oakwood. "When the Sugar Camp opportunity presented itself, I felt it was the perfect time and opportunity for my practice and other medical and wellness entities to form a medical campus," Thomas said. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2006/12/07/ddn120806sugarcamp.html
January 9, 200718 yr From the 12/14/06 DDN: Sugar Camp keeps look, takes new mission The former NCR training facility in Oakwood will become a medical campus. By Joanne Clodfelter Contributing Writer OAKWOOD | Sugar Camp's proposed conversion from an NCR training facility to a medical campus will preserve its rustic beauty while giving it a new lease on life, developers said. "Day one, I took one look at this and said this would make a perfect medical environment," said Dr. Edward Thomas, who will relocate his Ohio Eye Care Specialists from Wyoming Street to one of the existing buildings at Sugar Camp. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/kettering_oakwood/2006/12/14/ddn121406sugarcamp.html
January 9, 200718 yr From the 12/17/06 DDN: GRAPHIC: Sugar Camp master plan Tainted sand must be taken from old NCR site By-product of industrial age must be removed before tract can be developed into residential area. By Steve Bennish Staff Writer Sunday, December 17, 2006 OAKWOOD — An estimated 50,000 cubic yards of potentially hazardous industrial foundry sand — a waste product of NCR Corp.'s manufacturing era — must be excavated before residential and commercial developments along Far Hills Avenue can be built. That's one of the larger landscaping jobs that will occur with the build-out of a project being planned by two developers for a 36-acre, "L" shaped stretch of former NCR land bounded by West Schantz and Far Hills avenues. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/16/ddn121706oakwood.html
January 10, 200718 yr From the 12/9/06 Urbana Daily Citizen: Deal to 'Save the Douglas' clears 'biggest hurdle' By KATHLEEN FOX Assistant Editor [email protected] City officials received word from the Building Regulations Department on Friday that the county department has approved plans the Miami Scioto Development Company submitted concerning the structural stabilization of the Douglas Inn. "We've gotten by the biggest hurdle," said John Doss, one of the partners of the Miami Scioto Development Company, which wishes to purchase the ailing Monument Square structure from the Community Improvement Corporation and turn it into a boutique hotel. Before this occurs, MSD must get Building Regulations permits in order, the city must seek to have the Court of Common Pleas lift the adjudication order to demolish the structure, and MSD and CIC must develop a purchase agreement. "I'm delighted to hear this has happened," CIC President Mary Lee Gecowets said of Building Regulations' approval of plans. She noted the court order must be lifted before CIC can sell the property, but sees hope for what she calls "a critical part of Monument Square." More at http://www.urbanacitizen.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=142365&TM=41141.56
January 10, 200718 yr From the 12/14/06 Springfield News-Sun: Douglas Inn could get out of courts, be revitalized By LaToya Thompson Staff Writer Wednesday, December 13, 2006 The Douglas Inn could get out of the court system after almost two years of legal proceedings. The Champaign County Building Regulations Department approved stabilization plans submitted by Miami Scioto Development Co., MSD, prospective buyers. The stabilization plans include a sprinkler and fire suppression system, a factor that Building Regulations and fire officials mandated for public safety. Previously, MSD said the requirement fit more with occupancy regulations, not building stabilization. The company has submitted building permits to the department. After they are approved, Urbana prosecutor Gil Weithman will file with the Champaign County Court of Common Pleas to lift an order that would demolish the historic hotel. The order has to be removed for MSD to enter into a purchasing agreement with Douglas owners, the Champaign County Community Improvement Corporation. The two parties have been in negotiations, MSD co-owner Pat Thackery said. The last listed for sale cost was $80,000. More at http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/13/sns121406douglas.html
January 18, 200718 yr From the 12/15/06 Springfield News-Sun: Clark County commission approves expansion The zone will increase by 362 acres and is meant to attract businesses and jobs to the area. By Diane Erwin Staff Writer Friday, December 15, 2006 An expanded enterprise zone in Springfield Township helps level the playing field as the area competes to lure businesses here, said Mike McDorman, president of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. The Clark County Commission on Thursday approved expanding the zone south of the fairgrounds by 362 acres along Interstate 70. An enterprise zone is an economic development incentive designed to attract businesses or convince others to expand, County Administrator Darrell Howard said. The zone allows tax incentives to be offered to those businesses. "The approval of the enterprise zone will help the chamber's marketing efforts in attracting new industry and jobs to this area of Clark County," McDorman said. The area is a perfect place for growth, said Jim Scoby, president of the Springfield Township trustees. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/14/sns121506countycom.html From the 12/16/06 Centerville-Bellbrook Times: Bellbrook tries to limit Centerville traffic By Jodi Brock Times Editor Bellbrook city council members want to limit the amount of construction traffic Bellbrook residents may have to deal with once work begins on a proposed Centerville residential development project. On Monday, December 4, council members approved the rezoning of 3.66 acres located at Wilmington-Dayton Road and State Route 725 in Bellbrook from Agricultural/Planned Development-Business to PD-2, Planned Development-Business, but the rezoning came with several conditions, mainly to make sure Bellbrook residents didn't bear the brunt of a Centerville development. Before reaching their decision, council heard from project managers, attorneys for the Karras family which owns the property, the developer of the project, as well as members of the audience. Steve Lisle of the Reinke Group informed council members that currently the plan is to build 60 residential units known as the County Down Village condominiums on a portion of the Centerville land south of Brewster's Run. MORE: http://tcnewsnet.com/main.asp?SectionID=15&SubSectionID=260&ArticleID=142581&TM=42127.75 Lebanon Citizens National Bank breaks ground on Far Hills Ave. Oakwood Register, 12/19/06 On Friday morning, city officials, bank officers and other dignitaries broke ground to dedicate the building of Oakwood’s newest banking institution, Lebanon Citizens National Bank (LCNB), a 127-year-old firm with headquarters in Lebanon, Ohio and the tenth largest banking institution in the Dayton area. The bank is to be located at the corner of Far Hills Avenue and Oak Knoll Drive. Two longstanding buildings were recently razed to make room for the planned one story building that will include walk-in and drive-up banking, and an ATM. Also to be on premises are two other financial services: DAKIN Insurance Agency and UVEST Investment Services. The Oakwood branch of LCNB is the first established in Montgomery County. The bank has 18 branch offices located throughout southwestern Ohio. Building completion and opening is slated for the spring of 2007. Freedom Days committee donates $10,000 toward future lakefront park development Celina Daily Standard, 12/19/06 After only its second year, Celina's new Freedom Days community picnic is donating $10,000 toward the further development of the lakefront park where the Independence Day event is held. Celina City Council members unanimously accepted the gift at Monday's meeting, where they briefly debated how the money will be used. "I think it's wonderful they're doing so. We certainly do appreciate it," council President Bill Sell said. Freedom Days is a joint venture between the Celina posts of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars and the local Fraternal Order of Eagles and Loyal Order of Moose lodges. Next summer's picnic will be the third annual Freedom Days. "Paying tribute to our vets living and past, we pride ourselves in our picnic as it is all about family enjoyment and honoring our military," a joint statement from the festival organizers said. "This donation is to be used to continue to improve the Northshore Park area, such as more sidewalks, street improvements and other needed improvements to the park." Changes to Old Troy Pk. property approved Huber Heights Courier, 12/14/06 The Huber Heights City Council approved an application by Medford Associates LLC. to make major changes to the property that once housed Frank's Nursery and Crafts located at 7325 Old Troy Pike. The plan calls for partial demolition of the existing building and the placement of a 7,000 square-feet out lot building in the front. Approval of the changes would allow for a bank, a restaurant-type business, small retail and/or office space. According to City Planner, Nathan Cahall, the zoning would not allow for the property to be used as a gas station, convenience store, or any other kind of business that could create large traffic problems beyond normal business hours. The council also approved an agreement with Barry L. Hardin aka Huber Heights Public Radio for tower space at the Needmore Road Radio Tower. According to Bradly Beer, with WOXR, the agreement would let them broadcast farther than before. Planning Board gives green light to zoning changes Tipp City Herald, 12/13/06 Tipp City Planning Board members voted last night to recommend to city council to approve the rezoning of two properties north of Ohio 571 in the area of Weller Drive, just west of I-75 to allow for the construction of a new Menards home furnishing store. One of the parcels, 9.9 acres, just north of Weller is being recommended to be changed from R3 (Urban Residential) to Office Service business. The site is next to an apartment complex. Board members said they were concerned about the effect the business would have on the residents who live in the area. Assistant City Manager Brad Vath said the company would be required to provide screening or some other kind of buffer to limit the amount of noise. Board member Mike McFarland stated that in many cases R3 zoning is used as a buffer itself between residential and commercial zones.
January 19, 200718 yr From the 1/3/07 Springfield News-Sun: City annexing Clark State campus By Samantha Sommer Staff Writer Wednesday, January 03, 2007 Clark State Community College's campus will be part of the city of Springfield. Springfield city commissioners held a public hearing and approved annexing the nearly 86-acre Leffel Lane campus to the city on Tuesday night. The college requested annexation to secure city utilities for the new Sara T. Landess Technology and Learning Center that it's building, said Joe Jackson, vice president for business affairs. The Cooperative Economic Development Agreement between the city, Clark County and Springfield Township, and an earlier utility agreement with the city, also required the college be annexed if it expanded. The annexation will benefit the city and township, which will share income taxes, and the college, which will receive city services, Jackson said. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/02/sns010306citycommission.html Wider N. Main project raises ire Dayton Daily News, 12/25/06 A center turn lane on North Main Street, designed for safety and to help local businesses, might put some of those establishments out of business. The Ohio Department of Transportation plans to add the lane along the stretch of North Main Street from about Swallow Drive to Macy Street. ODOT this year started surveying the project north of Dayton city limits. Survey crews discovered some property owners had erected signs, paved parking lots and built other structures on state right of way. Joyce Renner, an ODOT spokeswoman, said the department has sent letters to 35 property owners on both sides of the street warning them to move anything encroaching on the right of way before the state starts construction in two or three years. Tom Roderer, owner of Roderer Shoes, which has been at its North Main location for 20 years, said that means he will lose the parking in front of his store. Church relocates to huge structure north of city Springfield News-Sun, 12/23/06 A staple of downtown Springfield for the past 79 years has relocated to Northridge. First Christian Church has left its home at High and Plum streets and moved to the "epicenter of growth" at 3638 Middle Urbana Rd., said Pastor Dave Holzbauer. The old location could no longer accommodate the growing congregation, Holzbauer said. Sunday attendance reached 1,100 people but the new auditorium can seat 1,300 per service. "My personal prediction is that we'll see 25 percent growth in the next year," Holzbauer said. First Christian's new home will officially open Christmas Eve after $9.2 million in development and construction, said David Eckard, the chairman of the elders. Plans for the move began in 1998, when the church purchased the land. Centerville teens offer skate park ideas Centerville-Bellbrook Times, 12/23/06 Centerville-Washington Township teens had the chance to voice their opinions on what should go in the area's first skate park planned for Oak Creek Park in Washington Township during a December 7 meeting with the Centerville Washington Park District at Centerville High School. The skate park is part of the Park District's master plan to completely refurbish and upgrade the L-shaped, 24-acre Oak Creek Park, which is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Miamisburg-Centerville and Paragon Roads. Along with the skate park, the master plan for Oak Creek includes rehabbing only two of three softball fields and adding two lighted tennis courts, a shelter with restrooms, a playground, a multi-use walking trail as well as space for seasonal events. The plan also involves restoring a small pond into a wetland pond and stream. Preliminary plans show the skate park close to Miamisburg-Centerville Road, however the placement of the skate park could change as the design of the park is not yet final. Funding of the skate park and the park improvements is coming from the 0.9 mill, 10-year levy passed in 2004. Home Loan Bank provides $900K for housing Dayton Business Journal, 12/28/06 The Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati has issued $900,000 in grants in the Dayton area for affordable housing projects. The bank approved $15 million in grants overall in its district Wednesday. Its territory covers Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. The Federal Home Loan Bank provides money to nonprofit organizations and sponsoring banks to expand housing opportunities. Its latest grants were: * $49,000 to Dayton Habitat for Humanity, through Liberty Savings Bank, to go toward seven construction projects in 2007. * $348,000 to New Housing Opportunities Inc., through Fifth Third Bank, to go toward the construction of four rental properties in Lebanon. * $533,000 to New Housing Opportunities Inc., through Fifth Third Bank, to go toward the construction of 10 rental properties in Lebanon. Furniture store's plans move ahead Dayton Daily News, 12/21/06 With its rezoning approved, plans are moving forward for Morris Furniture Co. Inc. to build Ohio's largest shopping center devoted to home furnishings. The Butler Twp. Board of Trustees on Nov. 13 approved a rezoning on the approximately 9.5 acres north of Benchwood and west of Commerce Center Drive (where Wal-Mart is located) from residential to planned development. The rezoning is a preliminary step before Morris closes on the land and submits final plans. "I'm cautiously optimistic," Butler Twp. development director Jeff Bothwell said. "We're looking forward to seeing some more detail." Larry Klaben, president of Morris Furniture, said last week they expect to close on the property in three to four weeks and have detailed plans of the 100,000-square-foot building to township trustees for approval soon after.
January 19, 200718 yr From the 1/3/07 Dayton Business Journal: Housing development on tap for Englewood Dayton Business Journal - January 3, 2007 by Yvonne Teems DBJ Staff Reporter A residential development in Englewood is pushing forward. The Englewood Planning Commission is expected to recommend at its meeting late Thursday the city council approve 13 permits for the second phase of Millwood Meadows. Developed by Artistic Homes, Millwood Meadows is a 28-home development on Union Boulevard south of state Route 40. So far, eight homes have been built in the development. The homes are 1,800-square-foot ranch houses and sell for about $220,000, said Bill Singer, Englewood economic development director. The development includes an association that homeowners can join that will provide outdoor maintenance for their facilities. Millwood Meadows is similar to the Artistic Homes development across the street, Millwood Village. Singer said he expects the Englewood City Council to review the permits sometime in January. MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/01/01/daily8.html?surround=lfn From the 12/28/06 DDN: Kettering Towne Center sold for $13.9 million No major changes expected except updating structures that need it and trying to fill vacancies. By Katherine Ullmer Staff Writer KETTERING | Tenants of The Kettering Towne Center, recently sold to a California-based private investor for $13.9 million, should not expect a lot of changes, according to Sara Kornblatt, director of development and acquisitions for B.R. Kettering Towne Center LLC, the new owner. The B.R. stands for Bernard Rosenson, the owner, she said. The Berlin-born Californian is president of Sign of the Dove, a group of 10 assisted-care living facilities, some of which also have upscale restaurants Rosenson owns. "We're just trying to keep tenants happy, improve the (Kettering Towne) center, stay a part of the community and carry on as usual," Kornblatt said from her Woodland Hills "Sign of the Dove" office outside Los Angeles. They intend to "improve some of the structures, anything that needs updating," she said. They'd also like to fill the three or four vacancies in the back of the center, perhaps with existing tenant expansions, she said. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/kettering_oakwood/2006/12/29/ddn122806townecenter.html
January 19, 200718 yr From the 1/11/07 DDN: Super Wal-Mart store coming to Kingsridge By Lisa Bernard Staff Writer Thursday, January 11, 2007 MIAMI TWP. — Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has plans to open a superstore on Kingsridge Drive by spring 2008. The planned 200,000-square-foot store will include groceries, general merchandise, a garden center and a tire and oil lube express, a company spokesman said. The supercenter, which will employ up to 450 full-time workers, will be the area's ninth. The development is anticipated to act as a relocation and expansion of the Wal-Mart off Ohio 741 in Miami Twp., said Greg Hanahan township administrator. In anticipation of the new development, Miami Twp. is enlisting the services of the Transportation Improvement District for local road improvements needed along Kingsridge Drive and Lyons Ridge Road. Under an agreement signed earlier this week, the TID is expected to manage what could be more than $7 million in improvements to the local roadways, said TID executive director Steve Stanley. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/10/ddn011107kingsridge.html From the 1/10/07 Springfield News-Sun: Developer creating restaurant, lofts in Urbana By LaToya Thompson Staff Writer Wednesday, January 10, 2007 URBANA — Urbana's downtown can look forward to a taste of Italy and some New York flair. Pat Thackery of Renovations LLC will transform the former breakfast eatery The Paradise Cafe into an Italian restaurant expected to open in March. He also plans to reconstruct the building's second and third floors into two New York-style lofts overlooking the downtown. The loft development will cost about $60,000 to $70,000, he said. Thackery has worked in restaurant management for several years and renovated historic homes and businesses throughout Urbana and Champaign County. "It's going to be a first-class place," Thackery said. "People might fight over it, because there aren't too many spaces like it around here." He said he does not know when the loft renovation will be completed. Thackery concluded the purchase of 13 Monument Square, which includes the restaurant and the upper levels, last week for more than $90,000. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/09/sns011007urbanabiz.html From the 1/13/07 Xenia Daily Gazette: Xenia Daily Gazette: Council urges GMH to build in Xenia (1/12/07) GMH responds to Xenia council’s concerns AARON KEITH HARRIS Staff Writer XENIA – A spokesman for Greene Memorial Hospital responded Friday to a Xenia City Council emergency resolution announced Thursday night that calls on GMH to build a new hospital in Xenia, rather than elsewhere in the county. The location for a new hospital facility has not been determined, and GMH will make its expansion and upgrade plans with input from the City of Xenia, as well as Greene County Commissioners and city officials from each municipality in the county, said Bob Jackson, a marketing and public relations official at GMH. The hospital will also hold community forums throughout the county to take questions and suggestions from residents, Jackson said. In its GMH resolution, the city council pledged that the city “is committed to work closely with Greene Memorial Hospital during its search and selection process and explore every opportunity to find and facilitate a suitable site within Xenia.” MORE: http://www.xeniagazette.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=153642&TM=53524.46 Dixie Drive slow, but not costly Dayton Daily News, 1/11/07 The Dixie Drive reconstruction project might eat up a portion of your commute time, but at least it's not taking a chunk out of the city's coffers. That's because a mix of state and federal funds is covering 80 percent of the project's cost, which will total more than $4 million. The funds include State Issue 2 grants, administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission, and TEA-21 grants, made available by the Federal Highway Administration. The ambitious project calls for widening Dixie Drive to five lanes and adding grassy medians, landscaping, sidewalks, gateway signs, decorative street lights and new mast arms. The city will pay only 20 percent of the project's price tag, along with $150,000 for street lights and mast arms for Phase I. The estimated costs for all phases are not yet available. Phase I, as drivers are well aware, is under way. Phase II is slated to begin construction in 2009. Phases III and IV will follow, although the city is working to accelerate schedules where possible. The project was undertaken to better manage the traffic of the future and improve safety. It also posed "an opportunity to beautify the entire stretch," said Rich Hopkins, communications manager for the city of Vandalia. Centerville schools to buy land from Washington Twp. Dayton Daily News, 1/10/07 The Washington Twp. Trustees on Monday night approved selling two parcels of land on West Social Row Road to the Centerville City School District, for use as a potential future school site. The deal, which includes 28.4 acres north of West Social Row Road between Sheehan Road and Watch Hill Lane, sold for $1.1 million, with an option for the district to purchase an additional 14.1 acres of wooded land north of that. The school board approved entering into a contract for the purchase at its Dec. 18 meeting, said Centerville School Superintendent Gary Smiga. Centerville will pay about $38,665 per acre, said Washington Twp. Administrator Gary Huff. The school district found this site more suitable for a middle school and elementary school than the 29-acre township site further east on Social Row Road it has had an option to buy since December 2005, Huff said. The first site was east of Watch Hill Road, near the new Washington Twp. Fire Station 43 at Ohio 48, and would have cost the school district about $30,000 an acre, but there are several creeks in that area, and the school district decided it "didn't want to disturb the creeks," Huff said. Centerville-Bellbrook Times: Centerville schools to buy township land (12/28/06) Study recommends annex; Council seeks feedback Yellow Springs News, 1/4/07 Village Council is seeking feedback from villagers on an analysis of the proposed annexation of the Fogg farm property, according to Village Manager Eric Swansen at Council’s meeting on Jan. 2. Village staff members will use the feedback to help guide discussion at a special Jan. 29 Council meeting on the Fogg farm annexation proposal. A draft for public comment of the analysis, recently completed by the national engineering firm Edwards and Kelcey, recommends that the Village annex the Fogg farm property for residential development. Council members did not discuss the analysis at their Jan. 2 meeting because they had received it just prior to the meeting. At the meeting they did officially acknowlege receiving the annexation request from the owners of the Fogg farm. Council now has 120 days to either accept or reject the request. The Fogg farm owners, realtor Doug Miller and Fogg family members, have stated that, if annexed, the land would be sold for residential development. The analysis identifies three “development scenarios” for residential development of the 39-acre Fogg farm, which is located on the western edge of the village across Dayton-Yellow Springs Road from the new Center for Business and Education. Rennovation seeks to add space, remove seams St. Mary's Evening Leader, 1/2/07 New Knoxville's school building is a story in three-parts. The first school was built in 1938, an addition was built in 1958 and a third addition was built in 1999. A person walking through the school from one end to the other can see the seams where the additions are connected, especially between the 1938 building and the 1999 addition. And it's not just the seams in the floors, there's a noticeable difference in the lighting and the flooring and in the atmosphere in general. Some rooms have adequate storage with sturdy cupboards and some have adequate whiteboards and instruction areas, but others lack storage and whiteboards and rely on chalkboards so worn by decades of use they sometimes won't accept chalk. The older classrooms lack air conditioning too. In the two older sections, the electrical outlets are geared to a mid-century and earlier learning environment and are not adequate for the 21st century with its ever increasing influx of computers and related peripherals. Electrical cords from small banks of computers connect to power strips/surge protectors in a jumbled heap. Lighting is inadequate too, and in some cases the old fluorescent lights contain a chemical which could be dangerous if a light is damaged. Huber Heights firm proceeds on $3M expansion Dayton Business Journal, 1/1/07 Aida-America Corp., a maker of stamping presses, is considering a $3 million expansion of its Huber Heights plant. The proposed project would add 16,000 square feet to Aida's facility, located in the Center Point 70 Commerce Park, said Chris Berger, the city's interim planning and development director. The projected cost includes the building and equipment. Troy Roberts, president of Aida-America, confirmed that the company is eyeing possible growth, but declined to elaborate on job projections or other information related to the proposal. City officials also had no job-creation estimates on the proposed project. The Aida proposal goes before Huber Heights' board of zoning appeals on Jan. 3. Aida, which is working with Sidney-based Ferguson Construction Co., has requested two zoning variances, one related to the screening of loading docks, a second to building materials, said Nathan Cahall, city planner. The addition would allow Aida to make at its Montgomery County facility certain components that are currently produced in Canada and shipped to the United States, Cahall said. Putting that production in Huber Heights would help the company cut costs, which would bolster its competitiveness, he said. If the project brings more jobs, then it would mean more income tax for the city, Cahall said.
January 19, 200718 yr Oh god I hope they don't demolish it, that building is gorgouse, and if they do they are total morons who probably doodle in tax files.
January 20, 200718 yr From the 1/15/07 Dayton Business Journal: Developers begin $130M deal in Union Dayton Business Journal - January 12, 2007 by Yvonne Teems DBJ Staff Reporter The city of Union is about to get the biggest residential development in its history, adding 612 homes to the small town of 5,500. LandTech National Development Services Inc. will unveil plans for a $123 million community at the Union city council meeting Jan. 22. The 150-acre project, called The Glen on Old Springfield, will include single-family homes, duplexes, custom homes, senior homes, and apartments, as well as amenities including a clubhouse, parks and ponds. Homes will range from $155,000 for a duplex to $700,000 or more for a custom home. The project will sprout on Ron and Gail Jackson's farm, which the developer expects to finish purchasing by summer in order to break ground by fall. Union is 10 miles northwest of Dayton. LandTech chose Union because the Dayton-Cincinnati market is stable and hasn't seen a project, other than Yankee Trace in Centerville, that offers different types of housing within one community, said Jeffrey Hyman, LandTech partner. MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/01/15/story3.html From the 1/15/07 Springfield News-Sun: Springfield News-Sun: Work on school not taking a brrrreak (12/18/07) Design modified for future auditorium By Gail Cetnar Staff Writer Monday, January 15, 2007 Changes to construction plans for a section of Springfield High School will pave the way for an auditorium and fly loft (space above the stage) to be added in the future, school leaders said. The school board agreed to modify designs for the foundation, walls and roof to support the addition of an auditorium if the funds for it are raised. Construction crews have been erecting walls and laying concrete over the past month, but they delayed work around the stage area until school leaders approved the design changes Thursday. Guidelines from the Ohio School Facilities Commission, which is overseeing the project, don't allow for an auditorium. Instead, schools built under the state's school construction program have "cafetoriums." The cafeteria has a stage so it can double as the auditorium. If the district wants an auditorium, it has to pay the complete cost itself. Plans call for the changes to cost no more than $420,000. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/14/sns011507construction.html Wayne Hospital to expand Greenville Daily Advocate, 1/18/07 If all goes well, Wayne Hospital will be getting a brand new look in years to come. Wayne Deschambeau, who became the CEO of the hospital this past year, said a master plan is in place and various proposals for services - new and/or better - are to be featured in this expansion. "It could be five years or it could be 10 years," he said. He said financial consultants are doing a debt capacity study for the hospital and that will be presented to the hospital board at the February meeting. "We expect in the 60 days following to make project recommendations to the board," he said. "From there, they will select an architect and get financing." New fire stations built, rehab of others to be finished soon Dayton Daily News, 1/18/07 The city of Fairborn's plan to build two new fire stations and renovate two others is nearing completion. Construction of stations 1 and 2, on Broad Street and Commerce Center Boulevard, respectively, were recently completed and are fully operational. Renovations on stations 3 and 4, on Fairfield-Yellow Springs and Funderberg roads, will be completed in a couple of weeks, officials said. The renovations included the addition of living quarters. Fire Station 2 is unique in that it will serve an estimated 10,000 people in a joint district that includes Beavercreek Twp. Moraine considers natatorium plans Dayton Daily News, 1/18/07 Three plans for renovating Moraine's Recreation Center Natatorium were presented to the Committee of the Whole following the Jan. 11 Moraine City Council meeting. Projected costs for the plans ranged from $2.28 million for the least expensive plan to $4.085 million for the most costly renovation, said Mike Carroll of Brandstetter Carroll Inc., an architectural, engineering and planning firm from Cincinnati. The first plan, at $2.28 million, includes a solid roof structure (as would all three plans), in contrast to the 30-year-old soft roof structure that now is in need of repair. This plan would retain the same size roof and same size swimming area, although the pool would be completely rebuilt, quadrupling the size of the shallow water area. The second plan, at $2.62 million, is similar to the first, although it would feature two separate pools that could function as separate structures or as one structure depending on needs and events. It would also include two separate filtration systems and aquatic features such as a sliding board. The third plan, at $4.085 million would include additional construction with about 6,000 to 7,000 more square footage under one roof. Big box retailer wants to build in Miami Valley Dayton Daily News, 1/17/07 Menards hopes to build one of its home improvement stores here just west of Interstate 75 in 2008, bringing along other new retail and restaurant businesses. Preliminary plans for what would be the city's first "big box" retailer were outlined Tuesday during a public hearing on rezoning of two properties needed for the project to move forward. The council voted unanimously Tuesday to rezone two properties — for 28 acres combined — for highway service uses. The land is west of Interstate 75 and north of Main Street (Ohio 571) in an area that already has a motel, gas stations and restaurants such as Bob Evans and Wendy's. City officials cautioned the council needs to consider the zoning in the overall possible uses under highway service, not specifically for a Menards and related projects in case those plans would fall through. Mark Lee of Menards in Eau Claire Wis., said the privately owned chain of stores needs to conduct traffic studies and take other site review steps before closing on the land for its stores and others — possibly in a strip-type shopping center — this year. Construction likely would be in 2008, he said. Road planned to relieve Beavercreek soccer congestion Xenia Daily Gazette, 1/13/07 A proposed new road designed to relieve traffic congestion along U.S. 35 near a Beavercreek Township youth soccer field may be built as early as next fall, the county engineer said Friday. Greene County Engineer Bob Geyer said that bidding for the project to build a new connector between Orchard Lane and Factory Road will begin in June, followed by its construction in the summer and fall of 2008. Traffic at the intersection of U.S. 35 and Orchard Lane has increased in recent years, partly because of the growing number of youth soccer matches at the John Ankeney Soccer Complex, 505 S. Orchard Lane, according to John Ankeney, executive director of the Beavercreek Soccer Association. Ankeney credits U.S. Rep. Dave Hobson and State Sen. Steve Austria with working to secure $1.4 million in federal and state funding to support the design and construction of the new road, which will allow for a second entrance and exit on the south side of the complex. “It will make the soccer complex more attractive to all the area people as well as the out-of-town guests that come to see their kids play or play themselves,” Ankeney said.
January 22, 200718 yr From the 1/17/07 DDN: Dayton Daily News: Troy council to hear debate on development (1/16/07) Troy residents urge council to reject rezoning request Voters said no to housing plan in referendum, but city leaders are still considering project. By Doug Page Staff Writer Wednesday, January 17, 2007 TROY — — A packed house demanded Tuesday night that the City Council honor the results of a referendum and reject the proposed rezoning of nearly 201 acres of farmland for housing. "The timing is wrong," resident Donald Higgins told the council during a 65-minute public hearing. "We should re-evaluate how the city grows." Voters in November overturned the rezoning decision by the council 4,880 to 2,481. More than 80 people attended the hearing. The speakers expressed frustration and displeasure that the council was again taking up the issue. "The referendum was a demonstration of 'of the people, by the people, for the people,' " said Ray Bretland, a former City Council member. The proposed Honey Creek development at North Market Street and Troy Urbana Road would include 298 single-family homes — ranging in price from $200,000 to $450,000 — and 98 condominiums — from $180,000 to $250,000. The project would be built in phases over 10 to 15 years. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/16/ddn011707honeycreek.html From the 1/20/07 DDN: Annexed land in Troy to retain agricultural zoning designation By Staff report Saturday, January 20, 2007 TROY — A Miami County judge on Thursday ruled that 57 acres near Troy's Concord Elementary School on Ohio 718 continues to carry a county agricultural zoning designation although the land has been annexed to the city. Two attempts to rezone the land for residential use have been approved by the Troy City Council, but overturned in referendums in 2003 and '05. Land owner Summerfield Land Company of Troy had asked the court to resolve a dispute between the owners and the city on the interpretation and application of city zoning ordinances. Summerfield lawyers claimed that because of changes in the city zoning laws in 2000, the land should have been zoned R-3 single-family residential after annexation in 2002. The city argued the county zoning designation has to remain with the land until a successful rezoning process, including public notices and public hearings. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/20/ddn012007land.html $3 million hospital expansion plan OK'd Celina Daily Standard, 1/19/07 The green light was given this week for a nearly $3 million construction project at Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater. Mercer Health Board of Trustees approved final design plans during a meeting this week, paving the way for construction to begin later this year, according to interim CEO Jim Wermert. The project will enhance many areas of the hospital, specifically the zone around the emergency department, adding approximately 10,000-square-feet to the east end of the building, Wermert said. It also is the "first part" of several other projects under consideration by the strategic planning task force, which includes the medical staff, board members and Mercer Health staff, he said. Franklin school board to make call on stadium Middletown Journal, 1/19/07 The school board has all the information it needs to make a decision Monday whether to move forward with a $1.2 million renovation of the football stadium. That was the conclusion finance committee members Lori Raleigh, board president, and Chris Sizemore, board vice president, came to Thursday when they reviewed documentation provided by the Franklin Athletic Foundation. "Based on the information we asked for they've met all the criteria," Sizemore said. The athletic boosters want to partner with the district to install new turf, bleachers, restrooms and a concession stand at the stadium. Middletown Journal: Stadium faces another hurdle (1/18/07) Middletown Journal: Stadium project up for bid (1/9/07) Middletown Journal: Board may OK stadium upgrade (1/8/07) Middletown Journal: Board calls special meeting to discuss stadium project (1/3/07) Middletown Journal: Stadium funding faces hurdles (12/13/06) New schools ready New Carlisle Sun, 1/18/07 An overwhelming crowd of curious students and parents attended the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremonies of the new Park Layne Elementary, New Carlisle Elementary and Tecumseh Middle schools on Sunday, anxiously awaiting their chance to tour the buildings for the first time. At Tecumseh Middle School, Superintendent Jim Gay welcomed guests and promised to keep the ceremony down to 20-minutes so they would have the entire last hour to roam freely throughout the halls to check the architecture and new features. Teachers and staff began packing the old schools the last week of classes before Christmas break to make sure everything at the new buildings would be ready for students by Jan. 16. While teachers were responsible for getting classrooms in order, it was the job of project manager Quandel Danis Builders to see that the buildings were done on time and under budget, and they were, according to Gay. Villagers question balance of Jan. 29 annex meeting Yellow Springs News, 1/18/07 At the Jan. 16 meeting of Village Council, villagers and Council members debated the purpose of the upcoming Jan. 29 special Council meeting on the Fogg farm annexation, with several villagers expressing concern that the meeting will not offer a balanced view of the pros and cons of the property’s potential annexation into Yellow Springs. After dialogue with community members, Council members decided to go ahead with the original agenda, stating that Council must address the specifics of the Fogg farm plan. A more general discussion on annexation will take place at a Smart Growth forum on Feb. 11, although it is unclear what Council’s involvement will be in that event. Some community members raised concerns after Village Planner Phil Hawkey presented the proposed agenda for the Jan. 29 meeting. The agenda includes a presentation of the Fogg farm plan by Fogg farm owner Doug Miller or one of his associates, a presentation by the engineering firm of Edwards and Kelcey, who wrote the Fogg farm annexation study, clarification of legal issues by Village Solicitor John Chambers and “facilitated public discourse,” which includes questions and comments from the public. In response, several villagers requested that the meeting also include representatives from Tecumseh Land Trust or the Smart Growth group, both of which have questioned the benefits of annexation to the community. Franklin won't see new Talbert House Middletown Journal, 1/17/07 Talbert House of Cincinnati will not build a new halfway house for misdemeanor and substance abuse offenders. Warren County Commissioner Dave Young said the prospect of paying $2 million a year to operate the proposed 100-bed facility just didn't make sense as a way to ease overcrowding at the 213-bed Warren County Jail. "We are looking at doubling the capacity of the original jail for about half the cost of building new," Young said. "I still want to utilize their facilities to decrease recidivism." Talbert House operates 20 facilities in the region, including two in Warren County, for nonviolent offenders and substance abusers. Young is part of a committee formed last year to find ways to free up space at the Warren County Jail where inmates are often turned away because of overcrowding.
January 23, 200718 yr From the 1/20/07 DDN: Regency and Cornerstone getting new look, name Cleveland developer has purchased the apartment complexes; renovations to be done by April. By Lisa Bernard Staff Writer Saturday, January 20, 2007 DAYTON — A Cleveland-based development and property management firm, JED Investments, has purchased the Regency and Cornerstone apartment complexes on Central Avenue, near the Dayton Art Institute. Headed up by Steve Egger and Dan Barton, the firm is undertaking a $1.5 million renovation of the two buildings. From new roofs to completely restored apartments and appliances — the renovation is expected to be more than just a face-lift, according to the new owners. "These two buildings were basically the problems on the street," Egger said. "There's been some work to get out a lot of the criminal activity and prostitution that had been problems in this area. Now that these buildings will be restored we'll be doing criminal background searches, have a key-fob entrance and bumping up the standards." Located in historic Grafton Hill, the Regency and Cornerstone include 148 one-bedroom and efficiency apartments combined. JED is planning to change the complexes name to Chamberlain Estates to highlight the property's historic estate name. Valued at more than $2.2 million, the apartment buildings were purchased for $800,000 after their previous owner — Dwight Esch of California — fell into foreclosure, Barton said. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/19/ddn012007jedinvestments.html From the 1/22/07 Dayton Business Journal: Retail park denied $5M state grant Dayton Business Journal - January 19, 2007 by Yvonne Teems DBJ Staff Reporter A 1,500-acre industrial and retail park at the intersection of Interstate 70 and State Route 127 has hit a speed bump in its development. The Preble County project, dubbed Goose Creek Crossing, was denied a $5 million Job Ready Sites grant from the state last month, and officials now are rethinking their approach to the site's development. State officials said competition was fierce for the first round of Job Ready Sites funding, in which just 20 of the 63 statewide applicants received portions of the $60 million available. The project now will take longer since officials will have to take smaller steps in developing the first phase. The funds for Goose Creek, which Preble County officials would have matched with at least $1.25 million in local and private dollars, would have gone toward an $8 million infrastructure project for water and sewage so developers could begin the first phase. MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/01/22/story2.html
February 28, 200718 yr No funding for Arcade proposal The clock is ticking on a downtown Dayton' historic landmark as the potential for foreclosure draws near and at least one redevelopment idea starts to fizzle. The Arcade -- a set of vacant buildings situated in the block between Ludlow and Main streets and Third and Fourth streets -- may be placed on a sheriff's sale this fall if the owner, Brownfield Charities Inc., fails to pay $250,000 in delinquent taxes or find someone who will buy it. http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/02/26/story3.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 1, 200718 yr From the Beerman Realty website, some pix of the Shops at &725, and an areil showing where they are going (going to displace some townhouses). This looks like a similar concept to Mad River Station, but the facade treatments are more from The Greene.
March 5, 200718 yr Development planned for 130 acres near base Miller-Valentine Group is planning to build a 130-acre mixed-use development near Interstate 675 and Col. Glenn Highway next to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The project is expected to include office, residential, retail and hospitality space. The office park alone could house up to 4,000 jobs. Officials connected to the project said they don't have a final price tag. But the total cost could reach more than $150 million, said Mark Fornes, principal and managing partner with Mark Fornes Realty. http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/03/05/story1.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 5, 200718 yr CityWide to hire private developer for Genesis A new residential development will be part of the second phase of the Genesis project, which focuses on the redevelopment of the neighborhood surrounding the University of Dayton and Miami Valley Hospital. CityWide Development Corp., along with Genesis partners the city of Dayton, the university and the hospital, sent a request for proposals to developers Feb. 19 to develop the second phase. It will include an estimated 22 single-family homes and one, 12-unit multi-family building on Rubicon Road, Ashley Street and Frank Street. http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/03/05/story5.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 5, 200718 yr Author Here is the full article.... CityWide to hire private developer for Genesis Dayton Business Journal - March 2, 2007 by Yvonne Teems DBJ Staff Reporter A new residential development will be part of the second phase of the Genesis project, which focuses on the redevelopment of the neighborhood surrounding the University of Dayton and Miami Valley Hospital. CityWide Development Corp., along with Genesis partners the city of Dayton, the university and the hospital, sent a request for proposals to developers Feb. 19 to develop the second phase. It will include an estimated 22 single-family homes and one, 12-unit multi-family building on Rubicon Road, Ashley Street and Frank Street. This is the first time in Genesis' seven-year history that CityWide is commissioning a private developer to take on a project. The move shows that the neighborhood can sustain itself and attract the investment of private companies without much government support, said Buddy LaChance, CityWide's director of neighborhood development. The total project cost will range between $3.5 million and $5 million, since developers have much leeway when deciding what type and how many homes will be built on the properties, LaChance said. MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/03/05/story5.html
March 5, 200718 yr Author I've been waiting for an announcement on this property at 675 and Col. Glenn Highway because the Miller-Valentine signs went up on the property not too long ago. I wonder how much MV paid for that property. Development planned for 130 acres near base March 2, 2007 by Yvonne Teems Miller-Valentine Group is planning to build a 130-acre mixed-use development near Interstate 675 and Col. Glenn Highway next to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The project is expected to include office, residential, retail and hospitality space. The office park alone could house up to 4,000 jobs. Officials connected to the project said they don't have a final price tag. But the total cost could reach more than $150 million, said Mark Fornes, principal and managing partner with Mark Fornes Realty. The development is planned for the southwest corner of the intersection of the two highways and near Wright-Patt's Area B. It is expected to house businesses that will support aerospace medicine and sensors units slated to move to the base as a result of the 2005 BRAC process, said Jason Woodard, developer for Miller-Valentine. Read full article here: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/03/05/story1.html
March 5, 200718 yr Sounds like more office parks on I-675. I'm more excited about the Genesis project. Also, for something completley different. I found this post at Grassroots Greater Dayton. A developement, if it happens, that I think would be really unique for Dayton. The Circus "I saw a lot of GGD supporters at Thursday's speech by Richard Florida, who in response to my question, said that community arts spaces are critical to attracting creative people. Since my last post, a few dozen committed creative people have been meeting every weekend to lay the groundwork for Dayton's community arts space (which we're calling The Circus). The project is two-fold: 1) community-building to establish a network that weaves Dayton's creative social capital and 2) securing a physical space near downtown Dayton for performances, group collaboration in visual and multimedia arts, social interaction, and possibly even live-work space. First, we learned basic meeting facilitation skills and approved working vision/mission statements: Vision: We envision a Dayton that attracts and retains creative people and fosters creative expression. Mission: The Circus is dedicated to building a nourishing environment that will encourage community interaction, artistic collaboration, and the empowerment of the individual. We will offer a place to create, perform, and share freely in the experience of living. link
March 6, 200718 yr ...While the new park will add more competition for office and retail tenants in Beavercreek, developers say it's not overkill. Isn't that like asking a tobacco company if smoking is dangerous?
March 6, 200718 yr From the 1/9/07 Oakwood Register: Sugar Camp proposal outlined further to Oakwood Planning Commission By Dolores Winkler-Wagner The Oakwood Planning Commission met last Wednesday, Jan. 3 to hear further-defined plans for the proposed Sugar Camp development from Oakwood Investments, LLC and the Versant Group, LLC, the two developers of the area. A general overview was presented by Deputy City Manager Jay Weiskircher. Of the 36 acres owned by Oakwood Investments, 11 acres will be purchased by Versant, which, with the seven acres they already own along Far Hills Avenue, will give them a total of 18 acres for the construction of housing plus two professional buildings. To make way for the development, 13 of the 20 acres of trees now on the property will be cleared. ... http://www.oakwoodregister.com/archives/v16num02_010907/index.html
March 6, 200718 yr From the 1/18/07 DDN: Oakwood planners OK master proposal for Sugar Camp By Staff reports Thursday, January 18, 2007 OAKWOOD — — The master plan for the Sugar Camp development was approved Wednesday by the city's planning commission. The joint plan, as presented by the Oakwood Investment Group and Versant Group, is to be discussed by the city council March 5. Once the council approves the plan, development can begin in the 36-acre area. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/17/ddn011807sugarcamp.html
March 6, 200718 yr From the 2/19/07 Dayton Business Journal: Oakwood expects tax revenue gain Dayton Business Journal - February 16, 2007 by Yvonne Teems DBJ Staff Reporter The city of Oakwood is set to get a windfall of tax revenue from a new office and residential project that could prevent a tax increase. While the city's housing is among the most expensive in the area, most property taxes go to the schools. The city collects relatively few dollars from income taxes because it has a small job base. But that is expected to change with the development of the NCR Corp. Sugar Camp site. ... http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/02/19/story3.html
March 7, 200718 yr Author Apartments proposed for NCR lot Four-story building could serve as UD housing. Parking garage also planned. By Joanne Huist Smith Staff Writer Wednesday, March 07, 2007 DAYTON — A Boston developer wants to transform a 4.26-acre parking lot owned by NCR into an apartment complex and a parking garage. The Dayton Plan Board on Tuesday recommended approval of the Trammell Crow Co.'s request to rezone land at the southeast corner of River Park Drive and Old River Drive from business park (warehousing and light industry) to eclectic neighborhood commercial, which permits multi-family housing. "We do believe there is a good market for nice, new residential in the area," said Richard W. Dickason, vice president of Trammell. Trammell's proposal includes a four-story building just east of the Marriott Hotel on Patterson Boulevard with a 374-space garage at the rear of the complex. Amenities would include a health club, pool, business center and theater. City Planner Tony Kroeger said the plan board ruled on the rezoning request Tuesday and that Trammell must come back with more details for a major site review. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/07/ddn030707zoning.html
March 12, 200718 yr MVRPC Launches GIS Online Planning Support System Dayton, OH – The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) is pleased to announce the launch of a new interactive Planning Atlas mapping application, GIS Online Planning Support System. The GIS Online Planning Support Systems is a web-based mapping application providing interactive data visualization. The new system provides enhanced data navigation flexibility and map customization features by enabling users to turn layers on and off, as well as panning around the region, and zooming into specific locales. The GIS Online Planning Support System is made available as a result of a year-long project to develop a comprehensive region-based enterprise GIS in partnership with nationally recognized GIS consulting firm Woolpert, Inc. based in Dayton, Ohio. The goals of the project were: * Design and implement a comprehensive enterprise GIS architecture for centralized database management and community-wide regional GIS * Design data models and convert selected datasets into Geodatabase * Develop a web-based communication application The geospatial datasets compiled and available with the initial release are: * Boundary – Political jurisdiction boundary * Census – Census Block, Block Group, Tracts, and Urban Area boundaries * Environment – Wastewater facility planning areas and watershed boundaries * Land Fabric – Open Space and future land use plans * Transportation – Bikeways, Traffic Analysis Zones, Roads, and the FHWA Federal-aid Urbanized Area Boundary MVRPC plans to maintain and further enhance the GIS Online Planning Support System by adding new features and datasets to complement MVRPC’s 2005 Planning Atlas, which provided static maps. The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission is a forum and resource where regional partners identify priorities, develop public policy and implement collaborative strategies to improve the quality of life and economic vitality throughout the Miami Valley. MVRPC performs various regional planning activities, including air quality, water quality, transportation, land use, research and GIS. As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), MVRPC is responsible for transportation planning in Greene, Miami and Montgomery Counties and parts of Warren County. For additional information about the GIS Online Planning Support System, contact Martin Kim, MVRPC’s Director of Regional Planning at (937) 223-6323. ------------------------------------- MVRPC GIS Viewer: http://maps.mvrpc.org/regis/viewer.htm
March 15, 200718 yr Former Woody's site finally to be redeveloped March 15, 2007 | DAYTON BUSINESS COURIER WEST CARROLLTON - The former Woody's grocery site in West Carrollton will be redevoped by Unified Developers Group. Plans call for demolition of the former market and construction of a 14,600-square-foot production facility for A Taste of Elegance, a West Carrollton maker of specialty cakes founded by former Woody's employees. Following a press conference Thursday at neighboring El Meson restaurant, crews adjourned to the former market building and began taking down lighted letters affixed to the building that spelled out "Woody's." Demolition is expected to take about six weeks. Currently at 2020 S. Alex Road in West Carrollton, the bakery employs 27 full-time and 17 part-time people. It also plans to add another 14 employees within two years, said Katherine Perkins, economic development director for the city of West Carrollton. MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/03/12/daily20.html?surround=lfn
March 21, 200718 yr From the 1/27/07 Xenia Daily Gazette: Cedarville U. unveils $14 million building addition Biblical Studies Center to open in Aug. ‘08 AARON KEITH HARRIS Staff Writer CEDARVILLE – Cedarville University unveiled plans this week to begin construction on a $14 million Biblical Studies Center in the spring. The 60,000-square-foot center scheduled to open in August 2008 will house the Baptist university's Department of Biblical Education and academic enrichment center, as well as classrooms and student collaboration rooms, and overlook Cedar Lake in the center of campus. The university’s Bible department is pressed for space, primarily because each of the university’s students - currently numbering 3,100 - must earn a Bible minor. The department also offers nine academic programs fro students preparing for ministry. The new center will also house Bible faculty offices, a 40-station computer laboratory, student collaboration rooms, and 11 classrooms, including a technology-enabled 180-seat lecture hall. MORE: http://www.xeniagazette.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=153798&TM=81449.34
March 22, 200718 yr Clark County apartments collect $1.5M from state for renovation March 22, 2007 | DAYTON BUSINESS JOURNAL Charleston Court apartments in South Charleston is getting a $3.9 million makeover with $1.5 million in state funds. Fairfield Homes is redeveloping fifty of the Clark County apartment units reserved for residents ages 55 and older. Amenities will include garbage disposal, emergency call buttons, air conditioners and window blinds. Community amenities include on-site management, laundry facilities and a community building with a kitchen and meeting room. Development partner North Hill Apartments will receive $550,000 in HOME funds and owner New Charleston Court Ltd. will receive a $1 million Equity Bridge Loan for the project. "It's important that we preserve affordable housing for families and seniors who have lower incomes," said Kevin Clark, housing credit allocation manager for the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. The funding is part of $10 million approved Thursday by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency through the Housing Development Assistance Program and the Housing Development Loan Program. Five home-ownership homes, 46 lease-purchase homes and 193 rental units were approved for funding throughout the state. MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/03/19/daily20.html
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