Springfield: Shawnee Place set for $14.1M renovation

 

A downtown Springfield apartment building for seniors will get a major face lift next year.  In the spring, Cincinnati-based The Model Group plans to start a $14.1 million renovation of Shawnee Place, a nine floor, 96,000-square-foot property on East Main Street.

 

The project includes a new kitchen and flooring for all 85 units, new carpeting throughout the building, a new elevator and some plumbing and HVAC updates.  Exterior work includes replacement of concrete sidewalks, painting, masonry renovations, a new roof and the addition of a 36-space parking deck.

 

Shawnee Place was originally built as the Shawnee Hotel in 1916.  The hotel closed in the 1970s and the site went on the National Register of Historic places in 1985, about the same time it was transformed into senior housing.  The Model Group bought the property for $1.92 million in 2001 and touts a 93 percent occupancy rate.

 

MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/09/03/story7.html?b=1188792000^1513242

 

Centerville to see housing, retail development

 

Miller-Valentine Group is launching a massive development in Centerville.  Its Lifestyle Communities division is looking to turn a 68-acre section of south Centerville into single-family homes, condos, retail and office, said Eric Joo, vice president of Lifestyle Communities by Miller-Valentine Group.  Joo did not disclose an overall cost for the project.  But based on projected home costs, the development could cost at least $45 million.

 

The city planning commissioners responded with some hesitancy, as the land is one of the last large developable tracts in the city, said Steve Feverston, city planner.  The density Miller-Valentine is requesting is higher than what the city had envisioned for that property.

 

The land is sandwiched between Paragon and Sheehan roads and is on a wedge that's surrounded on three sides by Washington Township.  Miller-Valentine is looking to take advantage of the growth Centerville and Washington Township have been seeing, as well as the boost of traffic on Social Row Road will see as the Austin Pike interchange on Interstate 75 develops.

 

MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/09/03/story1.html?b=1188792000^1513648

 

Council delays vote on controversial housing rezoning

The developer said she wants more time to address concerns; two other rezonings have been overturned

BY DOUG PAGE | DAYTON DAILY NEWS

September 5, 2007

 

IMAGE: Location Map

Dayton Daily News

 

TROY — The City Council on Tuesday took the unusual step of delaying for two weeks the go-ahead to build houses on 57 acres of farmland.  The rezoning ordinance for the property across from Concord Elementary School on the city's western edge was sent to a fourth reading at the developer's request.  The two previous rezonings of the property were overturned by referendum.

 

The referendum landscape might be somewhat different this time should the council approve the planned development rezoning.  As the result of the settlement of a lawsuit between a developer and opponents, the leaders of the previous two referendums have promised not to oppose, or encourage others to oppose, the development.

 

The council approved a rezoning for 176 lots the next year under traditional zoning, which was overturned by referendum.  In 2005, the council rezoned the property as a planned development with 122 lots.  Again, voters said no.  This year, Minesinger asked for planned development zoning for a 99-lot plan for houses ranging in price from $250,000 to $350,000. 

National Park Service recommends Dayton sites for World Heritage List

 

Three archaeological and historic sites in Ohio have taken a big step toward being included on the World Heritage list, according to an announcement Friday morning.  On Sept. 4 the National Park Service released its staff recommendations for proposed nominations.

 

The recommended nominations from Ohio include the Dayton aviation sites at Huffman Prairie Flying Field at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, The Wright Cycle Company and Wright and Wright Printing, Wright Hall at Carillon Historical Park and Hawthorn Hill in Greene and Montgomery counties.

 

The United States is in the process of preparing new nominations for the World Heritage List, an honor given to natural and cultural sites with significance to all of the people of the world.  There are currently 851 sites in 141 countries on the list.  Only 20 sites in the United States are currently listed, such as the Everglades National Park and the Statue of Liberty.

 

MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/09/03/daily28.html?surround=lfn

French chemical company says 'bonjour' to Springfield

By Elaine Morris Roberts

Staff Writer

Sunday, September 09, 2007

 

A French chemical company officially said "bonjour" to Springfield Friday.  H.E.F. USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of H.E.F. France, unveiled its newly-constructed facility at 2105 Progress Drive.  Previously operating out of a leased Columbus facility, H.E.F. needed more space, company President Ken Metzgar said.  After scouting locations in two other states, the company decided to build in the Springfield Industrial Park.

 

The company's business revolves around the science of tribology, the study of wear and friction.  H.E.F.'s patented process, aimed at lessening wear and tear primarily on steels, uses molten salt bath technology to coat metals.  In addition to providing chemicals to contracted companies to complete the patented process, H.E.F. does physical vapor deposition on-site, a different process that applies a thin coating of various chemicals to metal parts.

 

MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/09/08/sns090907hefmove.html

Pharmaceuticals company to expand locally

By John Nolan

Staff Writer

Monday, September 10, 2007

 

VANDALIA — Eurand Inc., a specialty pharmaceuticals company with international operations, is getting ready to expand its research and development facility at its U.S. base in Vandalia.  The company has scheduled a Sept. 27 ground breaking ceremony for construction of its expanded R&D operation. Gov. Ted Strickland has been invited and is expected to attend.

 

Eurand's product development includes pain relievers and medicines for epilepsy, AIDS and cardiovascular diseases.  The company also processes medicines to make them taste better for children, and produces tablets that dissolve quickly in the mouth to make it easier for people who have trouble swallowing medications.

 

The company plans to invest about $8 million in the expansion project and has received county and state economic development assistance.  Eurand's Vandalia operation has a research staff of 32 as part of its work force of 140 people.  The company also has research facilities in Paris and at its world headquarters in Milan, Italy, along with Trieste, Italy.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/09/10/ddn091007eurandweb.html

This is GREAT news.  :clap:

If your ever in Clark County you should stop at Schuler's Bakery in Springfield, You won't be disappointed.

 

---

 

Local bakery still in the family

By Elaine Morris Roberts

Staff Writer

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

 

The sweet treats that have kept Springfielders happy since 1937 should be around for many years to come.  Trent Schuler, owner of Schuler Financial Group and next in line to head Schuler's Bakery, is now the sole owner of the local donut empire.  Trent and his younger brother Troy, who runs the day-to-day operations, are investing time and money to update the bakery their grandfather John Schuler started 70 years ago.

 

Schuler's has two locations, 457 East Main Street and 1948 Mitchell Boulevard.  Schuler became a partner with his father, Dan Schuler, in 2005 and the two made an agreement that Trent would take ownership by 2010.  He purchased the business in August, allowing his father to retire early.

 

Schuler discovered, once the bakery was his financial responsibility, that the equipment needed attention.  "The business needed more money invested in it than we ever expected," he said.  He was faced with replacing two walk-in freezers at a cost of $50,000.  An oven had to be replaced because parts had not been made for 20 years.

 

MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/hp/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/09/11/sns091207schulers.html

Plan looking at eastern edge

By Samantha Sommer

Staff Writer

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

 

East National Road from downtown Springfield to Harmony flows from urban development to a rural setting.  The Eastern Edge Planning Project hopes to preserve some rural areas and direct development where it's appropriate, said Heather Whitmore, city of Springfield planning and zoning administrator.

 

The planning project is a joint effort of the city, county, Springfield and Harmony townships and the Springfield-Clark County Transportation Coordinating Committee.  It calls for crafting a corridor plan for an about 6 mile-long stretch of East National Road between Spring Street and New Love Road.

 

The plan could include standards for zoning, land use, development, preservation and transportation.  Three public meetings are coming up on the plan.

 

MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/09/12/sns091307eastedge.html

Officials look at new funding plan for Austin Road interchange

 

The Austin Road interchange project remains on schedule for completion in 2010, but the groups involved are considering a new way of financing their contribution.

 

Springboro, Miami Township, Miamisburg and the Montgomery County Transportation Improvement District are looking at a different financing model that would include borrowing more money up-front as a way to reduce the financial risk to the communities involved, said Steve Stanley, director of the county's improvement district.

 

Stanley updated elected officials Wednesday night on the Austin Road project, which calls for the construction of a new exit from Interstate 75 at Austin Road.

 

Instead of borrowing $10 million as planned, the group would borrow more, potentially $25 million, and rely on federal funding to cover the early years of the debt repayments. Under the current plan, the group would repay the debt with increased property tax revenue expected to come as the land around the future interchange is developed.

 

MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/09/17/daily18.html?surround=lfn

 

Sinclair enrollment off 1.5% in fall quarter

 

Sinclair Community College saw a 1.5 percent decline in overall enrollment for the fall quarter, according to numbers released Friday.  The college's fall quarter enrollment dropped to 22,443 students from 22,786 last fall.  The enrollment figures illustrate a trend at Sinclair: more students are taking courses from a combination of outlets, such as at the downtown campus as well as online or at one of Sinclair's suburban learning centers.  The college has centers in Englewood, Huber Heights and Warren County.

 

For example, the number of students taking classes in person solely at the Dayton campus this fall quarter dropped nearly 12 percent from last fall.  Yet the decline in the Dayton campus overall enrollment was smaller, dropping 3.8 percent compared to last fall.  That means students who are taking classes online or at the learning centers are also coming downtown for some of their classes, Sinclair President Steven Johnson said recently.

 

Sinclair continued to see growth in students who are only enrolled in online courses.  The number of students only taking online classes rose 37 percent from last fall to 1,308 students this quarter.  Since fall quarter 2000, online-only enrollment has grown nearly 350 percent.

 

MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/09/17/daily22.html?surround=lfn

 

Avetec begins construction on new facility

By Elaine Morris Roberts

Staff Writer

Thursday, October 18, 2007

 

SPRINGFIELD — Ferguson Construction Company spent a foggy Wednesday cutting roadways and a parking lot at the site that will soon be the new home to Avetec.  Currently located at 30 Warder Street, the aerospace research organization has started construction on a new building inside Nextedge Applied Research and Technology Park, located east of Springfield on Route 40.  The building will have offices, conference and meeting space and a computer modeling and simulation environment.

 

Avetec's acting Chief Executive Officer, Homer Smith said he believes the building will set the tone for park, both in appearance and from a technology perspective.  "Our new building is more reflective of what we're trying to do as a company," he said.  Designed by Champlin/Haupt Architecture, the Prairie-style building reflects the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and will feature many environmentally friendly components. 

 

MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/10/17/sns101807avetec.html

 

Grandview to embark on $16M project

 

A growing number of surgeries is prompting Grandview Hospital to invest $16 million in new surgical space.  The Dayton hospital will begin a three-story, 40,000-square-foot expansion in January and plans to open the new space in about 18 months, said Roy Chew, Grandview's chief executive officer.  Plans call for the expansion to be built on top of the existing main entrance to the hospital on Shaw Avenue.

 

The project will create new space for the care of patients before and after their outpatient surgeries and also could include new operating rooms, Chew said.  The number of surgeries performed at Grandview has grown to between 25 percent and 35 percent since the hospital merged with the Kettering Health Network in 1999, he said.  Volumes reached 7,800 in 2006, and the hospital is on track to do 8,000 surgeries in 2007.

 

Nationwide, more surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to leave the hospital within hours of their operations instead of being checked in for overnight stays.  The new space will focus solely on outpatient surgeries, Chew said.

 

MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/11/12/story3.html?b=1194843600^1547598

Recycling firm spends $2.6M on Piqua plant

 

A plastics recycling company has inked a deal to occupy one of the area's largest empty buildings.  Versailles-based Plastic Recycling Technology has bought the Copperweld Building in Piqua for $2.6 million.

 

The company will consolidate its Versailles and Coldwater plants into the 416,000-square-foot space on County Road by the second quarter of 2008.  It will transfer 40 existing jobs from Versailles and create 25 new jobs during a three year period.

 

Mark Miller, chief financial officer of Plastic Recycling, said the company plans to spend an additional $1.5 million to $2 million on new equipment and $1 million on improvements to the building.

 

MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/11/19/story3.html

 

Wright-Patt to get $230M for construction

 

U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville, announced Monday that the $230 million to fund military construction projects at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is on track.  The funding will support several construction projects necessary after the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process consolidated several U.S. Air Force mission at Wright-Patt.

 

Though aimed at all the Wright-Patt BRAC projects slated for fiscal year 2008, the majority of the funding will go towards constructing a $215 million, 700,000-square-foot Human Performance Wing building.  The wing will merge four different Air Force operations and facilities from all over the country, such as the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine in Texas, to one location, as directed by BRAC.

 

In all, the base plans 14 construction projects related to BRAC worth about $332 million, with about $90 million slated appear in 2009.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, awarded Dayton-based Butt Construction Co. Inc. the first military construction award to prepare for incoming BRAC operations at Wright-Patt in late September.  The company will build roadways, utilities and further infrastructure in preparation for the behemoth Human Performance Wing building.

 

MORE: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/11/19/daily2.html

CarMax has plans to build car superstore

By Thomas Gnau

Staff Writer

Thursday, November 22, 2007

 

WEST CARROLLTON — Think of it as one of the largest auto lots you've ever seen.  Now think of it as clearly visible from Interstate 75.  CarMax has submitted plans to West Carrollton to build a "car superstore" on 15 acres on Miamisburg-Centerville Road.  The $19 million development will have up to 120 employees earning an average salary of $44,000, the city said. 

 

CarMax plans to start building in the second quarter of 2008.  The site west of I-75 was once occupied by a Ramada Inn, which has been demolished.  The land is owned today by Chuck George Interstate Ford.  George abandoned plans for a dealership there in late 2006.  He bought the property for $4.4 million in February 2005.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2007/11/21/ddn112207carmaxa1.html

 

Miamisburg becomes latest community to sign on for regional dispatch center

Mayor says city will save up to $150,000 a year by using county's planned $2.1 million dispatch center.

By Ryan Justin Fox

Staff Writer

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

 

MIAMISBURG — The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to become the latest Montgomery County community to formally sign up as a client of the county's regional dispatch center.  Last week, the City of Dayton announced its participation in the planned $2.1 million dispatch center to be directed by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office at the former Mound site in Miamisburg.

 

"It would be expensive for a smaller town like Miamisburg to try to keep up with that kind of technology" planned for the regional dispatch center, Miamisburg Mayor Dick Church Jr. said Tuesday.  Church said joining the regional dispatch center would save the city as much as $150,000 a year and would bring more customers to businesses near the Mound site.

 

Miamisburg and Dayton join the cities of Trotwood and Clayton as well as Washington Twp. as the area communities on board for the dispatch center.  Oakwood, Kettering, Huber Heights, Vandalia, Englewood, Union, Centerville, West Carrollton and Moraine have decided to stick with their own dispatch operations.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/11/27/ddn112807mdispatch.html

Road improvements nearing completion

Workers build concrete islands to define lanes, add decorative accent and improve safety in $450,000 project.

 

By Margo Rutledge Kissell

 

Staff Writer

 

Thursday, November 29, 2007

 

OAKWOOD — A $450,000 construction project on Oakwood Avenue to improve safety and add decorative enhancements is nearing completion.

 

"In about two weeks, we'd like to have everything done," said Kevin Weaver, Oakwood's director of engineering and public works...

 

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/11/28/ddn112907oakwood.html

Evenflo moving to Miamisburg from Vandalia

By Tim Tresslar

Staff Writer

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

 

Baby products manufacturer Evenflo Co. Inc. said Tuesday it will relocate its world headquarters to Miamisburg from Vandalia, taking 150 jobs with it.  The company will set up shop in the former Huffy Building, 225 Byers Road.  Plans call for Evenflo to move to Miamisburg during second quarter 2008, a news release states.

 

Rob Matteucci, chief executive officer of Evenflo, said the company looked at several options including offers from other geographic areas.  However, the former Huffy building will give the company ample space to house its corporate and administrative offices under one roof.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2007/12/04/ddn120407evenfloweb.html

Lumber Liquidators opening area store next year

By Tim Tresslar

Staff Writer

Thursday, December 06, 2007

 

Lumber Liquidators, a specialty retailer of hardwood floors, will open its first Dayton area store in January, the company said.  The company is opening an 8,000-square-foot location in the 400 block of Springboro Pike, Miamisburg, a space formerly occupied by a furniture store.  The typical Lumber Liquidators store employs three, the company said.

 

Based in Toano, Va., the company also has locations in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2007/12/06/ddn120607lumberweb.html

I thought there was already a location off York Road.

I think you are referring to the 86 Lumber on Poe? That's the only lumber place I can think of around there.

I swear there used to be one visible from 75 along a frontage road on the east side, south of York.

Yea. That's 86 Lumber. Can't see it anymore because of the wright-flyer wall.

Dayton auto dealership expands parts, distribution business

By Thomas Gnau

Staff Writer

Friday, December 07, 2007

 

DAYTON — Reichard Buick-Pontiac will expand its auto parts warehousing and distribution sites in West Dayton after acquiring and renovating properties around 214 S. Williams St., Dayton government and the dealership said Friday.  Reichard's dealership will remain at 161 Salem Ave, but the business will invest $300,000 in building improvements and equipment to support the expansion, the city and the dealership announced.

 

Altogether, the city expects the investment to create seven new jobs and support an existing 61 jobs at the dealership, all making up a annual payroll of $1.9 million.  "Reichard Buick-Pontiac is a longtime Dayton business and an excellent community partner," Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin said in a city announcement.  "Their investment in the Wright-Dunbar area will add to the many improvements already made there."

 

The city said the dealership will buy three buildings at the former Automated Building Components site, near the intersection of West Fifth and South Williams streets.  Those buildings, vacant since 2004, are currently owned by Dayton government.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/business/2007/12/07/ddn120707reichardweb.html

PMF adds storage building

Dayton fabricators' owners anticipate 7,500-square-foot storage building will free up production space.

By Thomas Gnau, Staff Writer

Saturday, December 08, 2007

 

DAYTON — If it's sheet metal and a little left of center, Precision Metal Fabrication can handle it.  The 191 Heid Ave. fabricator's sheet metal and architectural creations have found homes at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C., the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, the National Medal of Honor Museum and the aviation heritage kiosk at Dayton International Airport, among other jobs, small and large.

 

The company has no long-term contracts.  But that doesn't mean it isn't busy.  "We usually get the unusual jobs," said John Limberg, PMF co-owner.  It calls for space, too. With the help of a $20,000 Dayton government grant, PMF has built a 7,500-square-foot storage building on Heid next to its main building.  The storage will free up much-needed production space, Limberg said.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2007/12/07/ddn120807precision.html

Wells Fargo inks deal for local office

Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 2:21 PM EST

Dayton Business Journal

 

Wells Fargo & Co. is expanding its commercial banking presence in Dayton.  The financial services company has signed a lease for its regional commercial banking office in The Pavilions on Washington Village Drive in Washington Township and will move in May 2008.

 

Terri Cowdrey, senior vice president of the Dayton Commercial Banking Group, said the new office will occupy 5,300 square feet of the 10,000-square-foot building.  Wells Fargo announced early this summer it would be opening a commercial banking office in Dayton to serve middle-market companies with at least $10 million in revenue.  Cowdrey said the commercial banking office has been working out of the Wells Fargo Insurance Group office in downtown Dayton since July. 

 

The office will have eight employees including commercial relationship managers, credit analysts and customer support.  The move follows the expansion of Wells Fargo commercial banking to Ohio in 2004 with the opening of a regional hub in Cleveland.

 

MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/12/10/daily11.html?jst=b_ln_hl

Cox Arboretum to receive $1 million gift

By Anthony Gottschlich

Staff Writer

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

 

DAYTON — Cox Arboretum will receive a $1 million gift from the James M. Cox Jr. Foundation on Thursday for a complex of buildings for horticulture and grounds staff, volunteers, a greenhouse and educational programs.

 

The Barbara Cox Anthony Center for Sustainable Horticulture, expected to cost $3.5 million in total, will be designed for LEEDS certification, demonstrating that the project is "green" and environmentally friendly.  LEEDS stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

 

"We are extremely excited and honored by this gift, which underscores Mrs. Anthony's long-term relationship with Cox Arboretum," said Jay Woodhull, director of Cox Arboretum MetroPark.  "The center is also a way to carry on her lifelong effort for the preservation of the environment."

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/01/02/ddn010208coxweb.html

Gallery 510 relocates to Oregon district

By Kristin McAllister

Staff Writer

Friday, January 04, 2008

 

DAYTON — Local artist and art instructor Loretta Puncer has opened Gallery 510 in the Oregon Historic District.  Puncer, whose work is also at the Town & Country Fine Art Center, moved her operations from Cannery Art & Design Center to 510 E. 5th St. in what was the former Dolcessa gelato shop.  Dolcessa closed Nov. 30 and will reopen early this year on Brown Street, near the University of Dayton campus, owner Jules Opperman said in mid-November.

 

Gallery 510 also will be part of the Oregon Historic District's monthly "First Friday" events, Puncer said.  The grand opening of Gallery 510 is slated for 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 1, and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 2.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/01/04/ddn010408galleryweb.html

Well, a little better news for Trotwood...

 

 

Trotwood auto center to re-open

By Tim Tresslar

Staff Writer

Friday, January 04, 2008

 

TROTWOOD — The Precision Tune Auto Care here will re-open Monday after being closed for several months, company officials said.  The 5128 Salem Ave. facility will employ two managers and two technicians, said Liz McGee, co-manager.

 

RPM Solutions, owner of the local Precision Tune franchise, previously operated a store at the same location between January 2006 and August 2007, McGee said.  The store was closed because of a slow economy.  Afterwards, another automotive service center occupied the location but closed in October.

 

Hours for the Salem Avenue location will be 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/01/04/ddn010408precisionweb.html

Hearing set on plan to build Islamic mosque

By Katherine Ullmer

Staff Writer

Thursday, January 10, 2008

 

SUGARCREEK TWP., Greene County — The Sugarcreek Twp. Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday in the cafeteria at Bellbrook Middle School, 3600 Feedwire Road, on a conditional use and variance request from the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton.  The society plans to build a mosque that would accommodate up to 900 people on 15 acres of land it owns on South Alpha-Bellbrook Road.

 

The variance request is to revise the expiration time of the conditional use permit from one to three years to allow time for fund-raising and construction drawings.  For the conditional use to be granted the ISGD has to show the use will not adversely affect the neighborhood and that the use is compatible with the township's comprehensive development plan.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/01/10/ddn011008mosqueweb.html

hmmm...

 

 

Zoning request for proposed mosque in Greene County denied

By Katherine Ullmer

Staff Writer

Friday, January 11, 2008

 

SUGARCREEK TWP., Greene County — A Lexington, Ky., architect was denied a conditional use and variance request that would allow the building of a mosque and family center in Sugarcreek Twp.  Thursday night, the township's board of zoning appeals voted 5-0 to deny project architect Chris McCoy because of the adverse effect the project — whose area footprint would be 45,000 square feet — would have on the neighborhood and property values.

 

The Islamic Society of Greater Dayton wants to build the mosque, which would accommodate up to 975 people, on 15 acres it owns on South Alpha-Bellbrook Road.  The variance request asked the zoning board to revise the expiration time of the conditional use permit from one to three years, to allow time for fundraising and construction drawings.

 

The EPA has expressed concerns about treating the sewage on the property, township Administrator Barry Tiffany said, because the closest gravity-fed sewer system is about 6,000 from the site.  Any appeal would have to go to Greene County Common Pleas Court.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/01/10/ddn011108mosque.html

^---The reason I said "hmmm" above is because I question the decision to reject the zoning proposal in an area that is seeing massive new home construction and a new middle school and somewhat new high school not far from this location. 15 acres is not a lot compared to what is being developed in the Sugarcreek Twp area. I wonder if this may have been biased because of the Islamic nature in a predominately Catholic area? Thoughts anyone?

Islamic officials not giving up on mosque

President of Islamic Society of Greater Dayton says that 'every option is on the table.'

By Katherine Ullmer

Staff Writer

Saturday, January 12, 2008

 

SUGARCREEK TWP., Greene County — Surprised by Sugarcreek Twp.'s denial of their plans for a mosque and family and youth center, officials of the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton said Friday they will consider every option.  "Every option is on the table," said Dr. Tarek Sabagh, president of the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton.  "We are very reasonable, professional people. We could start from scratch, put the lot for sale and pursue other options. We could go back to the drawing board. We have to sit together as a board and try to make sense and see where the miscommunication happened," he said.

 

On Thursday, the Sugarcreek Twp. Board of Zoning Appeals denied their conditional use request to build the mosque on South Alpha Bellbrook Road. Sabagh and architect Chris McCoy said it is too early to determine their next step.  "We were surprised with the decision," Sabagh said.  "We thought we worked in good faith with the township. They asked for a traffic study. They are the ones who put the criteria, who accepted the report. Then they had a second traffic study, only it was not a second study. They hired a second firm to criticize the first one."

 

The ISGD paid for the first study but the taxpayers paid for the second one, he said.  The ISGD was surprised by that presentation and said when the township asked them to do the traffic study in October, it delayed their application to the BZA until after the township trustees had passed a resolution in November creating conservation districts that require more open space. 

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/01/11/ddn011208mosque.html

Aside from the apparent church campaign what's interesting is the mosque being told one thing and then another by local officialdom.

 

 

Pastor received call as part of alleged campaign against mosque

By Jim DeBrosse

Staff Writer

Sunday, January 13, 2008

 

SUGARCREEK TWP., Greene County — — Several days before a hearing in which a zoning board denied a request to build a mosque here, a Bellbrook pastor and her husband received a phone call from a woman urging local residents to show up at the board meeting and oppose the mosque, the husband said.  The caller said the mosque should be blocked "because of what it says in the Quran, and these are bad people," said Brooks Heck, whose wife Terry is pastor of Bellbrook United Methodist Church.  Brooks Heck is pastor of South Park United Methodist Church in Dayton.  The caller identified herself as a member of First Baptist Church of Kettering, now located in Sugarcreek Twp.

 

About 300 people showed up for the Thursday night meeting when the board of zoning appeals voted 5-0 to deny a variance request that would have permitted the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton to build a mosque for up to 975 people and a family center for up to 400 on 15 acres it owns on South Alpha-Bellbrook Road.

 

Karen Dabdoud of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Cincinnati said she was surprised by the zoning denial.  During a public hearing in October, township officials "told us this was a pretty simple and straightforward application and they didn't see any problems with it," she said.  "This kind of thing is unfortunately very common across the country," Dabdoud said.  "It's usually framed in terms of traffic and property values, but underneath it is a situation of religious tension."

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/01/13/ddn011308mosque.html

 

I wonder if this may have been biased because of the Islamic nature in a predominately Catholic area? Thoughts anyone?

 

it sounds like the Baptits are the ones with issuse about Moslems coming into the tarea.

Either way, what happened to freedom of religion in this country? I sure hope this wasn't really why the zoning board rejected the approval.

I doubt that they would be so stupid to publically state that. 

 

But it sounds like they gave the Islamic Association the runaround, which is typical for bureaucrats and local govt.

Merged.

NewPage sheds 660 jobs; area could benefit

By Tim Tresslar and John Nolan

Staff Writer

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

 

MIAMI TWP., Montgomery County — NewPage Corp. said Wednesday it will cut 660 jobs and close facilities or curtail some operations in Ohio, Maine and Wisconsin as it absorbs another papermaker.  NewPage is making the moves to help combine its operations with those of Stora Enso North America, acquired by NewPage in December.

 

In Ohio, NewPage in November will shutter a Chillicothe facility that converts rolled paper to sheets and ships them, the company said.  The move will eliminate 160 jobs.

 

NewPage plans to move some of the converting machinery and the work to facilities in Luke, Md., and Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.  Moving the converting operation closer to where the company makes paper will help it cut shipping and other expenses, NewPage spokeswoman Amber Garwood said.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/01/16/ddn011608newpageweb.html

Dayton approves rent-to-own housing construction

Homes will be built in Edgemont and Miami Chapel neighborhoods.

By Joanne Huist Smith

Staff Writer

Thursday, January 17, 2008

 

DAYTON — Renters who want to become homeowners will have 40 new opportunities in Dayton's Edgemont and Miami Chapel neighborhoods.  On Wednesday, the Dayton City Commission approved $150,000 in federal HOME (Home Owning Made Easy) funds toward construction of the New Dayton Homes I project by the Cleveland-based NRP Group. 

 

"I'm glad to see new homes being built in the Innerwest and Southwest (Priority Board areas)," City Commissioner Dean Lovelace said.

 

The balance of the $8.1 million housing development will be financed through private sources and Ohio Housing Credits, according to city records.  The single-family homes will be available to lease purchase, with rents averaging $485 per month.  Eligibility will be restricted to families earning 60 percent or less of the area median income. 

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/01/17/ddn011708citcom.html

 

Monument Street span closes in April

Dayton Daily News

Thursday, January 24, 2008

 

DAYTON — If you routinely use the Monument Street bridge, you'll need to find an alternative route come April.  The Ohio Department of Transportation plans to close the bridge spanning the Great Miami River for replacement beginning this spring.  The work is expected to take 18 months, said Steve Finke, Dayton's assistant director of Public Works.

 

The city must pay about 27 percent of the estimated cost of the project, about $79,466.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/01/24/ddn012408bridge.html

AT&T to sell Berry unit

By Tim Tresslar

Staff Writer

Monday, February 04, 2008

 

AT&T Inc. said Monday it has agreed to sell a unit of L.M. Berry & Co. to Local Insight Regatta Holdings Inc., another phone directory publisher, for undisclosed terms.  Berry's Independent Line of Business unit, a provider of sales and marketing services for directories published by independent phone companies, employs 950, the bulk of them in Dayton, said Bob Mueller, an AT&T spokesman.  Local Insight Regatta said it plans to offer jobs to the ILOB workers impacted by the sale, Mueller said.

 

AT&T will continue to operate its Berry Network, which places advertising in phone directories on behalf of national companies, and the South Central Area operations, which sells advertising for directories in Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.  Both of these units have a presence in Dayton, he said.

 

AT&T also will retain the local buildings that house ILOB operations here, but will lease them back to Local Insight Regatta, Mueller said.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/02/04/ddn020408plantexpansionweb.html

New tenants set for empty factory and office tower

Tax preparation firm, auto parts supplier bringing jobs to Dayton

Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer

Thursday, February 07, 2008

 

DAYTON — An abandoned city factory and a downtown office tower are getting new tenants.  A former Delphi/Inland manufacturing plant on Maywood Avenue will be the new home of Liteflex LLC, a supplier of composite springs for Chevrolet Corvettes and other vehicles.  The company will invest $1.7 million to expand its manufacturing operation into the facility known as Building 29, which is behind the new Dayton Composite Center on McCall Street.  The Dayton City Commission on Wednesday approved a $75,000 development agreement with Liteflex for site upgrades, machinery and equipment.

 

Downtown, Tax Centers of America LLC will expand its corporate headquarters into One Dayton Center, 1 S. Main St., with a five-year lease for offices on the 14th floor.  Tax Centers will invest up to $600,000 for equipment and improvements, including a franchise training center, creating 40 jobs over three years with an average annual salary of $26,000.  The City Commission approved a $100,000 development agreement for Tax Centers to assist with the purchase and installation of equipment, telecommunications infrastructure and other improvements.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/02/07/ddn020708citcom.html

Company to move downtown, add jobs

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

 

DAYTON — Real Art, a creative services company, said it will buy and renovate a downtown building for its headquarters and design studio.  Real Art said it will relocate to 520 E. First St. near Fifth Third Field in Dayton's Webster Station district.

 

The company expects to add 15 employees to its work force of 28 full-time employees after it relocates from its current East Sixth Street offices, management said on Monday, March 24.  The city of Dayton is providing a $250,000 grant from its development fund to support Real Art's investment, the company said.

 

The company specializes in print collateral, packaging, Web site development and interactive CD-RM design.  Its customers have included General Motors Corp., Toyota, NCR Corp. and the Children's Medical Center of Dayton, management said.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/03/25/ddn032508realartweb.html

YAY!

In the south suburb of Oakwood, there is a new development being constructed.  It is on the the old Sugar Camp facility formerly owned by NCR.  There is much history to the site that hopefully will be explained in later posts.

 

Here is a bird's eye view of the area in discussion.  It is bounded by W. Schantz Ave to the south, Far Hills Ave to the east, Riverview Cemetery to the west and the city of Dayton to the north (Dayton Daily News headquarters/NCR Old River).

 

Oakwood OKs new plan for Sugar Camp

 

The Oakwood Planning Commission approved a recommendation from two developers to alter their City Council-approved residential plan for the Sugar Camp Development.  On April 23, 2007, the Council approved the residential plan for the 36-plus acre property, once owned by NCR, at Far Hills and Schantz avenues.

 

The developers, Oakwood Investment Group and Versant Group, want to:

• Relocate the mid-rise condos from the northeast to the northwest corner of the site.

• Reduce the number of condos from four to two and increase each from four stories to seven

• Change the use of the two-acre parcel north of the main entrance from business to residential.

• Erect four- to six- unit townhomes, increasing the density of the development from 125 to 147 units.

 

 

Here are some images from Versant's website:

 

 

 

 

 

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Aerial before construction:

 

 

Current conditions:

 

 

Planned final:

 

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This project raises a lot of questions about the region's real estate market.  Does anyone actually think young families won't move into these homes and increase the student population in Oakwood schools?  What does this say about other area developments like Ballpark Village and UD's campus west?  Is this sort of first-tier development good for the center city by offering new housing near the city instead of in sprawl-land?

Anyone know why they demolished the old National City Bank in Fairborn (Across from the Nutter Center) for?

Hi!  First, I'm new here in terms of posting.  Second,  as far as the National City Bank on Col Glenn, I'm not sure, but I know what you are talking about bux.  I saw it the other day when I went to FirstWatch.  Also, does anybody know what they are building just down the road across from the Univeristy?  The county records show a Five Rivers Hospitality owns the property so I'm guessing a hotel or restaurant of some kind.  Any idea what chain?

Teradata headquarters building sold for $7M

Dayton Business Journal

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 2:42 PM EDT

 

A California investment firm has bought the Teradata headquarters building in Miami Township for $7 million.  The investors acquired the 40,000-square-foot building from Dayton-based The Oberer Cos., the brokers of the deal announced Wednesday.

 

The two-story office building is fully leased to Teradata Corp.which spun-off of NCR Corp. last year.  Built in 2007, the building sits in the Exchange at Spring Valley, a $60 million development at the corner of state Route 741 and Spring Valley Road just a few miles south of the Dayton Mall.

 

MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2008/05/26/daily12.html

I guess this means that they will be vacating the current Kroger store at Spring Valley and Main.

 

Grocer wants to build on Elder-Beerman site

 

CENTERVILLE — The Kroger Corp. has applied to the Centerville Planning Commission for a major use special approval that will allow it to tear down the 105,000 square-foot Centerville Elder-Beerman/Bon Ton store to make way for a 134,800 square-foot Kroger Marketplace.  The planning commission plans to briefly discuss the plans in a work session scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 10 in the law library of the municipal building, 100 W. Spring Valley Road, according to Centerville Planner Steve Feverston.

 

Feverston said Kroger submitted its request Tuesday, June 3.  The new building would be single-story, he said.  The vacant building directly south of the Elder-Beerman store that once housed Imperial Food Town and then the old Eavey's store, would also be torn down to make way for more parking, Feverston said.  Everything except Grismer Auto Service Center would be torn down, he said.

 

Feverston said the Elder-Beerman store sits on a zero-lot line with the Centerville Place shopping center property to the north and needs a variance to rebuild on the site because the city requires a 20-foot side setback.  A parking variance is also necessary because the Elder-Beerman store shares parking with the Centerville Place shopping center to the north and a variance would be necessary to continue that arrangement, Feverston said.

 

MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/06/09/ddn060908krogerweb.html