Defiance ranks high on development list

Defiance Crescent-News, 9/20/05

 

Earlier this year, the City of Defiance was ranked among Site Selection Magazine’s "Top 100 U.S. Small Towns for Corporate Facilities."  Defiance County is gaining a national reputation due to the amount of economic activity throughout the region.  There are numerous projects that have been or are being completed in Defiance County.

 

In Spring of 2005, Keller Logistics constructed a 130,000 sq. ft. warehouse expansion which further enhances the logistics services Defiance County has to offer.  Also in 2005, First Federal Bank started construction on a 58,000 sq. ft. corporate operations center building on Elliott Road adjacent to U.S. Route 24. 

 

Defiance County is the first county in Ohio that hosts two bio-diesel producers.  American Ag Fuels, located in the City of Defiance, opened their doors in July of 2005.  PEC Biofuels, Inc., located in the Village of Hicksville, will start production in the summer of 2006.

 

MORE: http://www.crescent-news.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/09202005/news/&file=_news2.txt&article=1&tD=09202005

From the 10/18/05 Defiance Crescent-News:

 

 

Land purchase may mean ethanol plant could be constructed

By TODD HELBERG

[email protected]

 

An Indiana company which is considering the construction of an ethanol plant in Defiance County has purchased more than 220 acres on Ohio 18 in Mark Township.

 

Three real estate transfers were finalized in the last month that would be used for the plant’s construction. But a decision on whether to build the plant is still months away, according to the property’s purchaser, New Energy Corp., South Bend, Ind.

 

http://www.crescent-news.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/10182005/news/&file=_news2.txt&article=1&tD=10182005

 

so, i got bored monday. i drove around, i took pictures, wee

 

 

this is here just to stress how truly boring the terrain is here

 

well they combined two bastions of ohio: the drive thru beer store and a check-n-go type place

 

this really isn't exciting photography, just boring street scapes.

 

ditto

 

hanging around the courthouse

 

somethings not quite right about this one.....

 

your it

 

one of these floors just doesn't belong

 

well part of it is old

 

and finally, truly stressing how ugly this thing is.

 

anywho, back to boring streetscapes

 

churchtastic

 

mail call

 

i cant help but looking back at the poor couthouse (at least mansfield is consistantly ugly, not tumor-ed)

 

some purdy housing stock

 

nice little library on the river

 

though, these lamps scare me

 

too bad the fort still isn't here

 

klaclow

 

confluence of the maumee and the auglaize rivers

 

i wonder if he's named after chief logan, of the mingo tribe......

 

northern sklyine

 

anybody heard of this guy?

 

bridge over the maumee

 

yeah, another streetscape, deal with it

 

last second shot of a building on the way out of town

 

this town blows (though there were some hot girls, and a really nice coffee house) lets see whats up the road in part 2......

Hmmm....

That's a cool library! nice pic's

Good timing!  The other day I drove through a number of these NW Ohio towns just for the sake of driving through them, and now I get to see some new pictures!  Yay!*

 

* "Yay" does not apply to Defiance County Courthouse

< :speech: >Sad, once-beautiful old courthouse. I'll have to look it up; it looks like a JC Johnson design, and the age of it is exactly right to be one of his. He designed all his courthouses pretty much from the same set of plans, rather German in masonry style with a mansard roof and centrally-placed second-empire tower. They were very vertical, elegant-looking buildings.

 

The other two that I know of (Decatur, IN and Winchester, IN) were both plagued by upper-story structural weakness from the very beginning. Decatur's was the most fortunate; Adams County hired Brentwood Tolan, who designed the glorious Allen County Courthouse in Fort Wayne, to fix it. He rebuilt the roof structure and removed Johnson's tower and replaced it with an Italianate one rising above the front entrance. It came out looking great, and still looks good.

 

The one in Winchester didn't fare so well. The Randolph County Commissioners resisited fixing it until 1955, when they hired a contractor who gave it a flattop and bisected the second floor laterally to create a third floor within it. It's on a nice square. The commissioners want to raze and replace it, and the voters are fighting them. </ :speech: >

 

Defiance is more enjoyable in summer. OH 424 (Old US 24) parallels the Maumee, and along it there are historic sites, Independence Dam, a restored piece of canal, and a grist mill. There's usually something going on.

That poor courthouse...i mean, how could anyone ever have thought that was a good idea?

 

Everytime I go to Defiance, I am surprised that downtown Defiance isn't nicer.  I think one problem may be that since they are a "larger small-town" they have a mall and other big box stores that have sucked the life from downtown for longer than and to a greater extent than other smaller towns.

 

Also, any word if the GM plant in Defiance is in danger of closing? 

rob1412,

 

I would have like to try and hit up the damn, but my time available just wasn't great. But us-24 is a nice scenic drive from toledo, which i've done before.

 

dffly,

 

i agree with your bigger small-town description, there was just a bunch of crap on the way into town from us 24/oh 66

Defiance developments more visible

Defiance Crescent-News, 4/18/06

 

Two northside Defiance business developments, including a new Super Wal-Mart, have become more visible in recent days.  The most noticeable is at North Clinton Street and Elliott Road where B.E. Mangas Construction of Defiance is building a new 12,000-square-foot retail center known as Frederick Town Commons.

 

An even larger development has been talked about in recent years just north of Northtowne Mall - construction of a Super Wal-Mart.  Although environmental issues delayed the project, the first signs of construction groundwork are beginning to occur.

 

Plans for new court building take shift

Defiance Crescent-News, 5/19/06

 

Two months ago, Defiance Municipal Judge John Rohrs III was enthusiastically exploring the possibility of constructing a new court building on Perry Street.  However, his plans for a new building there apparently will have to be shifted elsewhere.

 

The problem is lingering environmental issues at the former factory site which is owned by Defiance Precision Products’ parent company, New Jersey-based GenTek.  The property is in compliance with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency requirements as it stands, but further cleanup may be necessary, said city officials, if the land is used for occupied buildings.

 

This apparently won’t be cheap.  According to city administrator Jeff Leonard, the cost could be as much as $800,000.  State grant money could help meet some of this expense, he said, but not all.

North side work in Defiance continues

Defiance Crescent-News, 6/4/06

 

Work is continuing on several northside Defiance projects, but local officials say it’s not certain when construction of the new Wal-Mart store there will begin. 

 

Cleveland Construction Inc., Mentor, is overseeing the entire Wal-Mart project, according to city engineering technician Dave Rohdy.  This includes demolition of the former Hills Department Store, Chief Festive Foods and Rite-Aid buildings there, installation of infrastructure and construction of the new building.

 

The building demolitions have been completed by L.J. Irving and Sons, Napoleon, while drainage and water line work is ongoing. Another local contractor, Miller Brothers Construction of Archbold, is involved in the infrastructure work, Rohdy said.  Rohdy could not say when the building construction might begin, but said a problem relocating Toledo Edison lines must be worked out first.

 

Defiance Crescent-News: Demolition nearly complete (5/17/06)

Two courthouse options carry tax proposal

Defiance Crescent-News, 6/22/06

 

Defiance County commissioners have come up with a sales tax proposal that would cover the least expensive option for fixing up the county courthouse.  An eight-year sales tax was discussed during a special study session held by commissioners Wednesday morning with Defiance architect Jerry Overmier, who has composed preliminary plans for three courthouse options, also attending.

 

The least expensive option is building a new courthouse where the county annex is located at Court Street and Wayne Avenue - due west of the Defiance Post Office and due east of the present courthouse.  The old courthouse would be demolished after the new five-level building is finished.  Estimated cost for this option is $13.5 million.

 

Another option is restoring the courthouse and building a new three-story building where the courthouse annex now sits. The two buildings would be joined with an atrium.  Estimated cost is $16.4 million.  A third option proposes that commissioners renovate the courthouse and build a new three-story building on the annex site over five or six years.  Estimated cost is $22.3 million.

City to lease former CSX RR property

Defiance Crescent-News, 7/12/06

 

Defiance City Hall has finally found a use for the former CSX Railroad property on South Clinton Street, and it was quickly seized upon by city council.  An ordinance allowing the city to lease the property from CSX was approved by council Tuesday night.  In turn, the city will allow the local Master Gardeners club to landscape and maintain the bare lot.

 

The CSX property has been an irritant for City Hall in recent years.  The city wanted CSX to maintain the old depot there and trim the weeds.  But the building was severely damaged by fire last year, and was finally demolished several months ago.  Since then, the property’s condition - related to weed growth - has prompted additional concerns.

 

However, CSX will lease the property to City Hall for $1 for an indefinite period, according to law director David Williams.  CSX will assume control again when it finds a use for the land, Williams indicated, but in the meantime Master Gardeners will improve the property’s aesthetics.

 

Defiance Co. Courthouse meeting finds more interest

Defiance Crescent-News, 7/25/06

 

A third meeting on the future of Defiance County’s courthouse produced at least one thing county commissioners desire: More public interest.

 

Held Monday night at Defiance Middle School, the meeting attracted approximately 50 people, although several were county elected officials.  At issue is what option commissioners will select for dealing with courthouse space concerns.  Two options are being considered.

 

The first would cost $16.4 million and includes renovating the existing courthouse and building an adjoining facility where the county annex sits on Court Street.

 

The second would cost $13.5 million and proposes a larger, four-story courthouse with a full basement where the annex is located.  After its completion, the old courthouse would be demolished, leaving the new building with a larger front yard facing Clinton Street.

 

Defiance Crescent-News: Different views aired at meeting (7/14/06)

 

What if sales tax issue fails?

Defiance Crescent-News, 7/26/06

 

One issue which Defiance County commissioners have purposely avoided during public meetings on the courthouse’s future surfaced Tuesday night.

 

During commissioners’ latest meeting - at Fairview Elementary School - they raised the question about what might happen if a sales tax issue proposed for the courthouse’s renovation or replacement doesn’t pass in November.  Such a tax would support either of two options that commissioners presented at Tuesday’s meeting, the fourth in a series of eight.

 

The options include renovating the courthouse and adding an adjoined three-story building where the county annex sits, or constructing a new courthouse on the annex site.  Estimated costs are $16.4 million and $13.5 million, respectively.  The project’s primary aim is to alleviate space needs for county offices as identified in a facilities study several years ago.

 

From the 8/11/06 Defiance Crescent-News:

 

Residents prefer new courthouse

By TODD HELBERG

[email protected]

 

A survey of some Defiance County residents has revealed an overwhelming preference for building a new courthouse as opposed to renovating the existing building.  Surveys were distributed at six public meetings held by county commissioners in recent weeks on the two courthouse project options.  A few were also given to persons at the commissioners’ office, according to county administrator Becky Wagner.

 

Commissioners counted just under 200 surveys which asked four questions.  Two asked residents if they would support renovating the existing courthouse and building an adjacent three-story building, and supporting a specified sales tax increase over 11 years.  This option would cost $16.4 million.

 

Full story at http://www.crescent-news.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/08112006/news/&file=_news2.txt&article=1&tD=08112006

 

While I HATE to say it, I think a new courthouse in Defiance would be my pick too, if correctly fashioned.

From the 8/18/06 Defiance Crescent-News:

 

New courthouse is the likely option

By TODD HELBERG

[email protected]

 

A decision on Defiance County’s courthouse project wasn’t officially made Thursday, but committing to an option is now only a formality.  During their Thursday meeting, county commissioners polled seven county elected officials about their preferred option - either building a new five-level courthouse on Court Street or renovating the existing facility and adjoining it to a new three-story structure.  The elected officials unanimously preferred the new courthouse option, which would cost approximately $13.5 million, $2.9 million less than the renovation option.

 

Full story at http://www.crescent-news.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/08182006/news/&file=_news1.txt&article=1&tD=08182006

 

From the 9/21/06 Defiance Cresent-News:

 

AERIAL

 

Growth for the city?

By TODD HELBERG

[email protected]

 

Some years ago, there were plans to expand an industrial park that had been established south of the CSX Railroad near Atlantic Street in Defiance.  But the 700-acre site owned by the Zeller Corporation remained undeveloped. Later, when Zeller went out of business, two brothers - Larry and Ray Plummer (dba R & L Enterprises) - purchased the 700 acres at auction in 1999 and revived the industrial park idea, which is now coming to fruition.

 

They are hoping that recently-completed infrastructure in the Enterprise Industrial Park will soon attract businesses there. A grand opening will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday with several state dignitaries, including Gov. Bob Taft, invited as well as other local governmental and industrial leaders.  “It’s not a new park by any means,” said Ray Plummer, who has developed commercial and industrial property in Warsaw, Ind., where he lives. “It’s just not been promoted.”

 

More at http://www.crescent-news.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/09212006/news/&file=_news1.txt&article=1&tD=09212006

 

From the 9/27/06 Defiance Crescent-News:

 

Keeping court downtown gets support from council

By TODD HELBERG

[email protected]

 

The future location of a new Defiance Municipal Court building wasn’t chosen by Defiance City Council during its Tuesday night meeting, but two things are certain - building it on the north side isn’t likely and most want a new facility downtown.  During a council buildings and lands committee meeting on Sept. 12, the options for finding a location were narrowed to two - a city-owned site on a new connector road being built behind Defiance Regional Medical Center and a city parking lot due east of the existing municipal court location at 324 Perry St.

 

While the Perry Street location seemed acceptable to most councilmen Tuesday, there was little support for the northside site. Virtually all favored finding a city-owned lot downtown, but not just the one on Perry Street.  Downtown business owner Pete Lundberg, for example, suggested an option that some found interesting - using a city-owned lot at the northwest corner of Fort Street and Wayne Avenue.  The lot is often used by county employees who work at the courthouse.

 

More at http://www.crescent-news.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/09272006/news/&file=_news2.txt&article=1&tD=09272006

From the 11/8/06 Defiance Crescent-News:

 

Defiance Crescent-News: Courthouse issue highlights elections in Defiance County (11/5/06)

 

Courthouse issue takes a nosedive

By TODD HELBERG

[email protected]

 

A proposed sales tax for a new Defiance County courthouse wasn’t well-received by voters Tuesday, losing in 41 of 42 precincts and being rejected on two of every three ballots.  A similar fate was given to Ayersville Local Schools’ 5.5-mill operating levy, but Tiffin Township’s request for additional fire service funds and Northeastern Local’s replacement levy passed easily.

 

County commissioners had proposed an eight-year sales tax for construction of a new, five-level $13.5 million courthouse that would have began at one-half cent before being reduced to one-quarter cent four years later.  However, voters wanted nothing to do with the idea, turning back the issue by a final unofficial count of 8,835-4,219.  Now that voters have spoken, commissioners must decide what to do about the courthouse’s condition.  During the election campaign, they told voters that the courthouse lacked space, is not Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant, is not secure for court officials and is deteriorating.  Repairs and other measures were estimated to cost $4.5 million, they said.

 

More at http://www.crescent-news.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/11082006/news/&file=_news1.txt&article=1&tD=11082006

 

Work progressing on new schools in Defiance, Hicksville

Defiance Crescent-News, 12/8/06

 

In the next two years, Defiance County will boast two new state-of-the-art school buildings, an elementary school facility for Defiance City Schools and a K-12 building to house students in the Hicksville Exempted Village School District.  Both will be constructed with local funding as well as state dollars from the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC). Two other fairly new schools in the county include elementary schools for Northeastern Local and Central Local schools.

 

In Defiance, work on the $21,886,000 pre-K through fifth-grade building to be constructed along Carter Road could begin in late April with bids opening in February, noted assistant superintendent Ian MacGregor.  Barring any construction hitches, the move to the new building "could come any time between Dec. 26, 2008, and Jan. 16, 2009," he said.

Groundbreaking held for new Hicksville school

Defiance Crescent-News, 3/4/07

 

History was made Friday in the village of Hicksville and because of actions scheduled throughout the day, students in the school district will soon be getting a new home.  Several groundbreaking events took place in Hicksville for the new K-12 school facility.

 

The events kick off construction of the new 1,050-student facility on the southwest side of the village.  The school is being constructed for approximately $28.5 million.  The Ohio School Facilities Commission is contributing $18.6 million toward the project, with the remaining $9.9 million coming from a local bond issue. Fanning-Howey of Celina are architects for the project, which is expected to be 147,977-square-feet.

 

The new school, with a triangular floor plan, is to be built on a 40-acre site, the former Wilderson Orchards, located off of Ohio 2 by Ohio 49.  The plans call for separate two-story academic wings for elementary and middle/high school students.

 

From the 3/4/07 Defiance Crescent-News:

 

Commissioners still deciding what to do with Defiance County Courthouse

March 4, 2007

By TODD HELBERG

[email protected]

 

During their unsuccessful campaign last year to pass a sales tax for a new courthouse, Defiance County commissioners said failure would mean that millions in improvements would still be needed.  Nearly four months after the half-cent sales tax increase was defeated in November by 68 percent of the voters, commissioners are still deciding what to do.  But another tax issue isn't a serious option.  "I understand what 68 percent of the vote means," said Commissioner Otto Nicely.

 

One main reason for the tax levy -- additional space -- continues to be a concern.  Had the tax passed, it would have generated enough revenue to help fund a $14.5-million new five-level courthouse that would have provided additional office and records space. It would also have provided funding to demolish the existing 130-plus year-old facility.

 

During the campaign, commissioners were reluctant to talk about alternatives if the sales tax request failed. However, they did note that improvements totaling $4.5 million were needed at some point although none of those have been carried out.

 

More at http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/1681221

 

Opened bids for new Defiance elementary school come in under budget

Defiance Crescent-News, 3/15/07

 

The Defiance City Board of Education received good news on Wednesday concerning the bid process for the pre-k through fifth-grade building project and discussed the May 8 levy.  Kraig Beilharz of Beilharz Architects noted that bids on the Ohio School Facilities Commission construction project were opened Wednesday.

 

"I was very impressed with the interest in the Defiance City Schools project," said Beilharz, also noting there was very good local representation in the bidding packages. With a budget of $16,425,000, bids came in at $16,327,000, or .6 percent ($98,000) under budget.  The construction manager, Touchstone Construction, Lima, will now conduct post-bid review meetings.  The board is expected to approve the bids in the next couple of weeks with groundbreaking slated for early to mid-April.

 

From the 1/23/07 Defiance Crescent-News:

 

Mark Township ethanol plant on 'indefinite hold'

January 23, 2007

By BECKY MARTINEZ

 

Last February, plans for constructing an ethanol plant in Defiance County's Mark Township were "still possible and proposed."  There was talk that dirt would move in June.  Presently, that message has changed.  The proposal is now on "indefinite hold," said Jerry Hayes, executive director of Economic Development of Defiance County.

 

The company, New Energy Corporation Inc. of South Bend, Ind., still owns the property located off Ohio 18 between Rosedale and Breininger roads. The proposed plant was to produce 150 million gallons of ethanol per year.

 

Hayes said New Energy cited three specific reasons as to why construction plans were halted. "One was the high cost of materials to build, particularly steel and metals. Second, the price of corn going up was a concern. At this moment cash corn is $3.76, March 2007 corn is $3.84 and new corn 2007 is $3.51.  "And third, they believed, and they were correct, the price of gas was going to stabilize. In effect, profit margin is shrinking," said Hayes.

 

MORE: http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/1512171

 

From the 5/4/07 Defiance Crescent-News:

 

Board addresses utilities for proposed subdivision

Todd Helberg

 

Defiance County commissioners discussed public services for a proposed housing subdivision and entered a contract for Elliott Road water and sewer lines during their Thursday meeting.  Dennis Miller of Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO) and assistant county prosecuting attorney Russ Herman were in attendance to discuss water and sewer service for the proposed Welling Subdivision along Ohio 15.

 

As proposed, the development would include 35 housing units, four commercial properties and 60 condominiums less than one mile north of the junction of Ohio 18 in Noble Township.  The development is proposed east of Ohio 15 with some lots fronting the Tiffin River.

 

More at http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/1956012

 

From the 6/6/07 Defiance Crescent-News:

 

City council to support 38-unit housing project

By TODD HELBERG

[email protected]

 

Defiance City Council hadn't met in three weeks prior to Tuesday night, but it still couldn't take any action during its weekly meeting.  The reason: Only five of seven council members were present, one short of the number needed to pass the four legislative items which appeared on the agenda for the first time.  As such, the three ordinances and one resolution were let lie.  However, council used some creativity to support the application of Stock Development Co. and Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission for tax credits to construct a low- to moderate-income housing project. 

 

A resolution concerning the 38-unit housing project off Ottawa Avenue, just south of Cleveland Avenue, was effectively let lie after a first reading due to the absence of Ward I Councilman Gary Butler and At-large Councilman Steve Hubbard.  But council passed a motion, 5-0, stating its intention to approve the resolution "at the first opportunity."  The reason for council's motion is that an application for the project is due in Columbus by Thursday.

 

More at http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/2095772

 

Project to ease space crunch at Defiance County courthouse

Treasurer, auditor, recorder will move to separate offices

Article published August 29, 2010

BY JENNIFER FEEHAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

DEFIANCE - For years, Defiance County has struggled to squeeze its courts and other government offices into a courthouse that was built in 1876.  When voters in 2006 rejected a sales-tax increase that would have been used to raze the old building and construct a new county office building, commissioners went back to the drawing board.  After kicking around options that did not require raising taxes, the county is embarking on the first phase of a long-term plan to create more space for the courts.

 

A $2.5 million addition is being built onto the historic jail and sheriff's residence behind the courthouse that will allow the treasurer, auditor, and recorder to move out of the courthouse.  It is being financed primarily through low-interest bonds issued through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, said County Administrator Laura Howell.  The current construction project, which involves renovating about a third of the original 1870s jail and building a three-story addition, is not the only one keeping construction workers busy in town.  Just a few blocks away, workers are putting the finishing touches on a new $5.3 million Defiance Municipal Court that is scheduled to open next month.

 

The $2.5 million addition under construction at the historic jail will allow the

treasurer, auditor, and recorder to move out of the courthouse.

 

The new Defiance Municipal Court building on Perry Street will include large

and small courtrooms and a holding cell for prisoners brought to court.

 

Full article: http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20100829/NEWS16/8280397

From the Defiance Crescent News:  Photos of the new Defiance Municipal Court Building, which opened September 27, 2010.

 

Photos:  Court in session at Defiance location 

CGB plans rail shipment facility in Ohio

 

World-Grain.com, Feb. 14, 2012

by World Grain Staff

 

MANDEVILLE, LOUISIANA, U.S. — CGB Enterprises (CGB) announced on Feb. 13 plans to invest in a new project located in Defiance, Ohio, U.S., to construct a rail shipment facility.

 

CGB, headquartered in Mandeville, Louisiana, U.S., said the grain facility will be constructed at 11859 Krouse Road, south of County Road 424, in Larry and Ray Plummer’s Enterprise Industrial Park located in Defiance. CGB will build the terminal with shuttle loading capabilities on the CSX railroad.

 

“The Defiance area provides CGB with a good production area, a great transportation system and outstanding support from the community, all of which gives us the confidence to make this investment,” said Steve Burbrink, director of business development for CGB. 

 

Construction of the facility is scheduled to begin this spring and be completed in June of 2013.

 

Read more at: http://www.world-grain.com/News/News%20Home/World%20Grain%20News/2012/2/CGB%20plans%20rail%20shipment%20facility%20in%20Ohio.aspx?LoggedIn=true&[email protected]#.Tzz_s4moHAY.bitly