Officials discuss need to acquire more land

Toledo Blade, 8/3/06

 

Perrysburg Township officials are keeping their eyes peeled for land - not for their own use, but for the Rossford schools.

 

The township wants to expand its crowded fire department and administration complex on Lime City Road, and it has told the Rossford school board it would pay fair-market value for property the district owns south of the complex.  The site is home to the old Lime City school building, where the district stores records, used drama sets, and old desks and chairs.

 

School board President David Kleeberger said members of the board were receptive to the idea of selling the land to the township.  "I think everyone's on board with helping the township," he said.  "We knew they'd been interested in it for years, but they're now getting more serious about adding onto the building."

Perrysburg Township asks to buy land

Toledo Blade, 7/18/06

 

Perrysburg Township officials last night asked members of the Rossford Board of Education to consider selling land to the township so it can expand its administration building.

 

Township trustees rescheduled last night's semimonthly meeting to 7:30 p.m. tonight so Trustees Bob Mack and Gary Britten could attend the school board meeting along with other township officials.  While there, they asked to buy a 150-foot strip of land next to the administration building for fair market value.  The land is south of the building off Lime City Road.

 

Township officials want the land because they need more office space and room for the fire department at the administration building.

 

Bowling Green Wal-Mart work to cause delays on West Gypsy Lane

Toledo Blade, 7/24/06

 

Contractors working for Wal-Mart will make improvements to the West Gypsy Lane Road entrance to its new store, beginning today.  West Gypsy Lane will remain open, but lanes will be narrowed.  Delays are expected.

 

The only entrance to Wal-Mart store will be from State Rt. 25.

 

Zoning panel deals setback to Wal-Mart Supercenter

Toledo Blade, 7/18/06

 

The Wal-Mart Supercenter proposed for Perrysburg Township hit a snag last night when the township zoning commission turned down the store's site plan and asked to see a new one next month.  "It appears to be an incomplete site plan that we have to review tonight," Chairman Robert Black said.  The commission voted 4-0 against approving the plan, with no discussion.  Member Jeff Schaller was absent.

 

Mr. Black said the township received the site plan on Thursday and found 23 problems with it.  He gave a letter detailing those problems last night to Nick Miller of Atwell-Hicks, the engineering firm working with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to develop the project.

Wood County Library purchases land for overflow parking lot

Toledo Blade, 8/3/06

 

After nearly a year of public debate, the Wood County District Public Library has purchased the sand lot just west of the library where it intends to build an overflow parking lot this fall.

 

The library paid owner Robert Maurer $162,692.70 for the North Church Street land, according to records filed in the county auditor's office.  Library board President Scott McEwen said yesterday the transaction amount reflects the $150,000 sale price agreed to in a purchase option the library signed with Mr. Maurer in 2003, plus Mr. Maurer's "out-of-pocket" expenses for the property, including interest accrued on his loan.

 

The purchase price does not include the costs Mr. Maurer incurred demolishing a house on the property and excavating the sand hill to street level - a bill the library still must pay, Mr. McEwen said.

 

$28.9M levy Perrysburg board asks auditor to OK millage

Toledo Blade, 7/25/06

 

The Perrysburg Board of Education last night took another step in putting a $28.9 million bond levy before voters in November and discussed possible futures for the Commodore Building.

 

The board unanimously agreed to ask the Wood County auditor to certify the millage for the $28,922,108 levy, which would fund a new two-story wing for sixth-graders and expanded music and dining areas at the junior high, as well as renovations at the district's four elementary schools and a new auxiliary gym at the high school.  The board must approve a second resolution by Aug. 24 to put the levy on the ballot.  It would cost the owner of a $200,000 house $140.40 a year.

 

The facilities plan does not include using the downtown Commodore Building as a school.  District residents can expect a letter within a few weeks inviting them to discussions about the building, organized by the district and the Community Partnership.

 

From the 8/11/06 Fremont News-Messenger:

 

PHOTO: Signs like this one have been posted in Scott Township near the proposed dairy farm.  Charlie Longton/News-Messenger

 

Anti-mega farm group plays to a packed house

 

CAFOs will effect health and quality of life with symptoms arising from the gases that people are exposed to, he said. Sproat said the two major gases are ammonia and hydrogen sulfide that become present due to the amounts of manure that is kept in lagoons.

 

Sproat said knows people in Hudson, Mich. who lived by CAFOs and suffered brain injuries. The symptoms range from dizziness and headaches to brain injuries and miscarriages among pregnant women. "If you live within one to two miles from these operations, you can anticipate problems. They are huge polluters and should be regulated as such," said Sproat.

 

Gary Thomasson of Woodville, said, "I'm not very happy about the issue, and I haven't been."  Thomasson has lived in Woodville his entire life and just built a house three years ago that is a mile and a half away from where the mega-dairy could open.  Along with Thomasson, Wood County residents Carl and Helen George are outraged because they, too, have lived their entire life in a certain area, and now they might only be a half-mile away from the mega-dairy.

 

MORE: http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060811/NEWS01/608110312/1002/rss01

 

From the 8/15/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Wal-Mart site plan gets OK of zoning commission

 

The second time was the charm for the Wal-Mart Supercenter proposed for U.S. 20 in Perrysburg Township. The zoning commission approved a revised version of the site plan last night, a month after it turned the plan down with a list of 23 issues.  Commissioners voted 4-0, with John Benavides absent, to approve the site plan.

 

Wal-Mart representatives submitted new plans after the rejection of the previous version.  The 217,572-square-foot store is planned for 35 acres on the north side of U.S. 20 and Simmons Road, near the Crossroads of America shopping center.  The Ohio Department of Transportation is reviewing the traffic-impact study and is expected to approve the traffic plans in September, township zoning director Grant Garn said.

 

Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060815/NEWS18/608150412/-1/RSS09

CREDIT UNION NEAR LEVIS COMMONS TAKES SHAPE

Toledo Blade, 8/13/06

 

Framing for a wing goes up as the fifth office of Toledo Area Community Credit Union takes shape in Perrysburg.  The branch, off State Rte. 25 adjacent to the Town Center at Levis Commons development, is to open in mid-October.

 

From the 8/18/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

Grand opening is today at new O-I headquarters

 

Owens-Illinois Inc. will be host at a grand opening ceremony this morning for its $20 million headquarters in Perrysburg’s Levis Development Park.

 

A spokesman said the firm that has been based in One SeaGate in downtown Toledo for 25 years will mark the opening of the new Roachton Road entrance to the office and name it Michael Owens Way, for the prolific inventor who patented a bottle-blowing machine that gave O-I its start 103 years ago.

 

Events include the display of a time capsule to be buried with O-I products and memorabilia.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060818/BUSINESS03/60818002/-1/BUSINESS

 

From the 8/19/06 Toledo Blade:

 

PHOTO: James Baehren, senior vice president, chief administrative officer, and general counsel of Owens-Illinois Inc., speaks at the grand opening ceremonies. At left above is Frank Butler, director of global real estate.  ( BLADE PHOTOS/ANDY MORRISON )

 

PHOTO: Local officials and others admire a staircase in the grand tour at the opening of the $20 million headquarters in Perrysburg.

 

PHOTO: A new sign greets visitors at the entrance to the headquarters.  ( THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON )

 

PHOTO: The entry road honors the inventor of the bottle machine.  ( THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON )

 

PHOTO: Local officials and other visitors tour an outdoor patio on the third floor of Owens-Illinois Inc.'s new $20 million headquarters during yesterday's grand opening in Perrysburg's Levis Park near I-475 and State Rt. 25.  ( THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON )

 

O-I opens $20M Perrysburg HQ

By HOMER BRICKEY

BLADE SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER

 

It was a historic moment locally yesterday, when Owens-Illinois Inc. officially opened its $20 million headquarters in Perrysburg, giving the Toledo suburb its first Fortune 500 firm. 

 

The new office, combined with three existing buildings O-I has in Levis Park near I-475 and State Rt. 25, was celebrated with a number of activities, including the christening of an entrance roadway named Michael Owens Way in honor of the inventor of the bottle-blowing machine who gave the firm its start 103 years ago.  "It creates a whole new work style for us," said James Baehren, the company's chief administrative officer.  He spoke to about 200 community, county, and state officials and O-I employees.

 

Tom Blaha, director of the Wood County Economic Development Commission, said the new facility marks the beginning of his county becoming an attractive home for corporate headquarters.  The Levis business park, formerly called Levis Development Park, includes 400 acres on which O-I opened research and development operations in the mid-1960s. 

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060819/BUSINESS03/608190415/-1/RSS04

 

What a hideous building.

Backing for recreation district gathers steam

Toledo Blade, 8/3/06

 

Perrysburg city and township officials said they are receptive to talking with the Perrysburg school district about establishing a joint recreation district.

 

The idea was brought up by the schools informally in March, and last week the schools invited a representative from the Sylvania recreation district to a board meeting to talk about the potential benefits.

 

Any agreement is likely to be a few years away. "It isn't going to be a quick process," said City Council President Joe Lawless. He said the meeting in March, the first conversation the groups had about the idea in many years, was very preliminary.

 

Store owners make pitch for bigger lettering

Toledo Blade, 8/4/06

 

Downtown Perrysburg business owners told the city planning commission last night that awnings with visible letters aren’t just good advertising, they make driving safer.  “People coming downtown need to be comfortable they can find what they’re looking for,” said Yvonne Fey, owner of Body and Sole.

 

Her awning, like some others along Louisiana Avenue, was incorrectly approved with lettering larger than the code allows.  She said the 9-inch letters required by the sign code wouldn’t be visible.

 

Marcia Thrush of Thrush’s Bakery, which has an awning that conforms to the code but is difficult to read, said it would cost $1,300 to redo the awning with larger letters.

Bowling Green council to discuss library’s parking plan

Toledo Blade, 8/23/06

 

At the request of residents opposed to the Wood County District Public Library’s plans to build a parking lot at North Church and West Court streets, City Council plans to discuss whether it ought to hire independent counsel to examine the issue.

 

Relying on an opinion by the county prosecutor, library officials have said they do not plan to seek a zoning change for the property, now zoned single-family residential.  State law, they contend, does not require governmental entities to comply with local zoning restrictions, and City Attorney Mike Marsh concurs with that opinion.

 

Council President Megan Newlove said yesterday she decided to hold a committee of the whole meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 5 “to give us an opportunity to discuss what our role should or shouldn’t be and what our options are.”

 

I have it on good authority that Bass Pro Shops has chosen Rossford for thier second location in Ohio. The announcement will be made sometime in the next few days.

Bowling Green considers $480,000 bond-conversion plan

Toledo Blade, 8/23/06

 

City Council on Monday gave first reading to a proposal to convert into bonds $480,000 in short-term notes issued last year to help the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Foundation buy 19 acres next to the Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve.

 

The foundation stopped a developer from building a 50-home subdivision on the land along Sand Ridge Road by striking a deal to buy the 19 acres for $585,000.  City Finance Director Rebecca Underwood said the short-term notes mature Nov. 9, and she was able to lock in a 4.42 percent interest rate on 10-year bonds.  If approved by council, the parks foundation would begin making principal payments of $60,000 a year plus interest in 2008.

Bass Pro Shops looks at location in Rossford

National retailer seeks tax incentive

 

The national retailer Bass Pro Shops is interested in building a large store in Rossford that could employ several hundred workers and lure shoppers from many miles away, Wood County officials said yesterday. 

 

The retailer, which specializes in fishing and hunting equipment, submitted an application Friday with the Wood County commissioners for an economic incentive package to build the store in the so-called Crossroads of America area in Rossford, county Administrator Andrew Kalmar said.  The agreement, if approved, would give the retailer three-quarters of the county's 1-cent sales tax on purchases at the new store for up to 10 years.

 

The retailer's application says it wants to build a 150,000-to 180,000-square-foot store on vacant land west of Crossroads Parkway and south of State Rt. 795, Mr. Kalmar said.  The store would include space for a restaurant, a boat dealership, and an 18,000-gallon aquarium. 

 

It would employ a minimum of 250 full-time employees, he said.  Construction costs were estimated at $50 million.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060903/NEWS18/609030364/-1/RSS09

 

TRAVELERS' SERVICE CENTER IN NORTH BALTIMORE

Toledo Blade, 8/20/06

 

Assisted by a lift and a crane, workers construct framing for a service center in North Baltimore, Ohio, at I-75 Exit 167.  The facility is part of the Oklahoma City chain Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores and is scheduled to be completed in mid-December.

Fixes to exteriors of schools top list

Toledo Blade, 8/31/06

 

School buildings topped the list of where money should be directed throughout the Rossford school district, according to a list recently compiled by two district officials.  Other projects they hope to complete over the next two years include putting in new tennis courts and replacing school buses regularly.

 

Treasurer James Rossler, Jr., and Ron Weaks, buildings and grounds supervisor, recently looked at the district in its entirety to come up with a list of what to do with its $1.2 million enterprise zone fund balance.  Enterprise zone funding comes from tax abatements with companies - limited donations that are typically 10 years in duration, Mr. Rossler said.

 

From the 9/6/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Wood County prepares to reel in a big one

Retailer has applied for 'Crossroads' site

By JENNIFER FEEHAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

BOWLING GREEN - Calling it one of the biggest retail coups in Ohio and the biggest economic development news in Wood County in a decade, local officials say they are thrilled that Bass Pro Outdoor World is proceeding with plans for a $50 million development off I-75 and the Ohio Turnpike in Rossford.

 

The wheels are in motion, and turning quickly, to get Bass Pro to northern Wood County where company officials say they would like to build a 150,000 to 180,000-square foot retail store, seafood restaurant, and marine dealership that would create the equivalent of 250 full-time jobs.

 

On Friday, commissioners received an application from the Springfield, Mo.-based sports outfitter asking that commissioners declare the proposed development an "impact facility." Under a new Ohio law, such a facility would qualify for a rebate of up to 75 percent of the county sales tax collected at the store for up to 10 years or until Bass Pro recoups its development costs.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060906/NEWS17/609060420/-1/RSS08

 

---

From same:

 

Small retailers voice worries to planned Bass Pro in Rossford

By MARY-BETH McLAUGHLIN

BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

 

News that outdoor gear retailer Bass Pro Shops plans to put one of its mega-stores in Rossford elicited an unenthusiastic response from Mike Felstein.  "Let's just say I'm not going to be making them cookies to welcome them," Mr. Felstein, owner of Woodville Surplus, in Oregon, said. "They're competition and the pie is only so big. Small independents are becoming an endangered species."

 

Other owners of local shops selling fishing and hunting equipment had equally negative reactions yesterday to news that Bass Pro, of Springfield, Mo., will open in Wood County soon - and will receive tax incentives to do so.  "I don't mind competition because it's a free society, but don't give somebody an unfair advantage," said Mike Tyson, owner of Mike's Party Mart in Bowling Green, which sells fishing lures and tackle along with beer and lottery tickets.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060906/BUSINESS10/609060381/-1/RSS04

 

From the 9/7/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Supporters tout incentives to lure Bass Pro

By JENNIFER FEEHAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

BOWLING GREEN - To critics of a sales tax rebate that's been dangled in front of Bass Pro Outdoor World to locate in Rossford, Wood County Commissioner Jim Carter says this:  "You have to ask the question back, 'What would you rather have: 100 percent of nothing or 25 percent of something - for 10 years?'"

 

Under a new state law written to attract Bass Pro to northern Wood County, the megasports outfitter may qualify for a rebate of up to 75 percent of the county's 1 percent sales tax on sales made at the proposed Rossford store for up to 10 years or until the company recoups its development costs. "It's an inducement especially when someone knows what they've got is a very desirable product," said Tom Blaha, executive director of the Wood County Economic Development Commission. "You're not giving away something you currently have."

 

The Springfield, Mo.-based company applied last week for the rebate with the promise that it would invest more than $50 million in Rossford, create the equivalent of 250 full-time jobs, attract more than 50 percent of its customers from at least 100 miles away, and dedicate at least 10 percent of the 150,000 to 180,000-square-foot facility to educational and exhibition space.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060907/NEWS17/609070377/-1/RSS08

 

Perrysburg Township project to get county tax break

Toledo Blade, 8/23/06

 

Wood County commissioners yesterday approved a 10-year, 100 percent tax abatement for a developer that plans to build and equip a $1.5 million office building in Perrysburg Township.  Kensington Investors LLC say two companies — Renhill Staffing Services and Intellishop — will be moving into the new building at the Coventry Woods business park.

 

Renhill, a temporary employment service, plans to relocate its 26 full-time employees from downtown Toledo, while Intellishop, a Perrysburg mystery-shopping firm, said it expects to add as many as 10 new full-time employees and 10 to 20 part-time workers with the move.  As part of the tax abatement agreement, Penta Career Center is to receive a one-time payment of $11,000, while Perrysburg schools are to receive about $36,000 over 10 years.

 

From the 9/12/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Blueprint for Perrysburg, township zoning revised

Perrysburg, township need to OK retail expansion

 

A realty and development company needs approval from the city of Perrysburg and Perrysburg Township to begin additional construction in a shopping plaza on U.S. 20.  The township's zoning commission held an informal site plan review yesterday for Phase III of Perrysburg Plaza at Fremont Pike and Thompson Road, which is being developed by First Commercial Realty & Development.

 

Though the large shopping center, home to Lowe's and Kohl's, is in the township, the city has the right to a site plan review because it will provide water and sewer service.  Rob Black, chairman of the township zoning commission, said the city will review the site plan first, giving the township final approval.

 

Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060912/NEWS18/609120411/-1/NEWS

 

From the 9/14/06 Toledo Blade:

 

CROSSROADS OF AMERICA

Bass Pro education facility in Rossford to get $1 million

State also approves rebate of sales tax

By JENNIFER FEEHAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

The state is sweetening the pot for Bass Pro Outdoor World LLC to locate a $50 million retail development in Rossford.  Gov. Bob Taft announced yesterday that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources had committed $1 million to help develop an outdoor education center at the Bass Pro store proposed for the Crossroads of America off I-75 near the Ohio Turnpike.

 

The Department of Development also notified Wood County officials late yesterday that Bass Pro had qualified for a rebate of up to 75 percent of the county's 1 percent sales tax on sales made at the new store for up to 10 years or until the megasports outfitter had recouped its development costs. "This clearly is an important step in the right direction with a little bit of additional good news in that the state Department of Natural Resources sees value to this project as well," Wood County Commissioner Tim Brown said.

 

State Rep. Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green), who has been working for more than eight years to land Bass Pro, said the $1 million from ODNR would come from hunting and fishing license fees and from federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment that is rebated to the state based on the number of hunting and fishing licenses it sells.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060914/NEWS18/609140426/-1/NEWS

 

From the 9/15/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Wood County eager for talks with Bass Pro

Sales tax rebate OK moves deal forward

By JENNIFER FEEHAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

BOWLING GREEN - Wood County commissioners shot off a letter to Bass Pro Outdoor World yesterday letting the company know they're ready to talk business. 

 

With confirmation from the Ohio Department of Development that Bass Pro's proposed $50 million project in Rossford qualifies for a sales tax rebate, commissioners told the company they'd send a draft agreement to it within the next week. "Based on this declaration, we are now able to proceed with negotiations for an agreement with Bass Pro regarding the reimbursement of sales tax generated by this retail facility," the commissioners wrote.

 

Under a new Ohio law, commissioners may reimburse Bass Pro for up to 75 percent of the county's 1 percent sales tax on sales made at the store for 10 years to help the company pay for its development costs.  To qualify, Bass Pro had to show it would invest at least $50 million, employ at least 150 full-time-equivalent workers, attract at least half of its customers from more than 100 miles away, and dedicate at least 10 percent of the facility to educational activities and exhibits.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060915/NEWS18/609150378/-1/RSS09

 

From the 9/14/06 Toledo Blade:

 

COMMODORE BUILDING

Sale is one option for Perrysburg school district

By JOE VARDON

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Selling the old Commodore Building is just one of four options for the Perrysburg school district, but it could be the most likely choice.  Perrysburg Superintendent Michael Cline said the district could keep the building for itself; share it as part of a joint recreation district with the city, Perrysburg Township, and Middleton Township, or exchange it with the city to make it a government subdivision.

 

Built in 1894, the Commodore has housed all levels of schooling in Perrysburg at one time or another.  The board decided not to include renovating the building as a part of its 2.39-mill bond issue on the Nov. 7 ballot.  It has since put the entire $1.9 million property up for sale, but insists it is eager to hear input from residents through these small meetings.

 

Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060914/NEIGHBORS03/609130349

 

From the 9/19/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Wood County makes its tax pitch to Bass Pro

50 percent rebate plan allows wiggle room

By JENNIFER FEEHAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

BOWLING GREEN - Leaving themselves room to negotiate, the Wood County commissioners yesterday agreed to offer Bass Pro Outdoor World an eight-year, 50 percent rebate on county sales tax paid at the company's proposed development in Rossford.  The proposal, along with a letter indicating commissioners were "looking forward to constructive negotiations," was emailed to Bass Pro yesterday, said County Administrator Andrew Kalmar.

 

Commissioner Tim Brown suggested the 50 percent rebate.  It is less than the 75 percent refund the county could offer over 10 years under a special Ohio law approved specifically to attract Bass Pro to northwest Ohio.  The megasports retailer has options to purchase about 200 acres in the Crossroads of America development where I-75 and the Ohio Turnpike intersect for a proposed $50 million retail store, restaurant, marine dealership, and education center.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060919/NEWS17/609190359/-1/rss

 

Right-of-way issue stalls sign work at Fort Meigs

Toledo Blade, 9/22/06

 

Work to construct a new sign at the main entrance to Fort Meigs State Memorial on West River Road in Perrysburg has stalled because landscaping for the sign spilled out into the public right of way, Administrator John Alexander said.

 

According to Mr. Alexander, a timber retaining wall surrounding the sign intrudes on city-owned land and was too close to an 8-inch water line that runs along the road.  Rick Thielen, Perrysburg planning, zoning, and economic development director, said Land Design LLC, began construction into the right of way without obtaining proper permits.

 

Mr. Alexander said he believes the city administration and Land Design are close to a resolution that would allow the project to continue.  Construction was stopped in August, according to Donald Leary, an official with Land Design.

From the 9/24/06 Toledo Blade:

 

GRAPHIC: Ampitheater land sold

 

PHOTO: The unfinished Rossford amphitheater is near the planned Bass Pro Shops site, which is across the road to the right.  ( THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT )

 

Bass Pro may offer boost to new owners of nearby property

Others likely will never recover money from failed RAAA project

By JENNIFER FEEHAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Getting the land where Rossford officials once dreamed of building a hockey arena and outdoor concert venue into private hands means the property might finally be developed. 

 

But the sale - forced by the Wood County treasurer seeking back taxes and assessments of more then $1.3 million - only went a short way toward compensating those who took a chance on the ill-fated venture.  At a sheriff's sale in June, investors paid some $6.1 million for the three parcels once owned by the Rossford Arena Amphitheater Authority, but debts on the project were in excess of $20 million.

 

Springfield, Mo.-based Bass Pro Outdoor World recently made public its plans to build a $50 million retail store, restaurant, and boat dealership on 200 acres in the Crossroads of America development where I-75 and the Ohio Turnpike come together.  The proposal, which has been in the works for several years, clearly boosted the interest of investors at the June 22 sale of the three parcels once owned by the RAAA - land situated in the Crossroads just south of the Bass Pro site.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060924/NEWS18/609240320/-1/RSS

hmm......never knew this existed.

 

or really did never existed.

From the 9/28/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Perrysburg's Louisiana Ave. properties get city cash to renovate

By JOE VARDON

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

The storefront windows at the Elegant Rags clothing store at 109 Louisiana Ave. in Perrysburg work well enough, building owner John Naylor said.  If not for a grant offered by the city of Perrysburg to any downtown business or property owners interested in upgrading their infrastructure, Mr. Naylor said he'd probably leave the windows in each of his five Louisiana Avenue buildings alone.

 

Instead, the Ottawa Hills man plans to install new storefront and secondary windows in each of his buildings, thanks to City Council's commitment to reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost of such projects, with a maximum of $25,000 per building.  It's called the Downtown Improvement Program; council approved an ordinance on April 18 to encourage property owners to improve existing buildings that front Louisiana Avenue between Third and Front streets.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060928/NEIGHBORS03/609270336

5 lots in Wood County purchased for housing

Toledo Blade, 9/19/06

 

WSOS Community Action Commission has agreed to an option to buy five lots in the Indian Ridge subdivision for five single-family homes.  The agency will seek $500,000 from the state for its project, targeted for first-time homebuyers.  In addition, the agency will ask the Ohio Department of Development for $102,500 for home repair and first-time homebuyer assistance in its four-county service area.

 

From the 9/29/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Wood County OKs offering Bass Pro 75% tax rebate

 

BOWLING GREEN - Wood County commissioners hope to meet with Bass Pro officials and others involved in bringing the sports outfitter to Rossford within the next two weeks to finalize a 75 percent rebate on future sales tax collected at the proposed $50 million store.  Commissioners yesterday agreed to offer Bass Pro the maximum rebate on the county's 1 percent sales tax on sales made at the store for 10 years.

 

The board previously offered Bass Pro a 50 percent rebate for eight years, but upped the offer at the urging of Bass Pro President James Hagale. "Due to our anticipated large financial commitment to the Rossford facility, we expect our store to result in Rossford, Ohio, becoming a destination location for out-of-area visitors," Mr. Hagale wrote in a letter to commissioners requesting the maximum sales-tax incentive. "Our facility will not only have an economic impact [in tourism dollars], but will provide educational experiences and conservation benefits for the larger Wood County area."

 

Commissioner Jim Carter said he was comfortable granting the full rebate. "When you consider what's happening in the area with the layoffs and plant closings, this is an opportunity to put crafts people to work building buildings and provide jobs for 250 people or more," he said.  Mr. Carter said other businesses that develop as a result of Bass Pro locating here will create more construction work and more jobs and bring out-of-town dollars to the area.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060929/NEWS17/609290390/-1/NEWS

 

Library trustees approve plan for parking lot

Toledo Blade, 10/6/06

 

Trustees for the Wood County District Public Library yesterday approved plans for what the design engineer described as "a basic 49-space parking lot with some aesthetic extras."  Julia Frazier of Poggemeyer Design Group in Bowling Green reviewed plans for the controversial parking lot with the board, but told trustees that because of the late date the library is going out for bids, the lot may not be paved or landscaped until spring.

 

The board voted unanimously to approve the plans and to advertise for bids from contractors. Bids would be due Oct. 31 and a contract awarded Nov. 7, Ms. Frazier said.  Bid specifications require that the project be "substantially completed" by Dec. 1 with a final completion date of Dec. 31.

From the 10/12/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Library's house in better shape than thought

 

BOWLING GREEN - A committee studying possible uses and potential costs of renovating the red brick house just west of the Wood County District Public Library said yesterday the house is in better shape than expected, but the cost of converting it into apartments and meeting space is still unknown.

 

A home inspection conducted on the house at 305 North Church Street pointed out problems with leaky pipes, cracked ceilings, tuckpointing needs, old and inoperable windows, and aging electrical and heating systems.  But Trustee Brian Paskvan said the inspection showed the house to be structurally sound, and the committee examining the house now plans to get proposals and estimates from architects to convert the second floor and ground-level basement floor into apartments.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061012/NEWS17/610120360/-1/NEWS

 

From the 10/16/06 Toledo Blade:

 

BOWLING GREEN

Rezoning decision in hands of voters

26.3 acres eyed for apartments

By JENNIFER FEEHAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

BOWLING GREEN - More than a year and a half after City Council agreed to rezone 26.3 acres east of the Meijer store for apartments, voters will decide whether that was the right decision.  A referendum challenging council's May, 2005, vote to rezone the land from agricultural to multifamily residential will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot.  Simply put, a "yes" vote means the property should be rezoned for apartments.  A "no" vote means the property should not be rezoned.

 

"This is an opportunity for the entire city to vote on a very important issue that will have lasting impacts on the future growth of Bowling Green," said Mike Tyson, president of Bowling Green Citizens for Smart Growth, which circulated petitions to get the referendum on the ballot.  The Smart Growth group opposes the rezoning because the area east of Meijer and south of the Woodbridge Business Park is designated for commercial use in the city's master plan.

 

Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061016/NEWS09/610160326/-1/NEWS

 

From the 10/17/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Wood County parks to acquire 23 acres

Wooded lot abuts Slippery Elm Trail

By JENNIFER FEEHAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

GRAND RAPIDS, Ohio - As part of its mission to preserve natural areas in Wood County, the county's Board of Park Commissioners agreed yesterday to buy 23.7 acres along the Slippery Elm Trail south of Bowling Green for $50,000.  Chief Ranger Greg Genzman said the land acquisition would eliminate hunting on the private property, which is owned now by May Mercer and managed by Harvest Farm Management Inc. of Paulding, Ohio.

 

Meeting at the Beaver Creek Preserve on Long Judson Road southeast of Grand Rapids, Parks Director Neil Munger told the board that the site, which consists of both woods and fallow farmland, is between the villages of Rudolph and Portage.  The 13-mile asphalt trail runs along the west of it, and the 66.4-acre Steidtmann Woods, which is owned by Bowling Green State University, is directly east of it.

 

Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061017/NEWS17/610170354/-1/NEWS

From the 10/12/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Bass Pro chief to meet Wood Co. officials next week

By JENNIFER FEEHAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

BOWLING GREEN - Bass Pro President James Hagale is scheduled to be in Wood County on Tuesday to meet with county commissioners when they formally approve a sales tax rebate for the company's proposed $50 million store in Rossford.  Commissioner Tim Brown said the meeting, set for 9:30 a.m., was firmed up yesterday and is open to the public.

 

While Bass Pro appears intent on coming to the Crossroads of America area off I-75 and the Ohio Turnpike, company spokesman Larry Whiteley said the company still has not publicly committed itself to the Rossford site.  Whether Mr. Hagale will be making a formal announcement about the company's intentions was unclear.

 

Mr. Brown said commissioners plan to invite Rossford officials as well as state Rep. Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green) and state Sen. Randy Gardner (R., Bowling Green), who co-sponsored the legislation that made the 10-year, 75 percent sales tax rebate possible for Bass Pro, and Gov. Bob Taft, who signed the legislation.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061012/NEWS17/610120366/-1/NEWS

 

From the 10/18/06 Toledo Blade:

 

PHOTO: State Rep. Bob Latta, left, offers a ceremonial shovel to Bass Pro’s James Hagale as Commissioner Tim Brown approves.  ( THE BLADE/LORI KING )

 

MAP

 

CROSSROADS OF AMERICA

Rossford finalizes deal for Bass Pro

Retailer chooses crossroads for $50M project

By JENNIFER FEEHAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

BOWLING GREEN - After months of speculation and years of courting Bass Pro Shops, state and local officials were beaming yesterday with the news that the Springfield, Mo.-based company would build an "outdoor superstore" in Rossford's Crossroads of America. "I can finally exhale," said Tom Blaha, who heads the Wood County Economic Development Commission.

 

The development, which Bass Pro President James Hagale said would likely exceed $50 million, would be a catalyst for hotels, restaurants, and other retailers to join Bass Pro at what he called "a tremendous location."  "This is where Main and Main come together in the Midwest," Mr. Hagale said, referring to the Ohio Turnpike, a major east-west thoroughfare, and I-75, a heavily traveled north-south route. He said he expects the store to open in early to mid 2008.

 

State Rep. Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green), an avid hunter who has been trying to get Bass Pro here for 8 1/2 years, said he believes the area will experience an explosion in commercial activity similar to what has happened at the once-sleepy Dundee, Mich., exit off U.S. 23 once Cabela's came to town.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061018/NEWS17/610180387/-1/NEWS

 

From the 10/13/06 Findlay Courier:

 

Megafarm foes seek more time

By JOHN GRABER

STAFF WRITER

 

Citizens opposing four proposed dairy megafarms in southern Wood County have won their legal battle to make maps of the facilities available to the public.  The question now, is it too late?

 

Lawyers for the Wauseon-based Vreba-Hoff Dairy Development company originally sued the Ohio Department of Agriculture to keep the maps of the proposed dairy farms -- and the surrounding crop farmers who would use manure generated by the cows -- confidential on the grounds that the information was a trade secret.

 

They feared making that information public would subject the crop farmers to harassment from those opposed to the megafarms.  However, Vreba-Hoff officials abruptly changed course Wednesday and dropped their suit because the harassment already appeared to be occurring.  "In essence, it looked like the opponents seem to have already identified who the field owners were without the maps," Vreba-Hoff Dairy Development spokeswoman Cecilia C.M. Conway said.

 

MORE: http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2006/Oct/ar_news_101306.asp#story5

 

Wood County OKs bond for health center project

Toledo Blade, 10/18/06

 

Wood County commissioners yesterday approved a $20 million bond issue for Otterbein Homes, which plans to expand in Perrysburg, Pemberville, and several other locations in the state.  The health-care facilities’ revenue bonds, which will be issued through Warren County, will enable Otterbein to add 10 skilled nursing home beds at Otterbein North Shore in Lakeside at a cost of $1.75 million, to create 50 nursing home beds at a new facility off Five Point Road in Perrysburg at a cost of $7.15 million, and have 50 nursing home beds at a new facility on Black Road in Monclova Township at a cost of $7.32 million.  Otterbein, a nonprofit corporation, also plans to replace 50 nursing home beds with 26 assisted-living units at Otterbein Portage Valley Retirement Living Community in Pemberville at a cost of $2.65 million.

 

From the 10/20/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Perrysburg residents divided on fate of local landmark

 

A study conducted by an independent research firm showed that 66 percent of 300 Perrysburg residents surveyed feel the city's 112-year-old Commodore school building has historical value to the community.  The same study, conducted by AZG Research, of Bowling Green, said when asked to choose between continuing to use the building for the Perrysburg Board of Education offices, selling it to private investors, or transferring it to a government subdivision, a slight majority of those polled chose to sell.

 

Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061020/NEWS18/610200410/-1/RSS09

From the 10/20/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Senior housing to be built in Bowling Green

 

BOWLING GREEN - A Cleveland developer has been awarded $550,000 in state financing toward construction of a $9.5 million senior citizens housing complex in an area dominated by student housing for Bowling Green State University.  The Ohio Housing Financing Agency announced yesterday it will provide the money to NRP Properties LLC for its project, which will involve building 64 units at Fourth and South College Street, five blocks south of Bowling Green State University.

 

Along with the Bowling Green project, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency approved a similar grant and loans to NRP Properties for its $4.5 million Norwalk Senior Community I project in Huron County.  That site will offer 40 units to be built along U.S. 250 and Stower Lane in the Norwalk area.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061020/NEWS17/610200339/-1/NEWS

 

From the 10/26/06 Toledo Blade:

 

PERRYSBURG

City declines to apply for master plan grant money

By JOE VARDON

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Being the boater that he is, Perrysburg Mayor Nelson Evans envisions the day when someone can drop anchor in the Maumee River and join an audience watching a musician perform on his city's riverbank.  Perrysburg Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Director Rick Thielen simply wants visitors walking up Louisiana Avenue to know the river is just ahead, and for sailors navigating the Maumee to understand a good burger and drink await in the city's downtown.

 

An effort to make these dreams come true sooner rather than later was thwarted last week when the Planning and Zoning Committee voted not to apply for a grant that would have enabled Perrysburg to create a master plan for development of its riverfront property.  Planning and Zoning Committee Chairman Tim McCarthy said his three-person committee unanimously voted not to apply for the grant this year because the city will work on its comprehensive land development plan next year, and the two projects ongoing at the same time would be too confusing.

 

"We're all in agreement the riverfront is a high priority," Mr. McCarthy said. "But this comprehensive plan we have coming up involves the entire city, and it includes specific treatment of the downtown and riverfront. There was some thought the [comprehensive plan and coastal grant] would duplicate one another."

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061026/NEIGHBORS03/610250333/-1/NEIGHBORS

From the 10/26/06 Toledo Blade:

 

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP

Site's development waits for rezoning

By JOE VARDON

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Two companies interested in developing more than 160 acres in Perrysburg Township must first apply for zoning changes that are palatable to the township's zoning commission.  Timberstone Development Group, LLC, and Bostleman Development Group, LLC, want to purchase the land at 9240, 9244, and 9252 Fremont Pike, west of Lime City Road, and build senior living units and a shopping center.  Before the two groups buy the land, which is called Henry Farm, from Ronald Henry Properties, LP, they first want to get the necessary zoning changes approved to proceed with their project.

 

Representatives from both companies, as well as consulting engineer George Oravecz, proposed at a recent township zoning meeting that 60 acres be zoned for commercial construction and the remaining 103 acres be changed to accommodate a medium-density suburban residential district.  Mr. Oravecz said the plan is to develop some senior-living condominiums, single-family garden units, and multifamily rental units.  But he acknowledged the type of zoning originally requested would enable the development groups involved to build large amounts of one type of living unit.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061026/NEIGHBORS02/610250338

 

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From the 10/27/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Perrysburg planning panel advises approval of smaller Wal-Mart store

 

The Perrysburg Planning Commission voted unanimously last night to recommend the approval of Wal-Mart's amended site plan, which shrinks the size of its planned store on U.S. 20 and Simmons Road in Perrysburg Township.  Wal-Mart representatives submitted a plan for a building covering about 184,000 square feet, down from the 217,572-square-foot building that was approved by the Perrysburg Township Planning and Zoning Commission in August.

 

Nick Miller, a civil engineer with Atwell-Hicks, the firm representing Wal-Mart, said the decision to reduce the proposed building's size was a "business decision" from a retail perspective and was not based on any "outside opposition."  Wal-Mart attorney Jerry Parker said the smaller building would allow for less parking and more landscape.  Perrysburg Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Director Rick Thielen said the city's engineering department was still reviewing Wal-Mart's final site plan.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061027/NEWS18/610270424/-1/NEWS

 

From the 11/2/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Bowling Green downtown library moving ahead on parking

 

BOWLING GREEN — After more than a year of controversy, Wood County District Public Library trustees plan to meet next week to award a construction contract for a parking lot at North Church and West Court streets.  The library plans to build a 49-space lot to address patrons’ complaints about the lack of parking at the downtown library. Neighbors and historic preservationists contend that the lot is unnecessary.

 

The board will hold a special meeting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in the board room at the library, 251 North Main St., to award the contract.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061102/NEWS17/61102008/-1/NEWS

 

From the 10/26/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Large dairies' economic value questioned

By JENNIFER FEEHAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

BOWLING GREEN - William Weida can talk at length about the environmental damage manure from large dairies causes, but it's the economic impact the longtime economist finds most alarming.  "There is no economic development associated with this at all, and there is a tremendous decrease in property values," Mr. Weida said yesterday.

 

Mr. Weida, director of the factory farm project for GRACE - Grass Roots Action Center for the Environment, bases his conclusions on 60 years of studies of an industry that only recently has come to northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

 

He is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. today at Elmwood High School, 7650 Jerry City Rd.  Yesterday, he toured two Vreba-Hoff dairies near Hudson, Mich., and spoke at Gibsonburg High School, where some residents have mobilized in opposition to a large dairy proposed in Sandusky County.  Jane Phillips, president of Wood County Citizens Opposed to Factory Farms, said she hopes people on all sides of the issue come to hear Mr. Weida's presentation tonight.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061026/NEWS17/610260386/-1/NEWS

 

From the 11/1/06 Findlay Courier:

 

Green Dairy issued permits

 

REYNOLDSBURG -- The Ohio Department of Agriculture issued two final permits earlier this week to Green Dairy, which is planning to locate a megafarm near Wayne in Wood County.

 

The final permit to install is for two 935-cow free stall dairy barns, one 330-dry cow dairy barn attached to the milking parlor, one concrete settling basin, an earthen silage/storm water pond and a three-stage earthen pond manure storage system.  Once constructed, Green Dairy would be capable of housing 2,200 mature dairy cows, according to a press release from the state.

 

The second one is a final permit to operate, which covers the entire farm.  It regulates operations with plans for manure management, insect and rodent control, mortality management and emergency response.  This permit is valid for five years, at which time the owner would have to renew.

 

MORE: http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2006/Nov/ar_news_110106.asp#story9

 

From the 11/19/06 Toledo Blade:

 

PHOTO: Wall framing goes into place for one of the buildings at the Otterbein retirement community project in the River's Edge subdivision.  ( THE BLADE/HERRAL LONG )

 

PHOTO: Tim Gruber, center, and his sons Matt, left, and Brian, at Harbor Town Place have accumulated 325 acres for their four projects.  ( THE BLADE/HERRAL LONG )

 

GRAPHIC: High-growth corridor

 

'PERRYSBURG IS WHERE SYLVANIA WAS 12 TO 15 YEARS AGO'

Teeming with development

By MARY-BETH McLAUGHLIN

BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

 

Mary Ann Bihn gets a kick out of the question friends have been asking.  "We have people say, 'You're in the city. Did you move?' We say, 'No, the city came to us.'"  That's because pretty much all the land in a square bounded by State Rte. 25 (also known as North Dixie Highway) and Fort Meigs, Roachton, and Five Point roads has been annexed in recent years to the city of Perrysburg to accommodate planned projects that will bring at least 600 homes and dozens of office buildings, restaurants, and stores.

 

Mrs. Bihn and her husband, Jerry, were among the first families to move into ranch houses along Fort Meigs Road in rural Perrysburg Township in 1960.  Surrounded by farm fields and empty land, the Bihns' four children had free rein to run from home to home on their two-lane road, piling into the car only to go to school or shop in the city of Perrysburg.  Fast forward to 2006 and the Bihns can look out their back windows and see homes under construction in two subdivisions, or travel a short distance down Fort Meigs Road, passing the five-year-old Perrysburg High school, to dine or shop at the Town Center at Levis Commons.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061119/BUSINESS05/611180369/-1/BUSINESS