April 13, 200619 yr Author From the 4/10/06 Athens News: Senators get sneak-peak of ornate new OU student center By John Wing Athens NEWS Campus Reporter Monday, April 10th, 2006 The vision for the new university center is taking shape amid the dust and wet paint of the construction site. The $60 million building will contain a ballroom, a two-story theater, a restaurant, a cafeteria and a multitude of offices, lounges and meeting areas. Although there is still a lot of work to do, such as installing the electronic gizmos and the safety rails around the atrium, The Athens NEWS was able to get a glimpse of what the end product may look like by following some Ohio University student senators on a tour last Friday. Tim Hogan, interim director of Baker University Center, led the group, which included the president and vice president of Student Senate. It began on the first floor at the entrance that faces Grover. http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2006/04/12/news/12494.html
April 14, 200619 yr Author From the 4/13/06 Athens News: Developer: Past business problems won't affect local plans By Jim Phillips Athens NEWS Senior Writer Thursday, April 13th, 2006 Developer Tom Dowdy, of the Virginia-based Milestone Developments, said last week that past legal and financial problems of other businesses he has been involved with do not reflect on Milestone's ability to carry through on a planned 896-bedroom student apartment complex in Athens. Those problems include two pending federal lawsuits over more than $1 million in allegedly unpaid debt, and an incident in November 2002 when Dowdy and his son Byron were arrested for allegedly failing to pay hotel/motel taxes. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=24133
April 15, 200619 yr Author ^ Back it up. Photo, please! From the 4/14/06 Post: Grover to reopen as repaired Damages at Grover Center are no longer considered a crisis, as long-term reconstruction is set to start with the affected north section of the building, More than 70 office spaces and at least a dozen classrooms were damaged, resulting in the loss of faculty research materials, office equipment, class work and personal items, including one student’s laptop computer. Reconstruction of the building will follow a phased reconstruction plan and could continue through the summer. It will start on the building’s west side, where the least amount of damage occurred, said Jody Grenert, director of communication for the College of Health and Human Services. Classrooms will reopen as they become available. http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2006/04/14/news/12716.html
April 27, 200619 yr Author From the 4/27/06 Athens News: After years of work, big project finally ready to go By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Thursday, April 27th, 2006 The first residents of the massive University Estates development are expected to move onto the property in May or June, and everything seems to be moving forward for the long-planned project. The property has not yet been officially annexed into Athens, though, and there may still be some bumps in the road leading to the development becoming part of the city. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=24260
April 27, 200619 yr Author From the 4/27/06 Athens News: Judge issues $1.1 million ruling against Virginia-based developer By Jim Phillips Athens NEWS Senior Writer Thursday, April 27th, 2006 A federal judge has ruled that Virginia developer Tom Dowdy, whose sons' firm is developing a large apartment complex in Athens, owes more than $1.1 million to a North Carolina bank. The Branch Banking and Trust Co. sued Dowdy in November in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. The bank claimed that one of Dowdy's companies, Motel Investments of Parkersburg, LLC, still owed more than $850,000 on the principal of two promissory notes. With interest and late fees, the bank figured the developer owed it more than $1.1 million. In a court order filed April 11, U.S. District Judge Glen E. Conrad entered a consent judgment against Dowdy in BBT's favor in the full amount the bank was asking for -- $1,101,405. The ruling notes that both parties in the case had told him that Dowdy consented to the judgment. More at http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=24256
April 27, 200619 yr Author From the 4/27/06 Athens News: Neighborhood group wants smaller Stimson student-housing project By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Thursday, April 27th, 2006 Another planned student-housing complex has drawn criticism from an Athens neighborhood organization, though one organization of residents closer to the proposed site has not yet weighed in on the development. In a letter dated April 19, the Athens Near Northside Neighborhood Association (ANNNA) asked the city's Planning Commission to downsize the so-called Landmark project between Stimson Avenue and Mill Street, citing excessive density and other problems. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=24251
April 28, 200619 yr Author From the 4/27/06 Athens News: U. Mall lines up new restaurant, hosts gymnastics By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Thursday, April 27th, 2006 The University Mall in Athens will soon have a new restaurant in its parking lot, and according to a mall co-owner, plans are in the works for several other businesses to locate in and around the mall by this fall. Meanwhile, one of the biggest vacant storefronts at the mall is being used for gymnastics. Brent Hayes, who owns the mall with Tom Parfitt, explained Friday that the first new restaurant will be built in the mall parking lot near the far east entrance to the mall. The place where the restaurant will be built has been marked in the parking lot, he added. Athens County residents John Reed and Danielle Stanley-Reed, along with two partners, will own the new business. Full story at http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=24254
May 2, 200619 yr Author From the 5/1/06 Athens News: Athens planners not thrilled by UE's zoning proposal By Jim Phillips Athens NEWS Senior Writer Monday, May 1st, 2006 A representative of the developer who's building on a large tract of land just across the Hocking River from Athens' west side was told Thursday that the company may have to rethink its zoning plans for the site. Lantz Repp of University Estates, Inc. (UE) went before the Athens Planning Commission with an initial proposal for the zoning of the 830-acre tract near Armitage Road and Ohio Rt. 682. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=24296
May 24, 200619 yr Author From the 5/22/06 Athens News: Landmark development goes back to drawing board By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Monday, May 22nd, 2006 An apartment project planned for the former Landmark/Bob's Supermarket property on Stimson Avenue has been changed and delayed. Meanwhile, related plans for a six-story parking garage near the apartments may be shelved permanently. Athens developers Brent Hayes and Les Cornwell own the property, and were working with Columbus-based companies Edgewood Properties and The Edge Group on the apartment project. Edgewood Properties and The Edge Group had proposed building a 58- bedroom apartment complex with three stories and a six-story parking garage. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=24677
May 24, 200619 yr Author From the 5/22/06 Athens News: Renovation project starts at Kennedy Museum of Art Monday, May 22nd, 2006 A second-floor renovation project at Ohio University's Kennedy Museum of Art (KMA) has begun and will conclude in early fall. Miller/Watson Architects of Columbus, Ohio, is the principle designer for the renovation, according to a news release. The renovated space in KMA, which will be named in Christine Demler Brown's honor, will preserve and feature the existing architecture, the release said. The project will expand and enhance KMA's educational programming, which serves the university and the community. The renovation also will create more room for collection storage, refinish the grand stairway to the second floor, and create emergency exits on the second floor. Read more at http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=24678
May 26, 200619 yr Author From the 5/25/06 Athens News: Developer: Project will only work as one unified development Thursday, May 25th, 2006 An attorney for University Estates developer Dr. Richard Conard sent a letter to Athens City Council Monday requesting that the 830-acre site, slated for annexation into the city, be designated as one planned unit development (PUD). http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=24828
May 30, 200619 yr Author From the 5/30/06 (OU) Post: Apartment developer hopes city will OK project in July Kantele Franko / City Senior Writer / [email protected] The developer for Campus Edge apartments said he hopes to seek final approval from the Athens Planning Commission in July, after his new partner has time to tweak the project’s layout. Tom Dowdy of Milestone Development in Roanoke, Va., said the planning process was slowed by the addition of a Columbus development firm as a joint venture partner that eventually will lead the proposed $35 million project. The two companies have a “handshake deal” and are working to put the partnership on paper, he said. Dowdy spent about seven years creating plans for the controversial gated apartment complex on 32 acres of property off Richland Avenue, near the Dairy Barn and University Courtyard. The project received the commission’s approval once and was considered by Athens City Council, which questioned the project’s dense layout. The Columbus firm is reworking some of the interior layouts, but the project’s proposed capacity will remain at 896 beds, instead of the 600 beds considered after the questioning by council, Dowdy said. More at http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2006/05/30/news/13981.html
June 6, 200619 yr Author From the 6/5/06 Athens News: Developers scale back plans for student apartments on Stimson By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Monday, June 5th, 2006 The local developers planning an apartment project for the Landmark/Bob's Supermarket property are scaling back the size of the project, eliminating the parking garage, and looking to see if they can have some off-site parking for their development. The plans ran into opposition from city residents over the number of people housed in the development and the size of the parking garage. In May, Edgewood Properties and the Edge Group pulled out of the project, and Hayes explained at the time that the companies didn't feel like "the numbers worked on the project." http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=25131
June 6, 200619 yr Author From the 6/5/06 Athens News: Rural mercantile chain may settle in old Penney's spot By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Monday, June 5, 2006 A national chain company has filed paperwork with the city of Athens showing its interest in moving into one of the anchor tenant spaces in the University Mall. This potential tenant won't be selling clothes or perfume like the former J.C. Penney store did, though. Instead it will sell farm equipment, pet supplies, recreation apparel and lawn/garden items. Tractor Supply Co. (TSC) has submitted documents to the Athens City Code Office about its possible plans for the former J.C. Penney location in the University Mall, Athens Code Director Steve Pierson confirmed Friday. Local developers Brent Hayes and Tom Parfitt purchased the University Mall last year. The mall has had its problems in recent years, losing two of its three anchor tenants (J.C. Penney and K mart both moved out), while also losing many of its other stores. Hayes previously announced that plans had been confirmed for other stores and restaurants to move into or near the University Mall such as an Italian grill style restaurant planned for the mall parking lot, a Bennigan's restaurant that is currently being built just to the west of the mall, and a Hampton Inn also being built to the west of the mall. Full story at http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=25137
June 9, 200619 yr Author From the 6/8/06 Athens News: UE attorneys insist project must be treated as planned unit development By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Thursday, June 8th, 2006 Two attorneys representing the developer of University Estates on Monday repeated in no uncertain terms their request that the site be designated as a single multi-use planned-unit development. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=25154
June 18, 200618 yr Author From the 6/15/06 Athens News: UE developer appears ready to sue city over zoning, annexation By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Thursday, June 15th, 2006 Taking two threatening letters at their word, it appears that the developer of University Estates is on the verge of suing the city of Athens in a dispute over zoning and annexation. Some Athens officials, however, are vexed by the threats, and say they are simply following through with the process initiated by the developer, which would add 830 acres to the city. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=25256
June 23, 200618 yr Author From the 6/22/06 Athens News: Council OKs major annexation Thursday, June 22nd, 2006 Athens City Council Monday night approved an annexation petition meant to bring the huge University Estates development into the city's borders. Though the project's developer had asked council to postpone annexation in order to allow designation of University Estates as a planned-unit development (PUD), council went ahead with approval, acting on the advice of Athens Law Director Garry Hunter. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=25292
July 11, 200618 yr Author From the 7/10/06 Athens News: Landmark site developers downsize big apartment project; parking still an issue By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Monday, July 10th, 2006 A site plan presented by local developers Les Cornwell and Brent Hayes for their proposed student-housing complex between Stimson Avenue and Palmer Street reveals a project with lower density but unresolved parking questions. The apartments, which Columbus developer Edwards Communities had planned to build a larger version of before backing out, would include up to 375 bedrooms in five detached buildings, according to the latest plans. The drawings were discussed at the City Planning Commission meeting on Thursday. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=25399
July 13, 200618 yr Author From the 7/13/06 Athens News: After massive water damage, Grover Center on the way back By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Thursday, July 13th, 2006 Ohio University's WellWorks program reopened on Monday after being forced to close in April because of a water leak that caused $1.8 million worth of damages to Grover Center. But while the fitness program may be open again, many parts of Grover Center are still being repaired OU renovated Grover Center in 2001, transforming the old student athletic/recreation center into the home of the College of Health and Human Services and the WellWorks program. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=25425
July 25, 200618 yr Author From the 7/24/06 Athens News: University Estates moving forward in developing housing units, golf course By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Monday, July 24th, 2006 The University Estates development in Athens is beginning to take shape, with residents living on the property and several commercial projects, including a golf course, under construction. The development is located on 830 acres off Armitage Road and Ohio Rt. 682, and was recently annexed into the city of Athens. When the project is complete, it will feature 900 living units, including apartments, single-family homes, condominiums, upscale homes, and assisted living/continuing care facilities. University Estates will also feature an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse and conference center, restaurant, gift shop, pro shop, equestrian center, hotel and conference center, small chapel, commercial business center, bike path and a town center that will include a bandstand and small shops. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=25494
August 19, 200618 yr Author From the 8/17/06 Athens News: Latest set of developers taking a crack at ridgetop apartment project By Jim Phillips Athens NEWS Senior Writer Thursday, August 17th, 2006 A proposed Athens student-housing project, which has been picked up and dropped by a series of developers over nearly a decade, has attracted yet another company that thinks it can make the venture work. The latest version of the project is being touted as causing less disturbance of the ridgetop site for which it's planned, using more of the available land, and fitting in better with the surrounding neighborhood, than did earlier plans. Rick Kirk of the Columbus-based Edwards Communities told the Athens Planning Commission Thursday that the previous set of plans for the site between Richland Avenue and Dairy Lane featured "extensive use of retaining walls" to arrest soil erosion and runoff. Read more at http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=25682
September 7, 200618 yr Author From the 9/5/06 Athens News: Don't blink or you'll miss imminent campus changes By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Tuesday, September 5th, 2006 Ohio University students will see several changes on campus this fall, and the biggest building project in many years is opening this school year. The big change will be the new Baker student center, which is being built on the hillside at the end of South Court Street near Scripps Hall and across from Bird Arena and Grover Center. The current Baker Center was built in 1954 and has 90,000 square feet of space, according to information on the OU Web site. The new facility will have 183,000 square feet and is expected to open for students in January, according to the Web site. Another link on the site states, however, that the new building could open as early as October. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=25830
September 7, 200618 yr Author From the 9/5/06 Athens News: Mega-project posts bond but still runs afoul of various city regulations By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Tuesday, September 5th, 2006 Now that University Estates is part of the city of Athens, the police and fire department protection and water and sewer service it requires would presumably come in return for complying with city laws. Realistically, that just might be too simple in the sometimes-Byzantine world of local development. Just two months removed from a City Council session at which city leaders annexed the site and literally gave the key to the city to University Estates developer Dr. Richard Conard, Mayor Ric Abel announced last week that the city will try to enforce compliance on three heretofore-ignored legal fronts. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=25826
September 9, 200618 yr Author From the 9/8/06 (OU) Post: Renamed Campus Edge gets a nod The proposed apartment complex previously known as Campus Edge took another step in the development process Thursday as the Athens Planning Commission gave preliminary approval to the most recent version of the project. The complex, now called The Summit at Coate’s Run, has come before the commission under different names and plans from multiple developers for more than seven years. http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2006/09/08/news/14504.html
September 12, 200618 yr Author From the 9/11/06 Athens News: Restaurants and hotels and malls, oh my! By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Monday, September 11th, 2006 Athens is soon getting several new restaurants, at least two new hotels and a new name for its mall. Most of the commercial development is taking place on East State Street, where several businesses are opening this fall and several more projects are planned. The restaurants include Taco Bell, Applebee's and Bennigan's, and the hotels include a Hampton Inn and a Holiday Inn Express. The Hampton Inn and Bennigan's are well under construction on property next to the University Mall. Developer Brent Hayes, who owns the property, said Friday that the Bennigan's is scheduled to open by Sept. 27, and the Hampton Inn should open in January. Hayes has another lot on the same property where a Taco Bell will be built. The construction on Athens' second Taco Bell will move quickly, he said. Full story at http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=25881
September 13, 200618 yr Taco Bell on Court Street is already the world's biggest TB, why are they opening another? People can't get enough grade-D meat?
September 18, 200618 yr Author From the 9/18/06 Athens News: New OU dorm to feature tower, speedy elevators By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Monday, September 18th, 2006 Ohio University's newest residence hall will be considered the new entrance point for the South Green, and it may be a sign of things to come for future residence halls on campus. The 350-bed hall is being built on South Green Drive near Nelson Commons and OU's golf and tennis facility. Richard Shultz, director of implementation for the university, explained on Friday that OU is spending a total of $24 million on the new building, with $22 million of that being spent on the construction and other $2 million spent on items such as planning and furnishings. The four-story building will have a parking garage underneath and is scheduled to open in fall quarter of 2007. Read more at http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2006/09/18/news/14683.html
September 19, 200618 yr I'm gonna miss the Front Room as it is now. I hope this new one is nice! I'll get pics as soon as the student center opens. Some people on campus are saying that it'll open early...I guess we'll see.
October 2, 200618 yr Author From the 9/28/06 Athens News: UE project hires former Nelsonville official By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Thursday, September 28th, 2006 University Estates developers have hired a former Nelsonville official to act as a liaison to local government, and more details have emerged about zoning irregularities that worry local lenders. Fred Holmes, who resigned as Nelsonville's city manager on July 14, will serve as director of government relations for the 830-acre development. The city of Athens annexed the site on June 19. During his tenure as Nelsonville city manager, Holmes was credited with helping to revitalize its Public Square, though ongoing budget problems led to some less-than-smooth sailing with Nelsonville City Council. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=26036
October 2, 200618 yr Author From the 10/2/06 Athens News: City files criminal charge against UE developer Monday, October 2nd, 2006 The city of Athens has filed a criminal complaint against University Estates president Dr. Richard Conard over ongoing construction at the 830-acre west-side development. The alleged code violation, a third-degree misdemeanor, concerns The Villas at High Pointe Village condominiums. The Athens NEWS reported last week that two buildings have been built in an area designated as open space, and that plat map amendments and a planned-unit development (PUD) application were incomplete. Normally, construction cannot proceed without a zoning certificate being issued by the city, which would require resolution of those issues. Read more at http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=26064
October 20, 200618 yr Author From the (OU) Post, 10/13/06: East State Street adds businesses Meghan Nicholson / For The Post / [email protected] Some new businesses in Athens are reaping the benefits of having students back in town, while several projects on East State Street are slated for completion this school year. Bennigan’s Grill & Tavern, 994 E. State St., opened a few weeks ago and is one of the first new businesses to open its doors this school year. Owners of other businesses that opened before summer said they are glad to have students back in town to bring in more business. Bill Clancy, owner of The Brook Club catering service and Mistretta’s Italian Market Ltd., 9 N. Shafer St., opened The Brook Club in May and said traffic was high throughout the end of the school year. But because business is dependent on students, sales lagged in the summer, he said. Full story at http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2006/10/13/news/15559.html
November 12, 200618 yr Author From the 10/27/06 (OU) Post: University Estates faces legal trouble Owner did not submit valid plans, fails to meet regulations, city officials say Stephanie Hummel / Staff Writer / [email protected] Rebecca Black / For The Post / [email protected] Note: This article was updated Nov. 7, 2006. Construction of assisted-living condos at University Estates is continuing without Athens City Council approval because its owner failed to turn in the correct preliminary plans before construction began, a city official said. The independent-living condos, known as the Villas at High Pointe Village, are recorded on file with the county incorrectly. Among other problems, two buildings are being constructed where none is shown on maps on file with the county and a new road for the development exists that also is not on the map, according to information from code enforcement Director Steve Pierson. Additionally, the construction at University Estates was approved by the state, but does not yet comply with city regulations, Pierson said. More at http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2006/10/27/news/15748.html
November 28, 200618 yr Author From Ohio University Outlook, 11/8/06: Five decades, two years and infinite memories As Ohio University prepares to move into the new Baker University Center, three events commemorate the significance of the building that has served campus since 1954. ATHENS, Ohio (Nov. 8, 2006) -- In all the excitement surrounding the opening of the new Baker University Center, some conscientious members of the Ohio University community wanted to make sure another important milestone didn't pass without fanfare: the closing of the current Baker Center. http://www.ohio.edu/outlook/06-07/November/155n-067.cfm
November 28, 200618 yr Author From the 11/14/06 (OU) Post: PHOTO: The sun shines through the windows of the new Baker Center. The new Baker Center looks similar to a mall and holds everything from student organization headquarters to a food court. Brittany Bott / Staff Photographer / [email protected] PHOTO: Outside of the ballroom in the new Baker Center is a seating area where people can converse and even walk outside onto the patio. The Ballroom is twice the size of the old one and it can be divided in half allowing for two separate celebrations to occur at the same time. Brittany Bott / Staff Photographer / [email protected] PHOTO: A large two-story rotunda entryway greets students as they enter the fourth floor of the new Baker Center from Park Place. Four large globes are illustrated on the rotunda floor, each showing a different side of the Earth. Kristin Eberts / Photo Editor / [email protected] PHOTO: Many rooms and balconies offer a scenic view, including the new Front Room patio, located on the fifth floor. Kristin Eberts / Photo Editor / [email protected] PHOTO: Located on the fifth floor of the new Baker Center is the 1804 Lounge. Career services and conference and meeting space are also located on the fifth floor. Brittany Bott / Staff Photographer / [email protected] PHOTO: The second floor of the new Baker Center has various sizes of conference rooms. The tables in each of these rooms are portable, allowing students to form small groups. Brittany Bott / Staff Photographer / [email protected] Baker Center nearly ready to strut its stuff On January 2, the new Baker Student Center, which commenced planning phases in fall of 2000, will be fully operational and will open its doors to a curious and excited student body. The five-story building will be the centerpiece of campus, providing students with a multitude of resources. The Center will house something for nearly every aspect of student life, from a food court, art galleries, meeting rooms, a computer lab and study areas, to a small theater. Full article at http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2006/11/14/news/16064.html
November 28, 200618 yr Author From the 11/16/06 Athens News: The student center is dead -- long live the student center By Angela Rito Athens NEWS Campus Reporter Thursday, November 16th, 2006 Ohio University students and faculty, along with members of the surrounding Athens community, on Sunday will say goodbye to an important historic OU building -- at least as they currently know it. Members of various student groups and countless other employees will transport their bodies and supplies from the current Baker University Center, located on East Union Street, to the "new" student center, situated on the old Hocking riverbed, between Richland Avenue and Bird Arena. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=26675
November 29, 200618 yr Author From the 11/9/06 Athens News: Developer's ad blames city for work stoppage By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Thursday, November 9th, 2006 The University Estates development bought ads in local newspapers earlier this week charging that Athens is forcing the project to interrupt its construction work on condominiums for senior citizens. Athens Mayor Ric Abel, however, says the city is only making the developers follow the rules that everyone else follows. In the advertisement in The Athens NEWS on Monday, Dr. Richard Conard, president of University Estates, suggested that the city is unreasonably holding up the construction process, which will hurt area residents who have sold their homes and hope to move into the senior housing soon. He also said the delays are forcing him to lay off construction workers. More at http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=26603
December 13, 200618 yr Author From the 11/20/06 Athens News: Developer takes city to court over Armitage Road project By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Monday, November 20th, 2006 University Estates developer Richard Conard has sued the city of Athens, Mayor Ric Abel and code enforcement director Steve Pierson in a federal court for allegedly reneging on a deal to waive zoning requirements. Pierson said Friday that city officials did everything possible to avoid a lawsuit, including holding a face-to-face meeting with developers Wednesday afternoon. "We met until about 1:30," said Pierson. "Their lawsuit was filed at 1:38." More at http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=26692
December 13, 200618 yr Author From the 12/12/06 Athens Messenger: Developers ask city to vacate some roads Casey Elliott Staff Writer An apparent lack of funding for road bonds and the need to change the plat map for the first phase of University Estates is forcing the developers to ask the city of Athens to vacate some roads at the project. The issue was discussed at an Athens City Council committee meeting Monday. http://athensmessenger.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&ArticleID=2043
December 19, 200618 yr Author From the 12/7/06 Athens News: GRAPHIC: OU master plan contains boatload of proposals for campus. File Photo/Athens News OU master plan booklet chock full of details on future of campus By Jim Phillips Athens NEWS Senior Writer Thursday, December 7th, 2006 A lavishly illustrated, 150-page booklet unveiled at the recent Ohio University Board of Trustees meeting pulls together the various strands of OU's "master plan" for the future of the Athens campus. Among its more notable features is a proposal to rely more heavily on debt in the form of bond issues to fund needed improvements to student housing facilities -- though a top OU financial official said this week that he doesn't believe OU will adopt this approach. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=26811
December 19, 200618 yr The new student center officially opens on January 2nd. I'm planning on being there with my camera.
January 6, 200718 yr Ohio University Proctorville opens new center, welcomes community By Kirsten Stanley/The Ironton Tribune Wednesday, January 3, 2007 9:36 AM CST PROCTORVILLE — After years in cramped spaces with little or no room for growth, Ohio University Southern’s Proctorville Center has a new 17,000-square-foot building on State Route 775 to call home. The center opened to the public for the first time this morning, as it welcomed students coming back for the winter quarter. The center includes 10 classrooms, a 2,000-square-foot commons room, a large computer lab, a resource room and a distance-learning classroom. The price tag is about $4.9 million, much of which came from donations from the community. For more information about the new center log on to the OUS Web site at www.southern.ohiou.edu and click on “Proctorville Center” or call (740) 886-7655. Full story at http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2007/01/05/news/news018.txt
January 23, 200718 yr Author From the 12/14/06 Athens News: Developer asks city to vacate three roads at Armitage site; council skeptical By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Thursday, December 14th, 2006 University Estates officials have asked Athens City Council to vacate three roads at the problem-plagued development on Athens' northwest side in order to avoid paying for required road-construction bonds. Because the roads are already platted, some City Council members on Monday night appeared perplexed about the request, or skeptical about the wisdom of accommodating it. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=26861
January 24, 200718 yr Author From the 1/5/07 (OU) Post: Lawsuit delays approval for University Estates Rebecca Black / For The Post / [email protected] The Athens Planning Commission conditionally approved the amended map of the plans for University Estates, but did not approve the next step in bringing University Estates up to city code. The commission decided to postpone a decision about granting preliminary planned unit development approval— PUD, a classification that allows construction of multi-purpose buildings in a single area—until the issue could be discussed in executive session with legal counsel. http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2007/01/05/news/16481.html
January 24, 200718 yr Author From the 1/8/07 Athens News: City charge dropped against developer Monday, January 8th, 2007 A judge has dismissed the misdemeanor code violation filed against University Estates principal Richard Conard by Athens code enforcement director Steve Pierson, apparently at the city's request. An Athens County Municipal Court entry dated Friday shows the dismissal, accompanied by a Friday not-guilty plea from Conard. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=26998
January 24, 200718 yr Author From the 1/11/07 Athens News: University Estates clears hurdle with city, but lawsuit remains By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Thursday, January 11th, 2007 The large University Estates project on Athens' northwest side has moved closer to complying with city requirements, even though litigation between the developer and city remains unresolved. Events on three fronts in the saga surrounding the mixed-use housing/commercial project had city officials employing a unified strategy this week, after they suffered two possible setbacks in a federal lawsuit brought by developers. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=27024
January 24, 200718 yr Author From the 1/18/07 Athens News: University Estates, city continue legal battle over rules for development By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Thursday, January 18th, 2007 Attorneys for Dr. Richard Conard, the Florida developer who sued the city of Athens over its handling of his University Estates project, are pulling out all the stops to compel more detailed testimony by City Law Director Garry Hunter. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle§ion=news&story_id=27128
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