July 28, 200915 yr Author From the Journal-News: First 4 new schools on time and under budget Tour of nearly completed school impresses visitors By Linda Ebbing, Staff Writer HAMILTON — The first four of eight new Hamilton City Schools elementary buildings will open to students Aug. 26 on time and under budget. Living Water Ministry to lease Jefferson Elementary By Linda Ebbing, Staff Writer HAMILTON — The Jefferson Elementary building will get a new shot at life when Hamilton City School officials rent it to the Hamilton Living Water Ministry for $1 a year. http://www.journal-news.com/news/hamilton-news/living-water-ministry-to-lease-jefferson-elementary-224227.html
August 19, 200915 yr $2M Clean Ohio grant could turn Hamilton brownfield site into alternative energy facility http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0818redevelophamilton.aspx 550 North Third Street used to be a part of Hamilton's robust paper past. Previously occupied by Champion Paper Company, the building could soon be home to an "alternative energy power generation facility" that would be used to support the city's electric system. Hamilton purchased the site in 2007 with the intention of redeveloping the site to "expand and repower" the existing, adjacent coal-fired municipal power plant. In order to make that happen officials say that $3,272,605 of Clean Ohio funds is needed to demolish all existing structures and remediate identified areas of concern on the site. The Clean Ohio Fund is used throughout the State to restore, protect and connect Ohio's important natural and urban places by preserving green space and farmland, improving outdoor recreation and cleaning up brownfields to encourage redevelopment and revitalize communities. Once redeveloped, Hamilton officials say that the site will specifically be used as the storage and delivery area for biomass and other waste to be used for repowering purposes. The new alternative energy facility is estimated to process 750 tons per day of biomass, waste and other products that will generate about 150,000 megawatt-hours per year of carbon neutral energy. The nearly $3.3 million grant would result in an investment of approximately $200-225 million, create 40 new jobs and retain another 50. It is also anticipated that the project will increase income tax revenues by $40,000 per year. The City has already begun conceptual planning and will move forward with a preliminary feasibility study this fall. Additional work will then move forward as early as January 2010, with additional site work to follow. The remediation process will include asbestos abatement, groundwater contamination and removal of impacted soils. City officials also say that the demolition of the existing buildings will rid the surrounding neighborhood of deteriorating structures and "alleviate the presence of vagrants."
November 21, 200915 yr Author From the Journal-News: City gets $2M grant for green energy project Officials propose building a facility to store biomass and other waste products to be used as fuel By Richard Wilson, Staff Writer HAMILTON — The city was awarded $2 million through the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund to build an alternative energy plant on North Third Street. Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel announced Friday, Nov. 20, that $28 million is being granted to 16 brownfield cleanup projects throughout the state. http://www.journal-news.com/news/hamilton-news/city-gets-2m-grant-for-green-energy-project-413805.html
November 23, 200915 yr ^Great news, ink! When I left the City of Hamilton from being on co-op, green efforts were just starting to burgeon. Now it seems that even non-planning offices are on board with clean energy and sustainability projects. Can't wait to see this unfold. I believe they're either working on or recently finished green build incentives, but don't quote me on that.
November 23, 200915 yr ^Great news, ink! When I left the City of Hamilton from being on co-op, green efforts were just starting to burgeon. Now it seems that even non-planning offices are on board with clean energy and sustainability projects. Can't wait to see this unfold. I believe they're either working on or recently finished green build incentives, but don't quote me on that. The green build incentives have been adopted.
January 8, 201015 yr Author Construction is well underway on the new gym/arena at Hamilton High School. Renderings can be found in this PDF (takes a while to load): http://www.hamiltonhigh.net/images/Contruction09/GymAddition.pdf
January 10, 201015 yr Love the natural light incorporated into the design...although it's nothing compared to Oak Hills' gymnasium with 2 decks of seating. :-D
June 22, 201113 yr Author From the Journal-News: City leader wants to be greener Being the region’s most efficient city is a high goal for Hamilton’s city manager HAMILTON — City Manager Joshua Smith has a lofty goal for the city — be the greenest community in the Midwest. The initiative was recently presented to City Council as part of the city’s five-year strategic plan. The plan centers around targeting an empty downtown building to house an Energy Efficiency and Education Center. Council will consider approving the plan in the coming months. “We want to educate residents on decreasing utility costs,” Smith said of the city’s four utilities — gas, water, electric, and waste water. “We want people to save money. As cost continues to go up, reducing usage will keep costs the same.” Smith said educational elements will include on-site examples of rain barrels for collecting storm water, natural gas appliances versus electric, and conservation tips including how to better insulate your home. Smith said at his own home, he’s collected more than 300 gallons of water from rain barrels for gardening. http://www.journal-news.com/news/hamilton-news/city-leader-wants-to-be-greener-1188345.html
June 29, 201113 yr Author From the Journal-News: Hamilton project approved for Clean Ohio Wednesday, June 29, 2011 The city of Hamilton has been approved for $774,095 to conduct infrastructure, demolition, and remediation activities at the former Estate Stove property, 845 East Ave. through the Clean Ohio program, the Ohio Department of Development announced Wednesday. The grant must still be approved by the Ohio Controlling Board. The money is to be used for brownfield cleanup of the site, including to remediate impacted soil, install infrastructure, remove asbestos and demolish existing buildings, according to the Department of Development. http://www.journal-news.com/news/hamilton-news/hamilton-project-approved-for-clean-ohio-funds-1196449.html
July 11, 201311 yr Author After several years of pre-development, the Artspace project took a big step forward in April with the acquisition of the Mehrum-Lindley Block (more recently known as the Hamilton Center). The cladding covering the original facades came down two weeks later. Historic Image Restoration Concept
July 11, 201311 yr Author Great news! From the 6/17/13 Hamilton Journal-News: Artspace ready to proceed By Richard Jones HAMILTON — Artspace is officially ready to start looking for tenants. The development team learned last week that the Ohio Housing Finance Agency has awarded low income housing tax credits for an affordable live/work facility for artists in downtown Hamilton, according to Sarah White, director of property development at Artspace, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit real estate developer. The decision allows the Artspace Hamilton Lofts, an adaptive re-use of the Mehrum-Lindley Block also known as the Hamilton Center at 222 High St., to proceed with its transformation into a mixed-use center with 42 units of affordable housing for artists, and ground floor commercial spaces to support the location of creative businesses in the downtown neighborhood. The tax credit award is a key element in the approximately $11 million project — bringing $5.7 million in upfront equity to the project’s capital budget. http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/artspace-ready-to-proceed/nYLmM/ _____________________________________________ Artspace Timeline September 2006: Hamilton’s Vision 2020 Commission invites Minneapolis-base Artspace to examine local buildings October 2006: Artspace officials visit five sites in Hamilton and conduct a public meeting to gauge interest January 2007: Artspace names the the Mehrum-Lindley Block at 222 High St., also known as the Hamilton Center, to be most suited of the five possible sites April-June 2007: Artspace conducts a full-scale feasibility study April 2007: The Mehrum-Lindley Block is placed on Preservation Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites’ watch list September 2007: The Artspace feasibility study concludes that the project would draw enough artists to move the project forward December 2008: Hamilton Community Foundation provides a $125,000 grant to help finance the process February 2009: Hamilton City Council approves entering into a contract with Artspace to enter the third phase of the project March 2010: Artspace Projects secures a purchase agreement for the historic Mehrum-Lindley Block September 2010: SHP Leading Design releases preliminary floor plans March 2011: Artspace project is denied funds for $5.9 million in housing tax credits September 2011: City Council Wednesday votes to set aside $436,500 of federal HOME grant dollars to go toward developing the scaled-back project June 2012: The Artspace Hamilton Lofts project is granted $2.2 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits December 2012: Ohio Housing Finance Agency denies Artspace’s request for $750,000 in gap financing through low-income tax credits April 2013: The metal facade that covered the Mehrum-Lindley block since the 1970s is removed
October 22, 201311 yr Author From the 10/14/2013 Journal-News: Former Elder-Beerman may become grocery, offices By Richard Jones HAMILTON — The CORE Fund has taken ownership of the former Elder-Beerman building in downtown Hamilton and is seeking development partners to turn the space into a complex of office, retail and living space. The Consortium for Ongoing Reinvestment Efforts (CORE) Fund is a nonprofit formed in 2012 to provide non-traditional loans for residential and commercial development projects in Hamilton. The fund provides lower-interest capital with lengthier payback terms than traditional business loans to applicants that qualify. The Elder-Beerman store is the CORE Fund’s first purchase of property for future development with an eye toward engaging different investors and assisting them in developing key targeted areas of Hamilton, including downtown. The four-story, 167,000-square-foot building, which opened in 1968 and has been vacant since April 2009, has an appraised value of $1.5 million, according to CORE Fund Executive Director Mike Dingeldein. http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/former-elder-beerman-may-become-grocery-offices/nbL6z/
November 5, 201311 yr Author From the 11/4/13 Journal-News: New details in deal that brings 221 jobs to Hamilton By Ed Richter HAMILTON — While it was good news for one community to attract a large employer, it wasn’t so good for the community that did not. On Friday, it was announced that iMFLUXInc., a subsidiary of Cincinnati-based consumer giant Procter & Gamble, had entered a long-term lease agreement for space in the 330,699-square-foot former Hamilton Fixture building at 3550 Symmes Road. iMFLUX Inc. was created this year to develop new plastics processing technology for injection molding, said Anna Hogan, company spokeswoman. The company’s headquarters is currently located at P&G’s Beckett Ridge Technical Center in West Chester Twp. A recent JobsOhio announcement said the company will create 221 jobs within three years and would have annual payroll of $17.5 million. Recently, the Ohio Tax Credit approved a 60 percent, eight-year tax credit to iMFLUX for the creation of $17.5 million in annual payroll as a result of the company’s plant location project in Butler County. According to the state, iMFLUX must maintain operations for 11 years at the Hamilton site. http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/new-details-in-deal-that-brings-221-jobs-to-hamilt/nbhMf/
January 24, 201411 yr Author From the 1/9/14 Hamilton Journal-News: Artspace Lofts will prompt more residents, businesses downtown By Michael D. Pitman HAMILTON — More residents and businesses should start to emerge in the core of downtown Hamilton by the spring of 2015 when the Artspace Lofts open, city officials say. This project, which has been a signed deal for five years but in the city’s sites since 2006, fits in with Hamilton’s heritage of catering to the artist community and is a reason why City Council granted Wednesday night a tax break for it, said Community Development Director Bud Scharf. “You would be bringing 42 units of housing in our downtown so there would be a great need for support services and support retail, as well as support for the artist and the creative class,” Scharf said. “The city has a long history and tradition of the artist community, and that’s evident certainly by the Fitton Center and the City of Sculpture (nomenclature), and residents and the city of Hamilton really support the arts in our community.” Hamilton City Council is entertaining giving Artspace Lofts Limited Partnership a tax abatement for a 50 percent reduction of real property for 12 years, in order to help move the project along. Artspace Lofts is a project that will convert the former Strauss Department Store into a mixed-use commercial property with 42 live-work apartments, a gallery and community space, and approximately 3,000 square feet of commercial space. http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/artspace-lofts-will-prompt-more-residents-business/nchgf/
February 9, 201411 yr Author Hamilton has been agreesive with implementing form based zoning. The Main and High Street corridors through Rossville, Downtown, and out to Erie Highway/Route 4 came first, and now University Commerce Park across from Miami Hamilton. From the 2/5/2014 Journal-News: Officials: Zoning change helps Hamilton attract business By Michael D. Pitman HAMILTON — A rezoning of nearly 50 acres will help bring business to the city as it prepares for construction of South Hamilton Crossing in early 2016, according to officials. Hamilton City Council has approved the rezoning of 48.5 acres of city-owned property to what’s called form based zoning — which regulates development for a specific urban form by addressing relationships between building facades and the public realm to create a more pedestrian oriented environment. The goal of form based zoning at University Commerce Park, a 70-acre industrial and office park three miles from the Butler County Regional Highway, is to create “a high quality mix of business, commercial and industrial uses.” “It’s kind of a new thing,” said John Creech, Hamilton senior planner. “They’re just adopting it now in Cincinnati. Typically zoning addresses the use of the land … the form based code takes it a step beyond and really addresses other factors.” http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/officials-zoning-change-helps-hamilton-attract-bus/ndDs6/
March 5, 201411 yr Great news for downtown Hamilton. There is really a lot of positive momentum there. I can't wait to see it in 5-10 years.... http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/home-decor-shop-coming-to-downtown-hamilton/nd5h5/?ref=cbTopWidget ... with any luck, it will become the YP magnet community for people working in West Chester / Fairfield / Monroe, etc.
March 5, 201411 yr Author The former Dreyfus Building at 3rd & High in Downtown Hamilton has been declad and is in the process of being renovated: 2013: August 2014 (updated):
June 1, 201411 yr Author Construction is underway. I will post photos as visual change begins on the exterior. From the 5/7/2014 Cincinnati Business Courier: Artist housing in Hamilton gets millions in U.S. Bank financing U.S. Bank is providing more than $9.8 million of tax credit equity through subsidiary U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation as well as an $8.2 million construction loan for an $11.5 million project called Artspace Hamilton Lofts. U.S. Bank closed on financing for redevelopment of downtown Hamilton’s historic Mehrum-Lindley block, the company announced. U.S. Bank is providing more than $9.8 million of tax credit equity through subsidiary U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corp., as well as an $8.2 million construction loan for the Artspace Hamilton Lofts. The mixed-use project at 222 High St. will include 42 affordable housing units geared toward artists and their families as well as 3,000 square feet of first-floor retail space and a plaza space for residents. Construction is already underway, and it’s expected to be completed in early 2015. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/05/07/artist-housing-in-hamilton-gets-millions-in-u-s.html
July 8, 201410 yr Author Hamilton will soon break ground on Southwest Ohio's first public CNG station. From the 7/7/14 Journal-News: City moves forward with natural gas station By Vivienne Machi HAMILTON — The city of Hamilton is moving along with construction of the compressed natural gas station on Route 4, now slated to open in October 2014. Since the station’s groundbreaking in April, parking lot construction has begun, with site preparation and concrete curbs already completed. Substantial completion of the parking lot is expected by mid-July, according to city officials. According to Hamilton Utilities Director Doug Childs, actual construction of the station has yet to begin, as testing of the CNG components is planned for the end of July at the manufacturers’ site. Pending a successful testing, the components will be delivered around the first week of August for installation. http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/city-moves-forward-with-natural-gas-station/ngZ5M/ A rendering of the Hamilton Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Station that, when complete, will be the first public CNG station in the greater Cincinnati region.
July 29, 201410 yr Author The Hamilton Journal-News ran a front page article on Sunday about all the current development in the city, most of which is downtown. The article did not provide much in the way of new information, but it did include a couple photos that show the interior condition of the Artspace buildings now that the 1960's/70's-era partitions have been removed. From the 7/27/2014 Hamilton Journal-News: Hamilton sees new private development .... Artspace Lofts Six years in the making, Artspace Hamilton Lofts is currently undergoing rehabilitation by Messer Construction to be open for tenants tentatively in late April 2015. The $11.7 million project at 222 High St. will contain 42 live/work units — 11 studios, 25 one-bedroom units, three two-bedroom units, and 3 three-bedroom units — as well as 3000-plus square feet of retail space and 1,800-plus square feet of community space for artists in downtown Hamilton. Minneapolis-based nonprofit developer Artspace purchased the property for more than $500,000, after using a number of criteria — including a feasibility study, a market survey, and needs analysis — to establish that Hamilton would be a good fit. Touring the building on Tuesday , Dingeldein and City Manager Joshua Smith pointed out the preserved features, such as the tin ceiling, original oak and maple floors, and floor-length windows twisting on central pivots. http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/local/hamilton-sees-new-private-development/ngnHD/
July 29, 201410 yr Author From the 7/19/2014 Journal-News: ThyssenKrupp Bilstein announces largest expansion yet, 200-plus new jobs By Chelsey Levingston HAMILTON — Hamilton’s largest manufacturer, ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America Inc., has yet another multi-million expansion project in the works to produce the latest shock absorber technology for its automaker customers. The Ohio Tax Credit Authority on Monday approved state tax breaks for the project valued at nearly $716,000. Hamilton City Council also approved local incentives — a property tax abatement — at its council meeting last Wednesday. Auto parts supplier ThyssenKrupp Bilstein is expected to add more than 200 new jobs by 2017 at its Bilstein Boulevard plant, generating an additional $9.8 million a year worth of payroll for the city once all the jobs are filled. Quickly jetting up Hamilton’s list of largest employers, the newest growth plans mark the company’s third expansion since 2011 and its single biggest announcement in that time. Presently, the auto supplier employs 381 people, making it Hamilton’s seventh largest employer. http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/thyssenkrupp-bilstein-to-add-214-new-jobs/ngpp3/
July 29, 201410 yr Great news and good momentum. By the way, that rehab of the Dreyfus building looks fantastic.
August 2, 201410 yr Author More good news from the 8/1/2014 Journal-News: New corporate headquarters to open in downtown Hamilton By Chelsey Levingston HAMILTON — A growing Hamilton-based nonprofit plans to open a new corporate headquarters building downtown next year, a step that will boost revitalization efforts and — hopes are — attract more investment in the city’s core, the Journal-News has learned. Nonprofit Community First Solutions, which was known to be considering a headquarters move, has confirmed plans to invest $5.8 million in renovations of the former Ringel’s furniture building at 223 South Third Street to relocate. The board of directors cast the necessary vote Wednesday to approve the project, which will move the group’s headquarters from Eaton Avenue next to Fort Hamilton Hospital to the city’s downtown business district. ... Over the next year, the 35,000-square-foot vacant, historical Third Street building will be upgraded to modern office space with state-of-the art technology. It will house more than 45 shared services staff such as accounting, technology and marketing in once place, with extra room to grow. Features will also include a 60-seat meeting and conference room. http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/new-corporate-headquarters-to-open-in-downtown-ham/ngrys/ Building today: Rendering: Additionally, the city is completing a streetscape project along Third Street to compliment the project, as detailed in a city press release: City of Hamilton, Department of Electric, Making Improvements to South Third Street Corridor Hamilton, Ohio - On July 28, 2014, the City's Department of Electric began construction on major infrastructure and aesthetic improvements to the South Third Street Corridor, in and adjacent to downtown Hamilton. The improvements underway encompass the area of South Third Street, between Court and Ludlow Streets, on both the east and west sides of South Third Street. Additionally, improvements are scheduled to be made to the south side of Maple Avenue, for approximately 175 feet east of South Third Street and Court Street Alley, which runs perpendicular to South Third Street, for approximately 200 feet west. Rapier Electric was the winning bidder for the contract on these improvements, with a total cost of approximately $458,000. The improvement project consists of undergrounding all electric facilities in the improvement area and removing the existing street light and electric distribution poles. Additionally, new decorative lighting will be installed in the improvement area, matching the lighting that was installed a few years ago in other areas of downtown, as part of the downtown streetscape improvement project. Several private redevelopments are projected for this section of the downtown, including: •The renovation of the six-story, former Ringel's Furniture Store by Community First Solutions, for their new headquarters, at the northwest corner of South Third and Ludlow Streets. •The CORE Fund, a local public-private redevelopment organization, has purchased the multi-story, former Joffe's Furniture Store, at the northeast corner of South Third and Ludlow Streets, and is currently in the process of seeking redevelopment partners for this property. •Several years ago, the Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre purchased the former Palace Theatre, on South Third Street, next door to the future Community First Solutions headquarters, and has since renovated the former theatre and uses it for rehearsal and display. The improvements along south Third Street will enhance these and other redevelopment in the downtown corridor.
August 2, 201410 yr Hamilton is doing well! Can't wait to see the results of these projects.... and maybe popular perception of Hamilton change to viewing the city as an urban alternative on the suburban northside. Thanks for the update!
August 10, 201410 yr The Artspace Hamilton Lofts a 42-unit artist live-work development renovating two buildings in downtown Hamilton.
September 5, 201410 yr Author ^Thanks, Eridony. There is also an Artspace thread: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,28389.0/nowap.html
September 5, 201410 yr Author This has been long-discussed; glad to see it move forward. From the 9/3/2014 Cincinnati Enquirer: Downtown Hamilton goes after historic designation Sheila McLaughlin Hamilton has set its sights on drawing young and mobile professionals downtown to live, eat and shop. Now, officials are taking steps to preserve the former manufacturing town’s historic flair in an effort aimed at keeping the redevelopment trend moving forward. An $11,600 grant from the state will help Hamilton do just that, officials said Wednesday. The money will be used to apply for federal designation on the National Register of Historic Places. Obtaining the designation would make 45 downtown buildings eligible for state and federal historic preservation tax credits. http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/0001/01/01/downtown-hamilton-ohio-goes-historic-designation/15027819/
September 5, 201410 yr ^Thanks, Eridony. There is also an Artspace thread: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,28389.0/nowap.html Thanks! I don't know how I missed that! This has been long-discussed; glad to see it move forward. From the 9/3/2014 Cincinnati Enquirer: Downtown Hamilton goes after historic designation Good, it seems there was a wealth of historic buildings downtown.
September 6, 201410 yr Hamilton's a gem, glad to see it go for the additional support. City and community leaders there are really doing a good job. Can't wait to see what else will come over the next few years!
October 17, 201410 yr More Hamilton News: http://m.journal-news.com/news/news/new-brewery-street-improvements-planned-for-hamilt/nhkpZ/ New brewery on High St downtown and updates on the streetscape improvements. Hamilton is on the move - up! Looking forward to it becoming a very solid urban alternative in the middle of Daytonnati sprawl
October 18, 201410 yr Author ^The microbrewery was a pleasant surprise. It will be interesting to see the old firehouse portion of the municipal building adapted for that purpose.
December 12, 201410 yr Author From the 12/3/2014 Cincinnati Business Courier: $12M Hamilton lofts development signs commercial tenants The $11.8 million Artspace Hamilton Lofts mixed-use development is nearly 50 percent complete, and three tenants have already signed on to fill retail spaces. Almond Sisters Bakery, Unsung Salvage Design Co. and Renaissance Fine Art Supplies will operate in the building, Hamilton City Council member Tim Naab announced Tuesday night. "We are thrilled to have commitments from three great organizations while we're still under construction," Artspace director of property development Sarah White said in a statement. "The owners of each of these businesses have been great partners in working with Artspace and NHS to develop Artspace Hamilton Lofts and they'll each be a tremendous asset to the project and the community." http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/12/03/12m-hamilton-lofts-development-signs-commercial.html
December 12, 201410 yr I'm always down for a new bakery! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 13, 201410 yr Author In May, the City of Hamilton completed a master plan for RiversEdge, the redevelopment of the former Mercy Hospital site on the border of Downtown and German Village. The plan includes a block-and-a-half central park and was completed by MKSK (merged MSI) of Columbus. The site sits directly on the Great Miami River and a pavillion/amplitheatre has already been developed at the waterfront. Housing is also proposed to be constructed across Dayton Street from the completed park. The park plan includes three phases, totaling approximately $8 million. This week it was announced that the first phase will be funded by a private donor and could be complete by the end of next year. From the 12/11/2014 Hamilton Journal-News: Private donor to fund next phase at RiversEdge Park By Vivienne Machi Staff Writer HAMILTON — Thanks to a yet-to-be-named private donor, the city of Hamilton will receive funding to develop the next phase of the RiversEdge Park and Amphitheater next year, according to city officials. City Manager Joshua Smith announced at Wednesday’s City Council meeting that an individual, who at the moment wishes to remain anonymous, will donate a private gift of between $3 million and $4 million to fund Phase II of the RiversEdge Park and Amphitheater project, which would sit on the former Mercy Hospital complex lot across from the amphitheater. Smith showed a rendering of the park, as envisioned by landscape architecture firm MKSK, saying “this is what we hope to see at this time next year.” http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/local/private-donor-to-fund-next-phase-at-riversedge-par/njQbn/
December 13, 201410 yr Wow. Nice. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 10, 201510 yr Author From a 2/6/15 City of Hamilton press release: Hamilton's Marcum Park Announced Hamilton, Ohio - Joe and Sarah Marcum have agreed to provide a charitable gift of $3.5 million to fund the creation of Marcum Park in downtown Hamilton. The park will be situated on over six acres adjacent to the Great Miami River on the site of the former Mercy Hospital, including the existing amphitheater and overlook. Three of Joe and Sarah Marcum's five children were born at the former Mercy Hospital in downtown Hamilton. So when the Marcum's were approached last year by John Guidugli, president/CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation, and City Manager Joshua Smith with a request to help fund the vast majority of the park expansion on the site, it immediately felt right. "That ground has meaning for our family," said Joe Marcum. "The hospital may not be there anymore but the memories sure are." The rest of the Marcum family agreed, and the result is the largest-ever private donation for a park in Hamilton. The creation of Marcum Park will expand the current RiversEdge Amphitheater to the east on the greenspace bound by N. Second, Dayton, and Buckeye Streets. "This is downtown's backyard," said City Manager Joshua Smith. "With increasing momentum in Hamilton's urban core, the Marcum family has given this community a huge push toward becoming a purposeful destination for working, living, and playing." Mr. Marcum agrees, "It's a wonderful thing to have a central area where the city can come together and enjoy a nice park. It will add interest to the development of the downtown area. This will help Hamilton to be more dynamic." Master Plan of Marcum Park A year ago, the City of Hamilton worked with stakeholders surrounding the site to develop a conceptual master plan for the site. Those stakeholders included representatives from immediately surrounding neighborhoods, Hamilton Community Foundation, YMCA, Courtyard by Marriott, Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, St. Julie Billiart Parish, Hamilton Parks Commission, among others. The proposed master plan was publicly unveiled at an open house to allow city residents to provide input where approximately 75 attended. Rendering of Marcum Park; looking north from corner of N. 2nd & Dayton Streets Work is underway to finalize the design, and construction is expected to begin laterthis year for a planned opening in the summer of 2016. With the assistance of design firm MKSK, a committee including the Marcum family, Hamilton Community Foundation, Hamilton Parks Conservancy, and the City of Hamilton is meeting to finalize the details of the park plan, keeping in mind ways to make the park interesting and useful for all ages. "It's an open book right now," he said. "I want it to be a park that is both utilitarian and a thing of beauty," said Marcum, adding that attention is being given to landscaping details and that even the types of trees are being carefully chosen. Marcum Park is an extension of the RiversEdge Amphitheater project, completed in 2013 and a venue for many concerts and events over the past two summers. The amphitheater portion of the park will now be known as RiversEdge Amphitheater at Marcum Park. Marcum added that a special attribute of the park is its location. "It's accessible to everyone. Having the land in the center of downtown is a big plus," he said. According to Guidugli, the new park fits perfectly with Hamilton's other recent revitalization projects as well as the Foundation's strategic plan, specifically the goal of enhancing community quality of life. "It is one more way to connect people to each other and to the beauty of our downtown," said Guidugli. "The Marcum family is a strong, long-time supporter of the City of Hamilton and the Foundation." In addition to their private family foundation, they have established five charitable funds at the Hamilton Community Foundation. Joe Marcum is the most recent recipient of the David L. Belew award, given annually by the Hamilton Community Foundation to honor those who've made significant contributions of time, talent and resources to improve the quality of life in our community. The Hamilton Community Foundation is a public charity committed to improving the quality of life for the greater Hamilton, Ohio community and its residents. Founded in 1951 with one $5,000 fund, the Foundation now manages more than 600 charitable funds. For more information, contact the Hamilton Community Foundation by calling (513) 863-1717 or visit www.hamiltonfoundation.org.
February 23, 201510 yr Long-awaited Tri-State park gets $3.5M boost for completion Hamilton leaders are moving forward with a long-envisioned park along the Great Miami River in the city's German Village neighborhood thanks to a $3.5 million contribution from the Marcum family via the Hamilton Community Foundation. The park is part of the larger RiversEdge development that already includes an amphitheater, overlook and an extension of the Great Miami River Trail that is planned to run from New Miami to Fairfield. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/02/23/long-awaited-tri-state-park-gets-3-5m-boost-for.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 18, 201510 yr :clap: Gift to fund new park in downtown Hamilton A record-breaking donation is allowing the city of Hamilton to move forward with the creation of a multifunctional “backyard” destination in the heart of downtown. In February, the city announced that Joe and Sarah Marcum gave $3.5 million – the largest-ever private gift to a Hamilton park – to add more than 6 acres to the existing RiversEdge Park and Amphitheater, creating Marcum Park. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2015/04/17/gift-to-fund-new-park-in-downtown-hamilton.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 20, 201510 yr Amazing job. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 20, 201510 yr I remember thinking as a kid how ugly Hamilton was with all those cladded buildings - little did I know what lay beneath :)
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