Welcome to Grandview Watch
Search
_TOPICS
Home Your Account FAQ Topics Content Submit News Top 10
  Login/Create an Account    

Grandview Watch Menu
· Home
· Downloads
· FAQ
· Feedback
· Find Stuff
· GW Topics
· Members List
· Private Messages
· Recommend Us
· Search
· Stories Archive
· Submit News
· Surveys
· Top 10
· Web Links
· Your Account

Keeping an Eye on Grandview

Grandview is facing continuing shortfalls in the funding for the city and the schools. Critical issues are being decided by the council and the school board. The residents of Grandview need to understand the process, and make their voices heard. G.W. was created to help the communication.

If you are looking for something specific you should read Finding stuff on Grandview Watch.

Recap of the Grandview Yard story
News from the small city Justice writes "

Alan Froman writing in the TWG has a nice recap of the Grandview yard story. With the potential to double the tax income going into the city, and add up to 800 residential units, it is the biggest news story of last year, this year, and for years to come. How the small city of Grandview Hts. can co-exist with this monster sized new development without losing the character (and present businesses) it has worked hard to retain will be … interesting. If I owned a retail businesses on Grandview Ave. I would change the word “interesting” to “terrifying”.

The Mayor has said that NRI is asking for $160 million in public financing. Why isn't that number included in the newspaper stories about G.Y.? Why isn't the comparison made with the $53 million spent on the Arena District? What makes G.Y. so different from the A.D.?

That number is the potential killing point for the project, and I'd like to see NRI do a better job of itemizing the number. How much for the streets, the rail bridges, the 315 ramp? Are those 3 parking garages a “must have” right from the start, or could they be built years in the future?

Since the city learned its application for $5 million from the Ohio Job Ready Sites program has been turned down, what hope do we have that there will be money from the state? Is this a “wait for better economy” situation, or has the state decided to stiff-arm the development?

The TIF negotiations are key to how G.Y. will impact the finances of the city. If every possible dollar from a TIF (the max is 30 year at 100%) will be needed to pay the public costs, how will the city be able to provide the increased services that will be needed? How will the schools be able to accommodate the children that 800 new housing units will bring?

Many questions. No simple answers. Anyone have a time machine to look into the future?

"
Posted by Admin on Friday, December 26 @ 20:52:40 EST (22 reads)
(Read More... | Score: 0)

McLeod leaves town
News from the small city Justice writes "

School board president Suzanne McLeod announced her resignation on Dec. 9, to be effective in January. She has said that she is moving out of the district, and by stepping away she will allow the board to appoint a new member to complete her last year.

I don't normally have a file ready to create a post for a departing board or council member, but I have been working up a meta-post about the long term problems with the school board. McLeod was the central figure in those problems, so I am flush with stories about her time in office.

Let the flushing begin.

"
Posted by Admin on Tuesday, December 23 @ 01:06:04 EST (31 reads)
(Read More... | 9569 bytes more | Score: 0)

School Board Meeting November 11, 2008
Board meeting notes, etc.

Important content:

Community Auditorium Committee: Mitch Levitt reviewed his written report on updating the high school auditorium as it is contained as an addendum item to the agenda. Phase I covering A/V, electrical and acoustic enhancements are estimated to cost $88,600. Phase II including seat restoration and carpet replacement is estimated to cost $140,000. Phase III for lighting is estimated to cost $70.000. The Alumni Association has agreed to pay up to $35,000 toward phase I and act as the fiscal clearinghouse for the project. Although the intent is to pay for the improvements with private resources, the District may be asked to fund some portions.

Posted by Admin on Monday, December 22 @ 01:14:05 EST (26 reads)
(Read More... | 16606 bytes more | Score: 0)

City Council meeting minutes November 3, 2008
Council meeting docs, etc.

Important content:

The City income tax reduction to 2.25% begins in 2009 ...

Ord. 2008-41: An Ordinance to establish an underground utilities district to be identified as the “Grandview Yard Underground Utilities District”.… In response to Koelker’s inquiry, City Attorney Khouzam stated that the underground utilities district was presented to the City as a way to maintain control on the aesthetics of the Grandview Yard project.

Not posted here – Nov. 17 special meeting notes

Posted by Admin on Monday, December 22 @ 00:54:06 EST (24 reads)
(Read More... | 17140 bytes more | Score: 0)

City Council meeting minutes October 6, 2008
Council meeting docs, etc.

Important content:

Res. 2008-10: A Resolution declaring the City’s commitment to certain public improvements occurring on real property located in the City of Grandview Heights, Ohio (the “City”) in accordance with a program of tax increment financing contemplated by Ordinance No. 2008-11, passed on August 18, 2008; declaring that prevailing wages shall be paid with respect to certain public improvements occurring on public lands and easements located in the City; and declaring the City’s expectation that certain private development occurring on real property located in the City is not supported with public funds and is not subject to prevailing wage requirements

Not posted here – Oct. 13 special meeting notes

Posted by Admin on Monday, December 22 @ 00:18:31 EST (19 reads)
(Read More... | 32133 bytes more | Score: 0)

School Board Meeting October 20, 2008
Board meeting notes, etc.

Important content:

Report on Board members’ use of district email accounts: Ms. Chellis discussed the possibility of creating email accounts for members of the Board of Education. The five new accounts will be established soon.

Buildings & Grounds Report (VII-D): Mr. Lamb reported that about $3,500 in damages were experienced during the wind storm last month. Vandalism at the Edison Elementary School parking lot and building has been cleaned. Police reports have been filed. About one square foot piece of the artificial grass playing field was removed at Bobcat Stadium.

Posted by Admin on Monday, December 08 @ 01:32:08 EST (41 reads)
(Read More... | 19080 bytes more | Score: 0)

Auditorium upgrade, G.Y. news
Local newspaper commentary Justice writes "

Both the TVN and the TWG had stories about a proposed upgrade for the High school auditorium. Acoustics within the auditorium, better seats, and updated technology are all good projects for a facility that is showing its age. Some group called the “District auditorium committee” is proposing a three-phase, $298,600 project to the school board, to be paid with donations.

It does sound like the upgrades are worthwhile, and unlike the artificial turf, the project can be done in sections if donations are slow. It also doesn't require the school to pay high maintenance costs, like the replacement of the turf every 10 years.

Still, you wonder what sort of Orphan Annie musical these people are living in. The economy is in recession, and even the most optimistic economists are saying that it will be years until recovery. The other school groups – band boosters, athletic clubs, etc. - are going to be hurting. Yet these people think now is the time to start an expensive new upgrade?

I didn't read anything that suggested the board will pitch in money, but given the history of the board during the artificial turf fund raising (voting to pay all costs, killing all reasons for donations), it would be no surprise if the board made another irresponsible move to fund this project.

Ellis on Grandview Yard

NRI honcho Brian Ellis gave a pep talk to the Chamber of Commerce lunch Nov. 13. He spoke about “behind the scenes work” that was under way, and said ground was to be broken on the project in the middle of 2009. A more important admission was his statement "The fact of the matter is we don't have one lease signed". Ellis can blue-sky the project all day, but without a name on a contract, why would anyone start building?

Of interest was this statement quoted in the TVN:

“Third, "parking fields" would need to be established, meaning areas of public parking that eventually would cater to the customers and employees of the Yard.”

What are parking fields? Did he mean parking lots? Is this an admission by NRI that the three parking structures in the plan are not vital to G.Y., and that they may not be asking the city to pay for the multi-million construction costs? As I had written in a previous post, the parking structures are the part of the public funding that has the least justification. If this is an admission that NRI has dropped them from the plan, it would be good for NRI to make this clear.

 

"
Posted by Admin on Sunday, November 23 @ 21:14:42 EST (54 reads)
(Read More... | Score: 0)

Anonymous confused pamphleteer against Mayor
News from the small city Justice writes "

I'm still checking to figure out what parts of Grandview were hit, but this morning on my street we all found a single sheet of paper under our windshield wipers. The title was “Citizens voting out Ray DeGraw for Mayor”. The first major WTF is – what does this have to do with voting today, there are no local Grandview races, certainly not for Mayor. Is this someone who is against Issue 50? The charter amendment that is mostly technical cleanup of the language in the city charter?

I'll post a scan of the sheet later, but on first read it appears to be a scattergun blast at issues this person or group is trying to link to DeGraw. Parking during the snow emergency, something about the Grandview theater closing, a Grandview Yard money complaint (the only issue on the page that might be a legitimate complaint), and an incoherent rant about the bike race.

Some odd crazy in this. Who still thinks that an anonymous pamphlet under the windshield is a way to influence the public's opinion? Unless it had the scoop on a provable scandal, this is just static that does nothing but waste paper.

(later) This is just speculation, but the person or persons who put out the anti-DeGraw pamphlet may be in violation of Ohio election law. During an election cycle (and with the election for Mayor approaching, it is inside the cycle), all political posters and pamphlets must say at the bottom the name of the group who paid for the message, and a valid address. This was not done.

Info on the person who did this is needed, please use the feedback link to the left. Anonymity will be given to all who request it.

It's not the violation of the Ohio election law that upsets me as much as the trash on the ground this caused. The area covered was big, at least First Ave to Third, top of the hill to past Grandview Ave. That would require hundreds, if not a thousand sheets of paper, some of which are now blowing in the wind. What a waste.

Later - the area where the pamphleteer struck was bigger than I thought, I got a report of them on Mulford at the top section near Glendale. Scary thought - this was done by a group. A group who thought that the nonsense on that paper was worth spending a night passing out? Weird.

Word is that when the Mayor was asked who he thought printed and distributed the sheet, he replied “I think my wife might have done it” :-)

Scan posted after the jump.

"
Posted by Admin on Tuesday, November 04 @ 12:29:24 EST (122 reads)
(Read More... | 6419 bytes more | Score: 4)

Blogging the Grandview Theater renovation
News from the small city Justice writes " David Nedrow is planning to re-open the Grandview Theater, and he is blogging the story as plans are made and renovations are completed.

He introduced himself in a post on Columbus Underground. Growing up in small towns in Ohio, he graduated from OSU and worked as a manager at the Drexel North.

He lists his plan for renovating the interior, including complete revamps of the concession stand and interior redecorating.
We want to develop a design that is evocative of the 20's, but with a more modern palette. We are also considering adding decorative elements from some of the (now long closed) theaters that used to dot Grandview, eg the Boulevard, The Arlington, etc.
Follow his progress on his wordpress blog as he converts the theater into a new, upgraded home in Grandview for filmgoers.
"
Posted by Admin on Tuesday, November 04 @ 00:03:11 EST (82 reads)
(Read More... | Score: 0)

School Board Meeting September 9, 2008
Board meeting notes, etc.

Important content:

Community Reinvestment Area Report (VI-G-1): Marble Cliff Mayor Richard Murray reviewed the proposed CRA agreement with Exxcel on the former Custom Coach property on Dublin and Cardigan Roads.

MOTION 08-100: Ms. Peters moved to amend Motion 08-099 as follows: 3. CRA Agreement: Alter page 8, item 17 on the CRA Agreement that is contained as an addendum item to reflect “annual” payments to be made to the Grandview Heights/Marble Cliff Education foundation; and 4. Revenue Sharing Agreement: Alter Section 1 (first paragraph) on the Revenue Sharing Agreement that is contained as an addendum item to include “benchmark payments” along with income taxes as the basis for the payment from the Village to the School District

Posted by Admin on Monday, October 27 @ 21:21:34 EDT (93 reads)
(Read More... | 24278 bytes more | Score: 0)

Old Articles
Monday, October 27
· City Council meeting minutes September 2, 2008
Thursday, October 23
· Parking the cost of a car centered city
Wednesday, October 15
· Grandview Trustworthy Hardware broken
Thursday, October 09
· Committee punts on Grandview Yard resolution
Wednesday, October 08
· Issue 50 and the Headapohl resignation
Friday, October 03
· Merit badge for colorful words?
Monday, September 22
· The down side of trees
Sunday, September 14
· Pickups for Admins
Friday, September 12
· More abatements
Thursday, September 11
· School Board Meeting August 12, 2008
· City Council meeting minutes August 4, 2008
· The board and the Cookie jar
Friday, September 05
· School Board Meeting July 14, 2008
· Cameron story in 12-13-07 TWG
Thursday, September 04
· Drexel Grandview theater is closing
Saturday, August 30
· School Board Meeting July 8, 2008
Wednesday, August 27
· The Blight comes to Grandview
Tuesday, August 26
· New principal Jesse Truett on the Activity Code
Wednesday, August 20
· City Council meeting minutes July 7, 2008
Sunday, August 03
· Goodbye Chipboard Hotel

Older Articles

Login
Nickname

Password

Don't have an account yet? You can create one. As a registered user you have some advantages like theme manager, comments configuration and post comments with your name.

Information

RSS  Feed

Subscribe with Bloglines



Local Bloggers

Columbus Underground

Blue Bexley

Save Hilliard Schools

Grandviewr

I spent some time in France, the kids seemed to like my music. More music.


Not affiliated with the City of Grandview Hts. Ohio or Grandview schools.
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest © 2008 by Grandviewwatch.org
PHP-Nuke Copyright © 2005 by Francisco Burzi. This is free software, and you may redistribute it under the GPL. PHP-Nuke comes with absolutely no warranty, for details, see the license.
Page Generation: 0.07 Seconds