High Tech Targeted For Mall Site

By Bruce Kettelle

Trotwood officials want the former Salem Mall site to become a long-term technology anchor for the city’s future. In a turnaround from previous discussions that included attracting concentrated retail to the location, new consultants have recommended a strategy to bring research and development offices to help replace the region’s 100-year dependence on the automotive industry.

Similar to the Tech Town project in Dayton, Trotwood’s yet to be named center will offer entrepreneurs expertise to identify new markets for inventions and assistance in identifying venture capital sources.

“EMTEC specializes in finding applications for new technologies and commercializing them,” said Frank Svet the company’s president and CEO. EMTEC will become the city’s technology experts in the project. “We’re going to provide them the knowledge infrastructure.”

The physical planning falls on Norm Essman Consulting and a master plan design firm to be selected soon. Essman is a former economic development specialist with the City of Dayton and had a hand in the Tech Town project planning.

“We won’t have to repeat the hardships Tech Town went through,” said Essman. He said to expect the firms locating here to be researching and prototyping new products. Actual manufacturing would not take place on the campus.

According to Essman, “These tech workers tend to be younger, entrepreneurial (meaning they work too much), and like to live and play near their work.” He wants the master plan to take these factors into consideration for both the mall site and surrounding area.

After hearing the presentation to city council on March 22, Trotwood Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron was encouraged by the change in strategy. “We were aware that a completely commercial project was not the way to go,” said Cameron. “Technology is the future, we want that here to sustain growth and jobs.”

Trotwood city manager Mike Lucking supports the shift for the site. “We are trying to leapfrog the community forward with a concept that lasts generations.”

Lucking expects the master planning to move ahead quickly. The consultants believe the skeleton roadway plan presented last fall by Bird and Hauk can be utilized for the technology center. Lucking wants to start construction of the first interior roadway in the spring of 2011. The city will seek federal funds to pay for those infrastructure costs.

Trotwood Mayor Resigns

Trotwood Mayor Resigns, Vice Mayor Cameron To Fill Term

By Bruce Kettelle

Following a hastily called special city council meeting tonight, Vice Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron announced that Trotwood Mayor Darreyl Davis has resigned. Cameron will be sworn in on March 1st to complete the unexpired portion of his term through the end of 2011.

Davis has been under fire since the release of a January investigation report from the Ohio Inspector General. The investigation revealed that Davis had conducted city business for Trotwood while on the clock at the Ohio Department of Transportation. Davis worked for ODOT for 30-years before his resignation last fall after the allegations came to light.

"City council will accept the resignation at the regular meeting in March and swear in the vice mayor to fill the remaining time of his term," said Cameron in a prepared statement. The resignation letter did not give any reasons for his decision.

"We will interview and appoint someone to fill my seat," Cameron said. By the city charter the city council has 60-days to make that appointment.

Cameron said the investigation has only had one negative impact on the city causing a delay in the next phase of design work for the Salem Mall site.. The investigation revealed that the city's design contractor for the mall site had given a friend of Davis a $5,000 finders fee for helping to land the contract. Davis himself did not receive any of that money.

"We want to come out from this as a whole council," said Cameron optimistically. "We intend on moving ahead together." She hopes the residents will have more confidence in their elected officials as they move forward.

Davis did not return phone calls for comment. His letter ended "I wish the City of Trotwood much success in the future."

Trotwood resident Janice Chinn said, "It's sad that this change had to happen this way." Chinn, a critic of the Mayor and unsuccessful city council candidate thinks the citizens will get behind the new mayor.

A New Year And A New Store Opens

By Bruce Kettelle

Trotwood started the New Year with the grand opening of a new O’Reilly Auto Parts store. The 5,900-sq/ft store marks the 7th Dayton area store for the chain as part of a massive expansion within Ohio over the past two years.

“The company has been around for 52 years,” said District manager Jim Miller before the ceremonial ribbon cutting. “I think this store will do real well and our customers already seem to like it.”
The newly built store is nestled on Salem Ave. between three competitors on the same block.

“We have already had customers stop in that were comparing prices from O’Reilly”, said Dave Bohardt manager of nearby Main Auto Parts. He thinks the new competition will be good for business.

Trotwood Chamber members and city officials helped out at the grand opening of the O'Reillys Auto Parts on Salem Av on Januaery 6. (l-r) Sandy Reige, Sandy Marty, Karen Garner, Mathew Wynn (manager), Marie Battle, Gary Fischer, Carl Daugherty, Eric Perkins (asst manager), Jim Mills (district manager), Loren Gross and Shari Hooper (seated).

“There are some things we keep in stock that others don’t,” said Miller. Each of the competitors has their own niche.

Most of the other 36 Ohio O’Reilly stores opened last year were also built near competitors. Now with 66 stores in Ohio they continue to expand expecting to open 24-26 more stores here in 2010.

Carl Daugherty Trotwood’s zoning administrator helped the builders follow the city’s updated landscape and signage requirements and is pleased with the way it enhances Salem Ave. He is hopeful the city will witness additional retail growth this year.

“Grandview Weekend Outlet opened a new store before Christmas next to the Salem Av. K-Mart store,” said Daugherty. “I have an appointment coming up with another prospect that might locate in the Olde Town area.”

Perhaps this new interest in Trotwood could mark 2010 as a turning point for the city’s effort to attract new retailers.

Board members from the Trotwood Chamber of Commerce helped cut the ribbon. As with each local O’Reilly opening a donation is made to a local charity. Accepting for the Goodwill Easter Seals Adult Day Support center was Anna Marty and Shari Hooper.

The Trotwood O’Reilly store is located at 3970 Salem Avenue (937)279-0688.

Residents Supportive Of Mall Plans

State Senator Fred Strahorn (center) listens along with Trotwood residents as consultants explain conceptual plans for the former Salem Mall site.

By Bruce Kettelle

About 180 residents eager to hear about plans for the site of the former Salem Mall came to the Trotwood High school Monday night. Mayor Darryl Davis, City Manager Mike Lucking and a team of economic development professionals laid out the details for two hours and took questions for another hour.

“That’s what we want, a multi-prong approach, not just retail,” said resident Adrienne Heard who also runs a management consulting business in town. “I like the greenspace public area, the public area is what I liked about the Salem Mall,” she said after the presentation.

The concept plan includes about 8 acres of open greenspace that could include a performance stage, space for a farmers market or any combination of other events and gatherings that can help make the site a destination.

The study accomplished by The Stonehenge Company and Bird Houk Collaborative for the city intends to guide the next phase to include more specific design guidelines and identifying specific initial tenants for the central Salem Avenue location. The concept is to integrate retail, offices, housing, and other services to give the initiative a longer lifecycle than a typical retail only development.

“Projects like this take a long time,” said Stonehenge president Mo Dioun. He cited a similar project that has been in the works for three and a half years and recently decided to delay another nine months due to the economy. “Without public support of the city council this will not happen.”

He looks to establish synergy between the public needs and the private developers he describes as “selfless thoughts and actions” that benefit both. The plan depends on creating a destination that engages a sense of ownership for residents.

Dioun stressed that there are 500 regional malls in the US undergoing similar dramatic change and applauded the city’s efforts to be proactive.

Lucking introduced additional experts being utilized by the city including a DC lobbyist who helped bring a $1-million federal budget earmark for Salem Av street work, global technology experts, an economic development consultant, and experts on emerging environmental technologies.

“I appreciate we are using experts and asking for community input,” said Heard.

Timothy Cargle, another local business owner was hopeful the plan could lead to success for the city. “To a greater degree it’s confirmation of economic development,” he said. “I believe companies will come here if they sense an opportunity to grow.”

There were questions from about 10 audience members. Most sounded positive about the concepts and tried to pin the consultants down on more specific timelines.

Timelines and more detailed design specifics will come in the next phase said Jim Houk president of Bird Houk Collaborative. He assured that phase would include additional community input. The city council will be facing the decision whether or not to proceed very soon.

Mall Concept Plans At High School Tonight

Trotwood residents are invited to have a first look at the city’s preliminary plans for the former Salem Mall site in the high school auditorium from 5-7pm today.

Nearly a year in the works with an outside consultant and a working group of 13 residents, city officials are now turning to the public for their comments on the draft concepts. The Stonehenge Group will help to explain the proposed road network and mix of commercial, residential and office uses they hope the plan will attract. At the center of their concept is a large greenspace area to host a variety of events from farmer's markets to concerts.

The idea of having a central attraction in the plan has been successful in other cities. By offering more than just retail stores the hope is to create a long term solution in the heart of Trotwood’s Salem Avenue corridor.

Residents will have the opportunity to make suggestions on the conceptual plan. For more information contact the Trotwood city manager’s office at 854-7213.

Greyhound Opening Anticlimactic

By Bruce Kettelle
About a dozen passengers with baggage were lined up inside the Trotwood GDRTA Northwest Hub Tuesday morning. They were not waiting for an RTA bus. These were some of the first to catch a Greyhound bus from Trotwood, specifically the southbound bus leaving at 9am.

Dayton resident Sirgeo Thompson a local photographer is headed for Atlanta. “I’m doing a shoot there for Boss Magazine,” said Thompson.

Behind him is an elderly Old Order German Baptist in a wide brimmed hat. After overhearing the conversation with the photographer he pulled out a 2005 issue of National Geographic Magazine. “That’s me and my wife,” he said pointing to a picture in the magazine.

He was on his way home to Jackson Mississippi. He didn’t know about the Greyhound terminal moving to Trotwood until he arrived at the former location in downtown Dayton earlier this morning. “We hurried up out here real quick.”

A college student on his way to Cincinnati joined in to look at some of the pictures being passed around. Anything to help pass the time while waiting for the bus.

As the bus pulled out Frank Ecklar, Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority director of planning said, “that’s number three, only 14 more to go today.” Ecklar was on hand to monitor the first day of operations at the relocated Greyhound terminal co-located in the existing RTA facility.

“Speedway is going to make a mint from this,” said Ecklar referring to a fairly steady stream of passengers stocking up on travel goodies at the convenience store next door.

Ecklar was taking notes on how the passengers, cars, and busses interacted to develop a list of improvements needed for the site. Already in place is a new ticket window inside, a dedicated Greyhound lane in front of the building and some new signage.

One of the things at the top of his list is installing a pay phone as three riders had already asked where to find the phone.

Typically there will be 17 Greyhound busses a day in addition to the nearly 300 RTA busses already using the hub. Ecklar said the frequency is close to hourly. During holidays residents may see a few more since Greyhound sends two busses (as needed) on some routes.

The first day of service in Trotwood almost seemed anticlimactic. Fears raised by citizens of homeless people and criminals frequenting the Greyhound station were unsubstantiated. From all appearances the location will be a positive impact for the community.

With the exception of one bus that had to use the Lowes parking lot to turn around after heading the wrong way on Route 49 it was a very smooth opening for RTA and Greyhound.

The Greyhound terminal and Northwest RTA hub serving Dayton and Trotwood is located at 2075 Shiloh Springs Rd.

The posted Greyhound schedule in the Dayton/Trotwood terminal.

Mall Plans Taking Shape

 

By Bruce Kettelle

Imagine a broad 8-acre lawn with weekly and sometimes daily activities. Concerts, farm markets, pet contests would be in full sight from passing cars along Shiloh Springs Rd enticing the curious to pull in and check it out. That is exactly what The Stonehenge Company expects would happen if Trotwood officials were to adopt a concept plan presented Wednesday.

The entire Trotwood City Council traveled to the company’s headquarters in Gahanna, OH to get the results of their preliminary recommendations to transform the site of the former Salem Mall.

“The city should be looking at a long term solution designed for the next generation,” said Stonehenge President Mo Dioun. “Successful areas across the country have clusters of mixed use.” He said it is important for the city to create a sustainable concept.

Dioun said single use concepts such as large retail centers tend to have limited life spans. The former Salem Mall began its decline after 30 years, which is typical of many malls across the country and with that 17% of the nations retail jobs have disappeared since 2001. The Salem Mall was demolished in 2006.

Stonehenge has become a specialist in turning dead malls into dynamic destinations with recent successes that include repositioning the 68 acre Northland Mall near Columbus into the Northland Village that incorporates a central park feature driving new visitors into the mixed use center.

With architectural and design assistance from Bird Houk Collaborative (also located in Gahanna) the city council was presented several options and a recommendation that includes two centralized park areas surrounded by a combination of offices, retail, civic, and educational buildings.

The concept includes eight new streets emanating form a central 2-acre circular plaza with inviting pedestrian ways interconnecting throughout. Although no commitments are in place the plan identifies potential occupants within the various new development blocks between the streets. Dioun recommended a phased approach that would begin with the larger park area to begin attracting visitors and interest to the area.

According to Dioun the mixed use lifestyle center approach will take longer to complete than a single use concept but it should last a very long time. The city would be responsible for providing the ongoing activity schedule in the park.

The council members were receptive. “If we look at drawing people first then we will get businesses like restaurants wanting to capitalize on all those people,” said Mayor Darreyl Davis. “And if we attract offices all those people will need a place to have lunch.”

No costs were presented with the concept but officials said the budget would depend on the revenue projections in the Tax Increment Finance District already in place around the site. TIF districts allow cities to borrow money without using the general fund. New property tax revenues generated by the improvements in the district are used to repay that debt.

“This will take a lot of political will,” said Dioun. “Once you start you have to stay committed as the leadership of the city.”

The council is expected to decide soon which concept to move forward. The next step will be a public presentation and meeting to collect input from the community on the plans that will help shape the final design. Bird Houk representatives hope to see that occur during October.

 

Council Will Consider Levies Tuesday

By Bruce Kettelle

Trotwood City Council is holding a special meeting Tuesday to consider several levy issues for the November ballot. They will meet at 5:30 August 18 at the community center on Lake Center Drive.

The council will discuss whether to ask for a renewal or replacement of the expiring 2-mill ambulance levy and whether to ask for an additional 2-mill levy to support the fire department to help reduce that department’s dependence on the city’s general fund.

Also on the agenda is consideration to request a levy or levies of 1-mill to fund the city’s street department. Last year voters did not renew an expiring 1-mill street levy, which has led to cuts in service including less road salt during winter storms and removing the fall leaf pick-up service.

The street department is also requesting authorization to apply for two state transportation grants for street improvements on Salem Av and Shiloh Springs Rd.

For more information contact the clerk of council at 854-7212.

Salem Av Construction Started Monday

By Bruce Kettelle

Orange barrels will engulf Salem Avenue all summer as two big projects got underway this week in Trotwood. Both projects are being done at the same time by different contractors and should be complete in 120 days.

The last phase of sidewalks and curbs for Salem Avenue are being installed from Route 49 to Turner Road. This project includes storm drainage improvements and resurfacing of the roadway.

The realignment of the Salem Av and Shiloh Springs intersection is the second project. When complete Shiloh Springs will take a little jog just before reaching Salem Avenue to get the angle of the intersecting streets closer to 90-degrees. Currently the roads meet at a more severe angle, which has caused safety concerns over the years.

The realignment is also designed to provide a new access road onto the former Salem Mall property to make it more accessible for new development. Both projects are funded by state and federal grants.

Tom Long of the city's public works department said the city and contractors plan to meet monthly with the affected businesses to try and minimize the impact on their customers. There has already been one such meeting.

For more information about the construction contact public works at 854-1702.

Chrysler Pulling Out Of Trotwood

By Bruce Kettelle

Trotwood’s Salem Chrysler Jeep was told Thursday they have been recommended for termination from their Chrysler franchise agreement. The Zappia Family owned dealer is one of 47 in the state on the company’s closure list submitted to the bankruptcy court.

Mary Kay Zappia said Thursday afternoon that calling it a closure list is actually deceiving. “The list is a recommendation to Bankruptcy Judge Gonzales to terminate franchise agreements.” The list contained the names of 789 dealers out of the nation’s 3,200 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep outlets.

The Zappia’a own their 43-year-old dealership and have vowed to fight the recommendation even if it means testifying in court. Sensing they may be on the list they have already joined the Committee of Affected Dealers. A Cincinnati law firm is helping the committee fight the termination requests.

Zappia said they cannot be told to close but they may lose their ability to sell Chrysler products. The dealership also boasts a robust service department that will work on more than
just Chrysler products. “We will be open as usual,” said Zappia.

“The Zappias have been extremely good corporate citizens in Trotwood,” said Trotwood City Manager Mike Lucking. Over the years the dealership has made significant donations to the city’s fire and rescue department and other charity support. “We’ve been in contact with her and she is determined to fight this recommendation.”

The list was published on Thursday morning. With 53, Pennsylvania has the most dealerships on the list. Other states near the top of the list besides Ohio are Texas with 50, Illinois 44, Michigan 39, Florida 35, New Jersey and California with 30 each, 28 in New York, Missouri 26 and 24 in nearby Indiana.

Dealers will be allowed to argue against Chrysler’s action in the bankruptcy proceedings. Chrysler reasons the reduction will allow the remaining dealers to return to a higher level of profitability.

Last year about 1,000 dealerships closed nationally on their own, mostly due to economic pressures.

Next it will be General Motors turn. As many as 2,600 GM dealers across the country are expected to be phased out as that company tries to deal with their own financial challenges. GM has indicated the reductions will have the largest impact in urban and suburban districts. Nearby officials will be holding their breath in neighboring Brookville home to the nearest GM dealership, Boose Chevrolet.

Salem Av/Shiloh Springs Rd Reconstruction Awarded

By Bruce Kettelle
After considering multiple designs the city of Trotwood recently settled on a more modest modification to realign the sharply angled intersection of Shiloh Springs Rd and Salem Avenue. The construction contract was awarded to RB Jergens for $2,329,277.

Work is expected to begin in June that will get the crossing to be closer to a 90-degree angle. The concept for the realignment arose out of earlier plans to make the former Salem mall site more accessible from Salem Avenue. It should also improve safety at the intersection.

Earlier ambitious plans called for a large traffic circle while another suggested permanently closing Shiloh Spring between Salem Avenue and Denlinger Rd. Those ideas proved to have too many complications and costs, which led to the current configuration.

The plan will create a new road tentatively called Landmark Drive that will intersect with Shiloh Springs Rd about 600 feet east of Salem Av. Planners at the city believe that this new permanent connection with the vacant mall property will help generate new interest from developers.

In addition to the intersection work Jergens also won a $995,560 contract to improve Salem Av from Turner Rd to Salem Bend. That phase includes new sidewalks and stormwater drainage improvements.

Trotwood City Manager Mike Lucking said the construction costs will be paid for through state grants and a federal budget earmark. City leaders worked hard to lobby with US Representative Mike Turner to gain approval of the earmark.

Mayor Darreyl Davis pointed out the council’s travel budget including trips to Washington DC have really paid off.