Ohio:

Grassroots efforts could save Ironton's Memorial Hall.

Environment:

Aging coal power plant in Somerset, Kentucky to receive massive investment for scrubbers, baghouses.

Buffer zones around mountaintop removal sites open to dumping; lasting legacy of Bush presidency.

Recycled Ohio bottles become artful suncatchers; facts about Glass ReFactory.

Kentucky:

The story of Ashland, Kentucky.

Indiana:

Auctioneer to take bids on 1850s hotel in Evansville.

Unique zoning gives Clarksville control over Clark's Landing.

Ohio:

Children's Hospital in Columbus to expand, add 2,600 jobs.

Residents could vote on the Marina District in Sandusky again.

Upscale restaurant to open in downtown Sandusky; banking on the Marina District.

West Virginia:

Elk City on Charleston's west end newest historic district.

Martinburg's historic district could be expanded.

Senator Robert C. Byrd brings the money home; includes major additions to Wheeling's downtown, economic vitality.

Environment:

U.S. Supreme Court unanimously turned down Massey Energy Company's challenge to a verdict that allotted Wheeling-Pittsburg Steel Company $119.8 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages, today totaling $250 million due to interest. Sorry Massey, you can't buy out all of the courts.

Transportation:

Canton, Ohio council puts brakes on traffic cameras.

COTA bus system in Columbus, Ohio to expand with new routes, stops.

Follansbee, West Virginia City Council pleads to the West Virginia Department of Transportation to save historic Market Street Bridge over the Ohio River.

Ground broken for new Kentucky Route 22 span over the Kentucky River at Gratz.

Lawmakers ponder MARC service between West Virginia and Washington D.C. metro: $1 fare raise could go a long way.

Somerset, Kentucky bypass closer to completion.

Timetable not yet set for hike in tolls on West Virginia Turnpike; tolls have not been raised permanently since 1981 -- the longest for any tolled facility in the United States.

Z-Way highways project progressing in Beckley, West Virginia.

Kentucky:

Early design for Franklin County judicial center in Frankfort includes steeple.

Historic 1850 church in downtown Frankfort could become next spot for judicial center; memorialized in many Paul Sawyier paintings.

West Virginia:

Huntington to create wayfinder signage, clean up gateways including Hal Greer Boulevard.

Land bank top priority for Huntington.

Kentucky:

Contract for new police station in downtown Ashland to be let.

Ohio:

Just in time for Thanksgiving: A 5.2-square-mile village planned for a rolling, wooded area of Warren County could start taking shape next year. More sprawl!

West Virginia:

Largest housing development once proposed on the rim of the New River Gorge, which would have been visible from the adjoining National Park, is auctioned after the developer went bankrupt. National Park Service, environmentalists, visitors to the region rejoices.

Environment:

American Trails honors Schnatters. John Schnatter, founder of Papa Johns, constructed lavish walking path through own property for city of Anchorage near Louisville. Seeking to donate money for the outer-belt ring of parks.

Mountaintop removal 'mine' given okay on potential wind-farm site in West Virginia. 'Wild and wonderful', West Virginia?

Transportation:

One-lane Harrods Creek Bridge closed indefinitely in Louisville; alternate routes close by, but residents cry foul.

West Virginia's Courtesy Patrol turns ten.

Kentucky:

Lexington: Less talk, more action downtown, Lexington city council is told.

Ohio:

Columbus to accept Clean Ohio grant to demolish blighted industrial properties adjacent to Arena District.

Erie County's main economic development group wants Sandusky's Marina District project to go forward.

Upper Arlington (near Columbus) City Council has decided once again to delay its vote on historic preservation legislation.

Veterans could save deteriorated Memorial Hall in Ironton.

Environment:

Southern Indiana's coal to gas plant dead.

Transportation:

Kentucky set to form "Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority" to fund transportation mega-projects, possibly with tolls.

New Interstate 271 and Ohio Route 8 interchange in Macedonia set to open early.

Kentucky:

Landlocked Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington out of room, despite being only nine years old.

Ovation, a $800 million mixed-use development in Newport, still dirt and dreams years later.

Ohio:

Clifton Heights set for massive mixed-use development next to University of Cincinnati.

West Virginia:

Bailey & Glasser makes old new in Charleston.

Transportation:

Funds sought for MARC between West Virginia and Washington D.C. Funding options to be presented.

No shock: Add sidewalks and people will use them!

Ohio River Bridges in Louisville/southern Indiana: Will it happen?

Ohio:

Cincinnati's Northgate Mall TIF gets new life.

Transportation:

8664 group awaits study from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on plan to remove Interstate 64 from Louisville's waterfront.

Indiana:

Architect eyes 3 sites for arena in Evansville.

Ohio:

3CDC purchases Maisonette building on Sixth Street in downtown Cincinnati; 3CDC exploring mixed-use redevelopment.

Friends of the Lower Muskingum received Marietta City Council's support to apply for a Clean Ohio grant that would allow the purchase of approximately 14 acres within the city limits to be used as a trail and permanent green space.

Progress report on Chesapeake Lofts in Sandusky set for Saturday. Meanwhile, "Citizens for Responsive Government" complained that an election authorizing the Marina District was invalid, project in jeopardy.

Seneca County courthouse developers might get 6 more months.

West Virginia:

Bridges, scenic byway focus in Brooke County.

Weirton Steel's office building demolished.

Environment:

Coal to liquid plant receives Ohio EPA clean air permit.

Green building starts up five-fold.

Ohio Unviersity in Athens strives for green.

Transportation:

New Pomeroy-Mason Bridge over the Ohio River to be named 'Medal of Honor Bridge'.

State of Ohio announces $100 million for rail, road, air and water transportation projects.

ZAP Cars to begin production at a retrofitted factory in Shepherdsville, Kentucky; still working on financing for new plant near Franklin.

Indiana:

Jeffersonville close to design completion for ramp to the abandoned Big Four Bridge for rail-trail access across Ohio River.

Ohio:

Marietta's Front Street to be revitalized with brick pavers and streetscaping.

West Virginia:

Ideas being sought for site of historic brownstone collapse in Bluefield.

Naming rights of Marshall University's new recreation center debated. $30 million center to open in February.

Transportation:

GE Electric: We never agreed to provide financing for ZAP electric cars; investigation could ensue.

Morgantown, West Virginia to receive sharrows for cyclists.

Kentucky:

Centrepointe and Distillery District given tentative approval in Lexington to ordinances creating TIF districts. The ordinances include establishing the development areas, outlining the proposed projects to be funded and the development plans that have been established for each project.

Danville receives funding to enhance Third Street.

Indiana:

Floyd County's Youth Shelter building, circa 1892, receives new carpet; future still uncertain.

Major mixed-use development Clarks Landing in Clarksville given the okay.

Ohio:

Former Manchester school could be demolished.

West Virginia:

Regatta festival in Charleston may have run its course. Director calls for its quiet death.

Subdivision given green light by courts to develop on historic Shepherdstown Battlefield property.

Environment:

Governor, EPA disagree with Bush proposal to allow coal companies to dump debris in valleys.

Former State Court official says he was fired over Maynard-Blankenship vacation photos.

No friend of coal: Highest poverty rates in West Virginia coincide with production of coal. Black Lung cases rising.

Transportation:

Cabin Creek Covered Bridge in Kentucky receiving help from Johnson Creek Covered Bridge restoration crew.

Kentucky's ZAP car could be in for some rough times.

New executive terminal to be built at Lexington's Blue Grass Airport.

Nicholasville to Interstate 75 link in Kentucky could be a tolled highway.

West Virginia state leaders tackle TARC transit issue, and its potential cuts.

Kentucky:

Bowling Green parking structure could be behind schedule.

Condos could revitalize historic building on Louisville's East Market Street.

New judicial center for Pulaski County (Somerset) begins construction.

Ohio:

Firestone Park redevelopment in Akron upsets some.

Marina District in jeopardy in Sandusky due to petitions.

For hippies:

Green Building Council updating LEED standards.

Off-grid residence fighting power line.

Transportation:

New Dayton, Ohio Interstate 75 ramp opening delayed.

Ohio Route 794 to be relocated near Dayton for being too close to military base.

http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_322224622.html

Kentucky:

Governor's Mansion in Frankfort will be revitalized. Restored only several years ago.

New life for Owensboro theater.

Owensboro awaits fate of closed Executive Inn on waterfront; mum is the word.

Snobs in Lexington don't want sidewalk on public right-of-way (Tates Creek Road) because of "stormwater run-off," "litter," and "mess." Some claim that the four-lane roadway is a "country" road, despite being in the center of a city of almost 280,000.

Ohio:

Dayton ponders: Is rapid hospital expansion necessary when facilities are operating only at 60% capacity? City facilities keep expanding.

Hotel Howe in Akron city's tallest since 1915.

No word on Sandusky's 'green' condominium development.

West Virginia:

Cove School in Weirton no more.

Huntington: Most unhealthiest city in America. Congrats!

Shepherdstown's downtown is dying.

For hippies:

New coal-fired power plants in legal limbo. Many could be stalled or removed from active planning documents.

Transportation:

Funding for King Coal Highway/U.S. Route 52 four-lane upgrade in western West Virginia called 'positive'.

Kentucky:

Vexington Mall: A status report on Lexington's greatest infill challenge. History of Lexington Mall.

West Virginia:

Laura Bush names Harpers Ferry the newest Preserve America Community.

New life pumped into a Slack Street building in Charleston.

Wheeling mayor talks downtown development.

Seemingly doomed from its start, Forest Fair Mall was completed in stages from 1988 to 1989, and featured nearly 200 stores and four anchors. Located in northwest Cincinnati, it was one of the state's largest malls, and most impressive. That was one of its only positive highlights, however. The shopping center was completed for $50 million over budget and left the owner saddled with debt.

Not surprisingly, the builder, L.J. Hooker, declared bankruptcy only months after the complex was completed. In the years ahead, the mall was bought and sold, positioned and repositioned, and remodeled and shuttered. It was a high-end regional mall, and outlet center, and a retail and entertainment complex, although it it neither of those descriptors today. Today, it is known simply as Cincinnati Mills.

The mall struggles despite having several some successful outlots and several thriving stores, including Bass Pro Shops. For example, one of its last tenants in the eastern wing, Guitar Center, is departing. This leaves only two minor shops to fend for themselves in the most remote location of the shopping center, and it is doubtful that they will remain there for much longer.

What does the future hold for Cincinnati Mills? Not so much. It features two major tenants that are departing: Guitar Center and Steve and Berry's, and one entire wing that will essentially become vacant. Major redevelopment is needed at this site, although with the ever struggling economy, this may prove to be a bit of a challenge.

Here are some photographs from Cincinnati Mills, taken only several days ago:



The wing of the mall closest to Bass Pro Shops has considerably more stores than the remainder of the center.

Center Concourse



The concourse leading to Kohl's was entirely empty of any pedestrian activity.


The oldest segment of the mall is also the most empty. A Guitar Center store will soon close, leaving only two minor businesses remaining in one entire concourse.



Food Court





Be sure to check out the Cincinnati Mills page for a full text writeup and for more photographs!

Kentucky:

Housing market in northern Kentucky continues to worsen.

Miller Transportation of Louisville continues attempts to steal revenue, passengers from TARC.

Shutdown of AK Steel's Ashland Works a massive blow to region; city prided itself on a 6,000 employment base by AK Steel, down today to 1,000.

Ohio:

Cincinnati's famed Emery Theatre to be open to the public for one day... at its coming out event.

Columbus developers seeking opportunity in rough market.

Petition filed for new Marina District vote in Sandusky. Vote could delay or end development efforts.

West Virginia:

Huntington's Marshall University students pass 'green fee'.

Raleigh County's Judicial Center annex bids are higher than expected.

Owners of abandoned properties in Wheeling must pay up to have deteriorated building demolished.

Transportation:

Electric cars can now be titled in Kentucky.

Interstate 66 construction continues in Somerset, Kentucky; portion of the Cumberland Parkway to be abandoned.

Versailles, Kentucky to study downtown traffic congestion; possible plans include western bypass that was dismissed two years ago.

Centrepointe grew up. Literally. In what the Webb Companies has called the "final design," Centrepointe has added a distinctive peak and spire into the mix, replacing a flat roof. In addition, the podium has been reduced to three floors to accommodate taller heights for hotel functions, classical columns were added to the entrance along Main Street, and an elevated pedway that was to cross South Limestone Street to the Phoenix parking garage has been buried. The amount of condominiums has also been increased in the revision as well, taking into account the popularity of one-bedroom residences and demand that (will) hopefully return to the housing market by the time Centrepointe is completed in 2010.

The changes were filed with the Courthouse Area Design Review office and approved.

Core drilling for Centrepointe continues although it is winding down and should be completed within a few days. Foundation removal is still ongoing, and is slightly delayed due to the robust foundation of the former Graves structure.

In my opinion, the changes were wonderfully executed in the design. The addition of more traditional elements to the skyscraper, such as the columns, the spire and the revised motif has given Centrepointe a more refined feel. The reduction of the podium in terms of the number of floors, even if to give greater height to the hotel function rooms, should be more comparable to other downtown properties.

Kentucky:

Alexandria seeks to improve community park with amphitheater, other amenities.

Henderson ethanol plant dead due to obvious economic issues with converting corn to ethanol; trash to gasoline project proposed.

Size of a new Rupp Arena in Lexington discussed; some call for a design that blends in with the historic character of the region.

Union Town Center, a mixed-use development plan for the center of Union, advances.

Work on Owensboro's riverfront park could begin in a matter of weeks.

Ohio:

Rieger Lofts in Sandusky declared dead.

Sandusky chooses local firm to head local redevelopment efforts.

Supporters seek to save Riverbend Art Center in Dayton.

Transportation:

A judge in the Kentucky highway bid-tampering case said yesterday that he would decide on a case-by-case basis which records defense attorneys are entitled to receive through subpoenas.

Cincinnati is requesting comments on Harrison Avenue improvements.

Major interchange work coming to Interstate 275 and Winton Road in Cincinnati.

Nation's shortest covered bridge expected to cost $100,000 less to construct in Ashtabula County, Ohio.

Kentucky:

Centrepointe's design in Lexington more refined, classical; OK'ed by Review Board.

Danville breaks ground on city hall renovation and expansion project.

Henderson moving forward on riverfront project.

Lexington to host a sixteen-day fair to coincide with the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Maysville applying for grants to remove asbestos from long-abandoned Hayswood Hospital.

Ohio:

Akron agrees to first redevelopment project as part of a rebuilding of the Goodyear headquarters.

Dayton's National City tower to see major renovations.

Free wi-fi coming to downtown Canton.

Grandview Hospital in Dayton to build new four-story wing; part of Grafton Hill's revitalization efforts.

Historic Buckley House in Marietta to reopen as restaurant.

Hughes Center's conversion to a school devoted to school devoted to science, technology, engineering and math opposed by some in Cincinnati.

Allowing local port authority to renovate Seneca County's historic 1884 courthouse could save the county nearly $2 million over the cost of demolishing it.

West Virginia:

Wheeling Hospital pondering seven-story expansion.

Transportation:

13-mile section of U.S. 24 -- the Fort to Port Highway, opens to traffic.

Interstate 64 widening project in Huntington, West Virginia six-months ahead of schedule.

The Little Miami Rail Trail in Ohio falling into disrepair.

The Tamarack, operated by the West Virginia Parkways Authority in Beckley, West Virginia, could be privatized.

Kentucky:

Louisville's Center City development slow to start due to lagging economy, financing. Developer has four years to secure financing and begin construction.

One of Perryville's historic structures needs major roof rehabilitation; listed historic district.

Proposed Ashland water park tabled due to economy.

Indiana:

Clarksville releases plans for redevelopment of former Colgate toothpaste plant when it closed in 2008. Clark's Landing to be major mixed-use development.

Ohio:

Back to the drawing board for Portsmouth's proposed City Center/Justice Center project.

West Virginia:

Largest ATV trail network in the United States, Hatfield-McCoy trails set to grow even further in 2009.

For hippies:

Obama expected to tighten, overhaul lax coal regulations.

Transportation:

Interstate 275's Combs-Hehl Bridge near Cincinnati, Ohio still needs steel for major repairs so that the bridge can reopen to trucks.

Interstate 70's renovated Wheeling Tunnel uses Intelligent Transportation System for monitoring.

West Virginia unveils first phase of statewide Intelligent Transportation System to be used on interstates.

Kentucky:

Frankfort's future wrapped in its past.

Ohio:

Akron's West Market Street development near downtown fills with tenants; city still seeking grocer.

Cincinnati's Sedamsville neighborhood receives National Register of Historic Places designation, days after historic St. Martin's Church was demolished.

Neighborhood full of stable historic homes and buildings demolished for sprawling hospital campus in Springfield; last building being demolished as part of 'eminent domain'.

Rossford's half-completed amphitheater being demolished; once slated for development titled 'Crossroads of America'.

Sixteen neighborhoods plagued with abandoned buildings and empty lots have been targeted for redevelopment in Hamilton; part of Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

Toledo's shuttered Science Museum to reopen in 2009.

West Virginia:

Opera House, circa 1910, reopens in Marlinton.

'Tamarack, Best of West Virginia' could be privatized.

For hippies:

New documentary calls for renewed vigilance and effort to save nation's waterways; focus on Grand Canyon.

Transportation:

Cycling in Portland, Oregon has nearly tripled in volume since 2001.

Diverging diamond interchange coming to Cleveland, Ohio.

Evansville, Indiana embraces bike lanes, sharrows.

Interstate 77 tunnel renovations between West Virginia and Virginia complete.

Louisville's Interstate 264 finally sees construction commence on Westport Road interchange.

New passenger rail line planned between downtown Louisville and Fort Knox along Paducah and Louisville Railway. Fort Knox will see influx of 6,000 additional employees and civilians by 2011; line seen as start of a restarted light-rail/commuter-rail service.

Toll hikes needed on West Virginia Turnpike; $30 million in deferred maintenance. Tolls lowest in nation per mile with respect to inflation. Turnpike drivers decreased from 2007, so has revenues.

Ohio:

Marietta could see the development of trails along the Lower Muskingum River.

Portsmouth voters canned the City Center/Justice Center project in the former Marting building.

Transportation:

Huntington, West Virginia's TTA bus service to expand into Kentucky after expanding into southern Ohio earlier in the year.

Wheeling Tunnel's eastbound tube is finally open after renovations. Plagued by numerous problems, including tile bonding, grates collapsing. Westbound tube to be closed in 2009 for similar work.

Kentucky:

Adobe mud brick house in Greensburg declared local landmark.

Green County's courthouse in need of repairs.

Largest restoration project underway in Greensburg at historic inn. Additional details.

Long abandoned Russellville hospital could come back to life as a low-income, senior-living facility.

Ohio:

Dayton's Carnegie Library rehabilitation earns preservation award.

University of Akron plan to include major campus expansion, construction.

Transportation:

Buttermilk Pike to see more lanes, reconstruction in Northern Kentucky.

More on Akron's plan to become bicycle-friendly.

ODOT one year from completing Interstate 80 reconstruction and widening project from the Ohio Turnpike to the Interstate 80 and Ohio State Route 11 interchange.

Kentucky:

Frankfort's riverfront redevelopment could include amphitheater.

Ohio:

Portsmouth's City Center/Justice Center hearing on hold.

Kentucky:

TANK bus service in northern Kentucky to increase fare by 25 cents; fuel surcharges to blame despite record ridership.

Ohio:

Canton's Federal Center project to begin in spring.

Dayton's Merc Project set to begin soon; consisting of 60,000 sq. ft. of retail and office space, and 16 residential units.

Terrace Hotel to close today, after one day notice. Deteriorated interior conditions cited as closure.

Transportation:

Akron, Ohio using sharrows to give additional notice to automobile drivers that bikes share the lanes.

SARTA eyes Belden Village Transit Center in Canton, Ohio.

The Webb Cos. announced today that Centerpointe's design has been modified to include a revised top, a shorter base and other minor changes. The base was revised in response to criticisms that it was out of character and disproportionate in terms of height with other structures along Main Street, while the top was modified to give the structure additional height and a signature design -- pushing it to a level that ranks it as one of the tallest buildings in the state.

Work is also progressing on the core drillings, which have been extended 45 feet into solid rock, certainly good news to the developers who feared that there may have been an underground stream that would have required additional base supports for the underground parking structure. Construction could begin in December for the building itself, barring any major weather events.

Centerpointe is a $250 million, 823,000 sq. ft. 35-story high-rise tower under construction in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, bounded by Main, Vine, Limestone and Upper streets. Upon completion, it will include an upscale hotel, condominiums, office space, and retail and restaurant pads.

Kentucky:

Danville city hall bids now open.

Demolition wrapping up, construction continuing at Louisville Arena site.

Henderson demolishing 1856 residence after lopping off the lot for a parking lot. Historic house "too far gone."

Joe Rosenberg and partners purchased Barrister Hall in downtown Lexington; plans for new shop in the works.

Proponents still seek whitewater course along Barren River in Bowling Green; part of new park plan?

Public hearing held on $4 million Wilmore streetscape plan.

Ohio:

Akron's Rolling Acres Mall closes. Many pack up quickly.

Heritage Ohio spearheads downtown revitalization drive in Ashtabula.

Historic 107-year-old Conneaut downtown structure could be demolished; two individuals paint different pictures of the condition of the building. Could be demolished for apartments and retail.

Sandusky votes 5-2 to reject a Community Development Block Grant loan to restore the former Sanduskian Hotel into the Rieger Lofts. Nearby deteriorating Keller Building may face demolition if City Commissioner Brett Fuqua gets his way; wants former Sanduskian Hotel gone too.

Erie Street Market in Toledo not meeting income expectations; city seeks to unload it. Still part of plans for the Warehouse District.

Transportation:

Thousands attend 25th annual Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival. County has 17 covered spans, including one that was dedicated in 2008.

Interstate 69 bridge at Henderson, Kentucky too expensive; tolls only feasible method of financing. U.S. Route 41's bridges nearby still underutilized and free-flowing. Senator still touts Interstate 69, but offers no funding solutions.

Kentucky Route 61 reconstruction project near Columbia axed, then revived.

Lloyd Expressway in Evansville, Indiana seeing major construction with a new interchange.

Nelsonville, Ohio U.S. Route 33 bypass planning complete, still no funding.

No shock: roundabouts perform well and are very efficient!

No timetable to widen U.S. Route 119 to four-lanes in southern Kentucky.

Cincinnati, Ohio:

Settlement with Duke Energy will benefit the proposed streetcar.

Sycamore Park in Clermont County triples in size.

Lexington, Kentucky:

Council rejects rezoning around 300-year-old tree.

Louisville, Kentucky:

City makes list of proposed changes to Center City development, an extension east of 4th Street Live.

Louisville Arena Authority awarded one of the last major contracts related to construction of the $238 million downtown arena.

Louisville Free Public Library scaled-down expansion