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Copyright
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
45 E. Main St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-2722
Western Avenue improvements already
on radar screen for local review group
By Marvin Jones
President and CEO
Ensuring efficient and safe streets and highways in addition to preparing for future development are goals of the Oversight Committee charged with reviewing the Ross County and Chillicothe Thoroughfare Plan.
The more than 20 members of the group convened this week to begin the annual review of the plan that originally was adopted in 1998 and underwent a major overhaul in 2008. Members include representatives from the city and county engineering departments, city and county planning commissions, Ohio Department of Transportation District 9, township trustees, City Council, county commissioners, developers and others.
A major point of review this year is access management, or the number of curb cuts and other minor roads connecting to major arterials in addition to looking at potential future roads in new areas of development.
An ODOT representative noted the section of Western Avenue (U.S. 50) between Leeds Road and Stoneridge Drive is now on the state’s list of top 200 dangerous roadways, based on the number of accidents in the past three years. Western Avenue from Limestone Boulevard to Veterans Parkway, which includes the top 200 section, is the top priority in the plan to be addressed, from the 2008 update.
ODOT is looking at the one short section to determine potential improvements while $475,000 from the state (includes 10 percent from both the city and county) could start engineering work on the longer section.
Devon Shoemaker from the county Planning Department showed the group a proposed access road that would lead from the apartment complex behind the Mormon church on North Bridge Street, go beside Tire Discounters and in front of Tractor Supply, connecting to the exit at the flashing signal across from Aldis. Shoemaker said the access road eventually could run all the way to Sam’s Club.
County Engineer Charlie Ortman said he hopes the group will include Hospital and River roads in the review. He said that area is a target for future growth and that both roads that largely parallel U.S. 23 could see a big increase in traffic. One example of that development is the new home for Chillicothe Carpet. Owner Jon West said ground should be broken in July and the structure completed in December near the corner of Delano and Hospital roads.
The widening of Western Avenue has the “highest” priority in the current plan. The only two rated as “high” are the continuation of the Ohio 207 connector to Ohio 159 at Ohio 180 at Kinnikinnick and the addition of a northbound right turn only lane on Bridge Street from Stewart Road to Winona Boulevard.
The oversight group doesn’t plan a major overhaul of the plan, just a review to determine if any new projects need to be added or present ones eliminated or changed in priority of importance.
Adena Health opening expansion wing
The public got a chance to check out the new $45 million expansion of Adena Medical Center last weekend that will provide state-of-the-art facilities to go along with dedicated staff on the system’s campus north of Chillicothe. The three-story addition provides new quarters for a women’s and infant care center, cardiology and orthopedics. Check out photos from Saturday’s gala event: Adena expansion
DOE does the expected: French-owned group gets loan guarantee
The U.S. Department of Energy reiterated Thursday its plan to hand out two loan guarantees of $2 billion each when it announced Areva would get the first one for its planned Idaho Falls plant. The guarantee is conditioned on French-owned Areva getting licenses from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
USEC plans to update its application this summer for the second guarantee in hopes of ramping up construction by the first of next year on its Piketon American Centrifuge Plant, creating hundreds of jobs locally and others throughout the U.S.
Check out the story in today’s Chillicothe Gazette: USEC loan guarantee
Printex celebrates 35 years with BAB
Jimmy Hoffa disappeared, the Vietnam War ended, Bruce Springsteen launched his career with “Born to Run” and Jeff Marshall opened his Printex business in the living room of his home in 1975. Chamber members congratulated and celebrated the milestone anniversary with Marshall, his family and his employees at Wednesday’s Business After Business on East Main Street. Marshall provided some history of his business before cutting the ceremonial cake with his son Jeff. More photos are available: BAB photos
Jaycees kicking off holiday with Boogie
The Appalachian Yuppies will provide the live entertainment for the Boogie on the Blacktop of the Chillicothe Jaycees at the Elks on Friday, May 28 to help start the Memorial Day festivities that will include the Feast of the Flowering Moon downtown. The music at the Boogie starts at 8 and admission is $2.
Newest chamber members:
- Stephen Sesser, Attorney at Law, 8 W. Sixth St., 772-2000
- Debi’s Dreams, 3315 Moss Hollow Road, 663-4354, home bakery business.
Vendors licenses:
- Lambert Concessions, 83 Borlands Crossing, James Lambert
- Cindy Stevens, 371 W. Fifth St.
- Diane’s Doll Annex, 17311 U.S. 50 West, by Diane Roosa
- Chuck’s Auto Rescue, 615 N. High St., by Charles McKirgan