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 By Marvin Jones
President and CEO
Just when it didn’t seem like there could be much more activity on our North Bridge Street commerce strip comes word that construction on the long-anticipated LongHorn Steakhouse should begin in a few weeks.
The building permit issued nearly a year ago was picked up recently in the city’s Building Department with the indication work will begin shortly. The $1.25 million steakhouse will make it the third Darden company restaurant in the city, joining Red Lobster and Olive Garden. It will be built between Red Lobster and Long John Silver’s in the Chillicothe Mall. The restaurant should be open in time for the holiday shopping season in late fall. Click the photo to check out the menu and other information.
The mall will be getting extra busy as the new TJMaxx opens in a few days in the former Goody’s location, Christopher & Banks already is open next to TJMaxx, Maurice’s undergoes extensive remodeling, Kay Jewelers goes in the former GNC spot and McDonald’s starts work on its renovations.
Across the street, Zane Plaza has some work planned. Los Mariachis is spending $70,000 in alterations to move from North Plaza Boulevard into the former CiCi's space while a new vendor is moving in the kidney dialysis operation behind Buffalo Wild Wings and making $200,000 in renovations.
Just down the road, crews are frantically pulling together the four-slot strip where Hollywood Video once stood. Set to go there are Aspen Dental, Mattress Firm, GameStop and AT&T, which is moving from the almost-always-flooded lot in front of Hobby Lobby.
The Hana Japanese Steakhouse next to Hobby Lobby is still on track to open sometime in June.
I had the unique opportunity this week to testify in front of the Ohio House of Representatives Finance Committee as it puts together the state’s next biennial budget. The topic for this hearing was shared services. Rep. John Carey of Wellston is vice chairman of the committee while Rep. Bob Peterson is a member. Both represent a portion of Ross County. I was one of 55 scheduled to testify, including the Ohio Municipal League and the Ohio County Commissioners Association. Here is the prepared statement I read that was followed by about five minutes of answering questions:
“Chairman Amstutz, Vice Chair Carey and honorable members of the committee:
“To cover a $2 million budget hole, the city of Chillicothe in the past nine months laid off about 30 employees, including police officers and firefighters. It doesn’t plan to pave any streets or alleys this year. Our municipal swimming pool will not be available to thousands of our children. It is taking half the money designated to buy new cruisers, fire trucks and other equipment for our safety forces to pay for salaries and benefits of the remaining police and firefighters. The city is using a technicality to ‘save’ $400,000 by not paying the Ross County sheriff to house its prisoners.
 “Our chamber of commerce suggested to City Council last fall that it seriously explore the possibility of contracting with the Ross County Sheriff for law enforcement coverage. This was after voters turned down a request to increase the income tax specifically for safety forces. The city stands to save anywhere from $500,000 to $2 million a year without reducing the level of service to the citizens of Chillicothe.
“The city took the first step to making this a real possibility about 30 years ago. The city and county built a combined new law enforcement center next to our courthouse that has shared quarters for the officers and deputies. They work side by side every hour of every day. Now, it’s time to explore a merger.
“But, maybe what Chillicothe and other cities in the state need is an incentive. It shouldn’t take an incentive for cities to save millions of dollars, but helping them with transition costs such as repainting cruisers, new uniforms and the other changes that would need to be made could be the ticket.
“You might also consider another carrot in the distribution of the local government funds by rewarding communities that demonstrate they are serious about sharing services and a stick for those that dig in their heels.
“Combining police and sheriff departments is not without precedent in Ohio and the U.S. Large metropolitan areas such as Louisville, Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Los Angeles have had combined departments for years. In Ohio, the city of Coshocton 20 years ago contracted with the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Department and it continues to work well today. Cincinnati is studying the possibility.
“Another potential for smaller communities such as Chillicothe would be exploration of forming a joint fire district with its contiguous townships. In the last five years, Chillicothe has averaged only six fires in which there was more than $10,000 in property damage, yet it cost the city $4.2 million in 2009 for its fire department. The townships continue to ask their residents for tax money to fund their operations. An efficient, well thought out system might provide better response times, compatible equipment, fewer fire trucks and a savings in tax dollars.
“Our county’s Job and Family Services Department recently found a way to combine some functions with three neighboring counties. The result will be no reduction in services to those who need them, and a savings in tax dollars. That type of initiative and forward thinking needs to be recognized and rewarded.
“As you put together the state’s next budget, we hope you will look for the myriad ways to do just that. The Third Frontier Fund was a way to incentivize the growth in technology-related jobs. A similar approach, but without the extra indebtedness, might be what it takes to move our local governments to change the way they approach serving their citizens while maintaining or enhancing the programs the citizens deserve and expect.”
Adena, Fluor all set to host Wednesday’s BAB
The Adena Mansion and Gardens, which opened for the season on April 1, plays host to Wednesday’s Business After Business as Fluor-B&W Portsmouth serves as a co-sponsor. FBW is the new contractor handling the decontamination and decommissioning of the former uranium enrichment plant in Piketon. There will be plenty of door prizes, the usual beverages and appetizers from the Sunroom at the Brick as guests get a chance to tour the mansion and grounds. Let us know if you’re planning to attend: BAB registration
Governor touches base with community
In his second visit to a local manufacturer (Kenworth Truck was first), Gov. John Kasich last week got his first tour of a paper plant as Glatfelter played host to Ohio’s chief executive. “We have a lot of good stuff in southern Ohio,” he told a crowd of employees and community members.
In his remarks, Kasich touched a whole lot of bases in about 20 minutes, including the need to align workforce training with the jobs available. Ohio University-Chillicothe Dean Donna Burgraff participated in the private meeting with Glatfelter’s John Blind and several of his managers. The governor said he is creating a special pool of $20 million for businesses to tap to train or re-train their current workers with the companies having to match a percentage of the total.
Foreclosure rate dropping
While other parts of the state and country continue to grapple with the foreclosure crisis, Ross County saw a 28 percent decrease in filings in the first quarter of 2011 compared to a year ago. Compared to two years ago, the drop was 37 percent. A year ago in March, there were 53 filings for foreclosure in the Ross County Clerk of Courts office while there were only 31 this year. In total, there were 87 filings the first quarter this year against 121 a year ago and 139 in 2009.
Other news and notes:
Three members are celebrating new office openings in the coming weeks. Both Westside Media and Zendeavor are sharing space on Delano Avenue and plan to cut the ribbon at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 28 while Stonecreek Dental’s new office building on North Bridge Street next to Aldis officially opens at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 2. It’s a great time to congratulate other members on their milestones.
The Gift Post reminds bosses that Wednesday, April 27 is Administrative Professionals Day. The shop at 601 E. Main St. is offering floral parfaits as a special this year. Call 773-7368 or email giftpost@horizonview.net to place an order.
Newest chamber members:
Life Air/Air EVAC, 1843 River Road, 740-250-9383, www.lifeteam.net, ambulance and medical helicopter service.
Building permits issued recently by the Chillicothe Building Department:
- Horizon Chillicothe Telephone, 30 E. Main St., awnings and signage, no value given.
- Hana Japanese Steakhouse, 1015 N. Bridge St., sprinkler system, $12,000.
- Judith Wilhelm, 362 E. Fourth St., electrical upgrade, $1,765.
- Central Center, 445 Western Ave., roofing, $28,000.
- Chillicothe Shopping Center (Shawnee Square), 38 Consumer Center Drive, signs, $2,500.
- John Molnar, 960 N. Bridge St., sprinklers, $2,200.
- Bonnie Maughmer, 859 E. Water St., alterations, $900.
- Tyler Memorial EUB Church, 260 Mill St., bathroom alterations, $8,000.
- Chillicothe Mall, 1075 N. Bridge St., alterations, $65,000.
- Chillicothe Shopping Center, 18 Consumer Center Drive, sign, $200.
- Chillicothe Parks and Recreation, 19 Enderlin Circle, roofing, $1,950.
- Team Tokey Hill, 365 Keller Road, windows and siding, $5,200.
- McDonald’s, 40 N. Bridge St., new structure, $560,000.
- John Molnar, 960 N. Bridge St., HVAC replacement, $7,250.
- Henry Stanley III, 88 N. Paint St., HVAC replacement, $5,500.
- Synergy Family Foster Care, 769 E. Main St., HVAC replacement, $12,575.
- Keith and Ana Alcorn, 72 W. Water St., roofing, $1,800.
- Jeffrey Hanes, 92 N. Paint St., roof replacement, $2,500.
- RG Chilli Associates, 85 River Trace Lane, signs, $25,000.
- Zane Plaza, 1080 N. Bridge St., alterations, $70,000.
- Chillicothe Fire Station, 54 E. Water St., fire alarm, no value given.
- Hans and Mary Fischer, 799 Eastern Ave., repair fire damage, $10,000.
- Zane Plaza, 1180 N. Bridge St., alterations, $200,000.
Vendors licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:
Chillicothe Academy of Mixed Martial Arts, 70.5 N. Paint St., by Jeremy Kitts.
If you didn’t receive this newsletter directly from the chamber and would like to be added to our distribution list, please email mjones@chillicotheohio.com. This newsletter is a benefit of chamber membership, but please feel free to forward to your friends.
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