Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
Weekly Update
Mission statement: The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce promotes economic and community development by addressing issues important to business
Volume 4, Issue 15
Friday, December 8, 2006
This week's sponsors:
Community Events Calendar
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Copyright 2006
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
Master plan for downtown
would provide direction for years
Parking woes. Empty storefronts. Unkempt buildings. Burned-out buildings. Demolitions. One-way streets. Lack of this. Lack of that. Add your own negative.
Like a football team that has a few losses, downtown Chillicothe has been the target of pundits and naysayers for too long despite the fact it continues to be an architectural jewel and a decent place to do business. It would be hard to find someone, though,who doesn't want to see our historic business district become even more vibrant and even more of an economic force in the community.
Rather than try and take a piecemeal approach to fixing what ails the downtown, an effort is being made to find a coordinated strategy that looks at all aspects of what makes for a vibrant downtown and how best to go about making fixes that will last for years. The chamber two months ago began pulling together a group of downtown property owners, business proprietors and government officials to talk about finding solutions.
The result of those three sessions is for this coalition to seriously consider contracting with a firm that for 20 years has done nothing but help more than 50 communities find ways to improve their downtown business districts. HyettPalma serves a unique niche. There are consulting firms that specialize in parking, marketing downtowns, restoring historic buildings and traffic, but no firm seems to have the expertise in all of these areas like HyettPalma.
Economic Development Alliance CEO Chris Manegold worked with the firm when he was in Tecumseh, Michigan. He said the strategies outlined by the firm helped to bring in new businesses, fill storefronts and improve the community's district.
Ed Kunzelman and Joe Molnar are serving as the co-chairmen of the ad hoc group. Both have extensive experience renovating historic structures downtown. Kunzelman is a former member of City Council and Molnar is chairman of the city's Design Review Board.
A special committee of the group is investigating the firm's work in about nine other communities around the country. That work will help in making the final decision.
HyettPalma is offering its services for $55,000, based on our population. It is an all-inclusive price as travel, meals, accommodations and all other costs are rolled into the cost. The group is now exploring ways to fund the $55,000: Investments by business and property owners, other individuals, local foundations and local and state government funds all are possibilities.
The group also is looking to expand to include anyone and any agency interested in the goal of having a more vibrant downtown and be willing to help to work on the information-gathering process as well as ensuring the objectives outlined in the final document are achieved. HyettPalma will conduct several public sessions and select the Process Committee that will be charged with helping the firm formulate the final document. That process is expected to take no more than five months.
The next meeting to discuss the project is Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 6 p.m. at a site to be determined. Downtown enthusiasts and investors are encouraged to attend. In the meantime, check out the firm at www.HyettPalma.com and check out the proposed contract at www.chillicotheohio.com/Downtown_proposal.pdf.
Opening of Ohio 207 Connector
to forever change county's traffic patterns
Come noon Tuesday, travel in northern Ross County gets a big boost with the ripples to be felt all across the county and Chillicothe itself. Traffic begins to flow then on the new Ohio 207 Connector between U.S. 23 and Ohio 104.
Access to Adena Regional Medical Center improves dramatically for squads coming from the western portion of the county that will be able to avoid Western Avenue and Bridge Street altogether. Workers from the hospital, Kenworth, YSK, Vitatoe and Trim Systems who live on the west side of Chillicothe can avoid the same streets. And that should make for more pleasant shopping experiences for those who are on North Bridge Street.
The dedication at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the U.S. 23 overpass will be a real celebration for Ross County Engineer Don Carnes. The connector is yet another in a series of major improvements he has led the past eight years. Following the 1998 Thoroughfare Plan he had a large part in devising and which is being updated now, Carnes adds the connector to his department's list of accomplishments that include Veterans Parkway and new bridges on Kellenberger and Higby roads.
"Don has worked very hard on this project and its completion represents the culmination of not only a multi-year process, but his diligence," said Harry Fry, deputy director of the local District 9 office of the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The connector is 2.67 miles long, cost $25.7 million and includes a bridge over the Scioto River, an underpass at the CSX Railroad and a new interchange at U.S. 23.
In addition to changing traffic patterns for many, the connector opens new possibilities for economic development, especially when Ohio 104 is widened to four lanes in the next three years.
ANOTHER RIBBON CUTTING: Stephen Patrick invites everyone to check out his new office for Westside Media Saturday at 11 a.m. He's at 440 Western Avenue at Delano Avenue.
SAFETY GROUP CELEBRATING HOLIDAYS: Dr. Thom Lisk, a renowned inspirational and motivational speaker, will address the Ross County Safety Council at its Dec. 14 luncheon at the Chillicothe Country Club. The luncheon counts toward the required eight meetings members must attend to remain eligible for the premium discount program. Register now: Safety Council registration
PACCAR SHARING THE WEALTH: The parent company of the Kenworth Truck Company this week announced it is paying a special cash dividend of $2 a share in addition to its regular 20-cent quarterly dividend. The payout will be made January 5 to those who own shares on December 18. In the last 12 months, Paccar stock is up 41 percent.
AN HOUR'S MORE FUN AT NEXT BAB: To help celebrate the opening of its new multi-million addition, Traditions of Chillicothe is starting its Business After Business on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. Participants will get a chance to check out the new facilities that become part of the assisted living section and The Glade independent living section. It's not too early to register to attend: BAB registration
NEW EMPLOYEE: Steve Garvey is a new territory manager for Accurate Heating and Cooling. He has 30 years experience in maintenance supply and will serve Pickaway and Fayette counties.
WORKSHOP TO EXPLORE FORMING COOPERATIVE FOR MANUFACTURERS: The Ohio Cooperative Development Center at the OSU South Centers in Piketon is hosting a workshop for area companies interested in forming an employers resources network to obtain services and resources in a more cost-effective method. The workshop is January 11 from 10-3 at the Endeavor Center in Piketon and is free of charge. Reservations need to be made by December 29. More information is available by calling Tom Snyder at 740-289-2071 Ext. 220. Registrations are being taken by Christina Leighfield at Ext. 231 or email her at leighfield.1@osu.edu.
NEWEST MEMBER: Joining the chamber this week as Judy Kitts as an agent for Century 21 Darfus Realty. She can be reached at 703-1993.
VENDORS LICENSES: Receiving licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:
- Mercer Motors, 1684 Western Ave., by Shawn Skees and Joseph Walburn.
- Alley Boy Kustomz, 342 1/2 E. SEcond St., by Kevin Phillips.
- Hilltop Cafe, 101 University Drive, by Ohio University.
- Rusty Roof Antique Mall, 21 N. Main St., Kingston, by Carol Chaney.
CHAMBER CALENDAR:
- Saturday, December 9: Westside Media ribbon cutting, 440 Western Ave., 11 a.m.
- Wednesday, December 13: Leadership Chillicothe Ross health session, Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health Center, 7:45 a.m.
- Thursday, December 14: Ross County Safety Council luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Chillicothe Country Club; Safety Council registration
- Thursday, December 14: Executive Committee, chamber, 8 a.m.
- Tuesday, December 19: Leadership Chillicothe Ross Steering Committee, chamber, 3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 20: Business After Business at Traditions of Chillicothe, 4-7 p.m. (note that it starts an hour earlier) BAB registration
- Thursday, December 21: Board of Directors, Kenworth Truck Company, noon.