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MRT Expansion |
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Mike_Presta 
MUSA Council 
Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483 |
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 Posted: Oct 15 2010 at 4:24am |
I realize that you are faily new to our community, and may not be fully aware of the detailed history of the area, so you might not understand what a collossal UNDERSTATEMENT that is.
However, there is no excuse for the lifelong residents, especially those who claim to be so enthralled by, and well-versed in, HISTORY, not to know the following:
Just a well-flung stone's throw east of MRT's shop, on the east bank of the former Miami-Erie Canal (now Verity Parkway), in the now empty park-like grassland between that canal and what is now Curtis Street, once stood the original Middletown Works of the American Rolling Mill Company!!!
One could drive a golf ball from the MRT property to the original Armco plant site, just as one could from the Sorg Mansion to local paper mills!!!
Iron, steel, and paper!!! "Light" industry???? HARDLY!!!
Perhaps all of this has slipped the minds of our city's First Mother, Chairman of the Historic Commission, and author of our Historic Ordinance!!!
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“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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viper771
MUSA Resident 
Joined: Mar 16 2009 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 221 |
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Posted: Oct 14 2010 at 11:11pm |
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The area isn't too bad. I don't live far from where the article talks about. Rhodes is right though. A lot of these old houses were built around some light industry. People who lived in these places often worked just down the street at times. It wouldn't be a big deal to me if they expanded in the area. It might do some good around here. They could demo that little store right by 8th and get rid of a lot of problems while they are at it :)
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Voice of Reason
MUSA Resident
Joined: Oct 13 2010 Location: Williams Status: Offline Points: 69 |
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Posted: Oct 14 2010 at 9:24pm |
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Hello Everyone, I am a recent member of this blog though I've kept up from time to time on the discussions. I happened to read this article today in the Journal as well--it will be very interesting to see how council handles if it is the Mayor's mother who was quoted--I assume it was. I suppose I am mixed on this; I am glad for the jobs but why is the company expanding at a site rather than using up any of the many existing sites around town? I assume it is because the rent at that location must be dirt cheap. It seems like they ought to operate out of the old Armco Midd Cities complex, which has lots of buildings and existing cranes. The exact area where it's going to be built, if I remember correctly, is pretty rough, so maybe it won't matter.
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"Ask not what your country can do for you..." JFK
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Rhodes
MUSA Resident
Joined: Jun 18 2010 Status: Offline Points: 209 |
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Posted: Oct 14 2010 at 6:55pm |
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Hasn't the historic district always been surrounded by industry? If they want to be historically accurate, then they should be supporting this. Maybe the historic group should even consider fining MRT $750/day if they try to move elsewhere.
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spiderjohn
Prominent MUSA Citizen 
Joined: Jul 01 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2749 |
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Posted: Oct 14 2010 at 4:15pm |
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Good points,SWOhio, however high-density housing for whom?
We hardly need new housing in that area unless you plan on ramping up for more Section 8.
The area is a long way from being re-vitalized.
It is a dead zone. Can you imagine the feedback if Council turns this down?
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swohio75
MUSA Citizen 
Joined: Jun 13 2008 Status: Offline Points: 820 |
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Posted: Oct 14 2010 at 11:57am |
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It’s always good to see a business growing and expanding (especially in this economy) and WANTING to stay in Middletown. Obviously AK Steel being a customer is contributing to their decision to stay in Middletown. However, there is a bigger, long-term issue that needs to be considered. And no, it’s the not the encroaching of this project on the historical district. As it currently stands, the area is mixed residential / industrial with the largest industrial use being the old Middletown Paperboard and Corson Packaging complex. I don’t believe either facility is active, and I know the city has been working with property owners to bring the out-dated complex down. The plan calls for future hi-density residential development on the site. Across Verity Parkway, the old ARMCO/AK Steel campus will be history. It’s only a matter of time before research and the power plant come down. This tract of land will also be prime for redevelopment. So as future land use goes, is the re-zoning of this parcel acceptable? I’m not arguing for or against. But my preference would be for them to work with ED to find a more suitable location in an industrial area that would provide for even more growth in the future. Growth opportunities will be limited at their current location. Still, jobs are jobs. |
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VietVet
MUSA Council
Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008 |
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Posted: Oct 14 2010 at 11:00am |
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Spider- the way I read this is that the zoning must be changed by council approval for this to happen as it is CURRENTLY zoned residential with the request to go to Light Industrial. Don't believe it is currently zoned industrial as your post infers and council must make a decision on the change based on the Planning recommendation. The council could turn this down if it infringes on the residents, especially given the fact of who the residents are. This is Mulligan/Kohler country we're talking about here. JMO
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spiderjohn
Prominent MUSA Citizen
Joined: Jul 01 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2749 |
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Posted: Oct 14 2010 at 8:31am |
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Any "industrial creep" in that general area of town should be very well-recieved.
Already grown from 5 to 26 employees and locally-owned.
S Main St.homes are beautiful, and mostly well-kept, however job creation and business growth trumps legimate asthetic concerns here imo.
Mayor is only one vote, mom is allowed to voice her concerns.
Really no way the city can turn down this expansion of an already industrial location.
jmo
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VietVet
MUSA Council
Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008 |
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Posted: Oct 14 2010 at 6:32am |
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Looks like MRT has gone to the Planning Board to request more room to build a new building allowing it to have an inside crane for large projects. This expansion would require a zoning change from D-3 residential to I-1 light industrial. It's a half acre.
Cathie Mulligan (the mayor's mother) lives in the nearby South Main historical district and is concerned about "industrial creep" and is worried about changes in the aesthetics of the area as well as increased traffic and noise. Planning has recommended the change for the expansion. Wonder if the mayor will allow this to happen since his mother is affected by this???? 
The Journal still is not allowing any comments on any stories it publishes. |
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