RIVER CENTER PROJECT
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: Economic Development
Forum Description: Local government efforts to develop the local Middletown area economy.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5661
Printed Date: Apr 29 2024 at 11:00pm
Topic: RIVER CENTER PROJECT
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Subject: RIVER CENTER PROJECT
Date Posted: Mar 25 2014 at 8:45am
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Posted: 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2014 Project seeks to make riverfront more accessibleBy http://www.journal-news.com/staff/rick-mccrabb/" rel="nofollow - Rick McCrabb Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Middletown’s “underutilized” riverfront area may receive a financial boost if MetroParks of Butler County receives $2 million in funding that was recently proposed in Ohio’s capital budget. The money for local strategic projects was championed for inclusion in the 2015-16 budget by Sen. Bill Coley, said Kelly Barkley, senior manager of community relations for MetroParks. Each of the two projects — the new Middletown River Center and the Voice of America Park Athletic Complex in West Chester Twp. — would receive $1 million, Barkley said. The two projects still require approval by the General Assembly. She said the projects would have a “positive and regional impact” since 60 percent of the U.S. population live within a one-day drive of the area. In Middletown, the River Center would serve as a hub for those in the region who walk, run and bike along the Great Miami Recreation River Trail, and those who make use of the Great Miami River as a recreational resource, Barkley said. The trail is part of a 90-mile system that serves a population in excess of two million residents, she said. The River Center would house a sub-station for MetroParks Rangers, who would provide trail-related safety resources. The construction would also include parking improvements in the area. As a part of this project, enhancements would also be made to the existing Bicentennial Commons Area and the AK Steel Pavilion, Barkley said. Middletown City Manager thanked Butler Metroparks for its “foresight to initiate and submit this project” for consideration. She said the city and downtown stakeholders are working to make the few block connection more accessible between the riverfront and downtown. One idea being discussed is building a connector from the trail along the river that would wind through parts of downtown. No city money would be involved in building the connector. Rick Pearce, president of the Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, called the proposed project “a nice addition” to the resources that are already there, and he said it will help with the growth of downtown and its revitalization. He hopes those who use the trail will stop and visit Middletown and learn what the city has to offer. Barkley said each project was reviewed for its ability to meet Ohio’s focus of investing in fiscally responsible community facilities that positively impact jobs and stimulate economic growth in the state. Barkley said the project could further bolster the downtown economy because those who use the facility will become “engaged in the city.” She said with the addition of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, and new businesses opening, the city is on “the right track” toward revitalizing the downtown. She said the location of the facility has not been defined. |
Replies:
Posted By: over the hill
Date Posted: Mar 25 2014 at 9:09am
| Please tell me this is a far cry from"lake mistake "Just keep Marty Kohler and council away from it if you want it it succeed! |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Mar 25 2014 at 9:45am
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"I'll pit my boys' band against any this side of Chicago!" ...Mayor George Shinn, in The Music Man "I'll pit my river center against any this side of Los Angeles!" ...Mayor Lawrence P. Mulligan, Jr. (the flim-flam man) ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Mar 25 2014 at 10:06am
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"In Middletown, the River Center would serve as a hub for those in the region who walk, run and bike along the Great Miami Recreation River Trail, and those who make use of the Great Miami River as a recreational resource, Barkley said. The trail is part of a 90-mile system that serves a population in excess of two million residents, she said" THAT'S FINE BUT ISN'T THE REAL ISSUE HOW MANY OF THOSE TWO MILLION PEOPLE ACTUALLY USE THE PATH? IT DOES NO GOOD AT ALL TO PROVIDE THESE AMENITIES IF THE PUBLIC IS NOT INTERESTED IN USING THEM. "The River Center would house a sub-station for MetroParks Rangers, who would provide trail-related safety resources. The construction would also include parking improvements in the area. As a part of this project, enhancements would also be made to the existing Bicentennial Commons Area and the AK Steel Pavilion, Barkley said." AGAIN, SAME SITUATION. NO ONE USES THE BICENTENNIAL COMMONS AREA NOW AND YOU COULD COUNT ON ONE HAND HOW MANY TIMES IT HAS BEEN USED SINCE IT WAS CONSTRUCTED. IT HAS SHOWN THAT IT IS A WASTE OF MONEY AND HAS NOT DRAWN ANY CITIZEN INTEREST SINCE THEY HAD A FEW BLUES FESTIVALS THERE INSTEAD OF AT THE CITY BUILDING. THE PARKING LOT PUT IN TO ACCOMODATE MORE CARS HAS BEEN A WASTE OF MONEY ALSO. WHY IS THERE CONCENTRATION ON THIS AREA OF TOWN WHEN THERE IS SO MANY MORE IMPORTANT AREAS TO FOCUS ON THAT WOULD ENCOMPASS MANY MORE PEOPLE? "Rick Pearce, president of the Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, called the proposed project “a nice addition” to the resources that are already there, and he said it will help with the growth of downtown and its revitalization. He hopes those who use the trail will stop and visit Middletown and learn what the city has to offer" IT IS NOT A RESOURCE MR. PEARCE, IF NO ONE USES IT. IT IS A WASTE OF MORE MONEY THOUGH AND IT WILL ONLY BENEFIT THE FEW BIKE RIDERS, WALKERS AND JOGGERS THAT USE THE PATH. NOT EVEN CLOSE TO ENTERTAINING A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE CITY POPULATION. "Barkley said the project could further bolster the downtown economy because those who use the facility will become “engaged in the city.” She said with the addition of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, and new businesses opening, the city is on “the right track” toward revitalizing the downtown" JUST HATE TO BE THE BEARER OF BAD NEWS BARKLEY, BUT THE DOWNTOWN HAS NEVER BEEN "BOLSTERED" AS YET BY CINCY STATE OR ANY OTHER PIPE DREAM THE CITY HAS COME UP WITH. IF ONE WANTED TO TELL IT THE WAY IT IS, THE DOWNTOWN, AFTER MILLIONS PLOWED INTO IT, IS STILL STRUGGLING, HAS NO REAL DRAW, EXCEPT FOR THE ARTZY FOLKS AND SPECIAL INTEREST PEOPLE AND WILL NEVER FLOURISH UNTIL THE CITY CHANGES IT'S FOCUS ON JOB CREATION TO GENERATE ENOUGH DISPOSABLE INCOME TO PUT MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS TO WANT TO GO DOWNTOWN, SPEND THE MONEY AND PATRONIZE THE SPARSE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED. BUSINESSES WILL FOLLOW IF THEY CAN DETECT THERE IS MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS. THE CITY AND THEIR LITTLE BUDDIES MAY BE "ENGAGED" IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, BUT MOST OF THE CITIZENS COULD CARE LESS. AIN'T NOTHIN" THERE TO SPEND YOUR MONEY ON NOR TO GET EXCITED ABOUT. THIS ARTICLE IS MORE "PIPE DREAM CRAP" AND THE SAD THING ABOUT IT IS THAT MORE OF THE PEOPLE'S MONEY IS BEING POURED DOWN THE RATHOLE WITH A "NO POSITIVE RESULTS" PREDICTION ON THE HORIZON.  COLEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN SMARTER AND DIRECTED THIS MONEY TO A MORE MEANINGFUL OUTCOME. IF THIS IS THE WAY HE OPERATES, THEN HE NEEDS TO GO. ------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over. |