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Antioch Univ. McGregor’s Campus West a Reality 11/1/2004
Yellow Springs, Ohio – The Antioch University Board of Directors has approved the resolution for the expansion of Antioch University McGregor. On Saturday, October 16, 2004 Campus West officially was made a reality.
“People are excited about the scope of our vision at McGregor,” said Barbara Gellman-Danley, PhD Antioch University McGregor President. “This is a much larger issue than merely adding another building; it is about driving significant economic development that will benefit the entire Miami Valley.”
In addition to boosting economic development in the Miami Valley, Campus West is expected to raise Antioch University McGregor’s competitive standing to a new level in the higher education community. The new facility, located at the intersection of Dayton Yellow Springs Road and Enon Road, is just a few minutes from the current location of Antioch University McGregor, as well as from the location of its sister institution, Antioch College. The new 60,000 square foot building will be two- and three-stories tall, complete with an impressive central three-story library and reading room.
The cutting-edge Antioch University McGregor learning facility will anchor Business & Education Park, a significant new economic development project in Yellow Springs that will accommodate office and business incubators. The park will feature amenities for employers and both university campuses, including transient housing, food services, walking paths and possibly a trolley to link Campus West with Antioch College, the Village of Yellow Springs and regional attractions such as Young’s Jersey Dairy. Campus West will encourage growth not only for Antioch University McGregor but also the economies of Greene County and southwest Ohio.
“Business & Education Park fulfills a need in this region and will serve to encourage education and economic growth,” said Dan Young, President of Young’s Jersey Dairy and Community Improvement Corporation Board Member. “We are proud of our positive relationship with Antioch University McGregor and excited about the results of our combined efforts. This development signals a tremendous beginning to exciting community improvements that will benefit the entire Miami Valley region.”
Now that the Board of Trustees has passed the resolution, construction of Campus West is scheduled to begin June 2005, with a completion date and grand opening planned for Spring 2007.
Campus West is a direct response to the growing enrollment at Antioch University McGregor. Having recorded an average growth rate of 10 percent each year for the past several years, McGregor has simply outgrown its physical facilities on the Antioch campus and there is no longer sufficient space available for McGregor students.
Campus West will enable Antioch University McGregor to not only maintain but also enhance its position in the higher education community and adequately satisfy the needs of adult learners. It will immediately enable Antioch University McGregor to serve more students more efficiently, help to attract and retain respected faculty and strengthen the relationship among McGregor, Antioch College, the Village of Yellow Springs and the Greene County region.
It has always been immensely important to Antioch University McGregor that it remain in Yellow Springs and near Antioch College. Wonderful opportunities are also on the horizon for Antioch College, which is currently moving forward with the Renewal Commission plan to transform its curriculum and teaching practices.
“We are excited to be working with the Village on this development,” Gellman-Danley said. “Our rich history and commitment to the area has allowed us to develop close relationships with the Village of Yellows Springs and the Community Improvement Corporation.” The local economy will benefit significantly from the positive impact of Campus West. The creation of a retreat-like setting to foster intellectual stimulation and provide much-needed seminar and event space that can be utilized by Miami Valley businesses and Antioch College as well as Antioch University McGregor, will stimulate economic development in this area.
With over 70 full time employees, McGregor contributes more than $14 million in direct economic impact to the regional economy. Antioch University is the biggest employer in Yellow Springs and one of the top ten in Greene County.
Antioch University McGregor, one of five campuses of Antioch University, contributes to the betterment of the individual and the community by fostering academic excellence and providing socially responsive, flexible and innovative education programs for adult learners. McGregor features a wide array of bachelor’s degree completion programs, master’s programs in conflict resolution, management and education and also individualized liberal and professional studies programs.
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Glen Helen Association Receives $300,000 Bequest 7/1/2004
Trustees for the Glen Helen Association (GHA), “the friends of Glen”, were amazed by the size of a bequest received at the end of June. The GHA received $302,205 from the estate of Janet Hackett, a long-time Association member and volunteer. This bequest follows a donation from several years ago, when Mrs. Hackett donated farmland valued at nearly $90,000. “We’re humbled by the magnitude of her bequest,” said Tony Arnett, president of the GHA. “It’s no understatement to call Mrs. Hackett a guardian angel of the Glen.”
Janet Hackett was a long-time friend of the Glen Helen Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs. For years, she volunteered in the Glen and for the GHA. She led nature hikes throughout the Glen. She helped build the Glen Helen Association membership base to over 1000 strong. In 1989, Mrs. Hackett received the Dick Fowler Volunteer Award, the Glen Helen Association’s highest honor for volunteers.
The Glen Helen Association is a non-profit organization supporting the Glen Helen Nature Preserve, which is owned by Antioch College and managed by the Glen Helen Ecology Institute. The GHA raises money for the Glen through memberships, managing the Nature Shop gift store and through events such as the Pancake Breakfast, annual Bird Seed sale, spring ball and the Nature Arts & Crafts Show.
Thousands of school children attend programs at the Glen’s Outdoor Education Center every year. Hundreds of thousands hike the Glen’s picturesque trails each year. Open to the public, the Glen receives no tax dollars, but is supported by Antioch College, the Glen Helen Association, donations from private citizens, and program fees.
The Glen hopes to raise over six million dollars as a part of Antioch College’s capital campaign – over three million for immediate facility needs, with the rest for a permanent endowment fund. The Glen has over 20 buildings, many of which are over 50 years old and in serious need of repair or renovation. The Glen Helen Association has pledged $100,000 for the Glen’s capital campaign – the largest pledge to date. “Obviously, this puts us in a position to increase our commitment,” said Arnett. “But first we will need to determine how best to structure our contribution so it has a truly significant impact on the Glen for years to come, something worthy of the memory of Mrs. Hackett.”
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Business Park on the Way? 3/20/2003
Council President Tony Arnett presented a plan to Village Council proposing to work with Community Resources, the Yellow Springs-Miami Township Community Improvement Corporation, to spur the development of a business park on the western side of the Village, near the Antioch Company.
The proposal specifically identifies the land covered by the Cooperative Economic Development Agreement adopted by the Village and Township last year. The two properties covered are located at the intersection of Dayton-Yellow Springs Road and East Enon Road and further up East Enon Road just north of the Antioch Company plant.
Under the proposed plan, Council would use money from the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund as a loan to Community Resources. Community Resources would use the loan to acquire an option or other rights to property and then market that property to developers. Community Resources would identify a developer who would then purchase the land and develop the park. The money used for the option would be paid back to Council, or, if Council agrees, used as an incentive to the selected developer.
The Economic Loan Fund has over $300,000, though Council members indicated the proposal would use only a portion of the total available. There were no loan applications in 2002, only 2 the prior several years. Council members noted that the loan fund was not doing what it was designed for as is, so it was a good idea to try something different. Council and Community Resources will now proceed to work out the details of an agreement for the loan.
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Blue Ribbon Finance Committee Submits Report 3/20/2003
The Blue Ribbon Finance Committee formed last fall by Village Council submitted its Final report to Council in late January, just in time for the Village's budget cycle.
The comprehensive report (available online at www.yso.com) summarizes the overal financial picture for the Village. In the shortest terms, the Village is not in a financial crisis yet, but soon could be if no action is taken to reduce costs and increase revenue. The committee noted the Village has no visible means to pay for the millions of dollars in repairs and improvements to streets and utilities that will be need to be done in the next 10-15 years.
The committee was asked to prepare a list of options for Council - options to raise revenue and reduce expenses. The committee was specifically asked to evaluate options strictly by the numbers, and not in terms of intangible value to the community. Council will now proceed to evaluate the options, balancing the numbers with the perceived value to the community.
Village Council has already taken action on a number of items in the report, including cutbacks in trash collection (see related article), preparing to sell 2 houses owned and rented by the Village, and evaluating the pool operations.
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Village to Consider Enterprise Zone 1/13/2003
At its meeting on January 6 Village Council heard a proposal from Community Resources, the local community improvement corporation, about the previously discussed commerce park concept and a suggestion about how to move the idea forward. The group recommended several options for the Village to consider, including acquiring an option to purchase land in the area with the idea of developing the infrastructure required for a commerce park.
Council president Tony Arnett suggested changing the commerce park concept to an enterprise zone, whereby Council would identify the area in which it wanted to see development and would put in place incentives for development in that area, and then approach commercial developers to generate an interest in building space in this designated area, which would be called an enterprise zone. He characterized this as a way to keep Council out of the real estate business, by having a professional developer do the actual site development and building.
In response to concerns about what kind of business would be in the park, Council member George Pitstick pointed out that the existing zoning requirements, already on the books, protect the Village from having the kind of business that some people have expressed fear of having come to the Village.
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Business Growth on the Horizon? 1/13/2003
As a top goal for 2003, Village Council has identified promoting & facilitating new business and retaining & growing existing business.
There was complete agreement among Council members that business growth holds a key to resolving the budgetary problems with the Village government. Only by increasing local jobs can the Village boost its income tax revenue.
Council members discussed a variety of possible options for boosting the local economy - ranging from the previously discussed commerce park initiative, to reviewing the zoning code regarding the possible impediments to business, to changing the tone of Council meetings such that they were not viewed as being anti-business.
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Housing Top Priority for 2003 1/13/2003
At the goal-setting session for 2003, held on January 2, Village Council agreed to put the development of housing in Yellow Springs as the top priority for 2003. In the discussion about the housing supply in the Village, Council members talked about everything from affordable housing to condos to rental units to higher-end housing.
The goal that resulted from this discussion was to increase the housing supply across the spectrum by both type and cost. Council members agreed that there was need across the board for those who are trying to buy their first homes, for older members of the community who would like to downsize their homes, for increased rentals for people who do not wish to buy, and at the higher end of the spectrum for local executives who are unable to find houses in the Village.
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Council Approves Use of 50-Foot Lots 1/13/2003
At its meeting of December 16, Village Council approved an amendment to the zoning code that would open up possible development of so-called 50 foot lots in town. The amendment allows for properties that do not have sufficient street frontage to still be built upon if they have 80 % of the required frontage. For example, lots located in areas of town that require 60 feet of street frontage would now only require 48 feet of frontage.
This applies only to lots that were existing prior to a zoning code change that occurred in the early 1980's.
Persons interested in possibly building houses on these lots should contact the Village Manager for more details about any other possible restrictions.
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Business Strategy in the Works 12/1/2002
Council has recently started working with Community Resources, the Yellow Springs Miami Township Community Improvement Corporation, on developing marketing materials about retention and attraction of business to Yellow Springs.
In coordination with this effort, Village Council has begun to discuss the overall strategy for attracting and retaining businesses in Yellow Springs. Council member George Pitstick, who brought up the topic at the last Council meeting, will be spearheading the effort to develop a strategy. He will be working with fellow Council member Denise Swinger on many of the details.
Pitstick shared at the Council meeting that what was needed was a comprehensive strategy to tie together all of the Village's efforts regarding attracting and retaining business.
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Cost of Living Study Released 12/1/2002
The Yellow Springs Mens Group has released a cost-of-living study for Yellow Springs. The study, based primarily on census data, compares Yellow Springs to the nation, the state, and six other local area communities of similar size and characteristics.
The study compares the costs of housing, consumer goods, utilities, taxes, and a number of other factors - all of which impact the affordability of the community. The data also reflects any changes in these costs over the last thirty years. The Mens Group made every effort not to draw any conclusions, but focused on collecting the data others could then use to make their own conclusions.
Copies of this study may be downloaded from the Mens Group website www.45387.org or may be picked up at the Village offices in the Bryan Center.
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Appraisals Draw Villagers' Ire 10/28/2002
The latest round of home price appraisals from the County Auditor has drawn many complaints from both villagers and other residents in the county. Many villagers saw increases of 20% or more in the valuation of their homes.
While the actual tax rates have not yet been determined, the County Auditor, Luwanna Delaney allowed for county residents to appeal the recent valuations through September 20. Council member Joan Horn reported that she had heard from several residents who contacted the auditor and did receive decreases in their property valuation after complaining. Other village residents interested in contesting their revised valuations may do so when they receive their tax bills in January of 2003.
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50-foot Lots to be Opened Up for Development 10/28/2002
A significant number of potential building lots in the village could be opened up by a proposed revision to the Village Zoning Regulations. The so-called 50-foot lots, those lots with only fifty feet of frontage, could be built upon if the proposed revisions now before Planning Commission are approved.
In the early 1980's, the minimum lot size was increased to 60 feet to prevent the use of these lots for building sites and to control growth. Village Council sees allowing building on these lots as being a potential contributor to affordable housing in the village. While some of these lots are currently in use as yards and will likely never be built upon, a certain number may become available for building and if built upon, generally speaking would only accommodate smaller houses because of the lot size.
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Council Talks Economic Development 10/28/2002
Clerk of Council Deborah Benning presented to Council materials from an Economic Development Seminar she recently attended. As a result of the Clerk's presentation, Council launched into a discussion of strategies to attract and retain business in Yellow Springs.
Ms. Benning cited the increasing use of websites as the primary means that communities use to advertise themselves to potential businesses. The Village has only recently added an economic development web page to its website, www.yso.com. The page includes information about the Village's economic development revolving loan fund, the cooperative economic development agreement, and available retail, commercial and industrial properties in the Village.
Additional strategies discussed included the possible use of a business incubator to foster new business in the Village. In its September meeting, Council had initiated a discussion with Antioch College regarding how the Village and the College could cooperate to spur new businesses in the Village. Antioch College was historically the source of each of the large industries now located in Yellow Springs - Yellow Springs Instruments, Morris Bean, the Antioch Company, and Vernay Laboratories.
Council also discussed the creation of promotional materials for the Village and how best to get those materials in the hands of businesses that might wish to locate or develop in Yellow Springs. Council has asked Community Resources, the local community improvement corporation, to assist in preparation of the brochure.
Also as part of the discussion, Ms. Benning outlined some of the competitive factors in Yellow Springs' favor - mainly those of lifestyle. Yellow Springs has many attractive features to both businesses and residents. These attractive elements include the wide variety of greenspace and parks in the area, a vibrant downtown, and quality schools.
However, a major disadvantage is the perceived anti-business climate of Village residents. Ms. Benning stressed the importance that the Village be perceived as welcoming to business.
Council agreed to continue this discussion at a future meeting.
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Village and Township sign Economic Agreement 10/28/2002
On September 30, 2002, Village Council and the Miami Township trustees signed a Cooperative Economic Development Agreement (CEDA) to facilitate business development. The terms of the agreement allow for a smoother process for annexation and utility extension for the purpose of economic development on specified properties. The agreement provides for revenue sharing so that the township does not lose its tax base as a result of annexation. The agreement is intended to preserve the overall rural quality of the township by encouraging development in areas adjacent to the Village. At this time, 3 such properties on the western side of the Village have been identified to be covered by the agreement, all in the vicinty of the Dayton-Yellow Springs Road and East Enon Road intersection.
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