The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 2000-04-19 |
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aTM Hall enjoys last day on force — Page 3 Magazine to debut in paper — Page 10 I i a Amherst News-Tim 1 Wednesday, April 19, 2000 Amherst, Ohio ike, railway find way to build together by KEITH GRIBBINS News-Times reporter Seven years after the Ohio Turnpike Commission gathered resources to make plans for a new interchange at Rl 58, the group has finally reached an agreement with the Lake Shore Railway Association that would allow the commission to move ahead with construction. The commission sat down with the railway association to devise a plan that would allow the turnpike interchange to be built and still keep a transportation corridor open, that will run beneath the interchange, for possible future use by the association. "This is a win, win situation for everyone," explained turnpike director of public affairs Karen Lenehan. "We'll have built, opened, and maintained an interchange that will promote economic development without having to wait, and the Lake Shore Railway has bought some rime." In 1993, the railway association, which promotes railroad history and tourism in southern Lorain County, came to the commission in the hopes of saving an abandoned transportation corridor that the new interchange would destroy for the possibility of laying new tracks. The association is attempting to save and restore the former Lorain and West Virginia Railway, which runs from Lorain to Wellington. The loss of the transportation corridor would cut the railway line in two. The commission agreed to compromise with the railway association in 1993. They would make new plans and move the interchange structure if the association would pay for the $1.6 million in re- engineering costs. By early 2000, the association had raised the needed funds, $300,000 in grants, $500,000 in loans, and $800,000 from private investors, according to Lenehan. But the cost of $1.6 million for re- engineering were the numbers in 1993, not the cost in the year 2000. "Working out the details they came to a reimbursement that no longer reflects the mid-90s number in 2000." cited Lenehan. So the association bought some time. The commission allowed the • railway group to purchase a $5,000 option, that can be continued for the next nine years at the same price per year, to purchase a permit fee that would allow the association to build tracks on the property. The permit fee would cost $1.6 million for the first year, and increase by 5 percent or the yield of US treasury bonds, whatever is greater, each subsequent year after. "The option on the permit can still allow them (railway association) to operate a railway on the property," stated Lenehan. The option would allow the railway association to build tracks in the transportation corridor in the future and allow for the construction of the new interchange without having to wait for the association to raise the needed funds, stated Lerehan. ''The turnpike commission voted 00 Monday, April 10 to resend the 1993 resolution, approve the agreement between the commission and the Lake Shore Railway Association, and moved to approve the new resolution that explains the coexisting 2000 plan, stated Lenehan. >v The turnpike interchange hit another bump in the road last July when environmentalists accused the commission of destroying wetlands. Lenehan stated that the turnpike woniu desnoy 1.7 acres of wetlands, CONTINUED on page 8 Window of opportunity Art students from Marion L. Steele High School helped the Amherst Library celebrate National Library Week. Led by instructor Anthony Trunza, students painted library windows with signs of spring to correlate with this year's theme of "Our Libraries are Blossoming." Pictured, left to right, above, AH Alicea and Ryan Hobson use teamwork to put a little bit of spring on a first floor window while, below, Russ Marty gives the finishing touches to a tree on a window on the second floor. i0 cents MetroParks for construe inWestSid< awarded today rk by KEITH GRIBBINS News-Times reporter The city's West Side Park will soon have contractors ready to dig into the 72-acre property just south of the RL 2 exit behind the police station on South Lake Street Bids went out last week and the city and the Lorain County Community MetroParks should decide today on who will get the task of finishing up the state's first city/ county MetroParks creation. "We couldn't have done this ourselves. Without the donations and the expertise of the MetroParks this would not have been possible," explained mayor John Higgins. "This is really going to give Amherst an aesthetic variety to its recreation facilities." The $1.8 million project is an effort of teamwork. The City of Amherst, the Lorain County Metro- parks, and the local community have come together to raise a third each for the cost for the park. Amherst has already raised $500,000 of the $600,000 that it needs to pay for its share of the cost, stated Higgins. The city will be in charge of constructing an eight foot connector path, including earthworks and drainage, a timber pavilion, playground at the Amherst Beavercreek Reservation, the park's parking lot, and a soccer field. The park will also have a 1.5 mile paved multipurpose trail for biking, walking, and running, and a variety of bridges, walkways, and good-old-fashioned mother nature. "The MetroParks will handle the programs involved, and the city will be in charge of maintenance," Higgins stated. Work has already started on the park's timber pavilion. The pavilion slab has already been laid, according to Higgins, and its shake roof will come soon. The pavilion is one of the center points to the park's new facilities. The enclosed structure will be used year-round for all non-profit community use, stated Higgins. "It'll have programs for both the young and the old to attend," cited Higgins. Higgins sees the new park as an expansion of the city's natural resources that will help with the overcrowding at Maude Neiding Park. "It gets so crowded at Maude Neiding. People want somewhere else to go and relax," said Higgins. "This new facility will give them the chance to do that. It's the first MetroPark facility in Amherst, and the first of its kind in the state." The bid for construction will be awarded today, Wednesday, April 19, according to MetroParks director Dan Martin. A presentation to city council will probably come from Martin and the MetroParks on Monday, April 24. "Once they award a bid, I expect they'll be full go on the construction," Higgins explained. Be prompt for egg hunt on Saturday Marion L. Steele High School Leo Club and the Amherst Lions Club will again be the co-sponsors of the community Easter egg hunt The hunt will take place on Saturday, April 22 at Maude Neiding Park. Members of the two service clubs are busily preparing for the event Leo Club members are stuffing more than 1,000 pounds of candy into nearly 10.000 plastic eggs. A couple of hours before the hunt begins, Leos and Lions will be scattering the filled eggs over three designated hunt areas in the park for infants to 3-year-olds, 4 to 6-year-olds, and 7 to 10-year-olds. There will also be specially marked prize eggs hidden that are to be redeemed for gifts set aside. The Easter Bunny will make a return appearance this year as a special treat tor the younger set Since the Easter Bunny is very photogenic, parents may want to bring a camera along. Children are advised to bring their own baskets or bags to help gather their found bounty. The hunt will begin promptly at 11 a.m., rain or shine. It only takes a few minutes for the excited hunters to sweep over the grounds. With well over 500 people expected to be on hand, parents are advised to plan to arrive in plenty of time. Parking is limited. In addition to the hunt activity, the Amherst Lions will have collection boxes set up for used eyeglasses. These glasses are recycled to be distributed to people in third-world countries. Bring any unwanted eyeglasses to the hunt. Churches present Good Friday services for all Two Good Friday church services we being sponsored by the Amherst area churches for the community. At noon, a service will be held at the Park Avenue United Methodist Church, where the hour service will be presented by boat pastor Kent Joy. During the service, father Larry Martello. of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and pastor BUI Mouer of Family Fellowship Foursquare Church, win give brief nomilies on the meaning of Christ's death. An evening service at 7 p ju. will be held at Good Shepherd Baptist Church which pastor Rick Martin will host Pastor Rich Henry, Living Faith Nazarene, and pastor Rick Martin will give brief sermons on Ovist's craefflxion. In both services, other clergy will also participate m reading scripture and prayec, and several soloists and enaembie music presentations will be given by church munWiani The public it invited to attend tie services. ( ■u> «■■«■»■■»*
Object Description
Title | The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 2000-04-19 |
Place |
Amherst (Ohio) Lorain County (Ohio) |
Date of Original | 19-APR-2000 |
Searchable Date | 2000-04-19 |
Collection | Amherst News-Times |
Submitting Institution | Amherst Public Library |
Rights | Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests or more information, go to http://www.ohiohistory.org/images/information |
Type | Text |
Format | newspapers |
LCCN | sn84028333 |
Description
Title | The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 2000-04-19 |
Place |
Amherst (Ohio) Lorain County (Ohio) |
Date of Original | 19-APR-2000 |
Searchable Date | 2000-04-19 |
Submitting Institution | Amherst Public Library |
Rights | Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests or more information, go to http://www.ohiohistory.org/images/information |
Full Text | aTM Hall enjoys last day on force — Page 3 Magazine to debut in paper — Page 10 I i a Amherst News-Tim 1 Wednesday, April 19, 2000 Amherst, Ohio ike, railway find way to build together by KEITH GRIBBINS News-Times reporter Seven years after the Ohio Turnpike Commission gathered resources to make plans for a new interchange at Rl 58, the group has finally reached an agreement with the Lake Shore Railway Association that would allow the commission to move ahead with construction. The commission sat down with the railway association to devise a plan that would allow the turnpike interchange to be built and still keep a transportation corridor open, that will run beneath the interchange, for possible future use by the association. "This is a win, win situation for everyone," explained turnpike director of public affairs Karen Lenehan. "We'll have built, opened, and maintained an interchange that will promote economic development without having to wait, and the Lake Shore Railway has bought some rime." In 1993, the railway association, which promotes railroad history and tourism in southern Lorain County, came to the commission in the hopes of saving an abandoned transportation corridor that the new interchange would destroy for the possibility of laying new tracks. The association is attempting to save and restore the former Lorain and West Virginia Railway, which runs from Lorain to Wellington. The loss of the transportation corridor would cut the railway line in two. The commission agreed to compromise with the railway association in 1993. They would make new plans and move the interchange structure if the association would pay for the $1.6 million in re- engineering costs. By early 2000, the association had raised the needed funds, $300,000 in grants, $500,000 in loans, and $800,000 from private investors, according to Lenehan. But the cost of $1.6 million for re- engineering were the numbers in 1993, not the cost in the year 2000. "Working out the details they came to a reimbursement that no longer reflects the mid-90s number in 2000." cited Lenehan. So the association bought some time. The commission allowed the • railway group to purchase a $5,000 option, that can be continued for the next nine years at the same price per year, to purchase a permit fee that would allow the association to build tracks on the property. The permit fee would cost $1.6 million for the first year, and increase by 5 percent or the yield of US treasury bonds, whatever is greater, each subsequent year after. "The option on the permit can still allow them (railway association) to operate a railway on the property," stated Lenehan. The option would allow the railway association to build tracks in the transportation corridor in the future and allow for the construction of the new interchange without having to wait for the association to raise the needed funds, stated Lerehan. ''The turnpike commission voted 00 Monday, April 10 to resend the 1993 resolution, approve the agreement between the commission and the Lake Shore Railway Association, and moved to approve the new resolution that explains the coexisting 2000 plan, stated Lenehan. >v The turnpike interchange hit another bump in the road last July when environmentalists accused the commission of destroying wetlands. Lenehan stated that the turnpike woniu desnoy 1.7 acres of wetlands, CONTINUED on page 8 Window of opportunity Art students from Marion L. Steele High School helped the Amherst Library celebrate National Library Week. Led by instructor Anthony Trunza, students painted library windows with signs of spring to correlate with this year's theme of "Our Libraries are Blossoming." Pictured, left to right, above, AH Alicea and Ryan Hobson use teamwork to put a little bit of spring on a first floor window while, below, Russ Marty gives the finishing touches to a tree on a window on the second floor. i0 cents MetroParks for construe inWestSid< awarded today rk by KEITH GRIBBINS News-Times reporter The city's West Side Park will soon have contractors ready to dig into the 72-acre property just south of the RL 2 exit behind the police station on South Lake Street Bids went out last week and the city and the Lorain County Community MetroParks should decide today on who will get the task of finishing up the state's first city/ county MetroParks creation. "We couldn't have done this ourselves. Without the donations and the expertise of the MetroParks this would not have been possible," explained mayor John Higgins. "This is really going to give Amherst an aesthetic variety to its recreation facilities." The $1.8 million project is an effort of teamwork. The City of Amherst, the Lorain County Metro- parks, and the local community have come together to raise a third each for the cost for the park. Amherst has already raised $500,000 of the $600,000 that it needs to pay for its share of the cost, stated Higgins. The city will be in charge of constructing an eight foot connector path, including earthworks and drainage, a timber pavilion, playground at the Amherst Beavercreek Reservation, the park's parking lot, and a soccer field. The park will also have a 1.5 mile paved multipurpose trail for biking, walking, and running, and a variety of bridges, walkways, and good-old-fashioned mother nature. "The MetroParks will handle the programs involved, and the city will be in charge of maintenance," Higgins stated. Work has already started on the park's timber pavilion. The pavilion slab has already been laid, according to Higgins, and its shake roof will come soon. The pavilion is one of the center points to the park's new facilities. The enclosed structure will be used year-round for all non-profit community use, stated Higgins. "It'll have programs for both the young and the old to attend," cited Higgins. Higgins sees the new park as an expansion of the city's natural resources that will help with the overcrowding at Maude Neiding Park. "It gets so crowded at Maude Neiding. People want somewhere else to go and relax," said Higgins. "This new facility will give them the chance to do that. It's the first MetroPark facility in Amherst, and the first of its kind in the state." The bid for construction will be awarded today, Wednesday, April 19, according to MetroParks director Dan Martin. A presentation to city council will probably come from Martin and the MetroParks on Monday, April 24. "Once they award a bid, I expect they'll be full go on the construction," Higgins explained. Be prompt for egg hunt on Saturday Marion L. Steele High School Leo Club and the Amherst Lions Club will again be the co-sponsors of the community Easter egg hunt The hunt will take place on Saturday, April 22 at Maude Neiding Park. Members of the two service clubs are busily preparing for the event Leo Club members are stuffing more than 1,000 pounds of candy into nearly 10.000 plastic eggs. A couple of hours before the hunt begins, Leos and Lions will be scattering the filled eggs over three designated hunt areas in the park for infants to 3-year-olds, 4 to 6-year-olds, and 7 to 10-year-olds. There will also be specially marked prize eggs hidden that are to be redeemed for gifts set aside. The Easter Bunny will make a return appearance this year as a special treat tor the younger set Since the Easter Bunny is very photogenic, parents may want to bring a camera along. Children are advised to bring their own baskets or bags to help gather their found bounty. The hunt will begin promptly at 11 a.m., rain or shine. It only takes a few minutes for the excited hunters to sweep over the grounds. With well over 500 people expected to be on hand, parents are advised to plan to arrive in plenty of time. Parking is limited. In addition to the hunt activity, the Amherst Lions will have collection boxes set up for used eyeglasses. These glasses are recycled to be distributed to people in third-world countries. Bring any unwanted eyeglasses to the hunt. Churches present Good Friday services for all Two Good Friday church services we being sponsored by the Amherst area churches for the community. At noon, a service will be held at the Park Avenue United Methodist Church, where the hour service will be presented by boat pastor Kent Joy. During the service, father Larry Martello. of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and pastor BUI Mouer of Family Fellowship Foursquare Church, win give brief nomilies on the meaning of Christ's death. An evening service at 7 p ju. will be held at Good Shepherd Baptist Church which pastor Rick Martin will host Pastor Rich Henry, Living Faith Nazarene, and pastor Rick Martin will give brief sermons on Ovist's craefflxion. In both services, other clergy will also participate m reading scripture and prayec, and several soloists and enaembie music presentations will be given by church munWiani The public it invited to attend tie services. ( ■u> «■■«■»■■»* |
Format | newspapers |
LCCN | sn84028333 |
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