It is often said that good things come to those who invest their money wisely. That way, when the time comes, you can splurge on the good stuff.
At the Jan. 14 Obetz Village Council meeting, Mayor Rod Davisson announced plans for a new community center as well as the paying off of $250,000 in previous debt resulting in a nice surplus for the village.
"In 2007, we saved $1 million," Davisson said. "That is the highest it has been since 1998."
Davisson added that with the increase of jobs (which helps bring in revenue), Obetz is currently in excellent financial standing.
"It is as good as it has ever been and its getting stronger and stronger by the day," said Davisson.
Since Obetz is monetarily in good shape at this point of the year, council unveiled plans to build a new recreation center.
"We want to build something different," said Stacey Boumis, community services director. "The closest thing to compare would be at Sports Ohio in Dublin."
The proposed 65,000 to 100,000 square foot recreation center would feature an indoor football field, an indoor track, multi-purpose courts and community meeting areas.
"This has been a long time coming and it’s great we’re in a position to be able to do it," Davisson said.
Rathmell Run changes
Council discussed major modifications of the preliminary development for Rathmell Run.
In the three years since the initial plan for commercial development was discussed, Obetz has had an upswing in desirable market place and housing, making modifications necessary.
"The original plan did not have space for commercial use," said Boumis. "There was an increase of open space, and a decrease of residential development."
The second draft of the Rathmell Run development will feature a mix of single and multi-family developments, as well as commercial developments, including the Leave A Mark Church, which will occupy 42 acres in the new plan.
"As a whole, the development is quite large at 173.5 acres," Boumis said. "It will be located across from the new schools in Hamilton Local."
The church will be built first and the breaking ground of the development infrastructure will start in the autumn of 2008.
Annexation news
Council approved a resolution setting forth the municipal services to be provided for the annexation of 4.95 acres (out of a five-acre tract) along Swisher Road in Madison Township.
"This is a part of an ongoing development," Davisson said.
Kirco, a development group out of Michigan, will add that small parcel of Swisher Road land to the six building, 4 million square feet business section along Alum Creek Drive and Toy Road.
"This annexation will close in the gap there is there presently and will be a part of the Centerpointe Business Park," Boumis said.
She added that this is the first industrial project in Obetz for Kirco and that Phase Two (the 4.95 acre parcel) is now under construction.
