Initiative Update 2014

RiversEdge amphitheater in downtown Hamilton. Photo credit Brian Vogel.

2

Energizing Hamilton’s Urban Core 3

Live, Work, Play Artspace Hamilton 4 3rd Street Corridor Master Plan 5 17Strong Neighborhood Project 6 RiversEdge Master Plan 7 Great Miami Recreational Trail 8 Spraygrounds 9 Hamilton Bark Park 10

Infrastructure

East High Street Gateway 11 Main-Millville-Eaton Intersection 12 South Hamilton Crossing 13 Millville-Wasserman-Smalley Intersection 14

Green

Utility Capital Investments 15 Meldahl Hydroelectric Project 16 LED Streetlights & Street Signs 17 CNG Fueling Station 18

Economic Development Economic Development 19 CORE Fund 21 The Hamilton Mill 22 Butler County Land Reutilization Corp. 23 BrownfieldRedevelopment 24

Customer Service

Customer First Initiative 25

Completed Projects 26

Table of Contents

3

Energizing Hamilton’s Urban CoreThere is much to be excited about in Hamilton’s urban core. Buildings are being renovated, people are moving in, and the business community is growing. The City of Hamilton is concentrating much of its revitalization efforts on the urban core to make it a place where people want to work, live, and play.

It is not hard to see why the urban core is the focal point. Not only because it is the heart of the city, but also because the urban core contains many assets to build upon. Downtown Hamilton and its surrounding historical neighborhoods have incredible character that remains largely intact, providing the City a strong foundation for creating a sense of place and building a positive image.

S. T

hird

St.

Market St.

Dayton St.

Court St.

HIGH ST. 127129

S. S

econ

d St

.

MAIN ST.

future project

current project

completed project

former Elder Beerman

Artspace Hamilton

Robinson-Schwenn

Mercantile Lofts

RiversEdge

Journal-News

future project

completed project

completed project

completed project

The former department store is the CORE Fund’s first purchase of property for future development with an eye toward a complex of office, retail, and living space. The building is four-stories, 167,000 sq. ft. and was built in 1968.

Artspace is a $10.2 million project that will create 42 artist live/work units and 3,000 sq. ft. of ground floor commercial space for art groups and art-related businesses. Construction began in 2013 and will be completed early 2015.

RiversEdge is the new downtown riverfront amphitheater and overlook which opened in 2013. RiversEdge reconnects Hamilton to the Great Miami River and will host events throughout the year, such as the popular Summer Concert Series.

In 2012, the new Mercantile Lofts opened downtown. The $8.6 million renovation of buildings built circa 1875 resulted in 29 market rate apartments and 3 street level retail spaces, all which are 100% occupied.

The renovation of the Robinson-Schwenn building, the 147 year old former orchestra hall, includes 3 floors of office space and 3 retail spaces. It is the new home of Liferay’s national sales office and the new Lane Library Community Technology Center.

In early 2013, the $2.5 million renovation of the former Journal-News building was completed, transforming the building into a downtown cultural hub, home to Butler Tech School of the Arts and the Miami Valley Ballet Theatre.

former Hungry Bunny

The CORE Fund acquired the former Hungry Bunny building, a 3-story mixed-use 19th century building. Sara’s House, a home decor shop, opened in the retail space in May 2014. The CORE Fund is seeking bids to redevelop the property.

future projectformer Fifth Third

The CORE Fund also acquired the former Fifth Third property in 2013, a 5-story office building on High Street. The building has a new roof and new plumbing. The CORE Fund is seeking bids to redevelop the property as a mixed-use building.

Grea

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current projectCommunity First Solutions

Community First Solutions, Hamilton’s second largest private employer, announced in July 2014 that it is moving its headquarters to downtown Hamilton. The renovation of the former Ringel’s Furniture Store is expected to be complete summer 2015.

Projected Timeline

Spring 2013 May 2014June 20122006

Received $2.3 million in Historic Tax Credits

Spring 2015

Leasing

Summer 2013

Received $5.7 million in Low-

Income Housing Tax Credits

December 2014

Completion

4

Artspace Hamilton recently was awarded $2.3 million in Ohio Historic Preserved

The radiator grill was removed and the façade was stabilized in Spring 2013

Planning

GroundbreakingAcquisition of property &removal of metal screen

With the Mercantile Lofts breathing new life into downtown Hamilton, the City is looking forward to its next residential mixed-use project, Artspace Hamilton. In 2006, Artspace USA was invited to Hamilton to perform a Preliminary Feasibility Visit. While few cities with a population less than 100,000 could support an Artspace project, it was quickly determined that Hamilton was an exception.

Artspace’s chosen site, the Mehrum-Lindley Block, the former home of Strauss and Co., was in need of rehabilitation. The Mehrum-Lindley Block’s façade was covered in 1966 by a metal screen as an attempt to “modernize” the building, although the original façade remained intact underneath. Construction has begun and the building is being restored to celebrate its original architecture.

Artspace Hamilton will be a community asset that will provide ground floor space for local non-profit organizations, commercial space for small businesses, and outdoor plaza areas for residents and for the greater community.

Status Under constructionProjected Investment $10.2 MillionProject Details 42 affordable live/work spaces for

artists and 3,000 square feet of commercial and gallery space

Partners Artspace USA, State of Ohio, Hamilton Community Foundation, City of Hamilton

Rendering of an Artspace apartment

Live, Work, Play

Hamilton ScrapProcessors

New Community

First Solutions

HQ

Ludlow St

Hensel Pl

High St

Projected Timeline

A Third Street Master Plan is a new initiative for 2014. This master plan will encompass the stretch of Third Street from Ludlow Street to Hensel Place, connecting the former Ringel’s Furniture building from the south to the heart of German Village on the north. The intended goal of the Master Plan is to define a vision for this important downtown-German Village corridor.

One component of the plan will be the exploration of a plaza on Third Street between Buckeye Street and Village Street that will enhance the aesthetics of the area and provide a space that can be used for community activities.

City of Hamilton Departments such as Utilities, Public Works, and Community Development will collaborate to assist in the development of this Master Plan.

End of 2014Early 2014Fall 2013

Planning

2015

Implementation

Proposal developed and budget approved

Master Plan developed

5

3rd Street Corridor Master Plan

Third Street between Buckeye Street and Village Street

Projected Timeline

Urban Core

Traditional

Suburban

Railr

oad

German Village

North End &Fordson Heights

Jefferson(4th Ward)

East End

Enterprise Park

Washington

Two Mile

Millikin

New London

Prospect Hill& Grandview

Highland Park

Armondale& Edgewood

Rossville DowntownCBD

Dayton Lane

South East(2nd Ward)

Lindenwald

HIGH ST.

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Summer 2014Early 20142011

Public input process initiated

Winter 2014

Implementation

Sense of Place Committee established

17Strong plan developed

Fall 2013

17Strong Neighborhood Project developed

The City of Hamilton believes a sense of place is important in its communities. Strong neighborhood ties increase pride and involvement in the community, both which can have strong positive impact on quality of life in Hamilton’s communities.

To help foster this sense of community, the City established a Sense of Place Committee in 2011. The committee, which is comprised of neighborhood leaders, city council members, and a wide variety of community stakeholders, has been collaborating with communities, such as Lindenwald, the North End, East End, and Second Ward to develop leadership and assist in executing community projects.

As part of the committee’s next phase, the Sense of Place Committee is embarking on the 17 Strong Neighborhoods Project, which will be an effort to assist neighborhoods in developing a sense of place.

17 Strong is named for the 17 neighborhoods initially proposed by the Sense of Place Committee. Public input will be gathered to finalize neighborhood identities, including neighborhood boundaries and names. By establishing these defined neighborhoods, the Committee hopes to rally individuals, groups, and other organizations to take pride in their particular corner of our city.

Once the neighborhoods are defined, 17 Strong will embark on creating neighborhood-specific programs that assist in developing a sense of community in all 17 neighborhoods. There is a wide array of neighborhood programming that can be developed. The neighborhoods could set up neighborhood crime programs, act as a liaison to City officials on behalf of their neighborhood, pool their resources for community activities, and much more. The City will work with these 17 community groups to direct programming to the needs of each community.

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Live, Work, Play

This map is not intended to be an accurate depiction of the size, placement, or boundaries of a particular neighborhood

17 Strong Neighborhood Project

Projected Timeline

Master PlanIn September 2013, RiversEdge Amphitheater and Overlook was completed. Thousands of people have already enjoyed concerts at this venue and the City is planning for many activities at the amphitheater for 2014.

The City is excited to build on the success of RiversEdge Amphitheater and Overlook to develop the next phase of the park. In 2014, the City, in conjunction with MKSK Design firm, has developed a Master Plan for the remaining

portion of the development site, located at the former Mercy Hospital site downtown.

The master plan includes an assortment of amenities to activate the park at various times with diverse offerings. A wide sidewalk winds through the park, designed to be accessible to food trucks and similar users for community events. An interactive fountain is situated on the northeast corner of the site, a children’s playscape is on the northwest corner, and the site includes many gathering places through strategically placed seating options.

April 2014February 2014Fall 2013

Preliminary concept design input session

May 2014

Master plan complete

Proposal developed and plan budget approved

Present to council and public

March 2014

Working design session

Ongoing

Fundraising and implementation

7

RiversEDGEPark Amphitheater Overlook Bike Path

re

RiversEdge master plan rendering

312

RiversEdge

Hydraulic Canal

Great M

iami R

iver

Rentschler Forest

Downtown

Exist

ing t

rail

Projected Timeline

In an effort to continue to move its complete streets initiative forward, the City continues to add bike paths and bike routes to the existing network. New in 2013 were 1,000 feet of bike path surrounding RiversEdge and South Front Street’s new “sharrows,” which are pavement markings which remind motorists to share the street with cyclists.

Biking options will again be enhanced in 2014. There are three significant projects slated for this year:

1. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources awarded the City a $500,000 Clean Ohio Trails Fund Grant to assist with the construction of a 1.6 mile multi-use trail along the Hamilton Hydraulic Canal from the intersection of Canal Road and Allison Avenue to the Hydraulic Canal’s outlet at the Great Miami River near Two Mile Dam.

2. An asphalt maintenance road will be built adjacent to the new sanitary interceptor sewer which can be used by cyclists. These first two projects will connect the existing bike path downstream of the High-Main Bridge and the Central Business District to Rentschler Forest MetroPark.

3. A new ramp will be installed from the bike path surrounding RiversEdge Park along the levee down to the maintenance road along the sanitary interceptor sewer to provide an easier access to RiversEdge Park and the Central Business District.

Together, these projects fill an important gap in the 90 mile long Great Miami River Recreational Trail.

Great Miami River Recreational Trail

8

Live, Work, Play

Asphalt maintenance road and bike trail completeBid for trail and ramp

Summer 2014 Spring 2015

Ramp complete

Fall 2014

Projected Timeline

Three new amenities opened during the summer of 2014 for children to enjoy in Hamilton during the warm months. The City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Community Foundation opened three new neighborhood spraygrounds, one at the former Wilson Pool site, one at the North End Athletic Field, and one at Benninghofen Park in Lindenwald. These three locations were selected based on an evaluation of the population of young families with children.

A sprayground is a single level concrete slab on grade with interactive water spray features. Each sprayground will contain a minimum of thirteen water features that will serve children of all ages.

Spraygrounds have become widely popular as a great summertime amenity that is less expensive to operate and maintain than a pool. Spraygrounds do not hold any standing water thus eliminating the need for lifeguard

supervision. The slope of the pad allows the water from the features to drain into an underground reservoir where it is filtered and disinfected for reuse.

The sprayground committee selected the architectural firm of Brandstetter Carroll (BC) to provide design and construction management services for the Project. The BC firm has extensive experience with the design and construction management of over 120 pools and 20 splash pad parks in multiple states including Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

Spraygrounds

9

Start construction phaseProject planning

Summer 2013 March 2014

Design review and plan approval

December 2014

Status CompleteProjected Investment $600,000Partners City of Hamilton, Hamilton Community

Foundation, Private Donations

Consultant chosen

November 2013

North End and Wilson spraygrounds open

July 2014

Lindenwald sprayground open

August 2014

Projected Timeline

Dog park committee formed

March 2012

Groundbreaking

July 20132012-2013

Fundraising

Grand opening

May 17, 2014

Hamilton Bark Park

10

Live, Work, Play

Veteran’s Park has a new amenity: Hamilton’s new dog park. Hamilton Bark Park includes a large dog area and a small dog area, a water station (both for dogs and their human friends), benches, a Big Dog sculpture, open space, and trees for shade. The area is enclosed by five foot fencing.

Hamilton Bark Park has been developed by a committee of Hamilton stakeholders and is funded by private donations. 60 contributors raised the $60,000 needed for the dog park. It is the first public dog park in the city. The grand opening was May 17, 2014.

Hamilton Bark Park and the Big Dog sculpture

Project Location

Projected Timeline

The East High Street Gateway is an important entrance into Hamilton that is in need of a face-lift. The City is improving its first impression with the East High Street Gateway Improvement Project, which will improve traffic flow and enhance the streetscape by:

• Adding streetscape features (landscaped medians and street trees)

• Relocating all overhead electric, cable, and telephone facilities underground, replacing or upgrading water main, gas main, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer

• Adding right turn lane from eastbound High St. to southbound SR 4

• Adding a second left turn lane from westbound High St. to southbound SR 4 (complete)

• Rehabilitating East Ave. and Seventh St.• Adding new commercial access drive parallel to East

High St.

In addition, Dayton St. and Maple Ave. are being investigated to absorb some traffic flow. Although not included in the project, the intersection of High St. and MLK Jr. Blvd. will be reconstructed by adding new turn lanes for better traffic flow, further enhancing the gateway.

Status Design completeProjected Investment

$11.2 million total infrastructure investment: $8.5 million project budget, $2.7 million additional investment at High and MLK

Partners City of Hamilton, ODOT (High and MLK)

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High and MLK improvements

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Design

2013Winter 2012-2013

Water main replacement

New access roads, underground electrical conduit and cables, and new sidewalks

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High StreetEAST

GATEWAY

Infrastructure

Projected Timeline

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has one of the largest safety programs in the country. During 2012, the City obtained funding through the State Highway Safety Program to upgrade the intersection of Eaton Avenue at Main Street/Millville Avenue. The project cost is estimated at $3.7 million and the State will contribute 90 percent with the City responsible for the remaining 10 percent.

The proposed improvement includes realigning the Eaton Avenue/Millville Avenue approaches to the intersection so they align across from each other. This will significantly improve traffic operations and safety at the intersection. The first phase of the project includes environmental analyses, preliminary engineering work, and a feasibility study. It is anticipated that the consultant will be given notice to proceed during July and this phase of the project will be completed in 2014.

Phase 2 of the project will consist of preparation of right-of-way plans and Phase 3 will consist of preparation of detailed design plans. Funding for construction of the improvement (Phase 4) is not scheduled until 2016.

Grant notification from ODOT

2012

Environmental studies and preliminary engineering begin

2013

Status PlanningProjected Investment $3.7 million (City pays $370,000)Partners Ohio Dept. of Transportation, City of

Hamilton

Construction begins

2016

Detailed design and right-of-way plans begin

201412

Main-Millville-Eaton Intersection

Conceptual proposal for the Main-Millville-Eaton Intersection

Infrastructure

Project Location

Projected Timeline

Construction begins

June 2015

Intersection improvements complete

August 2015

Detailed design begins

November 2013

Status DesignProjected Investment $670,000

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Millville-Wasserman-Smalley IntersectionThe intersection of Millville Avenue (SR129) at Wasserman Road and Smalley Boulevard will be upgraded in 2014. Millville Avenue will have new left-turn lanes added to both east and west directions. Wasserman Road will be widened and a new left-turn lane will be installed.

On Smalley Boulevard, the median will be removed and replaced with a left-turn lane. New traffic signals and pedestrian crosswalks along with new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps will be constructed. The entire intersection will be paved upon completion of these improvements. The current estimated construction cost is $670,000.

Project Location

Projected Timeline

The South Hamilton Crossing project, or SHX, will replace an existing at-grade railroad crossing with a railroad overpass created by extending Grand Boulevard to the west. Of the three grade separations on the east side of the City, currently, only one permits East-West traffic flow. This project is expected to greatly improve connectivity, reduce drive times, and increase safety.

South Hamilton CrossingRailroad Grade Separation Project

SHX is anticipated to have especially important benefits to Vora Technology Park, University Commerce Park, and Miami University-Hamilton, as it greatly improves transit access to these areas.

August 201214

SHX estimated impactImprove access to:• 60 acres of city-owned vacant land at University

Commerce Park • 270,000 square feet of Class-A office space at

Vora Technology Park • 5,000 Miami University Hamilton students

Expected to create an estimated 3,525 jobsEliminate the wait time at the current Central Avenue Crossing that currently affects 15% of daily crossing traffic

Preliminary feasibility

Completion

October 20172006

Right-of-way acquisition begins

July 2014

Construction plans complete

September 2015

Construction start

March 2016

Initial conversation about this project

1911

OKI awards $2.4 million for property acquisition

Rendering of proposed SHX development

Status Traffic Study and Stage 1 and 2 Design are complete. Stage 3 Design and Right-of-Way Plan Preparation are underway

Projected Investment $30 MillionPartners City of Hamilton, OKI Regional Council

of Governments, Ohio Dept. of Trans-portation, Butler County Transportation Improvement District

SHX estimated impactImprove access to:• 60 acres of City-owned vacant land at University

Commerce Park • 365,000 square feet of Class-A office space at

Vora Technology Park • 5,000 Miami University Hamilton students

Expected to create an estimated 3,525 jobsEliminate the wait time at the current Central Avenue Crossing that currently affects 15% of daily crossing traffic

Infrastructure

Projected Timeline

$32.5 million has been invested to upgrade Hamilton’s electric utilities since 2007

Hamilton Utilities will be investing $34.9 million in capital improvements in 2014 in addition to the Meldahl project.These projects focus on delivering safe and reliable utility service and fostering economic development. ElectricIn 2014, Hamilton’s Electric Department anticipates investing over $8.8 million in capital projects including LED streetlights and street signs, enhancements on the East High Corridor, and continued efforts to underground electric lines. Natural GasOver $4.7 million is projected to be spent on improvements to the natural gas system including main replacements, a Medium Pressure Gas (MPG) loop to Enterprise Park, and Southwest Ohio’s first public compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station, which will be located on Route 4. WaterOver $3.5 million is budgeted for Water System improvements including main replacements and water tank rehabilitation. WastewaterThe Wastewater System is projected to see the most capital investments with $17.8 million budgeted for next year. Anticipated wastewater projects include sanitary sewer lining, sewer replacement, System Evaluation and Capacity Assurance Plan (SECAP), and Southwest Ohio Industrial District (SOID) lift station, located near the Butler County Regional Airport.

Fiber Optic NetworkThe City is leveraging its fiber optic network for economic development. In 2014, the City signed a deal with SWOCA to provide broadband service to local schools and continues to explore new ventures to capitalize on the extensive utility.

Underground electric lines complete

SECAP project begins

2013

Underground electric lines begins

Spring 2014

SOID lift station, water tank rehab, and MPG loop development begins

Summer 2014 Fall 2014

SECAP project complete

2015

$34.9 million will be invested to upgrade Hamilton’s electric utilities in 2014

Water tank rehab complete

November 2014

Utility Capital Investments

15

Green

Projected Timeline

Status Over 80% completeProjected Investment $504+ million

Partners City of Hamilton, American Municipal Power

Powerhouse construction begins

Generating unit commissioning

Excavation begins

May 2010 August 2011 Fall 2014

Formal groundbreaking

June 2010

Commercial operation

Spring 201516

Construction of the Meldahl facility

Upon completion, nearly 70% of the City’s power will be from renewable sources

The City is developing a new, renewable energy hydroelectric generating facility - the Meldahl Hydroelectric Project. So named because of its location adjacent to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ Captain Anthony Meldahl Locks and Dam, the Meldahl Hydroelectric Project represents a significant economic development investment and will provide a new source of clean, zero emission electric generation. Once completed, the plant will have a capacity of 105 MW, with an average gross annual output of approximately 558,000 MW of clean energy.

Plant construction is well underway and, at its peak, the project will employ up to 400 construction workers. The associated transmission line will consist of approximately 2.2 miles of 138kV line and will connect with the existing Zimmer-Spurlock transmission line in Clermont County,

Upon completion, Hamilton will generate approximately 453,000 megawatt-hours of clean, renewable energy each year, enough to power approximately 45,000 homes annually

Ohio. The new transmission line will provide southwest Ohio with additional low-cost power from a renewable energy resource and enhance service reliability for the region’s municipal electric customers.

Green

Projected Timeline

In an effort to promote the City’s green efforts and to reduce operating costs, the Electric Department is replacing traditional high pressure sodium streetlights with high-efficiency LED lights.

The City began replacing streetlights with LED lights in 2010. At that time, LEDs were 30% more efficient than traditional lights and cost $700 per fixture. Today, LEDs are 78% more efficient and cost $300 per fixture.

By the end of 2013, the City had put in 100 LED streetlights throughout Hamilton, including on Central Avenue between Long Avenue and Pleasant Avenue, Brookwood Avenue between NW Washington Boulevard and Main Street, and Neilan Boulevard between Long Avenue and Court Street.

The Utility Department is budgeting for 30 new lights in 2014 on Northwest Washington Boulevard from Brookwood Avenue to Main Street, South Third Street from Front Street to Maple Avenue, and all public street lighting in Hamilton Enterprise Park. The City is also replacing all broken streetlights with LED streetlights throughout the City.

Another initiative the City is undertaking in 2014 are LED street signs. The City will be replacing street signs in high traffic areas with LED-lit street signs, which will help enhance visibility utilizing the high efficiency lights.

Status Planning

Investment $242,000 for the streetlights, $25,000 for street signs

Partners City of Hamilton Utilities

LED streetlight replacement program

First LED streetlights installed

2010 Ongoing

30 new lights installed on NW Washington

Summer 2014

LED streetsigns installation complete

April 2014

LED Streetlights & Street Signs

17

Projected Timeline

As part of the City’s alternative fueled vehicle initiative, plans are underway to construct the first public Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station in southwest Ohio. The station will be located adjacent to the City Garage on SR 4. The project will be funded by the City and by a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant that the City was awarded from OKI.

Hamilton has been recognized as a leader in Ohio in utilizing alternative fueled vehicles. The advantages of using CNG for fuel include:

• Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel available today. In the event of an accidental spill or release, natural gas poses no threat to land or water

• Lower emissions of pollutants & greenhouse gases• Time between tune-ups and oil changes are extended• On average, CNG is 1/3 the price of gasoline• CNG is safe - it is the same natural gas used for heating

your home• U.S. has over a 100-year supply of natural gas• Reduction of the dependence on foreign oil

Status Under construction

Investment $2.5 million total infrastructure investment, $1,800,000 City of Hamilton, $700,000 CMAQ Grant

Partners City of Hamilton, OKI Regional Council of Governments, Ohio Dept. of Transportation, Air & Gas Technologies, Hamilton City Schools, Butler Co. Regional Transit Authority, RVP Engineering

CNG fueling station at City garage complete

Design consultant selected

CFO grant awarded for 4 CNG vehicles

December 2010 July 2011 April 2012

4 CNG vehicles delivered to City

February 2011

RFQ issued for public CNG station design

January 2012

Grand opening

Fall 2014

$700,000 OKI grant received

August 2012

Design complete

November 2013

Construction begins

February 2014

The station is being built in two phases. Phase one will include two dispensers and hoses, allowing vehicles to be filled from either side of an island. The fill time for a CNG tank should be equal to that of filling a gasoline tank. The station will not be manned, but a kiosk will be available that will take credit cards and fleet cards.

The City has received letters of support from the Hamilton City School District and the Butler County Regional Transit Authority. The City looks forward to partnering with these and other stakeholders as this project moves forward.

Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station

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Rendering of new CNG Station

Green

Hamilton’s business incubator has set forth on a new vision for 2014 and beyond. In July 2014, Biztech, the 11 year-old business incubator based in Hamilton, announced its new name and rebranding initiative aimed at attracting early-stage entrepreneurs and companies.

Moving forward, Biztech will be known as The Hamilton Mill with the goal to serve as a resource for the entrepreneurial community, particularly in the areas of advanced manufacturing, clean technology (renewable energy, natural gas, water), and digital technology. Since the beginning of 2014, the incubator’s new vision has led to four new start-up companies moving to Hamilton - KW River (featured below), a water monitoring start-up named Lagoon, a human computer interaction technology start-up called Perceptive Devices, and a software development firm named RespondBy.

With a more focused mission on high-growth, innovative business models, The Hamilton Mill will play a strategic role in the economic development of Hamilton and the surrounding region. Emboldened by several new partnerships and alliances, The Hamilton Mill is now an integral part of the Greater Cincinnati entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Hamilton Mill leverages the city’s assets, such as green energy, water, fiber-optics and a rich manufacturing

tradition, to attract high-growth, high-potential startup companies. To achieve these goals, The Hamilton Mill’s board has been bolstered to include more representation from the entire Southwest Ohio region, especially from organizations and individuals that understand innovative, disruption, and entrepreneurship. This fresh, aggressive vision is being driven by Executive Director, Chris Lawson.

New Board Members Rahul Bawa - CincyTech - Director of Digital and Software Investments

Tim Cameron - Miami University – Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Chair

Tom O’Neill - Butler Tech – IT Instructor

Josh Asbury - Liferay - Director of Sales

Tim Derickson - Ohio House District 53 - Representative

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HAMILTONMILLdeveloping the nextgen industrialist

“The Hamilton Mill demonstrates how public and private partnerships can work and be successful. The City of Hamilton provides a great ecosystem for businesses to develop and grow their businesses. In addition, “The Mill” provides resources for startups in renewable energy and other high-tech areas to help them succeed. Hamilton’s proud history of manufacturing coupled with the city-owned utilities gives young businesses a head start.”

-Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller

A 3-D model of the hydroelectric power turbine developed by one of Biztech’s newest startup companies, KW River. It is designed for dams such as the low level dams in Hamilton (pictured).

Economic Development

The expansion includes 25 new jobs and $3.1 million in new capital investment. During an expansion in 2011, the company pledged to create 25 new positions and actually created 90.

2013 was also a good year for business attraction. iMFLUX, a plastics processing subsidiary of P&G, announced it would be locating in Hamilton with plans to create 221 jobs within three years. The project will create $17.5 million in new payroll. They will be locating at 3550 Symmes Road, the former Hamilton Fixture building. They plan to invest $50 million in capital improvements as part of this project.

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11/11/13 P&G subsidiary Imflux to spend millions on machinery: EXCLUSIVE - Cincinnati Business Courier

www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2013/11/11/pg-subsidiary-imflux-to-spend.html?s=print 1/2

From the Cincinnati Business Courier:http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2013/11/11/pg-subsidiary-imflux-to-spend.html

Nov 11, 2013, 9:58am EST

P&G subsidiary Imflux to spend millionson machinery: EXCLUSIVE

Barrett J. BrunsmanStaff reporter- Cincinnati Business CourierEmail | Twitter | Google+

The Procter & Gamble Co. subsidiary Imflux Inc. plans to invest an estimated $50 million inmachinery and equipment within three years at the vacant industrial building it is leasing inHamilton to develop a breakthrough technology in plastics processing.

Members of Hamilton City Council are to vote Wednesday on a job-creation tax credit of 60percent over eight years for the Imflux relocation and expansion at 3550 Symmes Road.

Operations are to begin this coming spring at the 317,000-square-foot industrial building,which would serve as the company headquarters and handle manufacturing, demonstration,and research and development for plastics processing related to injection molding for productpackaging.

“The company has a technology that will transform the injection molding industry,” membersof City Council were told in a report by Jody Gunderson, economic development director forHamilton.

The city incentive would match the tax credit already approved by the state of Ohio for thecreation of $17.5 million in annual payroll as a result of the company’s plant location project inButler County. The payroll is expected to reach that amount by 2017, according to Gunderson.

In addition, Hamilton has offered Imflux a $100,000 forgivable loan if it creates at least 200new jobs at the site in the city. Imflux plans to transfer about 30 jobs from its West ChesterTownship headquarters at 8611 Beckett Road, which is the location of P&G’s Beckett RidgeTechnical Center. Another 200 full-time jobs would be created within three years at theHamilton location.

Gunderson said the city also has offered a 75 percent tax abatement for 10 years on new

Economic Development

Economic Development

Creating job opportunities is central to the City’s goals. Hamilton is home to a wide variety of businesses, but there are a number of industries that Hamilton is ideally situated for. Our utilities, access to workforce, and proximity to major markets make Hamilton an attractive place to do business, and what truly sets Hamilton apart is highly reliable, competively priced green energy making us ideal for the advanced manufacturing and information technology industries.

Hamilton’s Manufacturing HubHamilton has long been a center of industry. Manufacturing continues to remain very important to the economic base and advanced manufacturing is a growing component of this industry.

A number of large manufacturers have recently expanded in Hamilton. ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America, a manufacturer of automobile parts headquartered in Hamilton, expanded its workforce by 100 more employees in 2013. In 2014, the company announced another project that will bring an additional 214 positions to Hamilton by 2018. In total, these projects represent a $37 million capital investment. The expansions will make ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Hamilton’s third largest private employer.

Valeo, a global automotive parts supplier, also expanded in 2013. Valeo announced the addition of 105 new jobs to its Hamilton facility. Once the hiring is complete, they will employ 240. The project will result in $4.3 million in new payroll and $16.2 million in capital investment.

Interstate Warehousing, a cold storage warehousing company announced expansion plans in Hamilton in 2014.

iMFLUX will be located at 3550 Symmes in Hamilton (featured here).

ThyssenKrupp Bilstein expanded in Hamilton again in 2013. It is the City’s largest manufacturer.

Economic Development

Josh Asbury, Director of Corporate Sales for Liferay, in the new offices at the Robinson-Schwenn building. Photo courtesy of the Journal-News.

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“This city is one of the few we’ve found that does its own power generation. So we had a nice availability of inexpensive, clean energy with the hydroelectric plant on the river … but the city of Hamilton, the way the grids work, is they’re interconnected with the rest of the nation’s electrical providers.”

- Tim Campbell, president and general manager of AIMS

Hamilton’s Emerging Information Technology Market Hamilton’s assets, which have for centuries made it a manufacturing hub, also make it attractive for the growing information technology industry. Recognizing Hamilton’s unique assets, a number of information technology companies have located in Hamilton.

Liferay, a fast-growing California-based technology company, opened its national sales office in the Robinson-Schwenn building in downtown Hamilton in 2013. They will employ up to 15 people.

AIMS, a new subsidiary of Ascendum Solutions IT, which offers high-availability hosting and cloud services to small, medium and enterprise clients, located at Vora Technology Park in 2013. They plan to hire for 50 cutting-edge information technology positions in 2014.

In early 2014, ODW Logistics & Transportation Services (LTS), a leading provider of transportation management services, chose to stay and grow in Hamilton, with plans to move into One Renaissance Center in the spring. ODW LTS was named one of Inc. Magazine’s Fast 500 in 2013 as one of the fastest growing companies in the United States. They currently employ 27 people. The company anticipates doubling the size of its operations and staff over the next three years. All of the company’s jobs are professional advanced logistics positions.

2014 Economic Development Goals

1. Continue to market our utilities, especially in our target industries of advanced manufacturing and information technology. The City has highly reliable, low-cost, and 70% renewable hydroelectric power. Our natural gas rate is #1 in Ohio and we have abundant, clean water from the Great Miami Aquifer that won Best Tasting Water in the World in 2010.

2. Continue to reinvest in and revitalize our urban core. Bringing jobs, residents, and visitors to our downtown is key to the success of Hamilton. It is a top priority for 2014.

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To help accelerate downtown revitalization and reduce the financial barriers to investing in the urban core, a public-private partnership consisting of the City, the Hamilton Community Foundation, and local lending institutions established the CORE Fund, which provides financial resources for qualified residential and commercial real estate projects within the urban core.

The CORE Fund, or Consortium for Ongoing Reinvestment Efforts, was launched in December 2012 and provides the necessary capital to reduce financial risk and offer a strategic framework from which projects can be initiated.

Status In operationGoal $6.2 million capitalized in 2014 with ultimate

goal of maintaining a $10 million revolving fundPartners City of Hamilton, Hamilton Community Founda-

tion, First Financial Bank, US Bank

Core Projects

Former Elder BeermanThe former department store was the CORE Fund’s first purchase of property for future development with an eye toward a complex of office, retail, and living space. The building is four-stories, 167,000 sq. ft. and was built in 1968. Architectural plans for the exterior of Elder Beerman will be drafted in 2014.

Former Fifth ThirdThe CORE Fund acquired the former Fifth Third property in 2013, a 5-story office building. The CORE Fund replaced the roof and updated the building’s plumbing and heating. The CORE Fund is seeking bids to redevelop the property as a mixed-use building.

Former Hungry BunnyThe CORE Fund also acquired the former Hungry Bunny restaurant, a 3-story mixed-use 19th century building. The roof was replaced, the first floor retail space was renovated, and the facade received a face lift. Sara’s House, a home decor shop, moved into the renovated building in May 2014. The CORE Fund is seeking bids to redevelop the remaining floors of the property.

The Hungry Bunny building after facade renovations were completed.

Economic Development

New uses for old sites: 2 new industrial sites, 2 new neighborhood-scale retail sites, 1 alternative energy generation site, 1 public riverfront amphitheater

The City of Hamilton has been working collaboratively with the State of Ohio to clean up and reuse underutilized properties in the City through the Clean Ohio brownfield program. The goal of the brownfield program is to demolish nuisance properties, remediate identified areas of concern, and to redevelop the site into an economically beneficial use. Types of remediation include asbestos abatement, elimination of groundwater contamination, and removal of impacted soils. Sites are targeted that will provide an economic stimulus to Hamilton.

Impact since 200448+ Acres of land remediated and redeveloped

7New uses for old sites: 3 new industrial sites, 2 new neighborhood-scale retail sites, 1 alternative energy generation site, 1 public riverfront amphitheater

BrownfieldDevelopment

Address & Size Former Use Clean Ohio Fund

Year New Use

601 N B Street, 44 Acres

Former SMART Paper property

$160,000 In progress

The City, in conjunction with Green Reclamation, has received funding for a Phase II environmental assessment at the site.

845 East Avenue, 7 Acres

Former Estate Stove Company

$774,095 In Progress

The City has reached an agreement with a developer to construct a 38,500 sq. ft. light manufacturing/warehouse facility.

1550 Grand Boulevard, 7 Acres

Former location of Marcell’s Used Auto Parts

$1,932,527 In Progress

It is anticipated that upon completion of the demolition and remediation project, the property will be redeveloped into a commercial or retail/mixed-use site.

550 North Third Street, 5 Acres

Former Niles Tool Works property

$2,032,905 In progress

The proposed redevelopment project includes the development of an alternative energy power generation facility to support expansion of the City of Hamilton’s electric utility system.

100 Riverfront Plaza, 7 Acres

Former Mercy Hospital property

$3,000,000 2007 The RiversEdge development plan targets commercial and residential development opportunities along the Great Miami River, including the RiversEdge Park and Amphitheater.

999 East Avenue, 9 Acres

Former Hamilton Die Cast property

$750,000 2007 Matandy Steel and Metal Products invested about $2.2 million to build a 52,000 sq. ft. steel manufacturing facility for the company’s new business venture under the name J.N. Linrose Mfg.

1400 South Erie Highway, 13 Acres

Former Mosler Safe property

$2,383,500 2004 Redevelopment into Kroger-anchored retail center

The brownfield program cleans up and reuses underutilitized properties, such as the former Mercy Hospital site, which is now home to RiversEdge Amphitheater and Park.

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Land Bank Successful Outcomes 1. Demolition of Blight2. Redevelopment of existing (salvageable)

housing 3. The side-lot program (parcel extensions,

community gardens, etc.)

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In March 2012, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine settled with five of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers over foreclosure abuses, fraud, and unfair and deceptive mortgage practices. Through the “Moving Ohio Forward” grant program, the Attorney General allocated a total of $75 million to all 88 counties in Ohio to facilitate the reclamation, rehabilitation, and reutilization of vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed, or other real property.

Butler County was awarded over $2.6 million in Moving Ohio Forward funding. Roughly $1.1 million was designated for the City of Hamilton through the Butler County Land Reutilization Corporation (better known as the “Land Bank”), which the City matched, resulting in a total of $2.2 million. The program has been extended until September 30, 2014 and the City has submitted an application to the State for continued funding through the Neighborhood Initiative Program.

The Land Bank provides the City an opportunity to demolish nuisance properties and to promote economic and housing

Status In operation (can be used with the Community Reinvestment Tax abatement pro-gram)

Impact $2.2 million direct investment, potential for large indirect investment

Partners Butler County, State of Ohio, City of Hamilton, City of Middletown

Land Bank Successful Outcomes 1. Demolition of blight2. Redevelopment of existing (salvageable)

housing 3. The side-lot program (parcel extensions,

community gardens, etc.)

development. It is an important tool to make Hamilton a more livable, more economically vibrant community.As of July 2014, the City has demolished 134 properties and has been reimbursed $847,129.59 from the State.

Butler County Land Reutilization Corporation

The Land Bank demolishes blighted buildings beyond repair to make way for a more productive use of the land. This building at 1275 Dayton has been demolished.

Economic Development

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The City is undertaking a number of projects within the Customer First Initiative, which is an effort to prioritize customer service to Hamilton residents. The Customer First Initiative intends to make government operations more effective, accessible, and friendlier.

Customer First Initiative

First Floor Service DeskThe Service Desk will consolidate the primary customer services into a single, accessible first floor desk that will take care of the majority of customer needs.

311 “One Number to Call for City Hall”When within the City’s boundaries, the 311 service will allow residents to call a single number for any non-emergency need or question.

Status Implementation plan

Next Steps Finish implementation plan and foot traffic analysis

Customer Information System (CIS)CIS has replaced the City’s legacy utility billing system, which is costly to operate, cannot be upgraded, and no longer meets the City’s needs or those of our customers.

Status Call management program development

Next Steps Training

Status Live January 2014Next Steps Operational

Example of a new customer utility bill, which is part of the CIS project.

Customer Service

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RiversEdge Amphitheater

Mercantile Lofts

Journal-News

Robinson Schwenn

RiversEdge is Hamilton’s new downtown amphitheater and river overlook, which fully opened September 2013. It hosts a wide variety of community events, particularly the Summer Concert Series.

The Mercantile Lofts includes 29 market rate apartments and 4 retail spaces. 100% of the apartments are leased and the 3 High Street commercial spaces are leased. The $8.6 million renovation has won numerous awards.

After a $2 million renovation, the former newspaper space is now a downtown cultural hub, home to Butler Tech School of the Arts, Miami Valley Ballet Theatre, and the Hamilton City Schools ABLE program.

The former opera hall has been redeveloped into office and retail space, home to Liferay’s national sales office, Lane Library’s Community Technology Center, Miami University Hamilton Downtown, and True West Downtown.

University Commerce ParkThe City has completed a Master Plan of University Commerce Park, which will include industrial, office, commercial, and residential uses. The City of Hamilton intends to utilize the Master Plan as an economic development tool.

Completed Projects

Downtown Pocket ParkFirst Financial Bank and the City of Hamilton completed a pocket park at the High Street-Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard gateway into downtown. A vacant building on the lot was demolished and replaced with the pocket park that includes a fountain as its centerpiece.

Smart Grid

Court St. Improvements

Target Improvement Area

Downtown Parking

Community Reinvestment AreaThe Smart Grid project leverages technology enhancements to improve electric reliability and increase operational efficiency. Upgraded electric, gas, and water meters allow remote readings.

In an effort to improve electric reliability downtown, the City has buried electric lines on a four block section of Court St. This was done in conjunction with the Court Street Streetscape Project, improving reliability and aesthetics.

Parking meters have been removed and two hour free parking and new parking rates in the garage have been instituted to make parking downtown more convenient. The City continues to adapt to best provide parking options for residents and visitors.

CRA provides property owners - both residential and commercial - a tax abatements for investing in property improvements. The program can be used throughout the whole city.

Form-Based CodeThe City implemented Form-Based Zoning in downtown, Rossville, East High, and University Commerce Park. Form-based zoning focuses on the design of buildings and allows for a wider range of mixed uses within the buildings.

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Projected Timeline

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MayorPat Moeller

Vice Mayor Rob Wile

CouncilCarla Fiehrer Robert BrownTimothy Naab

Archie JohnsonKathleen Klink

City ManagerJoshua Smith