LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: indian mound

  • 2-story 275 space garage pivots to 140 space surface lot

    2-story 275 space garage pivots to 140 space surface lot

    This Loveland Magazine file photo shows where a new surface lot is proposed. Visitors to Historic Downtown already use the semi-improved lot for parking. Much of the soil will be removed if a new lot is constructed. Previously an “Indian Mound” was thought to be at the site.

    Loveland, Ohio – On May 9, City Manager Dave Kennedy proposed to City Council that a new surface parking lot be constructed on city-owned property located at 213 N. 2nd Street in Historic Downtown. The city previously planned for the construction of a two-storied downtown parking garage on the property. Approximately 275 new parking spaces were proposed on the parcel which the taxpayers purchased in 2019. The land is behind City Hall and adjacent to the Works Restaurant between First Street and S.R. 48.

    The cost of the garage was estimated to be $6,292,627, which amounted to almost $23,000 per/vehicle.

    In a May 9 memorandum to City Council, Kennedy said:

    “Recognizing that there is not currently a viable outside funding source to reduce the amount of debt funding needed to construct the parking garage, and realizing the impact that the COVID pandemic has had on inflating construction costs, city staff is proposing that we pivot and utilize grant monies already awarded to the city, for construction of a surface parking lot in the same location as the proposed parking garage.”

    Kennedy added, “If a surface parking lot is the desired direction of City Council, we anticipate being able to construct a lot, similar to the Linda J. Cox Trailside Parking Area with a minimum of 140 spaces.” The Linda J. Cox Trailside Parking Area near Eads Hardware and Loveland Canoe and Kayak has 125 spaces.

    The surface lot would provide vehicular and pedestrian access to and from State Route 48 into the downtown business district, according to the City Manager.

    In preparation for the eventual construction of either a garage or surface lot the City contracted with the firm Environment & Archaeology to complete both a Geophysical Survey and a Phase I Archaeological Survey in an effort to determine if “cultural resources” were on the land. Previously, an “Indian Mound” was thought to be at the site. The supposition was based on an 1848 map of Loveland. In his report, Kennedy said that archaeological survey determined that the possible Indian Mound consisted of fill dirt and not a “pre-contact cultural feature”. The archeological studies cost $40,020. (Questions arise about possible Native American remains and “Mound” at site of proposed Parking Garage in the Historic District)

    To date, the city has received $900,000 in grant funding from the Ohio Capital Budget which is administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), and $250,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), a total of $1,150,000. ODNR receives $18,000 of the capital funding for project administration. This reduces the total available to the City to $1,132,000.

    In April of 2022 resident Lauren Enda said at a council meeting that according to Loveland’s Director of Finance, Mark Medlar, Loveland taxpayers had already spent $980,000 on purchasing the site, demolition, and design engineering for the “multi-million dollar” proposed garage. Enda had advocated for residents to be given the chance to vote the proposed parking garage up or down at the ballot box.

    Kennedy reported to Council, “Although the estimated cost for construction of the surface lot will not be known until the design process is completed, the project engineer feels that a surface parking lot and underground detention can be constructed with the existing grant funding. To assure there is adequate funding to complete the project with maximum parking space and acknowledging that construction will extend into 2024, city staff recommends earmarking all FY2024 Downtown TIF revenue towards project costs which may exceed the grant funding. Utilizing Downtown TIF dollars towards the surface lot is a proper use of these funds as they are directly generated by private investment into the downtown district.”

    The report recommended that all parking be free of charge.

    The total cost of the engineering and design proposal is estimated to be $51,500. Kennedy said the project would be completed by May of 2024.

    A resolution was introduced authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with McGill Smith Punshon Design for design and engineering services related to the construction of the downtown surface parking lot. All Council members approved moving forward with the revised plan.

    The previously proposed 2-storied parking garage.

  • To Councilmember Andy Bateman: Correction and apology

    To Councilmember Andy Bateman: Correction and apology

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – On Sunday, May 8, Councilman Andy Bateman wrote to Loveland Magazine with dismay he has over our recent story about “Mound” at site of proposed Parking Garage in the Historic District” and asked us for a correction.

    Here is what we wrote in our story: “After (Lauren) Enda and Scovanner gave speeches during the open forum at Monday’s council meeting, there was also no discussion between Council and the City Manager. She said on Monday that she did not hear back from either Kennedy or Bateman after she sent them the report.” (“Questions arise about possible Native America remains and “Mound” at site of proposed Parking Garage in the Historic District”)

    Bateman did however respond on the same day after he received Enda’s initial email, acknowledging he received her email. You can read his response below. He did communicate more fully with Enda the day after the council meeting when Enda expressed disappointment with the communication coming from City Hall.

    We owe Mr. Bateman a correction and an apology. Loveland Magazine did double-check the facts in dispute and we got it partially wrong. He is certainly correct that we should have gone further and checked with him directly. Loveland Magazine did contact City Manager Dave Kennedy before publishing the story and we should have also contacted Mr. Bateman.

    We also thank Mr. Bateman for allowing us the chance to report more accurately.

    Mr. Bateman wrote on Sunday evening:

    Dear David,

    Several people in the community have approached me about an article you wrote recently. The article published on 4/28/2022 is titled; “Questions arise about possible Native America remains and “Mound” at site of proposed Parking Garage in the Historic District”, and within the body of the article there is a claim which I wish to have corrected.

    Citing your article; After Enda and Scovanner gave speeches during the open forum at Monday’s council meeting, there was also no discussion between Council and the City Manager. She said on Monday that she did not hear back from either Kennedy or Bateman after she sent them the report.

    Please see the forwarded email chain which clearly demonstrates a timely response regarding the inquiry.

    Furthermore, both Mr. Kennedy and I provided an email to Ms. Enda regarding our reasoning for not speaking immediately on the issue. Below is the transcript of my email which was sent to Ms. Enda on 4/26, the day after the Council Meeting and two days before your article was published.

    Lauren,

    Following the original email, I consulted with Mr. Kennedy at the HP&P meeting and I also brought this matter to two members of the commission. Both members have had past experiences with archaeological surveys. They each expressed a need for additional information. I agree with Mr. Kennedy that we need to do a fair amount of work behind-the-scenes before a topic or issue becomes an official agenda item.

    I know you’re passionate about local issues and I appreciate the commitment to finding more information. Open Forum is the perfect venue for you and other residents to voice your perspectives to council on any topic, particularly those not on the meeting agenda. However, I am not in favor of council members using this section in the agenda for engaging in an open dialogue. Other council members may opt to use this section as a means for back-and-forth. but I don’t believe that is its purpose.

    As the garage is in the Historic District, I assure you that this information would be discussed whenever an application would be before the commission for work to be performed on this site. 

    This topic may come up sooner; but it should be thoughtfully researched so that the discussion is based on data pursued by staff and other subject-matter experts.

    Thanks for working with us.

    Andy 

    David, as you can see, I provided timely and reasoned responses to her inquiries as did our city manager. You know me well enough to reach out if you had questions pertaining to this issue, yet you didn’t. I wouldn’t have noticed this had your readers not contacted me asking why I didn’t respond to and/or forward the email. I hope these emails show a different picture. Whether you choose to correct the article or provide an update is your decision. But I’m a little disappointed that you published an article which described an alternate version of the events than what actually transpired. 

    Andy Bateman

    Councilmember

    City of Loveland

    Here is the email string Batemand included in his correspondence Sunday evening:

    From: lauren enda <lauren_enda@hotmail.com>

    Sent: Saturday, April 9, 2022 10:36 PM

    To: Bateman, Andrew <abateman@lovelandoh.gov>

    Subject: Re: Possible “mound” site

    [ EXTERNAL SENDER ] 

    Andy,

    I appreciate you getting back to me. What a crazy thing, eh? It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

    Take care,

    Lauren

    From: Bateman, Andrew <abateman@lovelandoh.gov>

    Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 8:50 PM

    To: lauren enda <lauren_enda@hotmail.com>

    Subject: Re: Possible “mound” site

    Lauren,

    Thank you for digging this up. I will certainly let my colleagues on HP&P know about the report and will converse with Mr. Kennedy as well regarding the findings and possible courses of action.

    Hope you’re doing well and enjoying warmer weather (when we are lucky).

    Andy

    Andy Bateman

    Councilmember

    City of Loveland

    From: lauren enda <lauren_enda@hotmail.com>

    Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 2:05:25 PM

    To: Kennedy, Dave <dkennedy@lovelandoh.gov>; Bateman, Andrew <abateman@lovelandoh.gov>

    Cc: lauren enda <lauren_enda@hotmail.com>

    Subject: Possible “mound” site

    [ EXTERNAL SENDER ] 

    Dave and Andy,

    Attached is the document that I received earlier this week from Beth Sullebarger, a Historical Preservation Consultant. Hamilton County Community Development hired her in 2019 in response to a funding request from Loveland to tear down the two houses where the proposed garage will be built.  In her report, she includes a map from 1849 labeled “mound” and further states that,

    “There is some potential, however, for archeological resources on the property, based on the 1849 plat of Loveland, which identifies it as being the location of a “mound” and owned by W. J. Ballard. The 1870 map shows the property as owned by “T. T. Heath,” who was a Union General in the 5 th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry, during the Civil War and an attorney. See maps below. (Neither of these maps shows a dwelling in the current location, nor does the 1891 atlas.) It is not known whether the “mound” remains or is an Indian mound, but it is possible. The area appears topographically similar to other areas with Indian mounds. Locations on a bluff or hill overlooking a flat river or creek bottom always have high probability for prehistoric sites of all time periods. Consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office regarding the need for an archeological survey is recommended prior to new construction if a federal permit or funding is involved.”

    Andy – I have already spoken to Dave on the phone about this and am sending to you as a member of the Historical Preservation and Planning Commission. Please share with the other members as I do not have their addresses. 

    I will answer any questions you may have for me.

    Lauren

  • Questions arise about possible Native American remains and “Mound” at site of proposed Parking Garage in the Historic District

    Questions arise about possible Native American remains and “Mound” at site of proposed Parking Garage in the Historic District

    *Please read this CORRECTION to this story.

    The hillside in Loveland’s downtown where a highly contested proposed parking garage may be built

    “It is not known whether the ‘mound’ remains or is an Indian mound, but it is possible.” – Hamilton County Community Development

    David Miller is the Publisher and Editor of Loveland Magazine

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – The possibility of Native Americans’ remains under the site of a proposed parking garage on a hill in “Historic Downtown” may give a new connotation beyond the history of White settlers and developers of the area.

    At Monday’s City Council meeting, both Lauren Enda and Tom Scovanner reported that they have come into possession of a 2019 report by a preservation consultant that was commissioned by Hamilton County. The report says there is some potential for “archaeological resources” on the property. The report was based on an 1848 map of Loveland. The consultant said the map identifies a “mound” at the location. The report was commissioned because Loveland was seeking federal dollars to demolish two houses on the site and the money Loveland was seeking, was ultimately federal dollars. According to Enda and Scovanner, the report concluded that there was no historical significance to the houses so the City was given a green light to proceed with removing them.

    However, after the houses were removed, the City proceeded to do excavation on the hillside to make a temporary overflow parking lot to mitigate parking congestion in “Historic” downtown apparently without the knowledge of the reported mound that may contain the remains of American Indians who once lived on the bank of O’Bannon Creek which abuts the hillside. O’Bannon Creek enters the Little Miami River a few hundred feet downstream.

    The proposed garage site is 213 North Second Street (Parcel 200602.029).

    Enda says that as soon as she received the report she immediately put in a call to City Manager Dave Kennedy who could not be reached. She then sent the report to both Kennedy and Councilmember Andy Bateman on April 8. She sent it to Bateman because he is the council’s representative on the City Historical Preservation and Planning Commission (HPPC). Bateman is a sitting member of the Commission.

    Enda’s presumption was that Bateman would forward the report to all of the HPPC members, however, the report was not brought up or discussed at their next meeting. She had asked Bateman in an email, “Please share with the other members as I do not have their addresses.” She said on Monday that she was surprised that it was not discussed at the HPPC meeting.

    After Enda and Scovanner gave speeches during the open forum at Monday’s council meeting, there was also no discussion between Council and the City Manager. She said on Monday that she did not hear back from either Kennedy or Bateman after she sent them the report. *

    City Manager Kennedy told Loveland Magazine via email that he first knew of the report when Enda sent it to him on April 8 at 2 PM. He said that subsequently, the Ohio Historic Preservation Office contacted him and they are scheduling a time to discuss the matter.

    The Hamilton County Community Development Historic Preservation Review worksheet says, “It is not known whether the ‘mound’ remains or is an Indian mound, but it is possible. The area appears topographically similar to other areas with Indian mounds. Locations on a bluff or hill overlooking a flat river or creek bottom always have high probability for prehistoric sites of all time periods.” It concludes, “The property is not considered eligible for historic architecture for the purpose of demolition, but consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office regarding the need for an archeological survey is recommended if a federal permit or funding is involved for new construction.”

    Enda said at the council meeting that according to Loveland’s Director of Finance, Mark Medlar, Loveland taxpayers have already spent $980,000 on purchasing the site, demolition, and design engineering for the “multi-million dollar” proposed garage.

    Enda wants Council to commission an archaeological survey of the property which she says is the recommendation of the Ohio History Connection. The Ohio History Connection was formerly the Ohio Historical Society and carries out history services for Ohio and its citizens focused on preserving and sharing the state’s history. This includes housing the state historic preservation office, the official state archives, local history office and managing more than 50 sites and museums across Ohio.

    Enda was contacted by the Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition, who in turn have reached out to other Native American organizations such as the National Congress of the American Indians in Washington, DC. During the council meeting, Scovanner read a letter from the Cincinnati organization.

    Enda has advocated for months for residents to be given the chance to vote the proposed parking garage up or down at the ballot box.

    She says that if there are Indian remains at the site they should be treated with respect and dignity.