Loveland, Ohio – A natural gas leak at the intersection of West Loveland Avenue and Loveland Madeira Road that caused residents and business owners to evacuate around 10 AM this morning has been repaired.
A member of the Loveland/Symmes Fire Department and a Duke employee were checking for the presence of natural gas in the sewer lines this morning.
The intersection was opened for traffic at 8:20 PM.
Some residents were told to “shelter in place” and some were not allowed to enter their homes and businesses. Gas was detected inside some structures and Duke was monitoring sanitary and storm sewers, and basements for gas. One firefighter said that when they arrived at the scene this morning and lifted a manhole cover he could tell it was quite an extensive amount of gas. Gas was detected in some basements.
Crews spent the better part of the morning and afternoon trying to pinpoint the exact spot of the leak. When it was found, a sleeve was placed around the pipe and welded closed. A compression fitting connecting the 2″ gas line failed. A Duke supervisor said it was a small leak, however because of the subsurface in the area being sand and gravel in this river valley, the gas traveled quite far from the leak before it was smelled on the surface.
Loveland, Ohio – Duke crews told Loveland Magazine at noon that they have not yet located the exact location of a natural gas leak that caused residents and business owners to evacuate around 10 AM this morning.
At this time some are still being told to “shelter in place” and some are still not allowed back inside structures. Gas was detected inside some structures and Duke is currently monitoring sanitary and storm sewers, and basements for gas.
Crews are currently digging and using jackhammers at the West Loveland Avenue and Loveland Madeira Road intersection.
West Loveland Avenue is closed at Wall Street and further west up the hill past the Loveland Dairy Mart.
Loveland Madeira Road is closed at Main and at Elm.
Loveland, Ohio –Police and fire responded to this wreck Monday afternoon during light rainfall at West Loveland Avenue and Riverside Drive. One car’s driver side was pinned against a retaining wall, the other side was too damaged to open either door. Loveland/Symmes Firefighters used “Jaws of Life” devices and brute human strength to remove the doors from the vehicle. Two patients with minor injuries were transported to the hospital.
Loveland, Ohio – The City of Loveland has budgeted $205,000 for construction improvements to the traffic signal at West Loveland Avenue, Loveland-Madeira Road, and Elm Street. The intersection will receive replacements of the controller, wiring, and other features, as well as an upgrade to radar vehicular detection capability and decorative poles. The City hired TEC Engineering began the traffic study and timing plan in 2017 in anticipation of this project.
The project has been awarded to Elex, Inc., with construction planned to begin in late July and be complete by December 2018.
Duke is also planning a gas service upgrade within the intersection.
City Manager Dave Kennedy said, “The City’s project should be complete in 45 days. The traffic interruption portion of the project should be complete this week, weather dependent.”
Two Podcasts by Loveland Author and Counselor, Fran Hendrick, PCC
Back-to-School topic is empowering girls to develop new friendships. I’ll be showing you things you can do to help your daughter gain confidence as she starts school.
Starting school can be hard on kids — and moms, too. This post is for you if your child is struggling with separation anxiety. Make sure to download the free planning tool!
If the pilot project proves successful 110 total meters might be installed
by David Miller,
Loveland, Ohio – City Manager Dave Kennedy is awaiting approval from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) before installing 39 test parking meters in Historic Downtown. The property where 26 of the meters are to be located is street parking along Railroad Avenue and the poles would be in the “right of way” controlled by ODNR along the Loveland Bike Trail.
IPS Single Space Meter
The test meters would be on West Loveland Avenue, and Railroad Avenue from West Loveland to Harrison Avenue. Kennedy said he is waiting on a person from ODNR to return from vacation so they can continue their discussion of the right of way issue.
Kennedy is working exclusively with The IPS Group in a test of their meters before possibly installing more of the metered parking. When asked if he has an idea what the parking rate will be he said, “Not yet. I need to clear up right of way with ODNR for the pilot program.”
Kennedy said, “I should add that we hope that the pilot program helps us establish a reasonable parking rate. It is important that the rates of the parking meter find a balance between not having a negative impact on parking within the downtown district while also allowing the meters to effectively manage parking.”
Private interests have begun restricting public parking in private lots in Historic Downtown.
In a June 26 memo to the Mayor and Council he said, “Having reviewed the products of multiple meter companies, the city has decided to work exclusively with the IPS Group due to their advanced technology, ease of enforcement, foolproof collections, and varying designs.” Kennedy also said, in the memo, “The IPS Group are leaders in the parking meter and kiosk field. The IPS meters are equipped with advanced technology, including mobile applications for the users, advanced enforcement, computerized reporting, and fail-safe collections.” There has been no discussion of penalties for violations.
Loveland City Manager Dave Kennedy is exploring using parking meters in the Historic Downtown. (File Photo)
“The initial installation is only a pilot program at no cost to the city to determine operational, collections, and enforcement needs,” said Kennedy.
It is a goal of Council to increase parking turnover in the Historic District and discourage long-term parking in prime retail spots by users of the Loveland Bike Trail. The City would rather bike trail users park in the Linda J. Cox Trailside Parking Area on East Broadway.
Kennedy said that IPS meters are the industry leaders due to multiple features, most notably applications which allow the users many ways to pay, including through their mobile devices.
To discourage long-term parking in the Historic District parking is already being regulated by parking limits such as these next to Nisbet Park along the Loveland Bike Trail.
The meters will be solar powered and managed by the City through a wireless networked data management system. The City Manager said the meters will be easy to maintain and displays a clear violation indication for enforcement. He said the system includes a “failsafe” collection system.
The design of the meters would include one pole for each two meters, which Kennedy said would reduce obstructions along city curbs and would be black in color to match other city sidewalk components.
If the pilot program is successful, Kennedy has presented a plan where there might be anywhere from 27-110 permanent meters and an estimated cost between $32,599 and $124,125.
Welcoming Summer at the Loveland Magazine office in the West Loveland Historic District at 514 West Loveland Avenue. The way it should be for all children.
by Drayton Durham
Ever wish to be at the beach but never have enough money? Well, Dave Miller has brought that to Loveland. When my mom and myself drive down the street at 25 miles a hour we see Dave Miller’s/Loveland Magazine’s porch. It sticks out more than anything on the block. The beach toys floating back and forth while the summer breeze blows. That is one of the most satisfying things to see when you’re having a rough day or just driving by.
Dave Miller is making Loveland a better place one float at a time. These days we always need someone like Dave. The kinda guy to bring us up when we’re feeling down, the kinda guy that says everything will be alright. Everyone knows someone like that and Dave is the guy I know like that. Whenever you see Dave he always says hello or gives you a smile. He’s one of a kind and I’m proud to know him. He works day and night getting articles out for the people of Loveland.
I’m writing this to show my appreciation to Dave and all of his fan base.
Thank you for bringing a little piece of the beach to our little town so we don’t have to go far to enjoy it.
The concept of taking a 12ft swath off of North side of West Loveland Avenue is totally appalling and preposterous! As long-time residents of Loveland we have touted for years the following “solution” to the traffic flow and cyclist problems on West Loveland Avenue, but never had any feedback.
In desperation again, please consider the following:
West Loveland Avenue, between Loveland Madeira Road and the bridge over the Little Miami is currently 4-lanes wide. It could easily be three lanes wide with the center lane being used for a much needed left turn lane at Riverside Drive and also at Wall Street. That would open up the width of an entire lane for bicycles. All that would be needed then is re-striping: with a half lane on the curbside (in each direction ) which would serve as the dedicated bike lanes on the north and south sides of West Loveland Avenue and continuing over the bridge.
Benefits: NO CONSTRUCTION required. NO claiming of property from owners. Confusing and Often dangerous last-minute lane changes, particularly at Wall Street, would be eliminated. Traffic on West Loveland Avenue would calm down (Drivers really hit the gas pedal pulling away from the bridge and West Loveland Avenue intersection.) Pedestrians would be further away from traffic. Congestion at the West Loveland Avenue and Riverside Drive intersection would be relieved.
For the Loveland Madeira Road section, a similar approach could be adopted. We suggest an analytic viewing of and study of traffic patterns developed on Montgomery Road, South of Bethesda North Hospital. It could apply in a similar manner all down Loveland Madeira Road, and EVEN accommodate a pretty landscaped center strip between left turn areas.!! Think how THAT would upgrade L/M Rd!!
Note: As drivers, we are always surprised how well the Montgomery traffic plan works, ie: that one lane with turn signals flows better than two. Please give these ideas serious consideration. They are offered up with genuine concern for the betterment of the city.
EDITOR’S NOTE: In reaction to this editorial, City Council voted on Tuesday, April 24 to have a public hearing on this proposal during the City Council meeting of May 9.
It’s past time City Hall start a dialogue with those most affected
by David Miller, Publisher
Come take a walk with me while I tell you a story
It’s just my opinion, but I believe City Hall should start talking to people about this before it gets so far along people will need 1.6 million dollars worth of arguments against it. Once City Hall gets the funding for what they will describe as “Free Money” it will be extremely hard to turn council members to “No” votes. Residents should be given a fighting chance.
As the equivalent of a one-lane asphalt road that will cozy within feet of the front doors of homes and businesses in the West Loveland Historic District and along Loveland Madeira Road, and City Hall moves closer to securing funding, property, and homeowners have yet been asked their opinion. Almost all do not yet know the proposal has already been partially funded by Hamilton County and the Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana Council of Governments has committed their resources to finding 80 percent of the $1,623,000 and growing price tag for construction.
This is a view of the North side of West Loveland Avenue where construction of a 12′ wide swath of asphalt would require the removal of the front porch of this business. The entry to the basement of this business is through the porch floor.
Some front porches would have to be removed to accommodate the 12’ wide asphalt bicycle road. The road will be reduced to 10’ wide only where construction proves difficult.
As the City Hall proposal gets yet more expensive and closer to fruition there is still no initiative from the Council table to ask the thoughts and suggestions of citizens, home-owners, affected businesses, property owners, or pertinent City Commissions and Committees.
As the City Hall proposal gets yet more expensive and closer to fruition there is still no initiative from the Council table to ask the thoughts and suggestions of citizens, home-owners, affected businesses, property owners, or pertinent City Commissions and Committees.
One property and business owner along the proposed route wrote to City Hall. Paul Elliott said, “I am under the impression that such a proposal ‘has legs’, and city officials are even seeking funding sources. First, as a taxpaying resident and longtime business/property owner on West Loveland Avenue, I am disappointed that no city official has approached either the public in general nor us property owners who may be affected by such a bike corridor.”
The project, called the Loveland Connector Trail, will be approximately 1.4 miles long and will begin at the Deer Ridge II Apartments being built next to New Hope Baptist Church. It will continue along Loveland Madeira Road to Main Street, to the southern part of Wall Street, then to West Loveland Avenue, crossing over the Little Miami River at the Col. Paxton Bridge ending in Historic Downtown.
“I am disappointed that no city official has approached either the public in general nor us property owners who may be affected by such a bike corridor.” – Resident and affected business owner, Paul Elliott.
The goal and impetus for the project are to reduce congested parking in the Downtown Historic District by encouraging Loveland Bike Trail users to park somewhere along the new bike road and ride their bikes into Historic Downtown.
City Manager, Dave Kennedy announced in February that he was confident he will find 80% of the $1,623,000 cost from the Federal Government. He has since announced changes that will raise the price tag an undetermined amount.
A view of an automobile dealership that has softened their business frontage. Something will have to give way for the proposed 12′ asphalt bike road.
The study does not contain any data on the potential number of users, nor potential customers to Loveland Madeira Road businesses. The study also does not address any repercussions on the residential neighborhood of Main Street or the Business/Residential neighborhood on West Loveland Avenue. For instance, it does not address future maintenance or whether property owners will be responsible for snow and ice removal on a path that replaces their current sidewalks. It’s right to ask when residents are left without sidewalks, “When will the bike road be cleared of snow? Who will do it, with what type of equipment, and when will it happen?”
A close look at what is described as a “Detailed Cost Estimate” appears to be grossly underestimated in terms of things that are absent consideration such as acquiring private property, relocating business signs, and replacing private parking,
Light colored 4′ tree-shaded concrete sidewalks where children can walk without shoes, and people walk their dogs will be replaced with a 12’ barren swath of black, heat-absorbing asphalt the width of a one-lane road just feet from homes.
Light colored 4′ tree-shaded concrete sidewalks where children can walk without shoes, and people walk their dogs will be replaced with a 12’ barren swath of black, heat-absorbing asphalt the width of a one-lane road just feet from homes where owners will pay higher air-conditioning costs.
There has been no recommendation to forward the proposal to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Tree and Environment Committee, Beautification Committee, or Safety Service & Street Improvement Committee for review. No public hearings are scheduled. None have been suggested.
Phelps and City Manager Dave Kennedy have attended workshop/training on a Federal grant program along with a meeting with OKI officials to discuss the city’s project in more detail. While the updated cost estimate is being secured, the grant application is being reviewed and various needed documents are prepared. They plan to ask City Council in May to move forward seeking funding.
Phelps said that people who are using the bike trail are using too many of the downtown parking spots and using them for too long a period of time. “This is going to give them another place to get on the trail, better parking, easier on and off.” He believes the bike road will bring in new customers to Loveland Madeira Road businesses when they park nearby but head into Historic Downtown. The study does not contain any data on the potential number of users, nor potential customers to Loveland Madeira Road businesses. The study also does not address any potential negative repercussions on the residential neighborhood of Main Street or the Business/Residential neighborhood on West Loveland Avenue.
Some “Progressives” may love the idea, some may like it but believe it ill-considered given the impact on individuals who live or have invested in the impacted area. Some money conservatives may believe it an economic boon to both the Historic District and Loveland Madeira Road. Some money crunchers may ask, where is the cost-benefit analysis and just how many people will actually use it and spend money along Loveland Madeira Road. Some may ask if all costs factors have been included in the early estimate and if the price tag goes north after a grant is awarded – who will get stuck.
Elliott said his email to City Hall, that included the City Manager, Mayor and Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Recreation Commission, and the Streets and Public Safety Committee was his attempt to open a dialogue between the decision makers, and those “of us” who will be financially and personally affected.
Resident and business owner Paul Elliott bought this business building on West Loveland Avenue in 1997. He has asked City Hall how the proposed connector path will affect the front yard of his property.This is a view of business and residential properties on the South side of West Loveland Avenue. Although the proposal isn’t clear, presumably this 4′ concrete sidewalk will be replaced by a 12′ wide swath of asphalt, equivalent to a one-lane road. These street trees will with be cut down or have their roots severely damaged by the excavation. It is not clear whether the grassy strip will remain.
Another view of the beauty salon on the North side of West Loveland Avenue where construction of a 12′ wide swath of asphalt would require the removal of the front porch of this business. The entry to the basement of this business is through the porch floor.If the 12′ wide bike road wraps around this building this sign and landscaping will have to go. The sign may need to be replaced with two signs to satisfy the business owner, yet there is no apparent budget item for moving or replacing business signs in the proposal.Depending whether the 12′ bike road goes down this side of Main Street, these street trees may be removed. These utility poles if moved to the left would might result in fatal topping of the trees. If the poles remain in place it puts the asphalt even closer to the house. If the road goes on top of the tree roots the trees will shortly die. The owners will pay higher air-conditioning cost without their shade trees. If the trees die because of the location of the bike road, the home owner will then be required to pay to have the tree removed. Will the homeowner’s brick wall survive the project?This is another problem area on Main Street where homeowners will lose a good portion of their already small front yard.The 12′ bike road could cut across the front yard of this Main Street home taking out a tree and landscaping.Another front porch, this one on Main Street may stand in the way of the 12′ wide asphalt bike road or end up only inches away.If the 12′ wide asphalt bike road goes down this side of Main Street it will leave the Artists Studios on Main without street trees and much needed parking.The landscaping, street trees, utility polls, and sign at this business on Loveland Madeira Road appear to be in the path of the 12′ wide bike road.This landscaping area that softens the appearance of this automobile dealership on Loveland Madeira Road will be replaced with a 12″ asphalt bike road.This is more of the landscaping along Loveland Madeira Road that will be removed (or most of the parking lot) to make room for a 12′ asphalt bike road.
This is the only green space at the Chase Bank on Loveland Madeira Road. There will be a 12′ asphalt bike road running down the middle of it.If a proposed 12′ wide asphalt bike road goes past Shoppers Haven shopping center these street trees may be removed, utility lines moved, parking spaces removed, or all three. Private property may have to be acquired through “willing seller – willing buyer” agreements or “taking” by eminent domain and associated legal costs. In the end, these parking spaces used by local businesses and the schools may be eliminated for the prospect of freeing up parking spaces a mile away in Historic Downtown.There does not appear to be a budget item for moving this business sign out of the path of the proposed 12′ wide asphalt bike road, nor is there any discussion of whether the owner and the businesses would want their sign moved further away from the visibility of automobiles on Loveland Madeira Road.If a proposed 12′ wide asphalt bike road goes past Shoppers Haven shopping center these street trees may be removed, utility lines moved, parking spaces removed, or all three. Private property may have to be acquired through “willing seller – willing buyer” agreements or “taking” by eminent domain and associated legal costs. In the end, these parking spaces used by local businesses and the schools may be eliminated for the prospect of freeing up parking spaces one mile away in Historic Downtown.Will the landscaping and street buffer, the business sign and the parking at the 910 Building be sacrificed to free up an un-estimated number of parking spaces for the businesses one mile away in Historic Downtown?Another Loveland Madeira Road business sign in the way of a proposed 12′ asphalt bike road. Is this sign still going to have the same visibility if it is relocated? Is there enough room to just push it closer to the building or will it need to be re-engineered, and reconstructed smaller?This is the hillside in front of New Hope Baptist Church where City Hall wants to build a 12′ wide asphalt bike road. Its there money in the estimate of cost to build a retaining wall or will the hill just get steeper?This is Loveland Madeira Road looking North from New Hope Baptist Church toward Kroger. The guard rail protects motorists from a steep immediate drop into a very deep ravine. The 350′ long stretch quickly drops 50′ below the grade of the road. It is not clear if the budget estimate has taken into consideration the expense of building a 12′ wide bike road at the edge of this ravine.
Loveland, Ohio – Construction has begun on the Loveland Madeira Road Storm Drainage project. The project includes a five day road closure of Loveland Madeira Road, scheduled to begin at 8 AM on Monday, October 9.
The closure will be in the 1400 block of Loveland Madeira Road. A detour plan has been established, routing traffic along West Loveland Avenue and South Lebanon Road to avoid the closure.
Access will be maintained from West Loveland Avenue to all businesses on Loveland Madeira Road up to and including Kroger, New Hope Baptist Church, and Highridge Drive.
Access will be maintained from I-275 to all businesses up to Johnny’s Car Wash on Loveland Madeira Road. Access will be maintained to Pet Nation Lodge and ABRA Auto Body, although the approach direction available will vary during the closure.
Hearts are broken today, we are all wishing we could make the world safe for our children. I know. What is within our power is to build our children’s resilience — that combination of a strong sense of self, a belief in their own capability, and a trusted network of support. It’s not rocket science — but it takes know-how. And you can learn how do it.
Loveland, Ohio – City Engineer Cindy Klopfenstein told Loveland Magazine Thursday morning that the contractor for the Loveland Madeira Road project anticipates beginning in early September, “Weather dependent.” Klopfenstein added, “The project manager said he would give us about two weeks notice prior to starting.” The culvert replacements which will require a full road closure will be at the beginning of the work. The detour route will utilize Lebanon Road. and West Loveland Ave.
The project involves re-construction of Loveland Madeira Road from the City Limits to near the loading dock of the Kroger store. The project will include replacement of three storm sewer culverts, catch basins, the extension of sidewalk on the north side of the road to the Corporation limit, curb and sidewalk repairs, milling and paving, and other miscellaneous work.
by Drayton Durham
by David Miller, Publisher
