City of Milford News
Edited by Sara Imhulse,
Assistant to the City Manager
Fall Edition, 2003
PAGES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Inside the Fall Issue...
Ten Things
You Can Do to
Prevent
Storm Water
Pollution
Garbage
Department
by Loretta Rokey, City Manager
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Redevelopment of Former City Buildings Nears Completion In March of 2000 the City offices moved out of 18 Main and 29 High Street to develop much needed modern facilities at 745 Center Street. Since that time we worked diligently on a plan toward redevelopment of the buildings located in our historic downtown. In order to control future use, City Council developed a request for proposals from potential buyers that stated several goals for the properties:
It was assumed that the former Cincinnati Bell building constructed in the 1920s would remain suitable for office space, however we feared that most developers would propose demolition of one or both facilities and we wanted to preserve the character of this key piece of real estate. Several proposals were received and Brailey Ventures offered a plan to invest roughly $500,000 to renovate both buildings. The deal was made based upon a creative public/private partnership. The Braileys will own and operate the Urban Roast Café at 18 Main Street and lease all excess space. The opening of another downtown restaurant enhances opportunities to keep people in the downtown area throughout the day. Everyday Café and Freeport Attractions each offer unique menus with varying atmospheres and price ranges. Urban Roast plans to do the same with upscale deli sandwiches, espresso, and Internet connections. They hope to open early November. For leasing information feel free to contact Jeanine at (513) 313-7890. |
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29 High Street and 18 Main Street
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Flooding in Milford
Flooding continues to be among our greatest concerns in Milford. Most flooding occurs when rivers rise into flood plains. The Flood Insurance Rate Program has mapped out areas around waterways that are at risk from this kind of flooding. It is important for property owners in these areas to purchase flood insurance. However, since flooding can also occur in areas that are not designated as flood plains, it may be wise for all property owners to consider flood insurance. Unless located within a designated flood zone, flood damages are normally not covered under a homeowners insurance policy. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), the average cost of a flood insurance policy in Ohio is $400 per year, and any licensed property indemnity agent or broker can sell the Standard Flood Insurance Policy. The rains that have occurred this summer have been unusual for our area, however, a few self-mitigation efforts can sometimes prevent potential disasters.Flash flooding has also become a hazard that is all too common for many Milford residents.
Flash flooding occurs when a large amount of rainwater falls in a short amount of time and drainage systems cannot manage the load. Properties in low lying areas often endure the brunt of the damage. Flash flooding can lead to water in basements, ponding in yards, and sometimes impassable water in streets.
One contributing factor to backups of water or sewer in a basement is the connection of downspouts to private sewer service lines. The City's regulations do not permit such connections, since this adds surface water to lines intended for sewage only. It also adds unnecessary flow to the City's wastewater system. The City is currently installing manhole inserts to prevent storm water from entering the sewer manholes.
City of Milford staff mobilize to provide many services to residents during and after a rain event. As always, our fire and police departments respond to emergency calls and assess dangers in the public right of way. The Street Department closes down streets when necessary and clears catch basins and debris from roadways. The Sewer Department maximizes flow at the plant and, once the system is checked, answers individual calls from residents.The City's long term plan is to create a storm water utility. This utility would provide a funding source for operation and maintenance of storm water systems, compliance with recent EPA mandates, and capital improvements. The City's Storm Water Master Plan outlines capital improvement projects to update older systems and install new systems where needed. If you would like more information on the City's Storm Water Utility, feel free to attend the next storm water advisory committee meeting on October 14th at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.