Master Plan--So what has changed in the last 5 yrs
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: Economic Development
Forum Description: Local government efforts to develop the local Middletown area economy.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3010
Printed Date: Jul 13 2025 at 4:31pm
Topic: Master Plan--So what has changed in the last 5 yrs
Posted By: Pacman
Subject: Master Plan--So what has changed in the last 5 yrs
Date Posted: May 30 2010 at 9:27am
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From the Master Plan Review Commitee meeting minutes dated, 5-20-10. So the question is, What has Changed in the last 5 yrs. in Middletown that would affect the current Master Plan? What according to those who don't get on these committees ever has changed in your eye?
"Mr. Kohler noted that the purpose of the meetings would not be to focus on presentation of the plan itself, but if Committee members are familiar with the plan we could focus on the items that need to be changed. Staff will be providing advance information prior to the meeting to help with preparation. It would also be helpful if Committee members could let staff know in advance of meetings about specific items that need to be discussed so that we can keep the discussions focused and organized to maximize the use of our limited time.
For the next meeting we will be reviewing the base information used to prepare the plan with special attention given to changes that have occurred in the last five years that may cause us to re-evaluate certain aspects of the plan. It would be beneficial to read chapters 1 and 2 and Appendix A prior to the meeting. This will be a difficult process at this point because we have not fully seen how the base information was used to develop specific strategies. Mr. Kohler distributed a general outline of discussion topics for the next meeting. It was noted that other staff would be participating in future meetings when topics like revitalization strategies, economic development or infrastructure are being discussed." |
Replies:
Posted By: wasteful
Date Posted: May 30 2010 at 11:09am
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What has Changed:
Unemployment is up.
Population has declined.
Tax revenues are down.
Home Values Have Declined
Section 8 Housing has more than doubled
Wages have declined for many except at City Hall.
Many Businesses have left the City.
Retail is a shadow of its past.
Schools are basically unchanged as far as improvement.
New Retail/Service Businesses are not moving in to replace those that left.
Infrastructure has further declined.
City has now thrown out the "B" word, Bankruptcy if the Public Safety levy isn't renewed, look for this to become the new Mantra along with the usual scare tactics.
More residents have become detached and skeptical of City Hall.
2000 houses have become vacant and need demolition.
The city seems to be more concerned with small groups of residents rather than the overall big picture.
City is highly reliant on Federal or State funds for just about any project it does.
Entire City basically has been declared a Poverty zone for the sole purpose of spending about $650k a year and even less once you remove all of the admin fees etc., from that figure.
After 5 years there is still no effective plan in place to deal with:
Infrastructure
Sewer Issue
Increasing cost of City Employees Salaries/benefits
No plan as to how to proceed with Town Mall
No plan to re-instate a Fund for Infrastructure Repair/replacement
Basically Middletown is on Life Support currently, with the East End being the only bright spot in it's future and the only area that may enjoy growth when the economy turns around. Downtown is nothing more than a dream and a wish. if downtown was located near I-75 then I could see it possibly having a resurgence, but not where it currently is and the current condition of it and it's surrounding areas.
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Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: May 30 2010 at 4:00pm
Excellent overview of the condition of city wasteful.  The amazing part is that the city leaders don't see the same list. Would like to see what their list looked like. No doubt a departure from reality.
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Posted By: High Speed Rail??
Date Posted: May 30 2010 at 7:44pm
| Martie Kohler??? |
Posted By: ohiostorm
Date Posted: Jun 01 2010 at 2:19pm
| Why doesn't the city market it self as the "GATEWAY to the Cincy-Dayton Metroplex" We are just a few years away from becoming an official metroplex like Dallas-Ft Worth and we are right in the heart of both. Seems to me we should be maketing to leading businesses and adopting a Title like GATEWAY to the Metroplex" Ahead of time would be a great opportunity. |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Jun 01 2010 at 3:16pm
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ohiostorm- It's JMO, but from what I see from the city building, I don't think they have anyone who is smart enough and has the ability to see the bigger, long-term picture that you describe. Currently, they can't even generate enough interest to retain the citizens we have, much less add any interest in locating to this city as it is now. The city leadership has managed to bring this city no progressive growth nor hope for the future. Over the last 25 years, this city has been dying a slow death and is a shadow of the city it once was in the 60's.
If and when Dayton grows further south and Cincy grows further north, and they meet in Middletown as you mention, I would think, by the current situation, that Middletown will be ignored and treated like the ugly stepsister as to development with the reputation city leaders have established in the eyes of the surrounding cities. Few developers want to have anything to do with the attitude of city leadership nor with the minute potential Middletown offers now. Again, JMO. All of the reasons above and many more, is why we should gut the city building and start all over in the hiring process, this time focusing on competence, open communication with the people and vision, rather than the current leaders who want to establish an internal secretive network that focuses on pet projects that make a select few money at the expense of destroying a city and making an awful lot of people angry. |
Posted By: wasteful
Date Posted: Jun 01 2010 at 8:50pm
| Surprised more people have no input as to what has changed in the last 5 yrs in Middletown. |