Doug Tifft
Editor-in-Chief
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University seeking Ohio stimulus funds
John LaFollette
Editor-in-Chief
Xavier has submitted proposals for some $80 million in funding from Ohio’s share of the federal stimulus package, including $32 million that would be directed to the Xavier Square development project and $25.6 million that would be directed to the Hoff Academic Quadrangle construction project, Xavier officials said.
Xavier’s project proposals for stimulus money:
Xavier Square: $32 million for infrastructure construction
Hoff Quad: $26.5 million for Alter, Schott and McDonald renovation
King Records: $12 million for a new recording studio facility
Central Utility Plant: $10 million for increased energy efficiency
Allison Street School: $1.5 million for renovation and restructure
Liz Blume, the executive director of Xavier’s Community Building Institute, said that the university submitted proposals for five separate “shovel-ready” projects, including the construction of a central utility plant on Xavier’s campus, construction of a new King Records facility in Evanston and the rehabilitation of the Allison School in Norwood, in addition to the Xavier Square and Hoff Quad projects.
Ohio received $8.2 billion from the $789 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that President Obama signed on Feb. 17.
Under the Xavier Square proposal, the road, sewer and other public space construction associated with Xavier Square would be paid for by the state of Ohio.
A corporate developer would have been responsible for financing the infrastructure elements of the project in the original plan for Xavier Square, which has been stalled since the Board of Trustees voted to suspend work in December.
Blume thinks that reducing or eliminating that obligation might make the Xavier Square development more appealing for potential financiers.
“Essentially, if they take $32 million out of the equation, it becomes a much more profitable project,” said Blume.
“Without the risk of infrastructure investments, this is a very attractive project for private developers,” she said.
The Hoff Quad proposal seeks $25.6 million to help fund the second phase of the project, which includes renovation of Alter Hall, Schott Hall and the McDonald Library.
The other proposals include $10 million for the construction of the central utility plant that will eventually service Xavier’s campus with more efficient energy; $12 million for the construction of a new building for King Records, the Evanston record label; and $1.5 million to renovate the Allison Street Elementary school in Norwood.
The King Records and Allison Street project proposals were submitted by Xavier because of the ties Xavier will have with the organizations.
Blume said that the Ohio state government is categorizing some 14,000 projects before reviewing them individually, and that Xavier has not been given a projected decision date or a list of criteria.
“Congress intended the funds to be spent quickly to maximize their economic stimulative effect,” according to a statement on the state’s Federal Stimulus Initiative website.
The website lists energy efficiency, infrastructure renewal and job creation as some of the stimulus’s goals.
Blume believes that Xavier’s proposals align with these goals.
“I think being community-serving is very important and I think green and sustainability issues are very important,” said Blume.
“I think they’re all really solid projects and would all benefit the university and the surrounding community,” she said.
Suspects charged in Norwood break-in spree
Kelly Shaw
Senior News Writer
After an outbreak of burglaries in south Norwood, police have arrested two suspects, but still encourage Xavier students to properly secure their houses off campus.
John Spinnie, 42, was arrested on two charges of receipt of stolen property and one charge of burglary.
John Landers, 46, is thought to be Spinnie’s accomplice, and was also charged with receipt of stolen property.
Together, the two men are allegedly responsible for 12 to 15 burglaries that have recently occurred in south Norwood.
Spinnie is currently in jail, and Landers is currently awaiting court.
Though the burglaries have been focused in the south Norwood area, Lt. Gary Fye of the Norwood Police Department does not believe they were directed towards Xavier students.
Only four or five of the burglaries occurred in student houses, according to Fye. Campus Police has not received any burglary reports.
However, Fye thinks that student houses can potentially be a good target for burglars because of the high volume of traffic student houses often experience.
“Everybody in the house should always be aware of what’s going on. The main thing in these homes is the security. Secure your premises. Get a good dead bolt system. Try to get the landlord to put good locks in,” said Fye.
Fye also said that the three best things for a house to have are an alarm system, a dog and a fenced-in yard.
Communicating with neighbors and roommates, as well as avoiding habitual actions that burglars can anticipate is also helpful in deterring burglaries, according to Fye.
Both Fye and Campus Chief of Police Michael Couch remind students to report all burglaries and suspicious action by calling 911.