Tag: sustainability

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Business Development News

Redeveloped warehouse to include largest solar photovoltaic project in the Midwest

Cincinnati-based Neyer Properties is working on $4 million worth of improvement to a large structure along I-75 in Sharonville. The 1.1 million square-foot building will soon become a “major distribution hub” for Hamilton County while also becoming the largest solar photovoltaic project in the Midwest.

While officials expect the redevelopment of Gateway 75 to increase tax revenues and spark additional investments in downtown Sharonville, the development’s focus on sustainable building practices is what has caught the eye of many in the industry.

“Energy savings at Gateway will average 40 to 60 percent annually compared to power generated by fossil fuels,” said Dan Neyer, president of Neyer Properties. “This is a great opportunity for companies that want to lease space at a building that not only saves energy and the planet, but saves on utilities, too.”

In addition to the seven-megawatt solar plant on the roof of Gateway 75, developers hope to make the structure the first LEED-certified industrial building in Ohio and one of only 51 in the nation.

Once installed in 2011, the rooftop solar plant will be leased to a third-party, through a Power Purchase Agreement, that will operate the utility and then sell back the power to Neyer. Developers say that the solar energy generated at Gateway 75 is the equivalent of offsetting roughly 10 million pounds of carbon per year.

Sharonville officials also state that the successful completion of Gateway 75 will result in a major economic gain for the city, and as a result, have contributed $1.8 million in tax increment financing (TIF) to the project. A fully occupied structure, analysts say, will lower bulk warehouse vacancy rate in the Sharonville area from 30 percent to 6 percent.

Developers are finalizing improvements to the building now, and will complete the project as tenants are secured for the refurbished warehouse space.

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Business Development News

New state-of-the-art UV water treatment facility to be powered by the sun

The City of Cincinnati and Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) broke ground earlier this month on a $30 million state-of-the-art Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection Treatment Facility. The 19,600 square-foot facility, which is being built at the Richard Miller Treatment Plant on Kellogg Avenue, will make GCWW the largest water utility in North America to use UV disinfection following sand filtration and Granular Activated Carbon absorption.

UV disinfection does not use chemicals or produce significant levels of regulated disinfection by-products. Sand filtration removes larger particles from source water while GAC removes organic substances such as pharmaceuticals.

“We have spent the past 10 years conducting research with national and international groups to determine the best method to protect our customers from microorganisms that are resistant to chlorine disinfection,” said David Rager, GCWW director. “UV disinfection uses UV light, in low doses, to inactivate disease-causing organisms often found in water effluents that can end up in our source water.”

Officials say that in an effort to reduce GCWW’s carbon footprint, the new facility will include 160 solar panels. When paired with a second solar installation on an existing GCWW facility, significant environmental impacts are expected to be achieved annually:

  • 28,100 gallons of gasoline emissions offset– equivalent to offsetting emissions of 48 cars
  • 346,000 Kwh of energy – enough to power 33 homes
  • $151,000 in electricity costs

The UV disinfection treatment project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012. GCWW did receive rebates of approximately $150,000 from the State of Ohio for solar energy initiatives.

“Cincinnati has some of the best drinking water in the country and we are going to make it better,” Mayor Mark Mallory said. “This state-of-the-art new treatment facility illustrates the City’s commitment to continuous improvement. Our goal is to be on the cutting edge providing the cleanest, safest, tastiest drinking water in the country.”

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Business Development News Politics

Senate bill would offer tax credit to residential landlords making energy upgrades

State Senator Eric Kearney (D-Avondale) introduced a bill which would create a tax credit for landlords who improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. Senator Kearney hopes that the bill he introduced last month will encourage residential landlords to update their units and lessen the utility costs on their tenants.

“I received complaints from constituents who live in apartments that lack general upkeep and every month they pay for the lack of maintenance” Senator Kearney stated. “My constituents in rental units deserve to live in safe, eco-friendly environments that decrease their utility bills, and Senate Bill 310 provides landlords with positive incentive to make changes.”

If implemented, the bill would give residential landlords a 15 percent income tax credit for making upgrades by installing energy-saving devices, replacing aging appliances with Energy Star-rated appliances, sealing and insulating air ducts, and upgrading exterior wall windows and doors.

Improved sealing and insulation of duct work has been reported as saving as much as 20 percent in energy costs alone.  Senator Kearney says that the idea of making these efficiency upgrades is one that benefits everybody, and one that is particularly relevant in today’s economy.

“Energy costs are rising and given the unfortunate state of our economy few people can afford increased utility bills, especially if they are related to a lack of maintenance.”

The proposed legislation does more than simply promote energy upgrades, it also incentivizes upgrades to historic structures which most often house renters in multi-unit dwellings within the city’s inner neighborhoods.  The news comes on the heels of complimentary legislation introduced by Senator Kearney in September that proposed a 25 percent tax credit for the renovation of homes built before 1950 in low income neighborhoods.

“Both the property and the greater community benefit from home renovations. When homeowners invest in their properties the monetary value of the neighborhood increases along with its reputation.”

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Business News Politics

New video explains Cincinnati’s enhanced recycling program

Cincinnati recently became the largest Midwestern city to implement RecycleBank, a rewards program, as part of the city’s enhanced recycling program. The program began operating throughout parts of the city in early October, and the City has released a new video explaining all the details about the new program.

The video was produced by City Council member, and award-winning investigative reporter, Laure Quinlivan who also serves as the Chair of the Mayor’s Green Steering Committee.

“Enhanced recycling will help the environment and eventually save city taxpayers a million dollars a year,” Quinlivan said in a prepared release. “I can’t wait to get the new 96-gallon recycling cart delivered to my home so I can stop overflowing the little green bin every week.”

City officials delivered the second round of recycling carts to approximately 25,000 homes in October, and expect to complete distribution city-wide by February 2011. The first data surrounding initial operations of the new program will become available in mid-November, but Cincinnati Office of Environmental Quality director Larry Falkin believes the success can be seen on the streets.

“Driving down street routes before, I’d see a recycling bin here or there,” Falkin explained. “But now, you can see that residents are responding positively to the enhanced recycling program. The new carts now line the streets on pick up days. Residents are responding to having the option to recycle more with the new recycling carts and getting rewarded for their green actions with RecycleBank Points.”

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Business News

Sushi Bears a new vegan option at Findlay Market

[This story was originally published in the Cincinnati Business Courier print edition on October 22, 2010. Visit the original story for more comments, thoughts and opinions on Sushi Bear’s entrance to Findlay Market – Jennifer.]


A new vegan and vegetarian focused Japanese food stand has opened at Findlay Market.

Sushi Bears is a food concept run by chef Dan Wells and his business partner Steve Hauck. Wells attended culinary school at Great Oaks vocational school in 1998, and since then has worked at nine restaurants throughout Cincinnati including Palomino’s, Ambar India, and Mecklenborg Gardens.

Wells and Hauck are the  sole investors and signed a two-year lease on the 160 square-foot booth so that they could fulfill a desire to create an attainable, healthy dining option in the area.

“When I was looking to open an eatery, I wanted to keep the focus on health and nutrition. Sushi allows for exactly that with smaller portions and fresh ingredients,” Wells explained.  “We bring really affordable lunch options with stir fry and rolls as low as $4-6 bucks and beverages as low as $1.50.”

According to Wells, the customer demographic was among many reasons for opening Sushi Bears in Findlay Market.

“We looked around town at other possible locations, but the reason that Findlay stood out in our minds is because we know the crowds that go there are often there for the fresh produce and farmers markets – there were already a lot of health conscious or vegetarian customers at the Market. When you walk around the Market you wonder where all of these veggie eaters are going to get a bite to eat. There is a surplus of health conscious eaters who frequent the market, but only a few options for healthy ready to eat vegetarian food. Sushi Bears fills that niche. ”

After discussing several naming options, Wells and his team decided on Sushi Bears, drawing inspiration from the bamboo-eating panda bear that has since become the mascot and logo for the company.

Chef Wells is currently serving Japanese inspired stir-fry and drinks including mango chill, bubble tea and hot green tea. There are plans to expand to vegetarian maki-style sushi rolls by mid-November when they expect to complete construction in the new space.

The partners did say that they intend on sourcing a majority of their produce and spices through other Findlay Market vendors, in an effort to help boost the local economy and provide inspiration for new sushi creations.

Taste of Belgium neighbor Jean-Francois Fletchet believes a difficult journey might be ahead for the entrepreneurs selling a niche product.

“I wish them [Sushi Bears] luck but it’s going to be a bumpy road,” Fletchet says. “Although traffic during the week has improved most people downtown do not realize that Findlay Market is open for lunch during the week.”

To help avoid such a lull, Wells plans on supplementing the lunch crowd with unique catering options and  sushi classes.

Sushi Bears is located in the center of Findlay Market, across from Taste of Belgium and Bean Haus booths. The Japanese style stir-fry, drink and sushi booth is open Tuesday through Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 8am to 6pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm.