Due to concerns from drivers who think that 25 miles per hour is too slow along the Dixie Dr.-Central Ave. corridor, on Tuesday, Nov. 27, city council members will hear the first reading of an ordinance that would change the limit to 30 M.P.H.

A vote on the ordinance will occur on Dec. 11, and if approved, the new speed limit would go into effect Jan. 10.

The speed limit on the Dixie Drive-Central Ave. corridor from Elm Street to the new Manchester Road intersection was reduced to 25 M.P.H. from 35 M.P.H. on Oct. 11.

The goal of the reduction, timed to the completion of the new Exit 47 reconstruction, was to create an environment along the corridor that was more desirable for economic redevelopment. Approximately 77 on-street parking spaces were also installed along the Dixie Dr.-Central Ave.

“These changes stemmed from the city’s long-term comprehensive plan that calls for making the city a destination community,” said Greg Gaines, city planning director. “We knew a reduction was necessary in order to make the city a safer place to park, walk, or bike.”

However, many residents voiced concerns that 25 M.P.H. was too slow for the current traffic conditions along the corridor.

During its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13, the West Carrollton city council approved a resolution that opposes House Bill 601.

The bill, co-sponsored by Ohio House Majority Whip Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) and Rep. Mike Henne (R-Vandalia) was introduced to the Ohio General Assembly on Oct. 30 and aims to establish municipal tax uniformity.

“Municipalities agree that revenue neutral measures of local tax uniformity that ease compliance burdens for existing and perspective new businesses is good for Ohio,” said Brad Townsend, West Carrollton city manager. However, there are components of this bill that attempt to reduce municipal income tax obligations for businesses by reducing tax liability.

“This does not change the complexity or add simplicity to the process of filing and paying local income tax,” Townsend said.

This past June, West Carrollton joined with other cities and the Ohio Municipal League to draft legislation that would achieve this goal of uniformity without costing money,” Townsend said. “However, these attempts were rejected,” he said.

If approved, the current measure is projected to result in a loss of $400,000 revenue per year for West Carrollton. That is combined with the recent loss of $240,000 per year from the state’s reduction of the Local Government Fund, $60,000 per year from the elimination of the Estate Tax, and $30,000 per year from the state’s accelerated phase out of the Tangible Personal Property Tax.

Starting on Monday, Nov. 5, Central Avenue between Miami Avenue and N. Smith Street will be reduced from four to two lanes due to the demolition of Fraser Papers Mill Building 57.

In order to protect drivers from demolition debris, the two eastbound Central Avenue lanes will be closed. One lane of traffic in each direction will be shifted to the west bound lanes. The switch is expected to end by Friday, Nov. 9.

The demolition of Building 57, also known as the machine shop, is Phase 1 of the long-term clean-up process of the former mill site located at 51 S. Elm St., which closed in 2001. The city obtained grant funding from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to pay for the $38,750 Phase 1 project. Evans Landscaping Inc. of Cincinnati will compete the first phase.