Water & Light to receive $2M state tax credit. Extreme heat drives Marysville residents to the pool and the emergency room. Local officials relieved inside millage remains untouched by the state.
Give us a few moments and we'll serve up what matters in Marysville on Thursday, June 26, 2025
In this edition, sponsored by 2nd Chances Thrift stores in uptown Marysville:
Heat drives residents to the pool and the ER. We have the data.
A sigh of relief from local government officials regarding the state budget
The report card is in for the quality of water in Marysville in 2024
But first, a word from our sponsor
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Water & Light project receives $2M tax credit
A transformative project in uptown Marysville is receiving a $2 million state tax credit.
The Ohio Department of Development announced the award on Wednesday as part of $66 million in credits awarded for 39 sites across the state.
The tax credit part of the Ohio Historic Tax Preservation Program, which encourages private investment in the rehabilitation of historic structures by providing financial incentives for their redevelopment.
The Silos at Water & Light is being developed by Connect Realty, which eventually plans to redevelop 18 acres spanning North Main Street and Mill Creek into a vibrant mixed-use campus, including co-working office space, a spa, fitness facility, and a 72-unit apartment building.
“As Ohio’s cities and neighborhoods continue to grow and modernize, it’s essential that we honor and preserve the legacy that already exists,” said Governor DeWine. “These buildings are more than brick and mortar—they reflect the history of our communities and the generations of the past. Thanks to these tax credits, these buildings will contribute to Ohio’s future as well.”
Constructed in 1891 as Marysville’s first waterworks facility, the Marysville Light and Water Company Plant served the community for more than a century, providing water and, until 1923, electricity. The plant was acquired by the City of Marysville in 1991.
With the credit now in hand, the first phase of the project—which is estimated at $21 million—is set to begin.
But first remediation on the site must be completed. According to Columbus-based media reports, that could begin as early as next week. The project received additional state support to help fund the remediation of the water plan.
Completion of the first phase of the project is expected by mid-2027.
The project includes the relocation of the historic Streng Road Bridge from SR 38 near Fairbanks High School onto the site as a pedestrian bridge spanning Mill Creek.
It also includes a reimagined grain silo as a restaurant and entertainment venue.
How many people took advantage of free access to the City pool?
In 2024, the average daily attendance at the Marysville Municipal pool was 478 individuals.
On Monday and Tuesday of this week, city officials decided to open up the gates for free to the community in the wake of a brutal heat wave.
So, how many took advantage of free access to the pool?
According to data from the City Parks and Recreation staff, 2,105 people passed through the gates of the pool on Tuesday. 1,458 were recorded on Monday.
1,071 people visited the pool on Sunday (including the publisher).
Both days, the parking lot was packed as the high temperature at the Union County Airport was recorded at 93.7°F and the Heat Index was 99°F.
Average total daily attendance at the Municipal pool so far this year is 576, with total attendance at 16,152 through Tuesday.
Memorial Health sees impact of heat in the ER
The extreme heat over the past few days didn't just increase attendance at the pool.
Memorial Health reports that 75 local residents were treated for heat-related issues in the emergency room on Tuesday alone.
Common conditions included heat exposure, shortness of breath and chest pain.
Residents are advised to drink plenty of fluids and limit the time in the sun," a spokesperson told us. "The ER team suggests taking action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke."
"Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke. Additional symptoms include dizziness, heavy sweating, nausea, weakness, confusion, and throbbing headache."
The National Weather Service has expanded a Heat Advisory for the area through Friday, with high temperatures forecast in the low 90s today and tomorrow.
Wednesday’s high temperature was 91.4°F, and the Heat Index reached 98°F.
Richwood man arraigned after shooting gun during domestic dispute
65-year-old Richard Baker of Richwood is facing felonious assault charges after an altercation on Sunday involving gunfire.
Baker shot a 9mm handgun at a car driven by his son following a domestic dispute.
According to Union County Sheriff deputies, Baker had gotten into a physical altercation with his son and threatened to shoot him. As the son was fleeing in a car, Baker fired one shot. During the investigation, a suspected bullet hole was located in the driver’s door jam.
Deputies reported that Baker admitted to firing the gun. He claimed it was self-defense.
He claimed to have fired the gun in the opposite direction of the vehicle. During the investigation, a 9mm casing was located. The casing’s location indicated the gun was fired in the direction of the vehicle, according to the sheriff’s report.
Baker was released on bond and ordered to have no contact with his son, according to records filed with the Marysville Municipal Court.
Semi-driver cited for distracted driving
A Freightliner Cascadia semi tractor-trailer weighs about 17,000 pounds. That doesn't count the cargo in the trailer.
Mixing all that weight with distracted driving was on display Tuesday afternoon when a 2024 Cascadia went off the road and struck a ditch in the 23000 block of SR 31 north of town.
The crash happened around 10:40 a.m.
The driver of the truck, 43-year-old Matthew Howell of Hillsboro, was cited by Union County Sheriff deputies for both distracted driving and failure to control.
Local officials issue sigh of relief on latest version of the state budget
If you heard a collective sigh of relief on Wednesday morning, that was likely county government, law enforcement and local school officials exhaling at the same time.
The reason?
Early Wednesday morning, a new version of the state budget was voted on by a conference committee made up of six members from the Ohio House and Senate.
In the new budget, there is no sign lawmakers are going to repeal "inside" (or unvoted) millage, a significant stream that funds local government agencies, schools and public safety.
The latest version of the budget gives authority at the county level to increase the homestead exemption on property taxes. But there's a catch. Funding for that would have to come out of the county budget.
The budget also would require schools to refund property taxpayers to the tune of any money at the end of the school year that exceeds the prior year’s ending cash balance by 40%. The Ohio House wanted the give-back to be triggered at 30% of carryover balances. The Senate wanted it to kick in at 50%. They compromised at 40%.
Lawmakers must send a final budget to Governor Mike DeWine so that he can sign it into law by July 1.
In the words of\of one county official on Wednesday morning, "It's not over yet."
Development 101: How Planned Unit Development zoning can improve local growth
Local government proceedings can be a hodge-podge of jargon and acronyms that stymie informed and fact-based discussion about growth, either residential or commercial.
Today, I wanted to write a quick story on how Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning enables local leaders to foster better quality growth.
How a PUD works
Monday night's City Council meeting featured a great discussion illustrating how the PUD approach allows for developers and city leaders to bring a higher quality of growth to the community.
"PUDs grant a level of creativity that straight zoning would not allow," stated City Council President Donald Boerger, who is a staunch advocate for stronger building codes.
The focus of Monday evening's conversation was a proposed new housing addition called Hickory Woods. It's planned for 100 acres of land on Boerger Road to the west of the Marysville Golf Club.
The northern portion of the property is zoned suburban residential (think neighborhood). The south portion of the property is zoned agricultural.
Planned Unit Development zoning packages essentially overlay an enhancement of zoning standards to an existing plot of land, making room for bigger lots, more green space and other amenities.
The engineer for the Hickory Woods project told Council members that current zoning would require development of every inch of the land in the proposal.
"Under the current zoning, we would have to develop every inch of this site."
He said the PUD under Council scrutiny will allow the developer to intelligently plot lots and preserve large stands of trees. Otherwise, under current zoning, the trees would have to be cut down.
PUDs receive more scrutiny than regularly zoned projects
The City Planning Commission reviews all proposed PUD zoning packages, but then the City Council's approval is also needed.
"We're not just rubberstamping things and bringing PUDs here," said Council member Zack Bordner on Monday evening. "There is some thought that goes through [the process] here."
The City learns something new with every PUD that comes before Council. That is according to leaders I've spoken with.
PUDs are not a silver bullet to manage growth
The effectiveness of PUDs can be limited.
"The reality is PUDs are only as good as the Council members who stand before you," stated Mr. Boerger. "If creativity is no longer a standard, then PUDs are not worth the time and energy for Council."
It's one of the reasons Boerger is pushing for an upgrade to city zoning codes.
He has shared with me in recent days that he feels the current zoning code is inadequate to control and manage growth.
"If you really want to create good development in the City of Marysville, you put it in your zoning code," Boerger said on Monday evening. "Instead of having these developments come before us with PUDs, all developments should have the same character throughout the city of Marysville."
Boerger said many (not all) developers would like to come in and build as many homes as possible based on the bare minimum standards.
"If it were straight zoning…they could build a bunch of row homes," he said during the discussion.
The Hickory Woods project before Council goes above and beyond, allowing for larger yards.
Additionally, had the developer decided to just follow straight zoning codes, only Planning Commission approval would be required.
“Council review [of the PUD] is an extra hurdle, but it is the name of a development that has more character and uniqueness to it,” said Council member Scott Hunter. "Had you gone through minimum zoning requirements, it would have had less hurdles to go through."
The Hickory Woods project will be back before Council for public comment at its next meeting on July 14.
City water system complies with state and federal standards
The City of Marysville’s water system met all state and federal requirements in 2024. That’s according to the annual report issued by the city on the system that serves more than 13,650 customers. Residents consumed 10.6 million gallons of water in April.
The City water system complied with regulations related to lead, fluoride and other inorganic contaminants.
With regard to fluoride, the city water system tested at 1.1 parts per million. The maximum level allowed is 4 parts per million. Fluoride is a water additive that promotes strong teeth but is an issue of controversy in some quarters.
Nitrate levels are also low, with 1 part per million detected in local samples. The maximum level allowed is 10 parts per million. Nitrates come from fertilizer use, leaching from septic tanks and erosion of natural deposits
The report noted key highlights during the year including the adoption of a new water master plan, the decommissioning of the old water plant, as well as several water main replacement projects throughout the city.
Where does the City’s water come from?
Marysville’s water source is a combination of surface water (Mill Creek) and groundwater (wells). The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) include rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells.
As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity
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And a special thanks to our Thursday sponsor, 2nd Chances Thrift Stores in uptown Marysville! Tell them you are glad they support Marysville Matters when you stop by to drop off your used goods or to volunteer.
Have a great Thursday!
-Joe C.
