[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5976075,"mediaKeyId","5854251-be71c1bec412bca1492500466cb8b43e","parentId",5854251,"title","Middletown to update development code; first community workshop set for Oct. 2","audioSeconds",129,"startMs",2777000,"endMs",2906000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854251-be71c1bec412bca1492500466cb8b43e&start=2777&end=2906","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854251-be71c1bec412bca1492500466cb8b43e/thumbnail_2777000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5976075/Ohio/Middletown-to-update-development-code-first-community-workshop-set-for-Oct-2","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976075-143313fc2fc1091cea9660106226b411/orig.mp4?Expires=1775596326&Signature=ftfKUl9CmxlFaujl-okJrLdDHcI5i-OA-usEapDwpQV9h9Vv2GHiHsKjGXa5yFUgbU-1ZDzCCkTlApMDyke0ZmlAtG9WtHl-6D6vA9wlvv1JNGzv3aeriTs599KSDLCLMGhy3p7qmtJ9V~ic0BTpFNiMSbnhDZTIVXPegQ3pB3c8JEC72M3QmoQ8NmMTYmuQCV412lJV425ugwuefqzMc3~uBmBmmS9sWkHDdqXGYVG6Q8FdS55raV6Y6-piQB1a3OurArHyi2YuKFSkb0zcIVoB8y6ajKJH~acPGE2LwtfrtB4LS6-oLkXpxM8yYIXbZVku106rOwV35xcp6tC~5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Middletown OH","date","2025-09-23T23:49:40Z","article","Mayor Elizabeth Slamka said the city planning staff, led by city planner Claire Feddersbinegar in collaboration with Gibbons Planning Group, will update the Middletown development code to align local ordinances with the Destination Middletown comprehensive plan. The mayor said the process will take about 12 to 14 months and include extensive community engagement.

The first community workshop for the code update is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Event Center of Middletown, the mayor said. She urged families, including children, to participate in surveys and workshops and said a new strategic plan process will begin in January with City Council and city staff to set a vision for implementation starting in 2027.

Slamka also encouraged voter participation in the upcoming local election, noting the registration deadline on Oct. 6 and Election Day on Nov. 4. She directed residents to the Butler County Board of Elections for registration and election information.

The mayor framed these steps as part of an effort to increase resident engagement after earlier concerns that people felt the city building did not listen. Several future RFQs and downtown planning steps were described as incorporating resident survey results. The transcript records these as mayoral announcements; the address did not include formal adoption votes for the code update or strategic plan in the speech.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Middletown State of the City Address 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City planners will update the Middletown development code in a 12–14 month process with Gibbons Planning Group and hold the first public workshop Oct. 2; City Council will begin work on a strategic plan in January to guide 2027 implementation.","taxTitle","Middletown City Council, Middletown, Butler County, Ohio","taxId",68987,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976080,"Middletown directs funds to community center overhaul, CareFlight support and neighborhood programs",88,2328000,2416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854251-be71c1bec412bca1492500466cb8b43e&start=2328&end=2416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854251-be71c1bec412bca1492500466cb8b43e/thumbnail_2328000.jpg","/articles/5976080/Ohio/Middletown-directs-funds-to-community-center-overhaul-CareFlight-support-and-neighborhood-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976080-50feb5cf912717f713a8dbc1e128a21a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775596326&Signature=O3wQBAexJJW2PaSOJBKuJ3KJazU~~0Pxck2E0dcFlSPLSFDBAo23~LIUUHBA3A6h04JhsABEqnN81azthn3vBuMF4JbtUGQDVf2t-j~JBETmIk0zjwF32x2AHWjtF0ycapEQ7~r88gS4NA0wyZVL5NtpDsUpgEwRlslqSlMKKG77M1vnqMsaeotFE9EjdN8~OPqn~WQWr0ISe-RYb1u1ykQ6ZVaLldfsoG5F-DMyJqpab5V7MC9PK5XGfOHlg-n0yWI-eOfNAsiIywhuamcABxnhEYKyYncxHdptGdFMGUcXjOdbV6Sbt0jhNmzkZEn7CO5KBm-la~CbTaQD92IKJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Elizabeth Slamka said the city and its partners are supporting several community-focused investments, including a $6,700,000 renovation and expansion of the Robert Sunny Hill Community Center supported in part by a $3,500,000 contribution from the Butler County Commissioners. The mayor said the project will almost double the size of the 83-year-old facility and add a regulation gymnasium, upgraded bathrooms and modernized systems.

The mayor said Middletown City Council authorized a multiyear investment of over $450,000 over five years in Premier Health's CareFlight air and mobile services program, noting the program serves agencies across 17 counties and that a new CareFlight helicopter costs about $13,500,000. \"Making this investment will undoubtedly save lives in our community,\" the mayor said.

The city directed $60,000 to the Community Building Institute (CBI) to support after-school programming and neighborhood-strengthening work; CBI is also involved in the Robert Sunny Hill renovations. Mayor Slamka described return of neighborhood programs: the home improvement repair program — funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds — offered up to $5,000 in free repairs for qualifying owner-occupied single-family homes, and the Trash Bash returned to accept trash, tires and other items at three sites.

Slamka also highlighted park renovations (Goldman Park, Oakland Park, Sherman Park) and upcoming projects including Douglas Park and Damon Park upgrades and a new Main Street basin recreation area slated for 2026 that will include a seasonal ice rink and flexible event space. She credited Middletown Connect, a resident-led initiative, for guiding park redesigns and resident engagement.

City council approved the hiring of Cali Fisher as community projects coordinator, the mayor said; the transcript did not include mover/second or roll-call details. The mayor framed these investments as support for residents, youth programs and civic life rather than as standalone capital projects.","Mayor Elizabeth Slamka outlined the city's funding of a $6.7 million renovation for the Robert Sunny Hill Community Center, a multiyear commitment to CareFlight, and neighborhood programs including a home repair grant and the trash bash cleanup.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976083,"Middletown advances $200 million Renaissance Point, Gateway Lofts and new aviation center",324,1478000,1802000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854251-be71c1bec412bca1492500466cb8b43e&start=1478&end=1802","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854251-be71c1bec412bca1492500466cb8b43e/thumbnail_1478000.jpg","/articles/5976083/Ohio/Middletown-advances-200-million-Renaissance-Point-Gateway-Lofts-and-new-aviation-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976083-acb60561e6f2ac89885d22d28605c891/orig.mp4?Expires=1775596326&Signature=ROCSKZDrjvtsg49kZkZh10zWTt7agQGFV5uP0F-v2kjdTimmVeVT4pDJQYwf0-VqGCkY3lUx66CFoHfRzcokMP7npVlFz0RLPx4bm1BOzt2tCDR4q72We1GGanBZj8EsHypViZb1WsARSuAXEPGTSYVuXje8As-ZKf3x-HCKtMucvAepfzXDUw5ezurXEJKlUWk38VEjlVyS8mGCFRAeml4QBfBSOBuMiweZA7wUmW6OUCLQnuDZJfSe5HuqjKI4ExlUu4KHUON9its74YR0YtWAaX7CPQ8cImf9t7ACNjtmtDdQGWSxfu3D6a0L8YSreq03rW1MnrRDAQwZ75kh9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Elizabeth Slamka told the State of the City audience that the I-75 corridor is moving from planning to construction, with Renaissance Point described as a $200,000,000 entertainment, dining and housing development whose infrastructure planning is complete and site preparation is underway. \"This is about creating a destination where families, businesses, and visitors all feel at home,\" she said.

Slamka said two projects have been confirmed for Renaissance Point: a fueling station/convenience store and a Hallmark Communities housing development, Gateway Lofts, where Hallmark was approved to build 288 apartments. On leisure and tourism, the Monsoon Bay waterpark at the Atrium Family YMCA will include 30-foot water slides, new bathhouses and a new pool; officials said it is expected to open in time for next summer.

The mayor also announced that a Chick-fil-A opened recently on Culbertson Road and that the town mall site is in due diligence with Midland Atlantic properties to reimagine the space as mixed use. She said the city will issue a request for qualifications related to downtown redevelopment and that resident input informed the RFQ concepts.

On workforce and education infrastructure, the mayor said the $15,000,000 Butler Tech Aviation Center at Middletown Regional Airport is nearly complete, with only interior work remaining and an official opening planned for January next year. She framed the center as expanding training for aviation maintenance, private piloting and unmanned aircraft systems.

The mayor noted demolition at the former paperboard site is complete, with concerns from nearby residents about dust prompting staff to communicate mitigation efforts. She also announced a partnership between the Middletown Port Authority and the Butler County Finance Authority to support commercial and industrial development.

Several of the projects reported by the mayor were described as approved or in active development; the speech did not supply council roll-call votes or contract texts in the transcript, and some project approvals referenced developer agreements and due-diligence steps that remain ongoing.","Mayor Elizabeth Slamka outlined major economic projects including a $200 million Renaissance Point development, approval of 288 Gateway Lofts apartments, a planned Monsoon Bay waterpark, a new Chick-fil-A, and a $15 million Butler Tech Aviation Center at the regional airport.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976088,"Middletown opens four new fire stations, boosts police presence and plans police substation",313,1239000,1552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854251-be71c1bec412bca1492500466cb8b43e&start=1239&end=1552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854251-be71c1bec412bca1492500466cb8b43e/thumbnail_1239000.jpg","/articles/5976088/Ohio/Middletown-opens-four-new-fire-stations-boosts-police-presence-and-plans-police-substation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976088-91d69363dd00fae8516c833694eb038f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775596326&Signature=ShFH3CZLhI1XyUlGPuX5iJ9msn9dyBGA6BFjCUheXXC0G7keybBnR2ZWVKSEqw57NJ~7LShYtlkMBdJNYeOQLblm8hpc~PudADqVfJzZdAK0IYxvqC8K8hDg~oLxW1XTT8dmLiq3TefGFJCUUJ0eXavBFRfrBM1j1Wf7HMAMIQA3iJHBAr5Qv0F0LbbQtk2OiVC9SmLQVVSVeATBWVoTaqSFRwN4I9DawVS7FTpwAnYEcbty7dxERcZuMVCDtHPJ5BYo8IgLfFJz--4Jbnxk8gBwtARmeF8NaArTw6O~N9Idda91jyCEagD3eYKEvnFpjcbHshdhLUby6gXLApimug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Elizabeth Slamka said this year the Middletown Division of Fire completed four new fire stations and welcomed Brian Wright as the new fire chief. \"If you have not yet visited the firehouses, our firefighters are proud of their new buildings in the community,\" the mayor said, noting the stations include updated facilities such as separate changing areas intended to be friendlier to women.

The mayor said the city expanded the Middletown Division of Police to 88 officers, the department's highest level in years, and has increased visible patrols across the city. \"It's nearly impossible to drive from 1 end of the city to the other without passing a Middletown police cruiser,\" Slamka said.

She also described the city's investment in automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), commonly called flock cameras, including portable units used downtown and at events. Officials said the devices have aided investigations and may deter some criminal activity; the mayor said the city expects future data to show any effect.

City council voted to convert the old firehouse on Dixie Highway into a police substation to reduce response times on the East End; the mayor described a drop in response from \"more than 10 minutes\" from the city building to \"only 2 minutes or less\" for that part of the city. The mayor framed the substation as a step to make policing more efficient and to increase neighborhood safety.

The mayor announced open houses for two of the new stations. Stations 81 and 85 will have public open houses on Wednesday, Oct. 8: Station 81 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Station 85 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., she said. No formal council vote details (movers, seconds, or roll-call tallies) were provided in the speech; the actions described were reported by the mayor as completed or authorized by city council.","Mayor Elizabeth Slamka announced completion of four new fire stations, the appointment of Chief Brian Wright and an increase in police staffing to 88 officers; city council also voted to convert a former firehouse into a police substation to cut East End response times.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976093,"Middletown schools show mixed academic results; chronic absenteeism falls",392,445000,837000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854251-be71c1bec412bca1492500466cb8b43e&start=445&end=837","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854251-be71c1bec412bca1492500466cb8b43e/thumbnail_445000.jpg","/articles/5976093/Ohio/Middletown-schools-show-mixed-academic-results-chronic-absenteeism-falls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976093-d37dc77eee81b6a2d416ee5cc8048dad/orig.mp4?Expires=1775596326&Signature=DoRAmN58z4-3mE5Ka-jHOh3k6e7pTPxLD4oxuJTzk0zlfkPnFbT3OoUPX2CU1K~iwveX-02EclsUH9XLYWXy-kvfr0eCPQoflU8fMmUmTP46x-vwfHBLhTrHq9U9rTJNhFYC3TMi5NENUTMmqk4kSapIVdtMO4yW2z5sYRe8PlJxsRWd4DeKmUaj~ZDryfDOD-u3OYb0CViplNn2h3SS6fVnkNdJUxaiMCvtChFQ1tNp-xkdSY6z0QoR~e6mCcpsMGl2TJ~Gbb4dVFm8aoRXpluUOJ-PCvVAGTTbG3L~UJNAZQiYvyWjQ05CuwTBnsdyF5HkuP5kqIQjLrz~otAm5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Chris Erso, president of the Middletown School Board, told attendees at the State of the City event that six district schools earned an overall rating of 3 or higher on the latest state report card and that districtwide math and reading proficiency have risen over five years. \"Progress is real, but so is the work still ahead of us,\" Dr. Erso said.

The report card showed Amanda, Central Academy, Creekview and Mayfield earned an overall rating of 3; Middletown Middle School had a 3.5; and Miller Ridge received a 4. Officials emphasized measurable gains — math proficiency up 11 percent and reading up 9 percent over five years — alongside persistent weaknesses in early literacy.

District leaders highlighted a sizable reduction in chronic absenteeism, which fell from 44.5 percent in 2023–24 to 35.9 percent in 2024–25, an 8.6 percentage-point improvement. Dr. Erso credited partnerships among families, community organizations and city leaders for helping students get to school more consistently.

Officials described several facilities and operational moves aimed at supporting students. The district is repurposing a former building as an early learning center and is nearing completion of a 26,000-square-foot transportation and maintenance facility; staff expect to begin occupancy by Oct. 30, with demolition of the old site and paving work the following November. At Barnett Stadium, the district replaced the turf surface, adding an extra padded safety layer; the project was funded through the district's permanent improvement fund.

On finances, Dr. Erso said the district reduced expenses by $2.2 million this year and plans an additional $450,000 in reductions next year while striving to avoid cuts to classroom opportunities. He warned that federal changes to how education grants are distributed could remove more than $1 million in annual funding, a potential headwind the district is preparing to address.

District leaders framed academic gains and facility investments as steps in a longer process. \"We know more needs to be done academically to improve our district's overall standing,\" Dr. Erso said, urging continued focus on early literacy and sustaining attendance gains.

Details the district provided at the event came from the state report card and district financial summaries described by Dr. Erso; officials did not present a vote or formal board action during the speech and did not provide a detailed breakdown of the federal grant changes beyond the possible annual shortfall figure.","Dr. Chris Erso, president of the Middletown School Board, reported improvements in district math and reading scores and a large drop in chronic absenteeism, while early literacy declined and district leaders warned of looming federal grant changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Middletown to update development code; first community workshop set for Oct. 2

Middletown directs funds to community center overhaul, CareFlight support and neighborhood programs

Middletown advances $200 million Renaissance Point, Gateway Lofts and new aviation center

Middletown opens four new fire stations, boosts police presence and plans police substation

Middletown schools show mixed academic results; chronic absenteeism falls