Majority of Stubbs Park improvements completed
About 95% of the work to improve Stubbs Park occurred in 2024 ahead of a planned late spring 2025 opening, city officials confirmed.
The $8 million project enhances recreational facilities, stormwater management and water quality. That includes replacing an aging playground with new playground equipment, building a new utility structure and improving ponds near the amphitheater.
It also includes upgrading the bandshell with structural repairs and new lighting, creating a natural water edge for habitat enhancement, and adding a new parking lot.
Centerville school district voters approve levy
Centerville City Schools’ new 3.9-mill permanent tax levy was approved in November where its two predecessors in November 2023 and March 2024 were not.
The property tax levy will raise about $11.2 million per year from property owners for daily operating costs of the schools. The district will begin collecting that revenue this year.
Work on Benham’s Grove complex continues
A $7.4 million project that saw much work carried out in 2024 ahead of an expected completion this summer was the 6,000-square-foot Benham’s Grove Event Center, which launched construction in April.
Benham’s Grove is an event center complex and community gathering space at 166 N. Main St., including a park and a Victorian homestead. The 200-capacity event center will include main event space, outdoor terrace space, a bridal wing, a groom’s area and a warming kitchen. As part of the project, Centerville also continued renovations to the Gerber House, barn, cottage and gazebo.
Contractors anticipate finishing the project this summer.
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
New leaders takes the reins in Washington Twp.
Washington Twp. saw major government, law enforcement and fire department changes in 2024.
After 31 years of service with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and six years as the police captain for Washington Township, Mike Brem retired in October and took a new position as Miamisburg Police Department’s police chief. He was replaced by Josh Samples, who has been in law enforcement since 2005 and served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1999 to 2005, which included two deployments to Iraq.
Last January, Nick Bergman became the township’s fire chief, succeeding Scott Kujawa, who retired. In addition, Brian Lunne was sworn in as township trustee the same month.
Countryside Park improvements
Washington Twp. completed nearly $2 million in infrastructure improvements to Countryside Park, including a makeover to Turtle Pond and Heron Pond.
The ponds were dredged of silt and sediment, and a new wetland was created along the borders of each to create a more natural transition from land to water. Various improvements installed will prevent future silt accumulation.
In addition, a decaying bridge at Heron Pond was replaced, and an all-abilities fishing pier was installed at Turtle Pond.
City, school district partner for road extension
Busy roadway Dimco Way was extended a little more than a third of a mile from Clyo Road to Centerville High School to relieve traffic congestion and provide a safe path for motorists.
The project was part of a partnership between the city of Centerville and Centerville City Schools. Also part of the project was the installation of a traffic signal at Dimco and Clyo, a multi-use path, stormwater improvements and utility extensions.
Uptown Centerville gets DORA, several new businesses
Centerville in 2024 added its second designated outdoor refreshment area, or DORA, this one in a portion of the city’s Uptown. Located in the commercial area surrounding the Franklin Street and Main Street intersection, it stretches as far as Virginia Avenue in the west, Maple Avenue in the east, Cranston Court to the south and just south of East Ridgeway Drive to the north.
Centerville’s Uptown also saw the opening of several new businesses, including Shoppe Smitten, the Brunch Pub and Fairy Godmother Events. In June, Mudlick Tap House announced it would relocate from Dayton to Uptown Centerville this spring.
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