Portion of former GE site in Dover sold to developer for commercial use

Dover council learned at their Oct. 6 meeting, that the Rotary Club of Dover will restart their youth exchange program with Dover High School for the 2026-27 school year.

The Rotary Youth Exchange offers high school students a chance to live abroad, experience a new culture and develop new friendships and skills.

Steven Higley, a member of the Rotary Club of Dover, made the announcement to council.

“The program had gone on hiatus for about five years. It started because of COVID and the member who was running the youth exchange program then left the club,” Higley said.

Higley wanted to get the word out on the new way the program will be structured. 

“For an incoming exchange student, we need three host families,” Higley said. “A student's stay is going to be split up, and we call them three trimesters. So, they will stay with three different host families, one from August to November, the next from November to March, and then the third is from March to June.”

Families interested in serving as a host family for an exchange student can contact Higley at 330-260-0807.

Legislation approved at the meeting included:

Emergency Resolution 18-25 adopted a statement indicating the services of the City of Dover, Ohio will provide for the territory proposed to be annexed to the city. This is for the approximately 33-acre tract along St. Peters Church Road and is the final step for annexation.

Resolution 19-25 accepts the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizes the necessary tax levies certifying them to the county auditor.

In his mayor’s report, Shane Gunnoe announced that Dover was recognized on the state tourism website as one of the charming Ohio towns to check out this fall for a perfect weekend getaway. A link to the article is on the city’s website and Facebook page.

The Schaeffler expansion project in Dover has been nominated as one of the finalists for Economic Development Project of the Year out of 59 statewide submissions. The award is given by the Ohio Economic Development Association, and the winner will be announced Oct. 16. 

The Dover Light and Power and Electric Field Division received three awards at the American Municipal Power annual conference – one honorable mention and two safety awards. In addition, Dover was presented with a resolution from AMP for providing mutual aid to Lakeland, Florida during their electric emergency following the devastation of Hurricane Milton in October 2024.

Gunnoe informed council that a portion of the former GE land fronting Wooster Avenue has been sold to a development group, MTTJ Properties LLC.

“The group plans to redevelop the site into additional commercial space,” Gunnoe said. “The redevelopment of the former GE site has been something the city has been actively working with both GE and the new buyer on for some time, and we look forward to seeing what the future may hold for that location.”

Gunnoe will testify soon before the Ohio House of Representatives Development Committee in support of House Bill 379, which among many things, would allow for the sale of unused state land like that adjacent to the National Guard Armory for commercial redevelopment.

On Sept. 22, Gunnoe attended a ribbon cutting celebrating the expansion of Warther’s Cutlery and their new laser engraving machine.

The mayor gave updates on several city projects and events.

Gunnoe congratulated the Auditor’s Office and Income Tax Office on their recent relocation to 112 E. Fourth St.

“This is an exciting step forward and the first move in our downtown facilities improvement plan,” Gunnoe said.

Plans are being finalized for the adjacent picnic shelter to the soon to be completed pickleball courts. Architect Joe Sekely, who designed the Riverfront Park shelter, has completed the plans for the city at no cost.

“Once we have obtained plan approval through ECOBA, we hope to begin construction on the new shelter as soon as possible,” Gunnoe said.

The mayor reminded everyone of upcoming events. The annual Dover Lions Club Halloween Parade will be held Oct. 29. Step off will be at 6:45 p.m. Registration information is posted online.

Trick or Treat is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 30 from 6-8 p.m.

The next Dover Council meeting will be held Oct. 20, in council chambers, 121 E. Second St., Dover.