Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik and Safety-Service Director Paul Schmelzer discussed updates and funding of the Findlay flood-control project with with U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown and Republican Sen. Rob Portman in Washington.  The main topic was federal funding.  The meetings come as the legislators are preparing to meet with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers next week. Mihalik said the three lawmakers all have been helpful in pushing the Findlay project forward.

Marathon Petroleum said it will invest $4.2 billion in refinery upgrades and MarkWest infrastructure in 2016.  The company’s capital spending plan includes $1.5 billion for Marathon’s refining and marketing segment; nearly $400 million for its retail subsidiary Speedway; and $2.2 billion for Marathon’s pipeline transportation segment, which includes $1.7 billion for its pipeline and logistics subsidiary MPLX.  Marathon Petroleum’s refining and marketing operations in recent years have generated the vast majority of its profits.

Don Malarky of Marathon Petroleum Corp., who volunteered to head an upgrade project of Dorney Plaze for the Findlay-Hancock County Alliance’s Economic Reinvestment Committee, told Hancock County Commissioners that it could cost about $1 million.  Malarky said the expense could be split between the city, county and private sector.  The Alliance committee began talking about renovating Dorney Plaza last year, with the goal of improving the appearance of the plaza and creating a public gathering place.

A proposed "town square" design for the former junior high school property got an airing before the Bowling Green Planning Commission.  The plan for the site, dubbed BG Commons, was debuted before the Public Lands and Building Committee of City Council in early October.   As currently conceived, the site would be developed in three phases and include a multi-purpose common space with walkways, a large central gathering space, benches, trees, lighting, shade options, and other amenities, as well as a pavilion or gazebo for performances.   A piece of public sculpture would also be added.