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Middletown Journal Building

Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown Community
Forum Name: Middletown News, Info and Happenings
Forum Description: Discuss any Middletown Ohio area news story.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5813
Printed Date: Apr 30 2024 at 8:12pm


Topic: Middletown Journal Building
Posted By: Rhodes
Subject: Middletown Journal Building
Date Posted: Jul 29 2014 at 1:00am
Does anyone know what is going on with the project at the Middletown Journal building?  It's been in the same standstill situation for quite a while.  I heard one of the two partners left the project several months ago.  Either today or yesterday someone has been cutting down the black metal fencing around the parking lot that is on the corner of S. Main and First Ave.  The fencing on that corner wasn't the best, but at least it was somewhat decent.  They're just cutting it at the base, a few sections at a time and leaving part of the posts sticking up out of the ground.


Replies:
Posted By: Richard Saunders
Date Posted: Jul 29 2014 at 4:56am
It is hard to know what is going on around there lately.

No one goes around there much anymore. (Regardless of what Donham Plaza might want you to think.)

Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Jul 29 2014 at 6:59am

June 2013  Middletown Journal

The property (Middletown Journal Building) was purchased by Gary Montesi and Evan Smith, who are entering their first commercial business, said Montesi, who refused to release the purchase price. He said they will begin rehabbing the property   immediately, and probably invest between $1 million to $2 million to convert the property into loft apartments. Depending on the square footage of the apartments, Monte-si said there will be six to eight.

   He said the goal is to keep the building’s “vintage look” while upgrading some of the windows and exterior. He said the asbestos and other “environmental concerns” will be the first items removed. He said the group will “hit the ground running.”


Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Jul 29 2014 at 7:23am

I believe the fence is being removed in that area so they can work on the required emergency exit for the Sorg Opera House that was approved by the city several months ago.

Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Jul 29 2014 at 8:10am
Don't see much happening at the MJ building, Colonial, 5th/3rd or Rose properties.
Heard of possible partnership splits with Rose and 5th/3rd also.
Canal House tavern seems nice and ready to pop. Last time I visited Pendleton it seemed to have vacancies with the quality of merchant not so upscale IMO.
Otherwise the area seems very quiet.

Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Jul 29 2014 at 9:05am
I heard MIddletown Antiques is moving into the Journal building.  Not sure which section.

I believe 5/3 is on hold until next round of tax credits. 

Posted By: Rhodes
Date Posted: Jul 29 2014 at 10:33pm
Vivian, I thought the land the Opera people were wanting the city to ok something on was the parking lot the city owns to the north of their building.  The parking lot on the corner is owned by the same people that bought the MJ building.

I was looking at the Facebook page for Middletown Antiques.  Rather odd if you are expanding to shut your entire business down.  The owner posted almost two weeks ago that she would be announcing their new location in a couple of days.  No announcement on there yet.  With all of the vacant storefronts downtown, you'd think a business like an antique store would want display windows.  Maybe they can make it work.  Regardless, it still doesn't look like anything is going on at that building.  The back section doesn't even have windows.  It's been open to the weather for almost a year now.  There's an asbestos removal sign that has been posted around the front door for at least 6 months, maybe longer.


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