Manchester Inn and Weatherwax

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     Posted: 7:00 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27, 2014

‘Busy’ time for city staff, council

By Rick 
McCrabb

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — 

  Years from now, historians may call the next week the most important time in 
  the city’s history.

  Two of the city’s biggest attractions — the Manchester Inn & Conference 
  Center, which has been closed for three years, and Weatherwax Golf Course — 
  are for sale, and their futures are in the hands of potential buyers and City 
  Council.

  The city, strapped for money, owns both businesses, the downtown hotel and the 
  36-hole golf course in Madison Twp., both of which have operated in the red 
  for years. Middletown hopes to reduce its budget and plans to eliminate 22 
  positions from public safety before 2015.

  Selling Weatherwax could be the answer, city officials have said. The course 
  is operating at a $150,000 deficit, which doesn’t include the $250,000 annual 
  debt payment for past improvements, said City Manager Judy Gilleland.

  City council is expected to discuss and possibly decide the fate of one, or 
  both businesses, at its next meeting, Feb. 4.

  Les Landen, the city’s law director, called this “a very busy” time for city 
  staff and council.

  Middletown received two offers from investors to purchase the Manchester Inn 
  for $1, while the city was asking $325,000 for the 91-year-old hotel that it 
  purchased in March 2011 for $175,000. The city also forgave about $150,000 in 
  debt as part of a bundle of downtown properties purchased when it appeared 
  Cincinnati State Technical and Community College was going to use the 
  Manchester for culinary and hospitality programs as part of its Middletown 
  branch campus.

  Both of the investment groups, Historic Middletown Developers LLC, which 
  includes a five-person development team, and Manchester LP, headed by William 
  E. Grau from Coldwell Banker, said it would cost about $10 million to renovate 
  the hotel.

  Doug Adkins, director of community revitalization, told council that the 
  proposals were similar: Both said they’d repair the leaking roof and remove 
  the mold.

  Grau disagreed with Adkins’ assessment. He said his proposal has a 
  construction start date within six months and a completion date within 18 
  months, while the other plan has a start date of two years and completion in 
  four years.

  Also, he said, his proposal is for commercial multi-family apartments with 
  office, coffee shop/micro brewery and hopefully culinary space and the other 
  one is for a boutique hotel with a banquet center.

  Both of the groups said for the project to be successful, state and federal 
  funding would have to be secured to renovate the hotel that includes 78 guest 
  rooms, meeting spaces, one of the area’s largest ballrooms and a large 
  commercial kitchen.

  The city extended the deadline two weeks for those interested in bidding on 
  Weatherwax after two potential vendors submitted a “significant number” of 
  questions in the final days, said Cindy Strayer, the city’s purchasing agent.

  Deadline is 11 a.m. Wednesday, and after reviewing them with staff, city 
  council is expected to discuss the future of the golf course on Feb. 4.

  Strayer said the city was contacted by Howard Jackson from MiddCities in 
  Cincinnati and Roland Lutz from Riverside Athletic Club in Hamilton and Forest 
  Hills Sportsplex in Middletown.

  City council has several options, and needs to act quickly. If the city 
  decides to retain Weatherwax, chemicals need to be purchased and applied in 
  the next few weeks for the course to be ready for the golf season. If 
  Weatherwax is sold, the order can be cancelled, Strayer said.

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Vivian Moon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vivian Moon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Manchester Inn and Weatherwax Posted: Jan 27 2014 at 11:28am
	Posted: 7:00 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27, 2014 ‘Busy’ time for city staff, council By Rick McCrabb Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Years from now, historians may call the next week the most important time in the city’s history. Two of the city’s biggest attractions — the Manchester Inn & Conference Center, which has been closed for three years, and Weatherwax Golf Course — are for sale, and their futures are in the hands of potential buyers and City Council. The city, strapped for money, owns both businesses, the downtown hotel and the 36-hole golf course in Madison Twp., both of which have operated in the red for years. Middletown hopes to reduce its budget and plans to eliminate 22 positions from public safety before 2015. Selling Weatherwax could be the answer, city officials have said. The course is operating at a $150,000 deficit, which doesn’t include the $250,000 annual debt payment for past improvements, said City Manager Judy Gilleland. City council is expected to discuss and possibly decide the fate of one, or both businesses, at its next meeting, Feb. 4. Les Landen, the city’s law director, called this “a very busy” time for city staff and council. Middletown received two offers from investors to purchase the Manchester Inn for $1, while the city was asking $325,000 for the 91-year-old hotel that it purchased in March 2011 for $175,000. The city also forgave about $150,000 in debt as part of a bundle of downtown properties purchased when it appeared Cincinnati State Technical and Community College was going to use the Manchester for culinary and hospitality programs as part of its Middletown branch campus. Both of the investment groups, Historic Middletown Developers LLC, which includes a five-person development team, and Manchester LP, headed by William E. Grau from Coldwell Banker, said it would cost about $10 million to renovate the hotel. Doug Adkins, director of community revitalization, told council that the proposals were similar: Both said they’d repair the leaking roof and remove the mold. Grau disagreed with Adkins’ assessment. He said his proposal has a construction start date within six months and a completion date within 18 months, while the other plan has a start date of two years and completion in four years. Also, he said, his proposal is for commercial multi-family apartments with office, coffee shop/micro brewery and hopefully culinary space and the other one is for a boutique hotel with a banquet center. Both of the groups said for the project to be successful, state and federal funding would have to be secured to renovate the hotel that includes 78 guest rooms, meeting spaces, one of the area’s largest ballrooms and a large commercial kitchen. The city extended the deadline two weeks for those interested in bidding on Weatherwax after two potential vendors submitted a “significant number” of questions in the final days, said Cindy Strayer, the city’s purchasing agent. Deadline is 11 a.m. Wednesday, and after reviewing them with staff, city council is expected to discuss the future of the golf course on Feb. 4. Strayer said the city was contacted by Howard Jackson from MiddCities in Cincinnati and Roland Lutz from Riverside Athletic Club in Hamilton and Forest Hills Sportsplex in Middletown. City council has several options, and needs to act quickly. If the city decides to retain Weatherwax, chemicals need to be purchased and applied in the next few weeks for the course to be ready for the golf season. If Weatherwax is sold, the order can be cancelled, Strayer said.

acclaro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1878	Post Options Post Reply Quote acclaro Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 27 2014 at 12:03pm
	Decisions, decisions, decisions. Busy time of year for city. The question and dilemma is: "Should we take a $1 buck for a $400,000 investment, or hold out for a year for $1.21? No wonder city hall is so darn busy. Rick McCrabb is not quite the entertaining writer. The Journal can take one story line and rerun it by adding one sentence, as well as any "ink meat loaf paper" in the country. All the same, the "left-overs" are getting old,and stale....just like Middletown. Can't wait for history to be made- will it be a buck, or a buck, 21? Embarrassment knows no bounds in Donham.
	'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill

Justsayin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Immigrant Joined: Mar 20 2013 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 40	Post Options Post Reply Quote Justsayin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 27 2014 at 7:47pm
	Hold out for a $1.21.. lol..

VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 28 2014 at 6:31am
	"The city, strapped for money, owns both businesses, the downtown hotel and the 36-hole golf course in Madison Twp., both of which have operated in the red for years. Middletown hopes to reduce its budget and plans to eliminate 22 positions from public safety before 2015" DON'T UNDERSTAND THE CONSTANT REMINDER THAT "THE CITY IS STRAPPED FOR MONEY". THEY HAVE MONEY TO PURCHASE BUILDINGS. ($175,000 FOR THE MANCHESTER ALONE, AND HOW MUCH FOR THE THATCHER BUILDING PACKAGE PURCHASE?) THEY HAVE MONEY TO LOAN (?) THE ROSE FURNITURE PEOPLE MONEY. THEY HAVE MONEY TO LOAN (?) BEAU VERRE. THEY HAVE MONEY (~$325,000) TO START UP JIM VERDIN'S PENDLETON "ARTS MECCA". THEY HAVE MONEY TO LOAN (?) THE MMF $75,000. THEY HAVE MONEY TO HELP REHAB THE OLD CG&E BUILDING FOR CS. WHERE IS ALL OF THIS MONEY COMING FROM IF THEY ARE "STRAPPED FOR MONEY"? THEY CAN JUST FLAT OUT GIVE AWAY THE OLD SENIORS CENTER TO CS WITH NO USE IN MIND FROM THE RECIPIENT. NO, THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, THEY ALWAYS FIND MONEY BY SHIFTING IT FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER OR BY PLACING THEIR ORDER FOR FED LOANS IN LIEU OF CREATING REVENUE THROUGH EMPLOYERS/EMPLOYEE TAXES. WE ALL KNOW THE GAME. IF IT INVOLVES THEIR PRECIOUS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT, THEY ALWAYS FIND THE MONEY. HOW MANY TIMES HAS GILLELAND ANNOUNCED THAT MONEY WAS FOUND IN SOME FUND THAT MIRACULOUSLY APPEARED TO FUND THEIR LITTLE DREAMS? IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THEY ARE "STRAPPED" FOR MONEY IF IT INVOLVES ISSUES THAT ARE NOT ON THEIR LIST OF IMPORTANCE WHILE ALWAYS FINDING MONEY TO ADDRESS THEIR DESIRES.
	I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.

spiderjohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2749	Post Options Post Reply Quote spiderjohn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 28 2014 at 7:02am
	probably no one playing golf today or this month still--been years since anyone stayed at the Manchester, and can't see why anyone would want to stay there in the future talk I have heard says too many contingencies, freebies etc. with the local downtowers' offer--and the outsider/locally brokered deal is far better guess who qwill get the property that we have paid for again for the nth time? if we are going to sell assets, why not sell the airport? what do most citizens get from it? love my town, but frustrated as it doesn't seem to be getting better--many local businesses are concerned at least or on the ropes bleeding we read where Hamilton is inclusive with citizens as to how HUD $$ is spent--as it should be since it is actually everyone's tax $$$--why not here? It is nice to lose non-livable housing, however replacing it with nothing(no residents/business or incoime/property taxes) seems a little short-sighted imo

Justsayin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Immigrant Joined: Mar 20 2013 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 40	Post Options Post Reply Quote Justsayin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 28 2014 at 7:18am
	Spider, the airport buildings can't be sold for something like 10 years. Something to do with bonds sold and a limitation on when they mature. Out right selling the airport would mean paying back the FAA every dime the airport has received for the last 20 years. That equals millions of $$. It seems to me the airport is the only thing improving in this town. No thanks to the Queen I might add.

over the hill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Oct 19 2012 Location: middletown Status: Offline Points: 952	Post Options Post Reply Quote over the hill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 28 2014 at 10:20am
	Spider: Shortsighted is an understatement! The powers that be do not want input they want total control of those funds. If we had input from citizens we may find this town could be moving forward. JMO

Vivian Moon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vivian Moon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 04 2014 at 6:18am
	Posted: 4:23 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, 2014 Council to decide fate of golf course, hotel By Rick McCrabb Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — The future of the Manchester Inn & Conference Center and Weatherwax Golf Course could be decided at tonight’s Middletown City Council meeting. The sale of both city-owned properties is on the agenda and council members said they anticipate “good discussion,” said Lawrence Mulligan Jr., the city’s mayor. The city received two offers to purchase the Manchester Inn for $1. The 91-year-old hotel was purchased by the city in 2011 for $175,000 and officials were asking for a sale price of $325,000. The proposals were submitted by investment groups, Historic Middletown Developers LLC, which includes a five-person development team, and Manchester LP, headed by William E. Grau from Coldwell Banker. Both groups promised that about $10 million in private and public funds would be spent to renovate the historic hotel. Grau said his plan has a start date within six months and a completion date within 18 months, while the other plan has a start date of two years and completion in four years. Council member Dan Picard said he was leaning toward supporting Grau’s proposal, though he was concerned that the ballroom would be eliminated. He called the ballroom “a huge asset.” Both of the groups said for the project to be successful, state and federal funding would have to be secured to renovate the hotel that includes 78 guest rooms, meeting spaces, one of the area’s largest ballrooms and a large commercial kitchen. Vice mayor Joe Mulligan said he was looking forward to more “details” before he made his decision regarding both properties. If they’re sold, he said, the city can get “back to basics.” Picard said the sale of the Manchester and Weatherwax are “different stories” because he doesn’t expect the city to receive any money for the Manchester, while it needs to “recoup as much as we can” from the sale of the 36-hole Weatherwax Golf Course. Council member Anita Scott Jones said it would be inappropriate for her to discuss the sale of the proprieties since those are two items expected in executive session. The two offers for Weatherwax came from Hamilton auctioneer Myron Bowling, who offered $1.6 million, and from MiddCities in Cincinnati, which offered $225,000.

VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 04 2014 at 6:49am
	"The city received two offers to purchase the Manchester Inn for $1. The 91-year-old hotel was purchased by the city in 2011 for $175,000 and officials were asking for a sale price of $325,000" Paid 175 thou.....offered a buck by two parties......great return. "Both groups promised that about $10 million in private and public funds would be spent to renovate the historic hotel" Another "owned by a private entity but asking for taxpayer/public funds to rehab a private investment" situation. Wrong. Let's see, what does the private owner get out of this and what does the public, who helped with the rehab get? HMMM. "Both of the groups said for the project to be successful, state and federal funding would have to be secured to renovate the hotel that includes 78 guest rooms, meeting spaces, one of the area’s largest ballrooms and a large commercial kitchen" THEN, IF YOU NEED FED AND STATE FUNDS, YOU AIN'T READY TO OWN IT. FUND IT YOURSELF BY SPENDING YOUR OWN MONEY AND THROUGH PRIVATE SECTOR DONATIONS AS YOU WILL BE THE SOLE BENEFACTOR IF IT IS SUCCESSFUL. WHY IS THE PUBLIC EXPECTED TO CONSISTENTLY BAIL OUT THE PRIVATE BUSINESS SECTOR NOWADAYS? WHAT DO WE GET OUT OF IT? WILL THE PUBLIC BE PART OF THE INVESTOR GROUP HERE?.......NOPE. I REALLY LIKE THIS FROM OLE JOE MULLIGAN...... "Vice mayor Joe Mulligan said he was looking forward to more “details” before he made his decision regarding both properties. If they’re sold, he said, the city can get “back to basics.”" "BACK TO BASICS".... JOE, YOU PEOPLE WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT THE BASICS ARE IN THIS TOWN IF THEY JUMPED UP AND BIT YOU ON YOUR KEESTER BUD. "Picard said the sale of the Manchester and Weatherwax are “different stories” because he doesn’t expect the city to receive any money for the Manchester" BUT DANNY BOY, YOU PEOPLE PAID 175 THOU FOR THE DAM THING AND YOU'RE CONSIDERING TAKING A BUCK FOR IT. AWFUL CAREFREE ABOUT THROWING AROUND OUR MONEY, AREN'T YOU? DO YOU PEOPLE DO THIS WITH YOUR PERSONAL BUDGETS? HOW ABOUT YOUR STOCK PORTFOLIOS? BUY HIGH-SELL LOW IS THE THEME HERE? "Council member Anita Scott Jones said it would be inappropriate for her to discuss the sale of the proprieties since those are two items expected in executive session" AHH YES, SCOTT-JONES, THE "SACRED, HOLLOWED GROUND" OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, WHERE CITY TAXPAYER-FUNDED BUSINESS IS KEPT HIDDEN FROM THE CITY CITIZENS WHO HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW THE CITY DECISIONS. COMICAL.
	I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.

acclaro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1878	Post Options Post Reply Quote acclaro Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 04 2014 at 8:28am
	I am frankly at a loss of words with this council, city management, and the citizens of Middletown. Lets examine what has transpired in dow ntown Middletown besides the expenditures when Dan Picard said previously, the city was dead and putting money into would be fool hardy; former police chief and city manager Bill Becker said exactly same, as well as virtually everyone on council. Now, Dan Picard states there are two different stories; " well, we never expected to receive any money from the Manchester." Say what? Dan....then why did the city waste about 375,000- 400,000 with moth ball expense, to not recoup it? How fundamental a question is this-----you spent nearly 400,000 and expect $0 in return, or I retract, a buck? Do any of you realize you'd be tearing the walls at Donham down and ringing the phones off the hooks if this was the old council on board- Schiavone, Williams, others. How does a city council spend $400,000 and expect 99.9% to be a complete loss as an acceptable standard? Is there any city that its citizens would not be in revolt? Numbing to be candid. Now lets examine Cincinnati State. The city bought those buildings, gave them away, HEP picked up the infrastructure expense, and State has been $0 out of pocket on this deal. Why? Because 1) they did not have the cash 2) they would not have made the deal. The only way it occurred was a complete gift. And with this knowledge, city hall and council have the audacity to state to the public, there is actually some sort of benefit to the Cincinnati State deal? Well....what is it, and to whom? Finally, on the Manchester, both bidders expect the city to help support their obtainment of federal funds for renovation. Hence, Denise Hamlet will be spending time getting funds for the Manchester taking the eye off true development and the needs required to move forward. Now there is a revelation the city needs to get back to its core? Middletown hasn't focused upon its core functions in 40 years. Hamilton is eating Middletown's lunch in turning itself around, while Middletown continues to flounder. I just don't get it. But admittedly, I am thinking too sanely, in a city of rather insane instinct and philosophy.
	'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill

TonyB Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Jan 12 2011 Location: Middletown, OH Status: Offline Points: 631	Post Options Post Reply Quote TonyB Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 04 2014 at 10:13am
	acclaro, I could not agree more with your post. Purchasing property "for the good of the community" should certainly entail some return on investment; if it doesn't, that should tell council not to do it! Why is Denise Hamet trying to secure tax money for groups buying city owned property? Shouldn't this be the mission of Downtown Middltown, Inc.? City resources should be used to bring business to Middletown; not to find money for groups who don't want to spend their own money! If you can't find the investors to finance your plans, perhaps you shouldn't be in business with the venture in the first place!

Vivian Moon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vivian Moon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 6:39am
	Posted: 7:13 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014 Hamilton auctioneer to buy Middletown golf course By Rick McCrabb Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Middletown city council voted Tuesday night to sell Weatherwax Golf Course to a Hamilton auctioneer for $1.6 million in a deal that will net the city $95,000. Myron Bowling from Bowling Auctioneers offered $1.6 million for Weatherwax, but said the city would be responsible for the $502,644 that is owed on the golf cart lease. Once that is paid, Bowling will take ownership of the golf carts. The city also will pay off the $750,000 it owes in bond debt and the $80,000 Realtor commission, city officials said. Bowling also asked the city to pay the $30,000 to remove the diesel tanks that are located on the grounds of the golf course. Two other interested parties made bids to the city on the 36-hole course located in Madison Twp. Howard Jackson of MiddCities offered $225,000; Michael LeMaster, of LeMot, LLC, offered $800,000; however, his bid was received about 90 minutes after bids were due. Ronald Lutz from Sportsplex had originally said he was interested in the course but didn’t make a bid.

Vivian Moon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vivian Moon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 6:42am
	Posted: 6:46 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014 Middletown council votes to sell Manchester Inn By Rick McCrabb Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — City council voted tonight to sell the Manchester Inn & Conference Center to a developer that the city hopes will return the downtown property to a “vibrant destination.” Council voted to allow the city to enter into a development agreement with Manchester LP, headed by William E. Grau from Coldwell Banker. Grau said he will perform a feasibility study within two months to determine the best use of the Manchester. Grau offered to purchase the Manchester for $1 and said he plans to invest $10 million into the property via loans and tax credits. Grau must apply for historic tax credits by July, which is a “very aggressive” timetable, said Denise Hamet, the city’s economic development director. Grau said he hopes to begin construction by October 2014, and have it completed within 12 months. Grau, who appeared on Skype, said he hopes to make the Manchester “everything it can be.” The 91-year-old hotel was purchased by the city in 2011 for $175,000 and officials were asking for a sale price of $325,000. The other proposal was submitted by Historic Middletown Developers LLC, which includes a five-person development team.

Vivian Moon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vivian Moon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 9:43am
	Last night Mr. Grau stated that “the Manchester will have Market Rate and Affordable Housing Units. Well folks…Affordable Housings Units are just another way of saying Section 8. How many times over the years have we been told that City Hall did not want ANY Section 8 Housing in THEIR DOWNTOWN area?

over the hill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Oct 19 2012 Location: middletown Status: Offline Points: 952	Post Options Post Reply Quote over the hill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 10:13am
	You've got to be kidding. "Affordable housing". Well, I guess that should really be some welcome news for Judy and Doug. When you sell it you no longer have control over what the new owner chooses to do with property.

swohio75 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Jun 13 2008 Status: Offline Points: 820	Post Options Post Reply Quote swohio75 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 10:34am
	Background on William Grau? http://www.cbcworldwide.com/accessible-cbcagents/NRT1179118.html He's not local. Based out of Chicago.

Vivian Moon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vivian Moon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 10:39am
	over the hill Yep...I thought City Hall wanted out of the Section 8 Business... Just another act of desperation business deal…mercy

Alien Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Immigrant Joined: Mar 21 2009 Status: Offline Points: 22	Post Options Post Reply Quote Alien Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 10:44am
	Gotta be proud of the business acumen displayed by Council members last night - truly brilliant, hard fought negotiations. Quick math tells me that after netting $95,000.00 from the Weatherwax sale and losing $374,999.00 on the Manchester (remember they did get a $1.00 for the property), they managed to only lose $279,999.00 last night. Bowling is the big winner and kinda tipped his hand on what he is planning. He now has a lot of nice golf carts to sell at one of his auctions, plus he gets the City to agree to remove the fuel tanks - he won't need them since he won't be operating it as a golf course. Pretty clever to get the City to eliminate any EPA issues before he flips the property to a developer. Way to go Council!

spiderjohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2749	Post Options Post Reply Quote spiderjohn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 11:44am
	u might have left out the forgiven loans on the former Thatcher properties($175,000?) and the locals @ Weatherwax who will very shortly be un-employed(probably with severance/extended bennies or "re-assigned" within city admin. The Weatherwax family must be inpressed and proud--how does "Weatherwax Estates--homes from $150,000 and up" sound? How much will this group profit from how many hundred beautiful acres?

chmoore1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Resident Joined: Jan 25 2012 Status: Offline Points: 230	Post Options Post Reply Quote chmoore1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 11:46am
	Of course, Mr. Bowling would like the diesel tanks removed. He would only need the fuel for the diesel lawn equipment to mow the course. Now, if there is no course, he doesn't need the fuel. It sounds that he finally came up with a plan, something he said about a week ago that he didn't have. Must be a quick thinker. Time to bring in the bulldozers to grade the land for streets. Just 1 chmoore.

Vivian Moon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vivian Moon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 12:44pm
	Spiderjohn - u might have left out the forgiven loans on the former Thatcher properties ($175,000?) Spider Yes we have the forgiven loans and also do not forget to add on the loss of all the property taxes that the Thatcher downtown buildings were paying each year. Now that they are all non profit they will pay ZERO... And then we have the Weather Wax deal...I believe chmoore is correct on his evaluation of this deal. Yes sir the city council did a fine job of giving away our tax dollars last night.

acclaro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1878	Post Options Post Reply Quote acclaro Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 1:02pm
	Please add to the stellar negotiations, the following needless loss: $80,000 for finders fee or commission, on property which was marketed and run in the papers, elsewhere, on bids. Correct on Weatherwax, giveaway on removing the diesel tanks. I understand the physician who owned the farm used for paint ball is partnering with Bowling, develop the farm and possibly use course (upscale), targeting Miami U Oxford profs. I thought for some reason, we had a Miami finance guy on council, but obviously I am mistaken (satirically stated). I want the airport for a buck when it goes up.
	'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill

VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 7:47pm
	Sale of 2 city landmarks to save thousands Councilwoman Anita Scott Jones said the sale of the course in Madison Twp., which the city has owned since 1972, will “stop the bleeding” of the city’s finances. She understands many area residents didn’t want the city to sell Weatherwax — she called it “a sore topic” — but it was the “best decision for the city” that is considering laying off 22 public safety employees by next year. YES MS. JONES, THERE ARE MANY "SORE TOPICS" IN THIS CITY. I REALLY LIKE MULLIGAN'S STATEMENT HERE..... Mayor Lawrence Mulligan Jr. called the decision “good” because it allows the city to “get out of the golf course business” and concentrate on its core services. IT ALLOWS US TO "GET OUT OF THE GOLF COURSE BUSINESS" AND "CONCENTRATE ON IT'S CORE SERVICES". COMICAL BUD. CORE SERVICES... LET'S SEE...LIKE STREET MAINTENANCE, SEWERS, POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION? THEY HAVEN'T BEEN A PRIORITY FOR DECADES, WHY MENTION IT NOW. RESTATED FOR LAWRENCE HERE....."IT ALLOWS US TO GET OUT OF THE GOLF COURSE BUSINESS BUT WE CONTINUE TO HOLD DOWNTOWN PROPERTY OWNERSHIP(AND OUR GIVEAWAY PROGRAM), AS WELL AS OUR OTHER CITY OWNED PLOTS OF LAND, AS A HIGH PRIORITY". Grau said he expects the renovations to the 92-year-old hotel to be about $10 million, most of which will come from loans and tax credits, he told City Council via Skype Tuesday night. He plans to convert the hotel into catering and banquet facilities; a café and brewpub; office spaces; a large courtyard; and 60 market rate apartments, not Section 8 units. On Wednesday, Grau told the Journal-News that he’s never worked with Section 8 and that wasn’t his intent with the Manchester. He said the units are going to be one- and two-bedroom apartments. WELL THERE'S YOUR "ASSURANCE" THAT SECTION 8 WILL NOT COME TO THE MANCHESTER.........PERHAPS. Denise Hamet, the city’s economic development director, said the 60 residential units will help put “feet on the street, a common ingredient in the rebirth of urban areas.” She said renaissance of urban living is happening all across the country, and she anticipates Middletown will be “a strong player in this arena.” "FEET ON THE GROUND".....A "STRONG PLAYER IN THIS ARENA"......ISN'T THAT WHAT SHE AND OTHERS SAID ABOUT CINCY STATE, THE PAC AND THE OTHER TITANIC ENDEAVORS THEY HAVE BROUGHT TO DOWNTOWN? WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE OLD "FEET ON THE GROUND" DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC DENISE? GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF ACTIVITY IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA NOW, WHAT WOULD BE THE ATTRACTION TO LEAVE THESE APARTMENTS THAT GRAU IS PROPOSING? WHERE WOULD THEY GO WHEN THEY LEFT THE APARTMENT EACH DAY? TO HAVE A "RENAISSANCE OF URBAN LIVING" YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE A DRAW FOR THE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE DON'T YOU? WHAT'S THE DRAW DOWNTOWN? Les Landen, the law director and acting city manager since Judy Gilleland is on medical leave, GOOD LORD, THE HITS JUST KEEP COMING.... LANDEN IN CHARGE. AND JUST WHY WEREN'T THE CITIZENS NOTIFIED OF GILLELAND'S HEALTH? AS SHE IS OUR LEADER AND WE ARE CONCERNED. BOTTOM LINE....THE CITY TAXPAYER, IN KEEPING WITH THE COMMON THEME OF THE CITY, TOOK A BATH ON BOTH PROPERTIES BUYING HIGH AND NOT SELLING, BUT LITERALLY GIVING THE MANCHESTER AWAY WHILE AGREEING TO PAY FOR MOST OF THE COST FOR THE BUYER OF WEATHERWAX, HELPING HIM TO PREPARE FOR HIS REDEVELOPMENT. CITY COUNCIL......IS THERE A LOGICAL, COMPETENT PERSON BEHIND THAT DESK?
	I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.

acclaro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1878	Post Options Post Reply Quote acclaro Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 10:01pm
	As far as the Manchester is concerned, if there was a demand for 60 units either 1 or 2 bedroom, Cincinnati State would have taken advantage of the property. The fact they had no interest shows this project will be a failure. Grau expects $10 Mm in loans and tax credits? Middletown is tearing down homes courtesy of $2 Mm, .5% from Dewine, they matched $1 Mm. Tear down homes and expect a demand for 60 units? Comical. Micro brewery? Taken out of the Greenville SC playbook. But, Dickerson Distribution takes care of beer in sothwest Ohio, no one has an interest in a micro brewery as a destination.
	'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill

Mike_Presta Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike_Presta Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 06 2014 at 6:44am
	Come on, you guys. Let's give credit where credit is due!!! The tens of millions of our tax dollars that they've spent downtown haven't been a total waste. They DID bring one very successful business downtown. Things are BOOMING at the UDF!!! (And it would be even more successful if it wasn't for all of the constant pilferage.)
	“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012

Manchester Inn and Weatherwax

‘Busy’ time for city staff, council

Council to decide fate of golf course, hotel

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