Masonic temple

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   Posted: 10:00 a.m. Monday, Sept. 2, 2013
Masonic temple undergoing renovations

By Eric Robinette
Staff Writer 
MIDDLETOWN — 
People who work with the Art Central Foundation usually paint paintings, but this week, they’re painting and rehabilitating their own own building.
The work is in preparation for the Sept. 7 re-dedication of the Masonic Temple on 4 N. Main St., the former home of the Temple Arts Center. The event, to which the public is invited, will feature a reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Cincinnati State’s lower lobby across the street. The re-dedication of the building will be at noon, and tours of the new arts center will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Art Central Foundation had previously held classes and events in the Masonic Temple, but in years past, it was a tenant. The foundation now owns the building outright, said Sue Wittman, the director of the organization. It received a facade grant from the city for $13,655, which helps fund a $27,310 project. That includes a installing a new glass and metal door on the south side, repairing windows on the second floor, stabilizing glass on the third and fourth floor putting new gutters and downspouts across the rear top of the building, new windows on the second and third floors, and a new door on the first floor.
“We never had a chance to paint when we moved in last time to get our classes going, so we want to make it a bit more bright and cheery for our kids,” said Sue Wittman, the director of the foundation.
The work won’t be completely done by the time of the re-dedication; the building suffered severe water damage when the gutters and downspouts fell into disrepair, said Joe Wittman, a foundation board member.
“Until we owned the building, we didn’t put any money into doing anything, and it sat empty without us here for a couple of years,” Sue Wittman said.
In addition, the building needs an elevator. Previously, patrons could take the elevator in the adjoining bank building, but with that building in the hands of Cincinnati State, that’s no longer an option, Sue Wittman said. Patrons have to climb a long flight of stairs to get to the classrooms, and then there’s another long flight of stairs to the theater upstairs. The foundation is exploring options to have an elevator installed.
While the Masonic Temple is being renovated, Art Central has been using a space on Vail Avenue donated to them by Flowers by Roger. The goal is to move operations there by next spring, said Sue Wittman.

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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: Masonic temple Posted: Sep 02 2013 at 12:56pm
	Posted: 10:00 a.m. Monday, Sept. 2, 2013 Masonic temple undergoing renovations By Eric Robinette Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — People who work with the Art Central Foundation usually paint paintings, but this week, they’re painting and rehabilitating their own own building. The work is in preparation for the Sept. 7 re-dedication of the Masonic Temple on 4 N. Main St., the former home of the Temple Arts Center. The event, to which the public is invited, will feature a reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Cincinnati State’s lower lobby across the street. The re-dedication of the building will be at noon, and tours of the new arts center will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Art Central Foundation had previously held classes and events in the Masonic Temple, but in years past, it was a tenant. The foundation now owns the building outright, said Sue Wittman, the director of the organization. It received a facade grant from the city for $13,655, which helps fund a $27,310 project. That includes a installing a new glass and metal door on the south side, repairing windows on the second floor, stabilizing glass on the third and fourth floor putting new gutters and downspouts across the rear top of the building, new windows on the second and third floors, and a new door on the first floor. “We never had a chance to paint when we moved in last time to get our classes going, so we want to make it a bit more bright and cheery for our kids,” said Sue Wittman, the director of the foundation. The work won’t be completely done by the time of the re-dedication; the building suffered severe water damage when the gutters and downspouts fell into disrepair, said Joe Wittman, a foundation board member. “Until we owned the building, we didn’t put any money into doing anything, and it sat empty without us here for a couple of years,” Sue Wittman said. In addition, the building needs an elevator. Previously, patrons could take the elevator in the adjoining bank building, but with that building in the hands of Cincinnati State, that’s no longer an option, Sue Wittman said. Patrons have to climb a long flight of stairs to get to the classrooms, and then there’s another long flight of stairs to the theater upstairs. The foundation is exploring options to have an elevator installed. While the Masonic Temple is being renovated, Art Central has been using a space on Vail Avenue donated to them by Flowers by Roger. The goal is to move operations there by next spring, said Sue Wittman.

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(1) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 02 2013 at 1:38pm
	Let's see..... The Masonic Building was purchased with taxpayer money. It was given to the Art Central Foundation. It was given 13 grand to make repairs with a facade grant which is taxpayer money. Cinn. State's building was purchased using taxpayer money. Cinn. State building also given to Cinn. State Cinn. State building has an elevator that was shared by both buildings at one time. Since Cinn. State now owns the building next to the Masonic Temple, they can no longer share the elevator...........(WHY NOT, DID BEFORE) And now we hear that Art Central Foundation is planning to install their own elevator because Cinn. State can't share and there is too many stairs. Hmmm, bet down the road, we read where the city, using taxpayer money, will give the Art Central Foundation the funds to have the elevator installed. Is this the way Cinn. State thanks the city for the free building?...with potentially more money spent to duplicate what is already there? DOES IT ANGER ANY OF YOU THAT THE DAM CITY LEADERS DECIDED FOR US, HOW OUR TAX MONEY WILL BE SPENT, WITHOUT US HAVING A SAYSO. ENOUGH WITH THIS ARTS CRAP. ALL WASTED MONEY AT THIS TIME. TAKE CARE OF THE BASICS FIRST CITY. THEN ADD THE FRU FRU CRAP AFTER THE CITY HAS WHAT IT NEEDS. FOR TOO LONG, THE WANTS OF A FEW HAVE TRUMPED THE NEEDS OF MANY.
	I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.