Downtown Buildings

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   Posted: 5:36 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012
Share your idea for downtown business development
By Michael D. Pitman
Staff Writer 
MIDDLETOWN — 
Community leaders are using a “grassroots market research project” to field ideas for the potential use of a vacant building at 1126 Central Ave., known as the Castell building.
Downtown Middletown Inc. and a Miami University business class are partnering to sponsor “I Wish This Was,” a project where people are encouraged to write their ideas for the building’s future use on scores of empty stickers placed on the building.
“This is something we can do in real time to engage the community and find out what people would like to see, and create a dialogue with the community,” said Chamina Smith, a business technology assistant professor with Miami University Regionals.
“We want to find out what would cause you to come and stay here, and spend your dollars here,” she said.
While the project is asking people about what they want in the Castell building, the ideas shared will be evaluated to see what works for downtown, said Patrick Kay, director of Downtown Middletown Inc.
“It’s a way of identifying what the community wants in a particular area,” Kay said. “If they want something downtown and they’ll support something downtown, let’s see if we can give it to them.”
The partnership with Smith’s class and Downtown Middletown Inc. demonstrates that “everyone is working together” to help rejuvenate downtown Middletown, he said.
“The downtown (revitalization) cannot be done by one group or one person,” Kay said.
Larry Lewis, who owns the Castell building with his son, Scott, said they were happy to participate in the project, especially if it could help them land a tenant or two.
“Anything can happen,” Lewis said of the project’s potential outcome. “People have a lot of imagination and interest.”
Smith’s leadership theory class will analyze the responses after this weekend’s First Friday and Second Look Saturday events. They will determine if enough responses have been collected or if the stickers should stay up longer, Smith 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: Downtown Buildings Posted: Dec 07 2012 at 7:29am
	Posted: 5:36 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 Share your idea for downtown business development By Michael D. Pitman Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Community leaders are using a “grassroots market research project” to field ideas for the potential use of a vacant building at 1126 Central Ave., known as the Castell building. Downtown Middletown Inc. and a Miami University business class are partnering to sponsor “I Wish This Was,” a project where people are encouraged to write their ideas for the building’s future use on scores of empty stickers placed on the building. “This is something we can do in real time to engage the community and find out what people would like to see, and create a dialogue with the community,” said Chamina Smith, a business technology assistant professor with Miami University Regionals. “We want to find out what would cause you to come and stay here, and spend your dollars here,” she said. While the project is asking people about what they want in the Castell building, the ideas shared will be evaluated to see what works for downtown, said Patrick Kay, director of Downtown Middletown Inc. “It’s a way of identifying what the community wants in a particular area,” Kay said. “If they want something downtown and they’ll support something downtown, let’s see if we can give it to them.” The partnership with Smith’s class and Downtown Middletown Inc. demonstrates that “everyone is working together” to help rejuvenate downtown Middletown, he said. “The downtown (revitalization) cannot be done by one group or one person,” Kay said. Larry Lewis, who owns the Castell building with his son, Scott, said they were happy to participate in the project, especially if it could help them land a tenant or two. “Anything can happen,” Lewis said of the project’s potential outcome. “People have a lot of imagination and interest.” Smith’s leadership theory class will analyze the responses after this weekend’s First Friday and Second Look Saturday events. They will determine if enough responses have been collected or if the stickers should stay up longer, Smith said.

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: Dec 20 2012 at 6:44am
	Hey! More good news about the downtown progress from Kay and company! From the Journal... DMI provides spark for downtown revitalization Even though it has organized events and has begun facilitating grants and loans for fledgling businesses, the leaders of Downtown Middletown Inc. say their most important achievements of 2012 are hardly noticeable — yet DMI was founded in 2011 as a nonprofit organization devoted to the revitalization and promotion of downtown Middletown. At the end of last year, the organization hired Patrick Kay to become its executive director, tasked with guiding the mission and vision of the organization.The group has also taken steps to become a member of the Main Street USA Program — a nationwide preservation organization that assists historic downtowns like Middletown’s in attracting businesses and remaining as vibrant parts of the community while maintaining their unique identities DTI is in the process of having downtown Middletown designated as a historic district, which would allow people purchasing buildings in the area to become eligible for federal and state tax credits on their buildings. Secondly, DTI worked with the city of Middletown to create a facade grant program to assist businesses in restoring the exteriors of their buildings. NOW, ACCORDING TO KAY, HERE'S WHAT IS GOING TO BRING IT ALL TOGETHER FOR US..... Kay said that he believes restaurants are the anchors businesses that will make significant impact in revitalizing downtown. Seven restaurants have opened or are planning to open in downtown by this spring, he noted. “I think that by the spring of 2013, we’re going to be looking at a whole new downtown,” Kay said. “There’s going to be a different place to eat every day of the week and when you have that, other businesses will begin to filter in.” RESTAURANTS Secondly, DTI worked with the city of Middletown to create a facade grant program to assist businesses in restoring the exteriors of their buildings FACADES AND SIGNAGE “We act as sort of the gatekeepers for special loans,” Kay said LOANS TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE......CINN STATE We’re not really looking to provide one element; we’re looking for housing opportunities; opportunities to bring employment to downtown; using art and culture and the development of Cincinnati State to build on that.” All the members of DMI agree that the opening of Cincinnati State in fall 2012 has provided a spark to reignite downtown Middletown’s vibrancy. “Cincinnati State is a tipping point,” board member Richard Isroff. “It gives credence to all the efforts we’ve made. I believe we’ll be able to bring multiple disciplines down and be able to use more and more facilities. More people will lead to more restaurants, and lead to other ancillary business people will want to use because they are downtown already.” I THOUGHT THE CITY TABBED CINN STATE AS THE SOLE FOCAL POINT AND CATALYST FOR THE DOWNTOWN REBIRTH. GOTTA HAVE MORE THAN 300 STUDENTS (WITH A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE TAKING ON LINE COURSES AND WILL NEVER SEE DOWNTOWN) DOWN THERE TO CREATE ENOUGH CUSTOMER TRAFFIC FOR ALL YOUR RESTAURANTS TO MAKE A GO OF IT ISROFF. NEED TO STOP TOOTING THE HORN UNTIL WE ACTUALLY SEE SOME RESULTS, DON'T WE? IT IS NOT IN THE "EYE OPENING" STAGE YET FOLKS.
	I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.