Downtown’s historical elements — namely its architecture — can be marketed.
But the historic buildings are in need of renovation.
REALLY? I will be looking for that check you promised me in 2006 so the Vault at the Historic Middletown Cemetery can be completed.
 The area boasts limited support services and there’s a shortage of residential space downtown.
Well Mr Kohler for years you have rejected every plan to put people downtown.
We have been told for the last 4 years that we have an over aboundance of housing stock…

    “Up until recently our zoning laws prohibited residential (areas) downtown,” Kohler said. “There was not a recognition that was a healthy part of a downtown. When we have opportunities for multi-story buildings that could be converted to upper-floor (residences), those are great things to bring into your business district.
When did the zoning law change? Over the years I’ve known several people that have looked at numerous buildings in the downtown area and the City rejected all plans because it wasn’t part of THEIR “Master Plan” or they didn’t want THOSE people in THEIR downtown area. The core is dead because of all the restrictions the city placed on the downtown properties…THEY have strangled all growth in this area. NOW they want to use Public Funds to landbank these same properties.

    “It’s to give a sense there are people here 24 hours a day,” he continued. “There’s nothing that helps dispel the desolation of a downtown than to have people actually living downtown.”
Mr Kohler, people have been living downtown since the city of Middletown was founded.

City gives money to group poised to buy Sorg Theater

By Andy Sedlak, Staff Writer Updated 7:10 PM Wednesday, December 21, 2011

    MIDDLETOWN — Middletown Moving Forward Inc.’s request of $75,000 from the city was granted by council members Tuesday night, and the organization’s chairman says the funds will likely be leveraged as collateral as part of a project to purchase the Sorg Theater.
    MMF is a community improvement corporation which, under state law, may borrow or lend money and raise private sector funds to supplement public sector development initiatives, among other actions. The group’s 10-member board of trustees includes representation from both the private and public sectors. Mayor Larry Mulligan and City Manager Judy Gilleland serve on the board. Ken Cohen, president of Cohen Brothers, Inc., serves as chairman.
    Cohen said the $75,000 from the city will serve as collateral in regard to the Sorg project.
    “We do have a project in mind and it’s subject to funding,” he said, referring to the Main Street landmark. “We’re hopeful (that) $75,000 could be used not for the project, but as collateral for us to go out and get a loan. We would pay for the purchase of this project ourselves.”
    The money stems from the city’s Property Development fund. Officials cannot use that money to pay employee salaries of any kind.
    The legislation to give the money passed by a vote of 5-2 this week. Councilmen A.J. Smith and Josh Laubach voted against the move.
    “If this is going to be a true public-private partnership, the public-private match should be a little more equal,” Smith said. The $10,000 in private funding the group has secured is far less than the $75,000 its members requested from the city, he noted.
    Denise Hamet, the city’s director of economic development and an MMF member, said the money in question was earmarked for property development. Having the money go to MMF doesn’t change that purpose.
    “That money was included in the budget for property development,” she said. “Regardless of whether it’s implemented by a separate organization or by the city, the intention is to use it for property development.”
    Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or andrew.sedlak@coxinc.com.