Hope For Vacant Buildings
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: Community Revitalization
Forum Description: Middletown Community Revitalization News
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4818
Printed Date: Nov 25 2024 at 10:19pm
Topic: Hope For Vacant Buildings
Posted By: VietVet
Subject: Hope For Vacant Buildings
Date Posted: Oct 23 2012 at 6:44am
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Journal story....
Hamilton, Middletown working to redevelop empty buildings HAMILTON — Officials in Hamilton and Middletown are focusing on strategies — including tax incentives — to make sure empty downtown buildings become economic drivers and not decaying blights that attract vandals Middletown has seen more businesses commit to downtown space as it transforms into an arts and education hub. The opening of Cincinnati State Middletown in the former CG&E; building on Central Avenue was a spark for several new businesses. The city has struggled in recent years, but economic development behind BeauVerre at the Square, Pendleton Art Center and Cincinnati State has prompted businesses, including three new restaurants, to open by the end of the year. Linda Moorman, who along with her husband, Jay, owns BeauVerre Riordan Stained Glass Studio, said instead of seeing vacant buildings as eyesores, she envisions them as “potential for growth and it’s happening right here.” The Pendleton Art Center moved into the vacant property at the corner of Central Avenue and Broad Street, and since the Manchester Inn is closed, the art center has hosted numerous community events. The Sorg Opera House was recently purchased by a group of seven investors who hope to revitalize the building and bring back plays, concerts and other productions to the opera house that has been vacant since December 2011, according to Chuck Miller, Sorg Opera Revitalization Group executive director. Moorman predicts that in a few years, downtown will be “totally different than the past.” She said it will be more of a destination for diners and shoppers. “There is a lot of opportunity here,” she said. “Word is getting out that Middletown is the place to be.” 
Mike P......Spider.....409.....others who have been here since the 70's and before... how many times have you heard of a "plan" for re-vitalizing the downtown area? Started in the late 60's/70's with the closing (barricade across the street) of Central Ave. about where the Central Store (Richie's Pawn Shop to the newer folks)is and ended with a barricade at N. Main St. (I think) Foot traffic only in this area. Then the City Centre Mall was built (and torn down). Now, we have the arts and education theme attempt. So far, with the initial anemic numbers produced by CS, and the slow development in the attraction of new business because of CS, the on again/off again/ever-changing activity at the PAC, does anyone share the Moorman's (and others) enthusiasm that this will actually grow into anything in the near future? Isn't this whole thing the wrong development theme for the wrong type of town? I don't understand how the arts can possibly attract a majority interest in this town to make it a viable player to be a catalyst for citizen involvement. 5-10% of the population (most from out of town) at best. Why the reluctance to build a theme based on attracting a majority of 50-60% or more?  If Moorman wants a destination for diners and shoppers, they won't get the clientele with coffee shops and artzy nic-knack shops as the selling point. People in this town don't have the disposable income for specialty coffees and sandwiches nor the interest in that type of climate. This is a Mickie D's/drive- thru/dollar menu type of town, not a wine tasting/cheese knibbling, Picasso admiring, specialty coffee at 5 bucks a cup type of town. JMO
Oh yeah.....and what about those city owned bank buildings that happen to be vacant and in dire need of some maintenance that have no takers? The city seems to own alot of properties while claiming "NOT TO BE IN THE BUSINESS OF REAL ESTATE". How can this be? |
Replies:
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Oct 23 2012 at 9:57am
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The thing that everyone seems to be overlooking is the fact that many years ago these downtown buildings were filled with doctors, dentist and attorneys just to name a few. These were the people that filled the many eateries downtown during the lunch hour five days a week. Where are the professional people that will fill these establishments everyday now? |
Posted By: digger-2
Date Posted: Oct 23 2012 at 12:25pm
| Also, the City Hall planners foisted a deluge of Section 8 rentals on nearby moderate-income neighborhoods in Wards 2 and partially in Ward 1 over the past 13+ years. The furtherance of the almighty HUD cash cow resulted in a precipitous decline in formerly decent and modest cost home ownership opportunities in these areas. Those bureaucrats responsible never seem to be held responsible. Why is this? |
Posted By: LMAO
Date Posted: Oct 23 2012 at 1:25pm
| Because if it doesnt pertained to South Main Street or downtown they just dont give a damn.There focus is on getting South Main paved and there fancy ass gas lights.(Which if they put it on the ballot they would find out that people dont want to pay for something that only a few gets to enjoy it.)They want people to drive out of there way to go downtown for what?To go to the Art center.I dont think that they realize is that most people arent into the Art.Only thing going right for the downtown is when the Bash goes on for the few months that it happens.Until the people that run this city is replaced(council,MsJudy,Mr.A,and Les)Its not going to change.Its been said so many times but people need to open there eyes and there minds and see that the leaders is doing nothing but digging the hole deeper and deeper. |
Posted By: over the hill
Date Posted: Oct 23 2012 at 2:14pm
| THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN OWNS 1200 THAT'S RIGHT I SAID 1200 PROPERTIES SOME ARE JUST PARKING LOTS BUT MANY ARE NOT!!!! |
Posted By: over the hill
Date Posted: Oct 23 2012 at 2:23pm
| MS JUDY WAS RESENTLY OVER HEARD AT ONE OF BASHES SAYING THIS WASN'T HER KIND OF PEOPLE SHE WAS ONLY THERE TO LISTEN TO SAM'S SON PLAY IN ONE OF THE BANDS THEN SHE WAS OUT OF THERE |
Posted By: Richard Saunders
Date Posted: Oct 23 2012 at 2:56pm
 
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over the hill wrote:Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Oct 23 2012 at 2:59pm
Well "over the hill", if accurate, it makes perfect sense. IF what was overheard is true, Judith, Samuel and the artzy "upper crust" are members and supporters of the culture club (not to be confused with Boy George of course) and as such, not in tune with the general populace and what appeals to them. No time for the general city rabble you see. Make no mistake, they are superior beings. Just wish they'd take their superiority (and ego) somewhere else.
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Posted By: ktf1179
Date Posted: Oct 23 2012 at 3:14pm
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I say tear down some of those buildings and put in a race track. At least we will get some of the hot rodders off the road I don't know what I hear more at night, the Trains, or the hot rodders racing their engines all over town. Besides I think a race track will draw more people downtown than the arts anyday.
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Posted By: over the hill
Date Posted: Oct 23 2012 at 3:18pm
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maybe the city could rent some of those 1200 properties to some sec8 people to get double bang for their buck
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Posted By: Pacman
Date Posted: Oct 23 2012 at 7:33pm
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From the article that vet posted above I think Denise Hamet has forgotten which quarter of 2012 we are in or more likely the Journal needs to hire an editor with mmore a 1st grade education. The journal makes far to many mistakes and misprints than a newpaper should be allowed.
As far as why the professional people have moved out of downtown Middletown, that is simple. The East End is Far More Convenient. My Lawyer's office is 3 blocks from my house. all of my doctors are between McNight dr and Atrium. It is far easy to work out of Atriums professional building when you have hospitalized patients plus office visits in one complex. When Stained Glass Bistro was 1st discussed it was mention they were going to have $25-$30 steaks, which means for a family of four your tab will run close to $150. Everybody raise you hands!! Who's going to run down to the Bistro to spend this kind of dough! This leaves the Bistro with a very limited customer base. As far as the coffee shops downtown go, my son has become an avid coffee drinker and goes to the monroe coffee shop twice a week. Once to study with his friends, and another night to cut up with his friends, play games and have a good time. I would not allow him to go to downtown Middletown at night to do any of these activities. If they wanted to go to Java Johnny's ot Kidd Coffee that would be fine, but he and his friends seem to enjoy the Monroe Coffee Shop. All of this talk of pots of gold falliing out of the sky in downtown Middletown is just a fairy tale for those that believe what they are told. Winter is coming and we are due for a harsh one. I do not think these coffee shops will survice downtown past 2 winters. Anyone heard the rumor that Mrs Judy is retiring next yr and will be rehired? KTF, as far as a raceway, we already have one. It's called manchester rd between Breiel and dixie hwy. You should the motorcycles on the weekend and the during the day doing 180mph on a regular basis. Don't know the last a Middletown Police office was on Manchester Rd. As far as changes in Middletown and City council and planning board etc, aint gonna happen. The last time I posted if anyone was interested in making a change in middletown, I got 2 replies. the City Council knows this and they are smiling all the way to spending your money. Pacman  |
Posted By: LMAO
Date Posted: Oct 23 2012 at 9:19pm
| Pac I would love to take you up on the offer but I will be leaving this fine city by the end of the year.I have had enough of the lieing and the back door politics that goes on in this city.Here I thought we had a couple of people on council that would stand up for the people but damn was I wrong.Eventually they are going to cross the line to far and get caught for all what they have done and they wont be able to "LIE" there way out of it. |