Posted: 7:37 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012

Investors unveil plans to restore Sorg Opera House

By Michael D. Pitman

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN —

The group of investors that bought the Commercial Building on Main Street, which includes the 121-year-old Sorg Opera House, revealed its plan Tuesday to restore the downtown landmark and develop businesses there such as a coffee or sandwich shop, among other uses.

The Sorg Opera Revitalization Group, also known as SORG, purchased the vacant building from Florida-based Bayview Loan Servicing LLC in August, but specific details of the transaction weren’t made public until Tuesday. SORG paid $32,000 for the building, which is appraised at $262,680, according to data from the Butler County Auditor. The opera house previously sold for $362,000 in 2006.

“It’s a fabulous opportunity,” said Chuck Miller, SORG executive director and one of seven businesspeople involved in the deal. “There’s a great spirit there of rebuilding, and there’s a lot of energy.”

The Sorg Opera House, built in 1891 by businessman and former Ohio congressman Paul J. Sorg, has withstood the test of time, including a fire in 1935 that threatened to destroy it. But in recent years, the historic building had fallen into disrepair.

Returning the building to its former glory will begin with repairs to the roof, a severe leak over the opera house stage and a broken cast iron drain at its southwest corner, Miller said. The ownership group is seeking 501c3 status so it can solicit donations to help pay for the repairs. Any monies raised would be facilitated by the Middletown Community Foundation, according to the group.

SORG officials said another of their goals is to develop the first floor of the opera house as a social gathering spot, such as a coffee or sandwich shop. The group indicated that it would also like to lease space, including the building’s theater and ballroom, and possibly stage its own productions.

Mayor Larry Mulligan said he was encouraged to see more private investment going into the downtown.

“The historic Sorg Theatre has served Middletown for more than 120 years,” Mulligan said. “It’s exciting to hear of plans to restore this important piece of our historic fabric tied to the arts.”

The sale and future restoration and redevelopment of the historic opera house is more positive news for Middletown officials and community advocates who have been focused on reinventing a downtown riddled with old vacant buildings and empty storefronts. Middletown residents have seen grand ideas for re-purposing downtown come and go over the years — several unsuccessfully. But in recent years, city and business leaders have gained traction and delivered on several high-profile projects.

Two years ago, a vacant building at the corner of Broad Street and Central Avenue was transformed into the Pendleton Art Center and caddy corner from there, Governor’s Square is the site of the Broad Street Bash concert series which draws thousands of people downtown every summer. A week ago, the city celebrated the grand opening of Cincinnati State Community and Technical College’s Middletown campus, located about a block away from the opera house, and other businesses such as a United Dairy Farmers and a restaurant atop the BeauVerre Riordan stained glass studio also call downtown home.

The recent economic development downtown have some residents like Connie Monk excited and intrigued about the future of Middletown.

“I think with the college coming in, we have an opportunity to be a little college town…like Oxford or Yellow Springs — and that’s nothing but good for Middletown.” she said.

Monk, who worked at the Sorg Opera House when it was being operated as Road Apple Music from 2006 to 2011, said she also believes a lot can be done with that building.

“There’s so much history,” Monk said. “It’s a beautiful place. There’s something about the atmosphere there. It just draws you in.

Middletown Moving Forward, a non-profit community improvement corporation charged with the city’s economic development priorities, had considered purchasing the opera house earlier this year. The group had offered $54,900 for the building in February, but withdrew its contract after the bank would not allow for additional time to do further “due diligence”on the deal.

While SORG officials didn’t discuss the costs associated with repairs and redevelopment, Downtown Middletown Inc. Executive Director Patrick Kay estimated renovation of the opera house, which would likely be done in phases, could cost between $7 million and $10 million. Once its up and running, the re-purposed opera house could have as big an impact on downtown as Cincinnati State, Kay said.

“Performing arts really take things to the next level,” Kay said. “Having a venue like that to bring in high-level performance groups would be a major staple. In my opinion, if done right and to the quality the Sorg was originally built for, it could be bigger than Cincinnati State.”

Those who might frequent performances at an upscale Sorg Opera House would have the disposable income to spend $100 or $200 on theater or concert tickets for regional or national acts, Kay said. The opera house, he said, could become a “destination business.”

SORG officials said they want to support academic — namely Miami University Middletown and Cincinnati State — and professional development opportunities, including employment and internships.

Cincinnati State Middletown spokeswoman Monetta Pennington said the revitalization of the Sorg Opera House could provide some great cultural opportunities for students, faculty and staff.

“This is an exciting time to see downtown take on new shape and form as restaurants, businesses and other venues come to the area,” Pennington said.

SORG members said the success of the project is dependant on Middletown’s sense of community. And once established, the group sees the opera house as a vital part of the city.

“We intend to offer the people of Middletown and surrounding communities the opportunity to enjoy cultural, educational, civic and corporate events that will entertain, enrich and inspire,” said Walt McRee, SORG vice president for building development. “And we hope to bring the community together to make it happen.”

SORG ownership

Here are who make up the Sorg Opera Revitalization Group, the organization that purchased the Sorg Opera House:

Ken Bowman: Owner of Bowman’s Framing in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky. He’s served as chair for the Ft. Thomas Renaissance, and on the Bluebird Arts and Education and Music and Merchants boards.

Denise Brodsky: A non‐profit professional, she has extensive experience in development. She’s also held elected positions within boards of education, is a champion for several national issues, including helping lead post‐Katrina community recovery efforts. She has served in the arts and is currently regional director for the Children’s Hunger Alliance.

Julia Brodsky: A Louisiana State University Interior Design graduate, she has been a member of the Retail Division design team at BHDP Architects in Cincinnati. Julia is currently studying for her masters degree in Urban Planning at the University of Cincinnati.

Steve Hoglund: An independent contractor, his skill set includes long‐range planning, safety and analysis, systems construction, building mechanics, project management, demolition and reconstruction, specializations within the food service industry, and mechanical systems.

Jeff Johnson: A graduate Industrial designer and architectural photographer, he serves on the Ohio State Emergency Communications Committee, is a certified professional broadcast engineer for WNKU, and is the owner and caretaker of a number of late 19th century apartment buildings.

Walt McRee: A media and real estate executive, he serves as a developer, project manager and consultant; and designs, develops and builds residential communities, homes and spaces. He has revived and redeployed historic buildings and is a senior adviser to the Public Banking Institute.

Chuck Miller: A broadcast and management professional with a background in music production, development, programming, customerand public service, acquisitions, sales, studio design, disaster planning, tour management, and festival production. He has served two terms on the Kentucky Broadcasters Association board, now serves on the Play it Forward board, was the catalyst behind SORG, and is WNKU’s general manager.

Hmmm….They just purchased the building and the city had to give them money to install new windows in front façade,
Hmmm….They have a vision but do they have a business plan?