Middletown Forum : Emptying the Manchester?

Emptying the Manchester? : Well,here we go again another...

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 18:30:05 +0000

Author: over the hill
Subject: 5526
Posted: Dec 09 2013 at 6:30pm

Well,here we go again another city give away. And they could still it given back.

Emptying the Manchester? : From MJ:Two groups offer to purchase...

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 18:14:09 +0000

Author: 409
Subject: 5526
Posted: Dec 09 2013 at 6:14pm

From MJ:
Two groups offer to purchase Manchester for $1
By Rick McCrabb

Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN —
The city received two offers from investors to purchase the Manchester Inn, the historic downtown hotel that has been closed for nearly three years, for $1, the Journal-News has learned.

The city was asking $325,000 for the 91-year-old hotel that it purchased in March 2011 for $175,000. The city also forgave about $150,000 in debt as part of a bundle of downtown properties purchased when it appeared Cincinnati State Technical and Community College was going to use the Manchester for culinary and hospitality programs as part of its Middletown branch campus.

Both of the investment groups, one local and one out of Illinois, said they would spend between $8 million to $12 million in renovations and repairs, according to proposals obtained by this newspaper.

On Friday, the city received a proposal from Historic Middletown Developers LLC, which includes a five-person development team, and from Manchester LP, headed by William E. Grau from Coldwell Banker, said Denise Hamet, the city’s economic development director.

While each of the groups said they hoped to convert the Manchester Inn into a boutique hotel with market-priced apartments, there was one major difference in their proposals: Historic Middletown Developers would keep the ballroom, while Manchester LP would convert it into living units.

City Manager Judy Gilleland said city officials are reviewing the proposals and she anticipated having information to City Council in the next week or so. The selected firm may be asked to present its plans to city council members, who will give the final approval, Gilleland said. She declined to comment about her thoughts on either proposal.

Both of the groups said for the project to be successful, state and federal funding would have to be secured to renovate the hotel that includes 78 guest rooms, meeting spaces, one of the area’s largest ballrooms and a large commercial kitchen.

Mike Robinette, a partner in Geo CRE, a Middletown-based commercial real estate broker, and part of the Historic Middletown Developers, called the Manchester “a very good redevelopment opportunity.” He said the group needs further market analysis, but he’s optimistic the project can be successful because the hotel has one of the largest banquet facilities in the area. He said groups that require seating of more than 300 now must hold their events in Dayton, West Chester and Mason, while smaller groups are using the Pendleton Art Center in Middletown.

Robinette said if the Manchester Inn reopens it will “enhance what’s happening downtown.” Regardless of who buys the hotel, he doesn’t want it converted into subsidized housing or demolished, he said.

In his proposal, Robinette said the redevelopment of the Manchester Inn and Sonshine Building would be “a complicated and difficult endeavor.” He said those interested in such a “challenge” must be “motivated by other than money.”

The HMD proposal seeks to include the following:

HMD will have a 12-month project planning period to finalize a detailed redevelopment plan;

City will continue to pay for any taxes and insurance during the planning period;

City will have completed a feasibility/market study regarding the potential options for reuse and redevelopment;

City will, at the end of the period, if both the city and HMD agree to proceed with project implementation, sell the properties to HMD for $1;

HMD will maintain both properties during the 12-month period and if the project doesn’t go forward, return control of the properties to the city in the same or better condition;

HMD will, during the period, remediate the mold conditions and repair the leaking roof;

HMS will develop cost estimates to asbestos remediation;

HMD will identify and obtain financing for the project.

Robinette said construction on the hotel could begin in 2015 and be concluded two years later.

The Manchester LP plan is contingent on:

City will provide support to the group to obtain historic status and tax credits for the properties;

City will sell the properties to Manchester LP for $1 and provide tax abatements to the properties for 10 years;

City will waive all permit, tap, connection, inspection and or other city fees to the properties;

City will provide streetscaping for the properties;

City’s attorney will prepare development agreement for review and acceptance by Manchester LP.

Jackie Hunter, from Coldwell Banker, Oyer, represented Manchester LP, and she called the proposal “a great reuse” of the hotel and one that would bring people downtown.

When she looks at the Manchester, Hunter said she sees “a magnificent building in need of re-life.”

Years ago, the Hamiltonian faced a similar fate. The downtown hotel was purchased by Concord Hospitality Enterprises in 2007, remodeled extensively and reopened as a Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton.

Emptying the Manchester? : From MJ:Manchester draws interest...

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 21:11:54 +0000

Author: 409
Subject: 5526
Posted: Nov 14 2013 at 9:11pm

From MJ:

Manchester draws interest of 3 investors

By Rick McCrabb

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN —

Interest in the former Manchester Inn & Conference Center remains strong, said Denise Hamet, Middletown’s economic development director.

On Thursday morning, three investors toured the former downtown hotel for the second time this month, she said. The city has given investors a Dec. 5 deadline to submit their proposals for the Manchester Inn, and Hamet said those ideas will be presented to City Council for approval before the end of the year.

Hamet said if the necessary federal and state financial assistance is secured, there’s a “good chance” the Manchester Inn will be sold. The city is asking $325,000, and renovations to the hotel are estimated between $8 million to $20 million, according to the 14-page proposal the city prepared.

Those who toured the Manchester for the second time included Mike Robinette, former economic development director for the city and partner of Geo CRE; Tom Wein, a partner in Remarkable Facilities, a Mason-based company that has a track record of renovating hotels and turning them into profitable businesses; and Jackie Hunter, an agent with Coldwell Banker.

Robinette was accompanied by construction experts, who determined that the 91-year-old Manchester Inn is structurally solid, he said.

He said the only way buying the Manchester Inn, which closed nearly three years ago, makes economic sense is for state and federal tax credits to be obtained.

“There is an opportunity there,” Robinette said.

Years ago, the Hamiltonian faced a similar fate. The downtown hotel was purchased by Concord Hospitality Enterprises in 2007, remodeled extensively and reopened as a Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton.

Robinette said he’s drawn to the Manchester because of its downtown location, ballroom that holds more than 600 people, and ample parking. He believes the best approach will be converting about half of the 78 hotel rooms into apartments, which will give the owners flexibility if the market changes in five or 10 years, he said.

He said his investment group hasn’t decided if it will make a proposal to purchase the Manchester.

Wein said if the economics and demand for the banquet center and hotel space are positive, his company probably will submit a proposal.

“I like the potential,” he said.

The Manchester was purchased by the city in March 2011 for $175,000. City officials forgave about $150,000 in debt on the hotel as part of a bundle of downtown properties when it appeared Cincinnati State Technical and Community College was going to use the Manchester as part of its culinary and hospitality programs, but that never developed.

Emptying the Manchester? : What is City Hall going to do...

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 15:06:21 +0000

Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 5526
Posted: Nov 07 2013 at 3:06pm

What is City Hall going to do with the Sonshine Building that is located behind the Manchester? Is it going to be part of he Manchester deal? Did the City Hall ever repair the falling brick work..…hahaha

Emptying the Manchester? : Vet: Right on!!!!

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 15:02:04 +0000

Author: over the hill
Subject: 5526
Posted: Nov 07 2013 at 3:02pm

Vet: Right on!!!!

Emptying the Manchester? : Vivian Moon wrote:<P style="MARGIN:...

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 14:29:46 +0000

Author: VietVet
Subject: 5526
Posted: Nov 07 2013 at 2:29pm

Vivian Moon wrote:

Vet
We know how this story will end.
City Hall will give them an interest free loan just like they did the Moorman’s.
I have been told that City Hall had several people wanting this building for a senior citizens housing complex and the City Hall said NO

The city saying no to a seniors complex in the Manchester doesn't surprise me. Seniors don't fit the format for downtown developement. Seniors, typically have limited income and wouldn't necessarily frequent the artzy restaurants downtown. Seniors, typically don't go out and fraternize and wouldn't "fill the streets" to give the downtown that "busy look". Seniors aren't connected to Cincy State and certainly wouldn't add to their vision of a "young vibrant campus". Seniors typically don't have that disposable income to buy art and to do the "wine and cheese tasting" thing. Seniors, darn 'em, are always getting sick and who wants that noisy ambulance downtown all the time attending to all those old sick people? Seniors would be easy prey while out for all those druggies in the downtown area and the cops would have to be called, again, disturbing the downtown "cultural atmosphere" that we all cherish. And finally, those high rollers around the Mulligan and Kohler estates probably don't want an "old folks facility" down the road from their properties. Why, it would be an embarrassment. I can't believe they have tolerated the Hope House as long as they have.

And the interest free loan......might be different. They may pay it back in a timely manner. Have the Moorman's ever paid back their loan? How about the $75 thou to MMF? They ever paid that back yet since they didn't use it on the Sorg Opera House deal? Right?

Emptying the Manchester? : VetWe know how this story will...

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 13:27:14 +0000

Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 5526
Posted: Nov 07 2013 at 1:27pm

Emptying the Manchester? : "The city recently prepared...

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 13:14:40 +0000

Author: VietVet
Subject: 5526
Posted: Nov 07 2013 at 1:14pm

"The city recently prepared a 14-page Request For Proposals hoping to find an investor willing to renovate the Manchester and open a business that matches the “vision of the city,” said Judy Gilleland, city manager. The deadline for proposals is the first week in December, she said"

"The asking price is $325,000, and city leaders have said they’re willing to consider investing part or all of the purchase price back into the “right project.”

AND SEE, THERE'S A BIG PROBLEM.......GILLELAND SAYS "A BUSINESS THAT MATCHES THE VISION OF THE CITY" AND THE CITY WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER INVESTING PART/ALL OF THE PURCHASE PRICE INTO THE 'RIGHT PROJECT".

WAYYYYY TOO MUCH CONTROL IN THE CITY'S ATTITUDE CONCERNING PRIVATE DEVELOPEMENT ISSUES ANYWHERE IN TOWN WITH THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BEING WAY OVER-SCRUTINIZED. ANY OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY DEVELOP THE DOWNTOWN IS IN QUESTION BECAUSE THE CITY WANTS TO STICK IT'S NOSE IN THE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS BUSINESS. THEY'RE RUNNING THEIR OWN LITTLE HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION DOWN THERE RESTRICTING BUSINESS PEOPLE BY TELLING THEM HOW TO SET UP ANY POTENTIAL BUSINESS. HINT TO CITY OFFICIALS....JUST LET IT WORK THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSE TO WORK IN THE PRIVATE BUSINESS WORLD. YOUR IRON-HANDED WAYS ARE DRIVING AWAY ANY POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES AND YOU DON'T SEEM TO HAVE A CLUE THAT IT IS.

GET YOUR DAM NOSE OUT OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR'S BUSINESS AND TEND TO CITY AFFAIRS WHICH YOU ARE GOOD A NEGLECTING....SAY, THE STREETS, THE SEWERS, THE BASICS FOR RIGHT NOW. THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE MONEY FOR UNTIL YOU FIND SOME MORE REVENUE. LET THE DAM TOWN DEVELOP IN A NATURAL PROGRESSIVE ORDER.

STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW ONE COULD BUY A 91 YEAR OLD BUILDING IN POOR CONDITION FOR $325,000 (NOTE: CITY PAID $175,000 AND FORGAVE $150,000) AND SPEND 8 to 20 MILLION TO RENOVATE IT AND EXPECT TO REAP ANY PROFITS FOR MANY DECADES. NO LOGIC IN ATTEMPTING SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS THERE? MOLD, ASBESTOS, ROOF LEAKING, HVAC, ELECTRIC ISSUES? TOO MUCH TO REPAIR. JMO

Emptying the Manchester? : Manchester Innâ€¦.â€The asking...

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 12:29:35 +0000

Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 5526
Posted: Nov 07 2013 at 12:29pm

Manchester Inn….”The asking price is $325,000, and city leaders have said they’re willing to consider investing part or all of the purchase price back into the “right project.” Also, the city may consider completing a deal that would involve some cash from the developer to return to taxpayers and a mortgage to finance the remainder of the purchase, city officials said.”

And here we go again…taxpayer’s money to be used again for “THEIR DOWNTOWN DREAM”.

Emptying the Manchester? : There is not sufficient students...

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:00:38 +0000

Author: acclaro
Subject: 5526
Posted: Nov 07 2013 at 11:00am

There is not sufficient students from Cincinnati State to fill any % of rooms at Manchester associated with lack of financial aid; same with MUM, they don't get aid for housing. Also, if Cin State thought students had need, they wouldhave used it right? Self evident.

No, Mr. Wein, there is not enough interest nor market for Middletown to support a hotel; if so, it would still be opened right?

Niche boutique? European style hotel, B & B? Would not work.

Make capital on funds city gives you for nothing? Maybe.