Middletown Forum : The Windamere

The Windamere : Have these folks pulled a building...

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 22:24:39 +0000

Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 6024
Posted: Mar 04 2015 at 10:24pm

Have these folks pulled a building permit in the amount of $240,000???

Have any of these high dollar restoration jobs downtown or on South Main pulled the big bucks building permits for the amounts that they are touting???

The Windamere : MiddletownscouterI agree. I heard...

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 16:07:14 +0000

Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 6024
Posted: Mar 04 2015 at 4:07pm

Middletownscouter
I agree. I heard that the building needed new heat and cooling unit, plumbing and electrical to bring it up to code?

The Windamere : I was inside that building last...

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:58:41 +0000

Author: middletownscouter
Subject: 6024
Posted: Mar 04 2015 at 3:58pm

I was inside that building last fall to help the AAUW move their stuff out to the new location. I think 240k is a lowball estimate. There's some serious water damage in the ceiling and walls in various areas around the building.

The Windamere : Another "event center and...

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 11:07:37 +0000

Author: VietVet
Subject: 6024
Posted: Mar 04 2015 at 11:07am

Another "event center and art gallery" huh? Is there that much demand for this activity to warrant more? I thought the Pendleton party room was for the small crowds. What happened to that?

"Glaser said the renovation is estimated to cost about $240,000 and will include a dance floor, restrooms, a warming kitchen, repair to damaged plaster, and hanging a chandelier."

Question:

Is this 240 grand private money from Glaser and others or is it taxpayer money given to Glaser to start a new business as has been done so many times in the past? The source of the money is from __________

I believe Spider had posted in the past about this building being offered to him but it needed so much rehab, it may not have been worth the investment. Might be wrong here Spider and if so, I apologize. Wonder why the story states just....

"repair to damaged plaster"

Wonder why Walden's name keeps being brought up as a key player ( reference, "Walden's group") in all of this when I heard, right or wrong, that he "didn't have the money to rub two nickels together". Dunno.

The story mentions larger groups going to the Manchester. Sounds like a plan IF the Manchester ever shows signs of life. Anyone know what the 1 dollar owner of the Manchester is doing these days? Thought the work was suppose to have been started by now. While we're on the subject, what's the status of the Sorg Opera House, the microbrewery, the building next to the Manchester (forgot the name), the old Journal building and the Rose building. All have kinda dropped out of sight, haven't they? And just how are those high roller apartments coming in the bank building upper floors? Almost done and ready for the "Donald Trumps" of the world?

The Windamere : Posted: 6:00 a.m. Wednesday,...

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 08:33:48 +0000

Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 6024
Posted: Mar 04 2015 at 8:33am

Posted: 6:00 a.m.Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Downtown building becomes event center, artgallery

By Ed Richter

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN —

Workis expected to begin in a few weeks to renovate the former Bank One buildinginto an event venue and art gallery.

MicaGlaser, who will own The Windamere, said she is already booking events for Juneand beyond to accommodate weddings, receptions, and other social and corporatefunctions for 150 to 200 people.

Asof last week, two wedding receptions and a combination wedding and receptionhad been booked at the venue. In addition, Glaser’s staff is also helping ArtsCentral Foundation to book its fundraisers at the site, she said.

TheWindamere will also host art shows and exhibits and other community events.

Glasersaid the venue is on various online wedding event sites and so far, she saidshe has received positive feedback.

“We’regearing up for the renovation that will start in a few weeks,” Glaser said.“We’re really excited and ready to get going.”

Glasersaid the renovation is estimated to cost about $240,000 and will include adance floor, restrooms, a warming kitchen, repair to damaged plaster, andhanging a chandelier. She said the work of artist Chris Walden will also beincorporated throughout the building.

“Whenwe walked into the building, we fell in love with it,” she said. “We couldn’tbelieve that a building like this existed in Middletown. We love the look of the face ofthe building and the architecture throughout.”

Shesaid there will be a six-person staff working to handle bartending, as well asset up and clean-up of the event for their clients.

“It’sgoing to be great to host events,” Glaser said.

Shealso is looking forward to the future re-opening of the Manchester Inn afterrenovations planned by its new owner, saying larger clients and events thatcould not be hosted at The Windamere can easily be booked there.

Glasersaid she has known artist Chris Walden for 20 years and had managed his artgallery when it was located in BeauVerre Riordan Stained Glass Studios. Waldenand his group, Windamere LLC, bought the building last summer for $140,000 —about half of building’s appraised value as the city of Middletown was divesting its ownership ofseveral downtown buildings it had acquired.

Cityofficials said at the time of the sale to Walden’s group that it was keepingwith the arts, culture and education focus for downtown and were pleased withwhat he was envisioning for the building.

Atthe time of the sale last summer, Walden said he, Glaser and Theron Jones,shared some of their plans for the building that included hosting upwards of125 events a year, showcasing his and others’ artwork, and providing a hands-onwork environment for those graduating from Cincinnati State and Miami Universitywith aspirations in digital animation and digital game creation — which bothschools offer courses in these fields.