Middletown Forum : Reed-Klopp building

Reed-Klopp building : John...Your picture is of the...

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 10:14:38 +0000

Author: 409
Subject: 6162
Posted: Nov 12 2015 at 10:14am

John...Your picture is of the building one block east of the old Reed-Klopp building.

Reed-Klopp building : Is this the building we are talking...

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 09:20:04 +0000

Author: John Beagle
Subject: 6162
Posted: Nov 12 2015 at 9:20am

Is this the building we are talking about?

Reed-Klopp building : Posted: 2:39 p.m. Wednesday,...

Wed, 11 Nov 2015 19:35:27 +0000

Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 6162
Posted: Nov 11 2015 at 7:35pm

Posted: 2:39 p.m.Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015

Unsafe Middletownbuilding slated for repairs

By Ed Richter

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN —

Adowntown Middletownbuilding deemed in August to be unsafe for occupancy will have repairs done inearly December, according to its owner.

Thecity has spent $8,700 to erect a plywood barrier outside the former Reed-Kloppbuilding at Verity Parkwayand Central Avenueto contain debris from falling into the street or from hitting passersby. TariqI. Kahn, of Daniyal LLC, signed an agreement on Oct. 5 to complete the repairsand bring the building up to code by Dec. 4, according to the city.

“Theplans were just dropped off and approved yesterday (Tuesday) morning,” saidKyle Fuchs, the city’s community revitalization director. “Now we are just waitingfor the contractor to come in and obtain the permits to start the work.”

Astructural engineer estimated building repairs at $150,000 to $250,000, Fuchspreviously told the Journal-News.

“Ourunderstanding in talking with the owner is that he is aware of our estimatedcost to fix the building and is willing to do so,” Fuchs said. “If significantwork has been started by the deadline, we are always willing to work withpeople whenever we can to expedite repairs and prevent any legal action.However, if no significant work has been completed, we will most likely have tocite him into court.”

Thebuilding’s masonry and flashing has deteriorated to the point of falling intothe street below, according to the August report prepared by the structuralengineer. Numerous safety issues and the structural stability of the buildingwere also noted in the report.

“Aboveand beyond the issue of repairing the most essential deterioration that iscausing the present safety concerns of falling debris, it is my professionalopinion that this building needs a tremendous amount of additional work bothinside and out to bring it up to code and condition that would safely allow forany occupancy, use or purpose,” the report stated.

Untilthe repairs are completed, the building’s owner, Daniyal LLC, cannot sell,transfer, mortgage, lease or dispose of the property. If the agreement is notcomplied with, the city will proceed with a previous demolition order.

DaniyalLLC purchased the land and building for $40,000 in 2013, according to onlinerecords from the Butler County Auditor’s Office.

Thefive-story brick building, which also has a basement, was built in 1917 andopened in 1919 as the Reed-Klopp Furniture Store.

In2009, a fire destroyed the building that at the time housed a Jackson Hewitttax preparation office, causing an estimated $250,000 in damages.

Reed-Klopp building : I don't think Ann Mort can...

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 10:58:13 +0000

Author: over the hill
Subject: 6162
Posted: Sep 10 2015 at 10:58am

I don't think Ann Mort can do any more that our useless mayor has already done which is "business as usual ". I M O

Reed-Klopp building : I continue to just shake my head.Perhaps...

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 04:07:43 +0000

Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 6162
Posted: Sep 10 2015 at 4:07am

I continue to just shake my head.

Perhaps Ann Mort can help again???

Reed-Klopp building : It seems the common denominator...

Wed, 09 Sep 2015 10:37:37 +0000

Author: Dean
Subject: 6162
Posted: Sep 09 2015 at 10:37am

It seems the common denominator for the city hitting on building owners are those that are owned by those not living in Middletown. Not suggesting the building didn't have problems, but have you ever driven down Central, or Rosedale, or many streets in town that has deadly ash trees ready to fall on cars? Where's the code enforcement on that activity and danger.

The problem many have on city finances is the lack of justification when money is taken out and increased, without clarifying the increase. Case in point is the sewer funds to meet the EPA guidelines, whereas significant money has been taken out, and now increased. What is the basis for that? They knew what was required to be repaired, and started collecting. Then, the number or percent collected is raised without justification. On surface, that rate change is to bring in more money into the general fund for the city to borrow, and somehow and someday, pay back, without transparency.

The city also had the street repair plan where each neighborhood with 60% or greater of its residents, could have their specific street repaved, and the cost added onto property taxes. So, there is a remedy and program every home owner has in Middletown to repair their streets. But, few are using that option. So what would now motivate Picard, Adkins, and others, to let the voters decide if there should be a 2 or 2.25% tax rate? The home owners have spoken and haven't used the neighborhood program. Isn't the reality the city just wants more money again to move into the general fund to borrow and someday, maybe, replace the funds meant for something advertised. This has been standard practice by the city for years. That is also what occurred on the last public safety levy, where presently numbers on the force have dwindled, when the advertised statement was exactly the opposite. Almost every city council member has opening indicated the city is maintaining the main roads without any problems. When Josh Laubach wanted to raise the percent dedicated to the roads, not one council member supported him, and the fire union made sure he was voted out of office. Now roads are front and center when the neighborhood paving program is available and not used, and the council indicates its only neighborhood roads which need repaired, which it is obvious, home owners don't want to use the city program at 60% majority, nor did council align with Mr. Laubach to raise the dedicated funds.

How is the city paying for the money provided to AKS for the property for the RD facility when it moves out by 75? Another bait and switch which these new funds from an increase tax raise for roads, or sewers, be used to pay for land AKS could easily afford. Probably out of a planned income tax rate or from the sewer fund.

Here's a touch of levity to conclude. The city is "working" on helping the home owner improve property value. National Lampoon must be running the city. Good day.

Reed-Klopp building : When was the last time that the...

Wed, 09 Sep 2015 09:48:30 +0000

Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 6162
Posted: Sep 09 2015 at 9:48am

When was the last time that the many vacancies and giveaways were code inspected?
The Rose?
Manchester/Sonshine?
Old Wards?
Studio/Strand?
Sorg Opera?

Spider, you need to add a few more to this list also:
1st National Bank....giveaway owned by HEP

Old Senior Citizens....giveaway owned by HEP

Masonic Temple....giveaway owned by Art Central
5/3 Tower....owned by GrassRoots Inc.
Are any of these properties currently up to code?

Reed-Klopp building : But they are all over homeowners...

Wed, 09 Sep 2015 09:42:06 +0000

Author: over the hill
Subject: 6162
Posted: Sep 09 2015 at 9:42am

But they are all over homeowners to get their properties in line. And that's ok but they give the homeowners a deadline while these other buildings have sitting for years with no improvements made. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Isn't that the saying.

Reed-Klopp building : Same thing happened when the owner...

Wed, 09 Sep 2015 07:55:57 +0000

Author: spiderjohn
Subject: 6162
Posted: Sep 09 2015 at 7:55am

Same thing happened when the owner of the former KC building on 1st tried to put a small addition on the east side
Coding was all over him threatening to tear it out, while the former library across the street continues to rot with the roof ready to fall in
When was the last time that the many vacancies and giveaways were code inspected?
The Rose?
Manchester/Sonshine?
Old Wards?
Studio/Strand?
Sorg Opera?

Why would anyone ever develop any of these properties?

Reed-Klopp building : "By the way, did anyone see...

Wed, 09 Sep 2015 06:02:39 +0000

Author: VietVet
Subject: 6162
Posted: Sep 09 2015 at 6:02am

"By the way, did anyone see the news today that the Middletown Journal building is now up for sale for $295,000? What happened to the big project there? Didn't they only pay a few thousand for the property? Why is it worth so much now?"

This sounds similar to the Manchester. City asked $350,000 for it, had no takers and finally gave it away to Grau for a buck. Think the old Journal building will go the same way? Taxpayer money used by the city to purchase property (I thought they wanted to get out of the real estate business???) and the city does not know how to market or develop the property, resulting in a dollar giveaway to a private entity. They never learn by their mistakes in the city building do they. Ignorance abounds.

This whole downtown "flea market" property swap meet follows the same pattern.......have a plan......purchase the property.....have a little write-up in the Journal announcing the big dreams......get the grants, etc........then, a lull in the activity where no one knows what is going on..... suddenly, announce that the building is up for sale, the dream is over, the well has dried up as to finances, the risk is too great for the return needed......nothing ever goes from inception to completion and remains a successful venture. Duncan Oil, The Liberty, the Rose Building, the Manchester to date, the Sonshine building, Wittman's arts building, the Sorg Opera House to date(although making some progress based on the pictures in the paper), the upper floors of CS, the old Seniors Center, even the PAC has not developed into the success they thought it would be.......all on hold at best with no hope in sight as to a success story.