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Hamilton Center among possible Artspace sites

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By Richard Wilson, Staff Writer 8:52 PM Monday, October 12, 2009

HAMILTON — Artspace USA has accelerated the process to choose a downtown location.

That’s because one of the top three sites being considered — the Hamilton Center building in the 200 block of High Street — could be demolished without a buyer soon.

Greg Handberg, vice president of properties with Artspace, will make a presentation at City Council’s work session, set for 5:30 Wednesday, Oct. 14. Council members are expected to go into an executive session for part of the work session.

Handberg said he’ll present comparisons of the top three sites, which include the Ringel’s furniture building on South Third Street and the empty lot at the corner of Second and High streets.

The selection process has been expedited, therefore cost comparisons will be based only on renovating similar buildings in other cities, Handberg said.

“I’m not going to be able to say, ‘we’ve had a contractor walk through the building and he has given a cost estimate,’” he said.

Artspace has 24 housing projects for artists operating in cities across the country, but Hamilton would be the first in Ohio, Handberg said.

The goal is to start applying for funding in the spring 2010, with construction possibly starting in early 2011, he said.

The Hamilton Center building can accommodate 40 apartment units, the target number which emerged from market studies conducted by Artspace two years ago, said Teri Whitmore, Hamilton planning director.

It is still too early to tell if renovating that building for the Artspace project is feasible or not, Whitmore said, adding that community feedback will be factored into the final decision.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2122 or rwilson@coxohio.com.

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Jamie - I am 100% certain that the land was purchased for the power plant with utilities money. You are correct that the city thought about using part of the property for a while as an impound lot, but that was after the purchase. See this article: http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we...

K - No problem; I agree.

facts
3:06 PM, 10/13/2009

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facts - not a problem. I apologize for the snide remark earlier. It's just so rare that a poster here is actually polite and *gasp* uses common courtesies!! I am quite taken aback. Your mama must have raised you right :-). I wish some of the other yahoos (my apologies to the website) who post here would learn how to conduct civil discourse. But that also might require them to get out of the basement & put something on other than their underwear.

K
2:54 PM, 10/13/2009

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facts,

You need to check your facts. That property south of the power plant was bought by the city with funds from the general fund for the purpose of an impound lot long before the fiasco with the towing company. Had that same property been purchased for the power plant the money would come from the utility fund.

Jamie Shelton
2:41 PM, 10/13/2009

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K - I knew what you were responding to and wasn't suggesting you had brought up the conversation; sorry for the confusion.

facts
11:24 AM, 10/13/2009

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Actually I was responding to an ill-informed poster who misread another's comment. I wasn't aware someone died & made you boss of the comment section.

As far as the empty lot, it seems to be just like anything else the city tries to do (the 3rd street road project anyone??) - a whole bunch of nothing. Looks like right now all it is is a parking lot.

K
10:09 AM, 10/13/2009

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