OTR: Is 3CDC out on the Kaufmann Building project?

3CDC may no longer be involved in the Kaufmann Building rehab project.

In October 2006, the City passed an ordinance allowing them to enter into a contract with Over-the-Rhine Development, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3CDC. The City would provide a $450,000 grant from capital improvement project funds to 3CDC. 3CDC would supervise the general contractor work of Otis Taylor (O.W. Taylor, LLC), who was looking to buy the building at 1721-1727 Vine St from Abandoned Buildings Corporation. The money would be spent to stabilize the structure and to study the feasibility of its future use.

Within the past couple of months, the Kaufmann Building has come up again in the Economic Development Committee and in City council. On April 11, 2007, council voted 6-3 to repeal the prior ordinance involving 3CDC. (Ghiz, Monzel and Berding voted against it.)

The old ordinance will be replaced by a new agreement to be made directly with Taylor. 3CDC is no longer mentioned in any of the documents. The $450,000 will come from the same project account in the form of a forgivable loan.

The Kaufmann Building is a four-story apartment building built in 1876 by the Kaufmann Brewery as an investment. Designed by architect George W. Rapp and built in the Renaissance Revival style, it's one of the Findlay Market area's dominant landmarks.

The building has suffered two major fires, has been condemned and has been declared a public nuisance. It has been vacant for many years. Demolition remains a strong possibilty if the numbers for saving it don't work, even though it is in a historic district.

WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW (looking west)
Urban Ohio: Save the Kaufmann Brewery!!

(NOTE: This is the first post regarding this project on the blog. The Urban Ohio link above will take you to the Urban Ohio discussion forums for background on this project. The link will open a new browser window.)