City may sell condemned Mount Auburn house for $1

292 McGregor Avenue

In an effort to relieve itself of one of its many condemned houses, the City of Cincinnati is considering selling it for $1.

Theresa Debnam would like to rehabilitate the two-family property at 292 McGregor Avenue into a combination of one living unit and a family-owned daycare.

The City is considering the sale because of the large amount of lead abatement that is necessary to make the building inhabitable. It also needs a new roof and the replacement of some of its structural timber.

The property also is a negative revenue producer, requiring the use of City funds for property taxes and minimal maintenance.

The City acquired the house, which was built around 1890, in 2000. It has been condemned since 2004 and had passed to the hazard abatement stage, but the case has since been closed*.

Debnam has already provided the City with plans and proof of financing for the rehabilitation.

An ordinance allowing the sale is currently in City Council's Finance Committee.

* NOTE: Last month, Building Cincinnati erroneously reported that the building had been razed. That is obviously not the case - in fact, I saw it yesterday. And it wouldn't make sense for the City to sell a building which doesn't exist. My apologies for the error. - Kevin