Tuesday, April 13, 1999
Lebanon making downtown plan
City looking at redevelopment
BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — City leaders are paying $37,000 to a consultant to develop a downtown master plan and address the redevelopment of a block bordered by Main, Mechanic, Mulberry and Cherry streets.
While that report won't be ready for another four months, the city is holding a public hearing April 20 to discuss demolishing a home in the block at 5-7 Cherry St.
That meeting “may be putting the horse before the cart,” said Marcus Ball, who owns Image Detailing on the opposite corner of the block. The building he rents was scheduled for demolition discussion, too, but the city has not closed on the property.
Deputy City Planner Doug Johnson said the city will not demolish either building unless the master plan recommends such action and council approves the plan.
Still, some downtown merchants said they're worried council members already have a vision for that block — despite the lack of a completed master downtown plan. The Queen Anne-style home, while not a historic gem, dates to the 1880s, downtown business owner Gerald Miller said.
“I think it's so important to save (the historic homes) to keep the fabric of Lebanon,” Mr. Miller said. “It's not the greatest house in Lebanon, but all of them together make a whole.”
Mr. Miller plans to address council tonight to discuss preserving the city's historic buildings. He has prepared charts comparing Lebanon 50 years ago to today.
“I think they'll just be amazed at how many we've lost,” he said.
Acting City Manager C. Ed Patterson said Monday the demolition hearing saves the city time.
“If the study says take it down, we'll be able to move in and take it down (without a wait),” he said. The process normally would take about nine weeks, he said.
Council members in February agreed to spend $150,000 for the 5-7 Cherry St. property. According to county auditor records, the property is appraised at $63,040 and was last purchased for $61,000 in 1992. The auditor's appraised values generally are somewhat below market value.
City Attorney Bill Duning said an independent appraiser put the value of the property at $146,000. The city felt its purchase price of $150,000 was equal to or less than market value, he said.
Will Newport bell rattle its neighbors?
Seniors score well on Ohio test
CPS improves on 12th-grade test
New Reds stadium could be delayed
Y2K poses monumental problem for cemeteries
Bridge connects Covington, downtown
Experts say contempt ruling hurts Clinton
Hyde appearance raises $100,000 for Chabot
Junior high kids back at home after fire
Proposed hate crime law takes hits from gay-rights opponents
School secretary pleads guilty to thefts
'Daddy Don't' takes tough look at sex abuse
Pokemon having monstrous impact
Tom Petty still young at his art
$56,000 to mail out mayor proposal
Bellevue getting veterans clinic in June
Campbell Co. school debating dress code
Cheyne Kehoe tells Ark. court his brother bragged of killings
Fairfield taking year off from summer festival
Family faces 2nd tragedy
GOP builds strong base in Boone Co.
Group works to buy fire truck
Kentucky school testing simplified
Lebanon making downtown plan
Man, 19, killed in Price Hill
Mason roads getting overhaul
Office manager pocketed funds
Road may be named after commissioner
Roommates charged in Indiana death
Students part of 'blitz build'
TRISTATE DIGEST
