HAMILTON — Mercy Hospital Hamilton played a significant role in the lives of countless people, said Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, noting that the first of his eight children, Patrick, now a Cincinnati city councilman, was born there almost 34 years ago.

Sen. Mike DeWine on Wednesday visits an adult day care service that operates at the closed Mercy Hospital Hamilton. It's one of the few functions still carried on at the mostly-shuttered building. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        And Mr. DeWine, who Wednesday visited the closed building with local officials, thinks the facility can and should continue to be a vital part of the community.

        “We need to get it back into business — we need to get people back in here,” he said. “This is a facility that has great potential ... As you walk around, you can see a lot of different possibilities — everything from housing to clinics.”

        Mr. DeWine said he hopes that the $300,000 in federal money he helped secure could become part of a public-private-government partnership in a rebirth of the former hospital.

        “We're not going to just let this building go,” he pledged, praising strong points that include “a magnificent view” of the Great Miami River and a fine kitchen.

        For now, most of the structure — which has nearly 215,000 square feet, according to Butler County tax records — remains unoccupied.

        Rooms that once housed patients are dark and empty. So are the hallways that used to be brightly lit.

        Only the Butler County morgue, a medical file room and the “Day Community” senior citizens' day care program are operating.

        Seeing the building so deserted was “almost surreal” the first few times, said Thomas S. Urban, its former administrator who continues to serve as a senior vice president for Mercy Health Partners, the building's owner.

        Mr. Urban said he is confident that “there's something right for the use of this facility ... We just need to find out what that is.”

Flight-security plan could still have gaps
Luken picks Lemmie as new city manager
Race talks focus on changes
Plan to divide Cincy in Congress
Bank robber gets 21 years in prison
Church convention looks at pulling out of city
County to back Reds' appeal
Deters questions newsletter
He's devoted to bringing races together
Tristate A.M. Report
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Clean Desk Day
Clermont sponsors flag contest
DeWine boosts re-use of hospital
King video a tribute by youngsters
Lakota East student aces ACT
Lawsuit: hair today, gone tomorrow
Lebanon trial hits snag
Little Miami schools ask for levy in May
Police consider sharing tasks
Vote on sales tax may be nearer
Warren political lines, reps would be changed
West Chester wins $10M judgment
Schools search for insurance
Artist brings an Irish touch
Bill would require ID to pick up OxyContin
Draud returns $500 donation
Kentucky News Briefs
NKU faces 'hefty' tuition hike
Study: Out-of-state casinos luring Kentucky money away