More positive than the last proposal. But I question this:

 

"The project would also create a new investment vehicle for black entrepreneurs..."

 

Why can't this be an investment for all entrepreneurs? Why must a special interest group try to vie in majority ownership so they can selectively choose who they want in the property?

 

I read this differently: that a group of entrprenueurs (who happen to be black) are raising money to buy the property after its renovated.  I didn't see anything about "special interests groups."

 

 

The two articles -- one from the Business Courier and from the Enquirer, have different quotations and statements.

 

Here is from the Enquirer --

 

"African-American ownership of the Offices at Vernon Manor would be positive representation in this community on a large scale."

 

That's different than the Business Courier --

 

"The project would also create a new investment vehicle for black entrepreneurs..."

 

I believe I have misread that, although the original article was a tad bit misleading. Unfortunately, it is only available to paid subscribers so more of the context could not be pulled. That said, I guess you can read my opinion on the subject -- it's a positive investment overall.

Very good news for the Vernon Manor . . .

http://www.wvxu.org/news/wvxunews_article.asp?ID=7103

New plan for Vernon Manor Hotel in Avondale

By Jay Hanselman

11/13/2009 8:57:27 AM

 

The Vernon Manor Hotel in Avondale could soon become an office building for Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

The city’s Economic Development Division is working with Al Neyer, Inc. on a financial package for the redevelopment of the Vernon Manor. . . .

^ That's awesome!

Cincinnati City Council to vote on Vernon Manor purchase

Business Courier of Cincinnati - by Andy Brownfield Courier Contributor

 

 

Cincinnati City Council is slated to vote Wednesday on an aid package for the purchase of the old Vernon Manor Hotel by Al Neyer Inc.

 

The Economic Development Department had been working with Neyer on a financial assistance package to allow Neyer to convert the Vernon Manor into office space.

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/12/14/daily23.html

Vernon Manor, history with three photographs at UrbanUp:

http://urbanup.net/index.php?catid=630

State backs loan for Vernon Manor remake

The Enquirer, March 29, 2010

 

The redevelopment of the former Vernon Manor Hotel took a step forward Monday, after the Build Cincinnati Development Fund was awarded $4.5 million from the Ohio Enterprise Bond Fund and has been recommended for a $3 million Urban Redevelopment Loan.

 

The loans will be used for the renovation of the historic hotel in Avondale that closed last year into 156,000 square foot hospital office spaces and the construction of a $10.5 million public parking garage.

Great project - very much needed for the area.

Renovation of Vernon Manor begins

Not sure how this one slipped in under the radar....

 

Vernon Manor reopening this week

Business Courier

Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 2:45pm EDT - Last Modified: Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 2:45pm EDT

 

The old Vernon Manor will reopen tomorrow as a renovated office building for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.  Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

 

Last year, developer Al Neyer Inc. purchased the 177-room hotel and with help from the city of Cincinnati, began overhauling the building. The facility, located on Oak Street in Avondale, cost $38 million to renovate and will house 670 administrative employees, according to a news release.

 

More....

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2011/06/22/vernon-manor-reopening-this-week.html

$41 million expansion planned at Vernon Manor

 

The developers, Vernon Manor Offices LLC, will build a four-tier public parking garage, add two levels of parking to an existing city-owned parking garage, and then construct a four-level, 146,000-square-foot office building atop the new garage.

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/11/03/exclusive-41-million-expansion-planned-at-vernon.html

 

Meh.

Awful ground presence, blank walls and louvers, as usual. 

Is this in the giant parking lot that's there right now?  Not much urban left in that little area sadly.

Awful ground presence, blank walls and louvers, as usual.

 

It's so disappointing. Uptown needs a form-based-code. All of the big institutions (UC, Christ, Children's, EPA), have a bad habit of buidlings like this with no connection to the street.

 

Especially with the MLK exchange about to spur on a lot of new construction in the area, if all of the new buildings are like this one from Children's, then Uptown will remain entirely defined by fast-driving cars.

 

 

I marvel at how it makes no effort to activate the street level.