“We’re that close,” said Cincinnati State President O’dell Owens, holding up his thumb and index finger. “...we’re going to fulfill (our) vision.”
A Cincinnati State branch campus is expected to enroll approximately 200 students in its first year. Students, Owens said, who “will be buying books, buying clothes.” Employment opportunities will arise in Middletown as the college develops city buildings into an educational institution. Also, college officials are insisting Cincinnati State will be looking to partner with various businesses and organizations for mutual gain.
Owens, speaking to City Council members on Tuesday, said his plan will be presented to the school’s board on Sept. 27.
“You promised that if you did your part, I would do my part,” Owens told council members. “You want us in Middletown, and we want to be in Middletown.”
The campus, Owens said, will be called Cincinnati State at Middletown.
The city acquired the First National Bank, former Masonic Temple, Bank One and former CG&E buildings in December following interest generated by Cincinnati State. The Manchester Inn was acquired in March. The city paid more than $400,000 for all the buildings.
Legislation allowing council to spend up to $75,000 more than it initially budgeted for the buildings is expected to be addressed Sept. 20. If approved, it would fund the upkeep of those buildings.
Officials have estimated it may cost about $100,000 to maintain the buildings for the rest of the year. As of Aug. 24, there was about $66,000 set aside in for the Downtown Improvement Fund, a fund designated for expenditures in the downtown area.
The request would include costs for the planned mothballing of the Manchester Inn, the nearby the Sonshine Products building and First National Bank. Bids would be collected in the near future. Such “winterizing” includes the shutting down coolers and chillers and blowing out pipes so they won’t freeze.
The Bank One building and old Masonic Temple will not need to be winterized as they are currently occupied. Tenants are covering all of these buildings’ costs, according to City Manager Judy Gilleland.
Gilleland said she did not expect the acquired buildings to turn into a collective money pit. Moving forward, yearly maintenance costs are all together estimated at approximately $10,000 a year.
“It may be less than that,” Gilleland said. “Expenses will be minimal.”
Cincinnati State officials have said initial plans for a branch campus would be to establish a presence in the former CG&E and senior center buildings first. After that, plans to add buildings would be based on enrollment figures. Although Owens has said his goal is to make Middletown a campus of 3,000 students in five years, there are no guarantees.
In light of Owens’ address, council members were optimistic on Tuesday.
“His commitment to this city is just outstanding,” said Councilman Daniel Picard. “He’s fought the hard fight. Everyone involved needs to be committed.”
Councilman Bill Becker echoed Picard’s sentiment.
“I get more asked about this (than any other issue) from people in the community,” he said. “‘Is this going to happen?’” ‘Is it not going to happen?’ I’m confident it will happen.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or asedlak@coxohio.com.
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