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Manchester Inn’s short-term future still undecided

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer 10:30 PM Friday, December 17, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — As city officials draw closer to acquiring the historic Manchester Inn downtown to be used as part of a proposed college campus, what will happen to the hotel in the interim is undecided.

Middletown officials and the executors of Perry Thatcher’s estate are still in negotiations for the acquisition of the Manchester Inn and Sonshine Products building. City Manager Judy Gilleland said she hopes to reach an agreement in the coming weeks.

The properties have been earmarked for use by Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, which wants to open a branch campus here. The hotel would be home to the school’s culinary arts and hospitality programs.

Gilleland said the city is still negotiating the financial portion of the deal, and there is no time frame for when an agreement might be reached.

As such, it’s uncertain how long the city might own the Manchester Inn before Cincinnati State officials would take over its operations. Gilleland said the city has no interest or ability to run a hotel.

“We are simply acquiring the property so that we can preserve it for the Cincinnati State opportunity,” she said. “The city is not equipped to operate a hotel or banquet center, but we encourage Manchester LLC to continue to operate the business after the closing of the acquisition.”

Bob Fairchild, an executor of Thatcher’s estate, said he could not comment on the negotiations or operations of the hotel. At this time, he said he could confirm only that the Manchester Inn is booking reservations through the end of the 2010.

Sheree Garrett, Thatcher’s daughter and the other executor of his estate, said she could not comment on negotiations.

The city has already acquired the former CG&E, Bank One, and First National Bank buildings for use by Cincinnati State. The total cost of those acquisitions was $275,000, according to Mike Robinette, city economic development director.

City Council approved the expenditure of up to $500,000 to acquire buildings for the new branch campus.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.

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