Middletown officials are considering tearing down pieces of downtown’s history in order to build toward the city’s future.

Years ago, the former Sonshine, Studio Theater, Middletown Cabinet and Montgomery Ward buildings were some of the most highly-used and recognizable buildings in Middletown. Today, they are among the worst eyesores.

That’s why city officials are talking about spending between $1 million and $1.5 million to demolish those city-owned structures in the second phase of a two-part demolitions plan. The first phase of the city’s plan involves razing the Orman building at 500 Tytus Ave., which carries a price tag of $597,000.

“With severely blighted structures eliminated from the landscape, and fresh green space, parking lots or new buildings in their place — along with students from Cincinnati State and the draw from art establishments and restaurants — I believe our downtown will have a very lively and vital feel in five years,” said City Manager Judy Gilleland.

The Orman building, which is expected to be torn down in late January or early February, is the only building on the city’s list guaranteed to see the wrecking ball right now. Last week, City Council approved a deal with Cincinnati-based O’Rourke Wrecking to take down the Orman building. The city has already invested $75,000 in the Orman building’s deconstruction after it began to collapse and crumble this summer.

The falling debris covered a portion of the railroad tracks used by rail suppliers of Wausau Paper several hundred feet away. Vickers Wrecking was paid to tear down a portion of the north wing of the building and stabilize it until city officials could seek demolition proposals.

Jay Moorman, a downtown Middletown business owner, said he believes the city should try to sell the buildings before demolishing them. He said the city could offer a deal similar to the one he and his wife, Linda Moorman, got a decade ago — sell the building for $100, give a no-interest loan in the amount it would cost to raze the building and the buyer will match the loan in building improvements.

For the $300,000 no-interest loan they received, the Moormans have invested $600,000 into transforming the old three-story G.C. Murphy Building — which at one time was targeted for demolition by the city — into BeauVerre at the Square.

“That made perfect sense to me,” said Jay Moorman. “No matter what happened, they had to come up with the $300,000. This way, they get their money back and they got more than a parking lot.”

While Moorman understands “it’s obvious that some of these (buildings) are beyond help,” he thinks city officials should consider it before sinking money in tearing down a building.

Gilleland said as the city does look toward its future, and where it can grow, demolishing old buildings that are condemned and vacant of squatters is an option that Gilleland said is worth the investment.

“In an older industrial city that is very much landlocked, our opportunity and space for redevelopment is limited,” she said. “When we identify a legitimate demolition project, we’re pretty pleased.”

If these four buildings are razed, the city would need to borrow between $1 million and $1.5 million, though the Sonshine building may not be on a demolition list as staff is “still debating” the fate of that structure.

“Cost is certainly a consideration,” Gilleland said, noting demolishing the Sonshine building would be around $250,000. “The area would be great parking in a future phase for demolition and renovation.”

One building that won’t be on the list is the former Manchester Inn & Conference Center, which closed in 2011. Gilleland said they’ll put the historic hotel on the market, though she didn’t say for how much.

Middletown Board of Realtors President Reva Owens supports the efforts to get rid of those vacant buildings.

“They’re kind of trashy,” Owens said. “If the town looks better, the more prospects will come to town — more businesses.”

If these buildings would leave the skyline, Owens isn’t sure what could become of the property, but has faith in the city’s planners.

“There are some really good people down at the city who have some good insight,” she said.