Residents collect signatures for historic district

To ensure Cleo Hosbrook’s gift to the city and legacy lives on, a group of Madeira residents are working to establish a historic district.

A group of eight Madeira residents collected 659 signatures on 37 petitions to get an amendment on the ballot in November for a historic district in downtown Madeira, said Doug Oppenheimer, a member of the group.

The proposed amendment would make the Hosbrook House, 7014 Miami Ave.; the Muchmore House, 7010 Miami Ave., and the Train Depot, 7701 Railroad Ave, and the land the three properties are on part of a historic district.

“The reason why we did this is that we have not been able to see that the houses have been really preserved and protected,” Oppenheimer said.

The properties are part of the Muchmore Historic Area, which is different than a historic district that would have regulations and restrictions, City Manager Tom Moeller said.

“An area doesn’t have any of that. There are no can or can’t dos that apply to the properties,” Moeller said, adding the area is zoned just like the rest of the city.

The three properties are owned by the city but leased to Creativities, the Madeira Woman’s Club and Root Beer Junction.

Oppenheimer said the regulations, such as what color they can be painted, what buildings materials can be used and what renovations can be made, is why the group wants the district.

“A historic district provides a level of protection for these properties that is not in existence now,” group member Todd Woellner said.

The house properties were given to the city by Cleo Hosbrook in a letter in 1989.

“In making this gift to the city of Madeira, it is my understanding that the city will improve the property given as a gift, together with the former railroad station now owned by the city, thus making the area an attractive historical center for the city,” the letter read.

Woellner said her gift spoke to the history of Madeira. Cleo was a descendant of the Hosbrooks and the Muchmores, two of the original Madeira families.

“I read her bequest to the city and I think the intent is clear. There is no doubt in my mind,” Woellner said.

Oppenheimer said the city made a promise to maintain the houses and make an attractive historical center when they accepted the gift.

The city passed an ordinance in 2012 that created the Muchmore Historical Area. Moeller said the main objective was to preserve historic landmarks while promoting economic development in the area.

“That is what we are trying to accomplish. It has taken a while to create a vision,” he said.

Mayor Mike Steur said the city has been gathering input from citizens about the future of the area.

“This is another opportunity for people to provide their input and show what is important to them. It will be more input we can use to define our vision for the area,” Steur said.

The group turned in the petitions July 14. Moeller said the city’s solicitor will look over them and then they will be sent to the Hamilton County Board of Elections.

All the members of the group said they had positive feedback from citizens when collecting signatures. Only 220 signatures are needed to get on the ballot. The group collected 659.

“We believe that it is just as important to the community and to the residents as it was over 20 years ago,” Oppenheimer said.

The houses debate

The Hosbrook and Muchmore Houses have been a hot topic in Madeira since the city received a report in March that said $157,000 worth of repairs are needed for the houses in the next five years.

The Madeira Economic Development Committee has been working since then to find a solution, which has ranged from raising the funds through a bond issue to moving to houses to a different location.

The most popular solution seems to be selling the houses. Christine Parker, who owns Creativities in the Muchmore House, and the Madeira Woman’s Club, which operate the Clothes Closet in the Hosbrook House, have expressed interest in buying houses from the city.

Though members of the citizens group expressed concerns about the houses being torn down or moved, Oppenheimer said the group itself is solely focused the proposed amendment.

“We don’t intend to address anything the city is doing. We really want to stay focused on the charter amendment,” Oppenheimer said.

The group started collecting signatures in May 2013 and finished in December. Madeira City Council did not start discussing its decision on the houses’ future until March 2014.

Moeller said the proposed amendment will not alter what the Economic Development Committee’s work toward a plan for the houses.

“If it passed, it may change the dynamic. It could restrict what we could do or it could be complementary. We are still in the middle of the process,” Moeller said.

Your turn

Do you support establishment of a historic district in Madeira? Why or why not? Comment below and by email to rmaloney@communitypress.com.

Want to know more about what is happening in Madeira? Follow Marika Lee on Twitter: @ReporterMarika

Proposed Amendment text

The city of Madeira was deeded and assumed ownership of the “Hosbrook House” at 7014 Miami Ave. and the “Muchmore House” located at 7010 Miami Ave. In addition to these two properties the city also has ownership of the historic Railroad Depot located at 7701 Railroad Ave. These three important and historic properties are to be preserved, protected, and left standing on the same ground the structures were built upon. These three historic structures will be included in the “Historic District.”

Muchmore Historic Area ordinance

Recognizing importance of preserving historical landmarks while encouraging mixed use in the same vicinity that enhances economic vitality in segment of the city that is not only compelling but is compatible with uses in the immediate area distinction

The houses debate

The Hosbrook and Muchmore Houses have been a hot topic in Madeira since the city received a report in March that said $157,000 worth of repairs are needed for the houses in the next five years.

The Madeira Economic Development Committee has been working since then to find a solution, which has ranged from raising the funds through a bond issue to moving to houses to a different location.

The most popular solution seems to be selling the houses. Christine Parker, who owns Creativities in the Muchmore House, and the Madeira Woman’s Club, which operate the Clothes Closet in the Hosbrook House, have expressed interest in buying houses from the city.

Though members of the citizens group expressed concerns about the houses being torn down or moved, Oppenheimer said the group itself is solely focused the proposed amendment.

“We don’t intend to address anything the city is doing. We really want to stay focused on the charter amendment,” Oppenheimer said.

The group started collecting signatures in May 2013 and finished in December. Madeira City Council did not start discussing its decision on the houses’ future until March 2014.

Moeller said the proposed amendment will not alter what the Economic Development Committee’s work toward a plan for the houses.

“If it passed, it may change the dynamic. It could restrict what we could do or it could be complementary. We are still in the middle of the process,” Moeller said.

Your turn

Do you support establishment of a historic district in Madeira? Why or why not? Comment by email to rmaloney@communitypress.com.