Downtown Hamilton: Under Development
Slow But Steady: Staying the Course!

Thank You George Schmidt!
    A resounding round of applause from SID board members thanked outgoing SID President George Schmidt for his many years of service to Downtown Hamilton on behalf of the entire community. “There is no doubt about it,” said Chamber President and SID board member, Kenny Craig, “George’s leadership has been instrumental in developing the partnership of property owners, the City of Hamilton, Butler County and the Hamilton Community Foundation that has resulted in the beautification, physical improvements and economic development of downtown Hamilton.” “George has worked tirelessly leading the way and working behind the scenes with property owners, community members, the Chamber, business leaders, and city and county officials to make downtown Hamilton a vibrant center for Butler County.”

Courtyard by Marriott Coming Soon to Downtown Hamilton
     The site of the former Hamiltonian Hotel will be completely renovated and converted into a Courtyard by Marriott over the next 18 months. The Hamilton Community Foundation is working to transition ownership of the property to Concord Hospitality Company, who will renovate and manage the hotel. Renovations will begin this summer and will include 6, 500 square feet of quality
meeting and banquet space, 120 beautifully decorated guest rooms, a nationally recognized restaurant and an indoor pool. In addition, exterior enhancements will capitalize on the property’s location by integrating a view of the Great Miami River and providing access to the amenities that are part of the RiversEdge development planned by Towne Properties.

Ryan’s Tavern
     Mayor Don Ryan, downtown property owner, SID board member and Hamilton businessman reports steady progress at his downtown development Ryan’s Tavern. Plans call for the former Cozy Café and Thrift Store to be transformed into an eating, meeting and gathering place for all to enjoy. When providing the update to board members, Ryan said that taking the proper time on plans for the design, décor and historic features of the building is better than being fast and we are working with Saurber Construction to make sure that the end product is what we want for the community.

RiversEdge Plans Moving Forward at Former Mercy Hospital Site
     Demolition at the former Mercy Hospital site is on target, as planning continues for Towne Properties to develop the site for residential and retail projects.

Mercantile Block On High Street
     Plans to revitalize the Mercantile Block on High Street have been on hold due to delays with historic tax credits. SID board member Dana Noel said the commitment is solid and the recent opportunity for additional state tax credits has been important to the project. We are eager to move the project forward and appreciate the community’s support and understanding. Retaining the historic buildings and the important architectural character of the downtown is time consuming, but well worth the effort.

Corner of Second and High
     The City of Hamilton has purchased the land at the corner of High and Second Streets. An environmental review of the land is underway and a structural review of an adjacent property is currently being conducted. Both are necessary steps to ready it for future development and make it eligible for funding opportunities.

Investment in Downtown Hamilton Will Top $50 million
     Not since construction of the streetscape project, the City of Hamilton’s Renaissance Center, the new Government Services Center and the Robinson Schwinn Building renovation, has Downtown Hamilton seen this amount of investment. The City of Hamilton’s Economic Development Director Tim Bigler relayed these estimated investment figures at a recent SID board meeting. They include: Mercantile Block, $5 million; Towne Properties’ RiversEdge project, $14 million, Courtyard by Marriott, $10; The 210 Building on Second Street, now housing the Ernst J. Bever Community Health Center, $1.2 million; Ryan’s Tavern, $500,000; The Old Moose Event Center, $300,000; and the Hamilton Civic Theater Building renovation on Third Street at Maple, $250,000.
     The High-Main Street Bridge at $20 million is one of the biggest highway improvement projects in Hamilton since the construction of the Michael Fox Highway.

Gov. Strickland Visits New Downtown Hamilton Community Health Center at Revitalized 210 Building on South Second St.
     Gov. Ted Strickland made his first visit to Hamilton and toured the Ernst J. Bever Community Health Center, 210 S. Second Street, where he announced plans to discuss his proposals to amend Medicaid. Among those changes is an increase in income eligibility for the program. The Butler County Community Health Consortium opened the center in January and chose the site for its central location in Butler County and the building’s various amenities. Building owner and newly elected SID Board President Tony Traub said that plans for the Center have been moving forward for the past two years and that it has been worth the wait.

New High-Main Street Bridge Dedicated At Downtown Community Celebration
     Downtown Hamilton glistened in the sunshine and flowers blossomed everywhere as families, business owners, community leaders and government officials gathered together to celebrate the dedication of the High Main Street Bridge on Sunday, May 6. With the wait finally over, another community milestone made itself known as hundreds of Hamiltonians gathered on the new bridge for the historic group photograph. Mayor Don Ryan welcomed the crowd to cheers and applause and with a brief history of the bridge from Hamilton historian Jim Blount, musical selections by the Hamilton Fairfield Symphony Orchestra, the Hamilton High Band and the Badin Band, the ribbon cutting took place. A beautiful historic plaque was unveiled as the Hamilton High School Band continued playing into the evening. Fireworks over the bridge marked the grand finale for this very historic day in Hamilton. Downtown Hamilton SID was well represented on the planning committee. SID co-sponsored commemorative flags along with downtown’s Presbyterian Church and co-sponsored the souvenir programs which were distributed throughout the event.

BizTech Welcomes Heritage Hall and Robert McCloskey Museum to Downtown Hamilton’s historic former Municipal Bldg.
     Downtown Hamilton’s cultural, recreational and business corridor along the riverfront became richer for the entire community when Heritage Hall and the Robert McCloskey Museum held its grand opening on Sunday, May 6 in conjunction with the High-Main Bridge Dedication. Exhibits, photos and displays of Hamilton and Butler County highlight the legacy of entrepreneurship in business, industry and commerce. Also featured is memorabilia of Robert McCloskey, celebrated author, illustrator and sculptor who spent his boyhood in Hamilton and whose talents are showcased in the historic building. The Heritage Hall entrance is on Monument Street and is open on Fridays and Saturdays. Please call the Butler County Historical Society at 896-9930 for more information.

Clean Up Hamilton Huge Success!  Downtown SID Participates
     Downtown Hamilton SID board members and property and business owners converged on the downtown with brooms, dust pans, trash bags and a lot of energy and combed the streets, sidewalks, alleys and storefronts picking up litter, clearing debris and planting flowers during Hamilton’s Annual Neighborhood Spring Clean Up on May 5. Hundreds of volunteers from all parts of Hamilton participated and Downtown SID Clean Up Team leaders Carla Fiehrer, Keith Nott and Tony Traub said the day could not have been more successful. Everyone did a great job. Downtown businesses and property owners, the City and Butler County pulled together and really supported the effort. Thanks to all for a job well done!!