2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
City requires action on Wendy's structure
Within 24 months, former restaurant must be modified
Dave Matthews
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: Front Page
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According to court documents filed with the Butler County Court of Common Pleas Oct. 2, Judge Andrew Nastoff denied a motion for preliminary injunction relief filed by Main and High Development, the owners of the former fast food restaurant.
And as Oxford Mayor Jerome Conley explained to Associated Student Government (ASG) Tuesday evening, this means the city of Oxford can "proceed with the injunction" to demolish what Conley calls a "blighted building."
"It's been in disrepair for two years; it's an eyesore for us all," Conley said.
The city injunction now requires Main and High Development to act within 24 months-to either demolish or repair the former fast food restaurant.
Main and High Development is a limited liability company comprised of Christopher Rodbro and Bernard Rumpke.
This draws to a close a part of litigation that has been ongoing since August 2006, when Main and High filed suit against the city of Oxford, Oxford City Council and former City Manager Jane Howington. According to court documents, Main and High accused the "city of Oxford and Oxford City Council of civil rights violations, violating the city's municipal charter and violations of R.C. 12.22, Ohio's Sunshine Law."
The Wendy's structure, on the corner of High and Main streets, originally was damaged by a fire in August 2005. Main and High Development planned to split the two-lot location into four lots, erecting apartments above a commercial space. Yet the city of Oxford's statutory code at the time did not contain procedures or regulations regarding lot splits-causing an emergency city council meeting to be called and eventually passing legislation requiring lots to be a minimum of 3,000 square feet.
Under their plans, Main and High's lots would have been 2,100 square feet.
Following Conley's discussion Tuesday evening, ASG unanimously approved a resolution to send a letter on behalf of all Miami University students to Matthew and Chris Rodbro-mangers of the property and of Red Brick, Inc. Property Management-to "expedite the demolition and subsequent redevelopment of the property."
ASG's Secretary for Off-Campus Affairs Jen House said that the judge's ruling and actions by ASG are "a step in the right direction" toward redevelopment. House also added that Conley's announcement showed an uncommon partnership between city council and Miami students.
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