Cincinnati: Mt. Auburn - McMillan Manor

[buildingcincinnati]

This has been in the news since 2001 and hasn't gotten off the ground.

Housing development seeks city financing help

Developer Jeff Jacobs is asking Cincinnati City Council for a $2.4 million tax break for a $25.5 million student housing project in Mount Auburn.  Plans for McMillan Manor include a six-story tower with 119 apartment units, ranging in size from one to four bedrooms, all of it built atop a 350-car parking garage. In a March 19 report, City Manager Valerie Lemmie asked council to approve an eight-year, 75 percent exemption on property taxes to help finance the project. Jacobs has been planning a development since 2001 at the corner of McMillan Street and Highland Avenue. Earlier plans called for a $40 million, 10-story luxury apartment tower on the two-acre site that Jacobs acquired in 1999.

Read full article here:
http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/03/14/daily36.html

[ulysses]

I drive through the McMillian/Highland intersection every day.  They just started tearing down some of the vacant houses on the corner a couple of days ago.  I was wondering why, now I know.

[Weedrose]

Jeff's got the developer's dilemma full of good ideas with no money to do sh*t with them.

[buildingcincinnati]

I noticed that too, ulysses.

[buildingcincinnati]

After scraping the council minutes for word on this project, I found the following ordinance passed in the 3/23/05 meeting.  In essence, the tax breaks seem like they will come one way or another, and, with demolition already occurring, maybe we'll see some progress:

Item #: 200509770
ORDINANCE, (EMERGENCY), submitted by Mayor Luken, APPROVING and AUTHORIZING the execution of a Community Reinvestment Area Tax Exemption Agreement with McMillan Manor LLC, thereby authorizing a real property tax exemption of 75 percent for a period of fifteen years in connection with the construction of a new student housing facility with approximately 119 units, a parking garage with approximately 350 parking spaces and related right of way improvements located at 2432-2448 Maplewood, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; 2441-2449 Highland, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; 181-191 E. McMillan, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; and 203 E. McMillan, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, at an estimated aggregate cost of $25,470,000, in the City of Cincinnati Community Reinvestment Area.

Item Status/Referral/Recommendations:
PASSED EMERGENCY
*** PASSED EMERGENCY 0117-2005
MS. REECE  Y
MR. SMITHERMAN  Y
MR. TARBELL  A
MS. COLE  Y
MR. CRANLEY  Y
MR. CROWLEY  Y
MR. MALONE  Y
MR. MONZEL  Y
MR. PEPPER  Y

EDIT: Forgot one....:

Item #: 200509718
ORDINANCE (EMERGENCY) submitted by Valerie A. Lemmie, City Manager, on 3/16/2005, approving and authorizing the execution of a Community Reinvestment Area Tax Exemption Agreement with McMillan Manor LLC, thereby authorizing a real property tax exemption of 75 percent for a period of eight years in connection with the construction of a new student housing facility with approximately 119 units, a parking garage with approximately 350 parking spaces and related right of way improvements located at 2432-2448 Maplewood, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; 2441-2449 Highland, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; 181-191 E. McMillan, Cincinnati, Ohio,45202; and 203 E. McMillan, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, at an estimated aggregate cost of $25,470,000, in the City of Cincinnati Community Reinvestment Area.

Item Status/Referral/Recommendations:
PASS EMERGENCY
*** INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
MS. REECE  Y
MR. SMITHERMAN  Y
MR. TARBELL  A
MS. COLE  Y
MR. CRANLEY  Y
MR. CROWLEY  Y
MR. MALONE  Y
MR. MONZEL  Y
MR. PEPPER  Y

[kendall]

A 119-unit tower seems pretty dense for that area. The surrounding blocks are mostly single-family, small apartment buildings, and professional/commercial uses. And in 6 floors? Those must be some dinky little units.

I view this as flooding a neighborhood that needs stability with small, inexpensive (student?) apartments.  Mt. Auburn must not have a viable neighborhood council, if it did, it'd be all over this one.

[buildingcincinnati]

McMillan Manor LLC has applied for a permit ($2.5M) for a parking garage.  This, of course, will be built before the "tower" can go up.

EDIT:
On 5/19, they applied for a permit ($600,000) for a foundation.

[buildingcincinnati]

They are applying for a permit on a steady basis, meaning that work must be progressing smoothly.  The most recent is in the amount for $4M for a housing aspect.

[The_Cincinnati_Kid]

A construction pic from today (on McMillan heading east).  This project really is cranking along.

[buildingcincinnati]

What a beautiful parking garage!

[buildingcincinnati]

It's been a long time since there was an update on this one.  I snapped these the other day.  Unfortunately, I had to do it through a fence, as the work site was completely surrounded by one.  But you get the idea:

[The_Cincinnati_Kid]

Sweet, it's really coming along and should greatly help the area.

[kendall]

Anybody have a rendering of this project?

[buildingcincinnati]

I haven't seen one.  I don't even think there's a project website.

[AndrewN]

There was an add today for Student focus groups on Mcmillan Manor.  It appears this new off-campus development will be managed by Ambling Companies based out of Atlanta.  They have a strong history of managing off-campus student housing.  My question is:

Is this area a place that students would want to live if they had a choice?

[buildingcincinnati]

Is this area a place that students would want to live if they had a choice?

Not being a UC student, I can't really answer this.  I also haven't seen a pricing structure, so without knowing that I couldn't even guess.

It's about the same distance away from campus as Stetson Square and Bellevue Gardens, and it's on a major bus corridor.  Plus it's not that far of a walk from Inwood Park.  So it's got those things going for it.

[AndrewN]

Update:

They just posted a website:

www.mcmillanpark.com

[The_Cincinnati_Kid]

I don't think that is the right website, that is the one for the project south of UC.

[jmecklenborg]

Yeah, I thought those stock photos looked familiar.

[AndrewN]

Oops.  I posted the wrong site.   Try www.mcmillanmanor.com .  Then click the small link at the bottom if you do not want to participate in the minor survey.  You have to admit they are very similar in name.

[buildingcincinnati]

Thank you!

Progress seems to be humming.  It's come along far in just the last two weeks.

[buildingcincinnati]

New housing option for students
Locally-owned property set to open September 2006
By: Anne Knueven Issue date: 1/23/06 Section: News

University of Cincinnati students will be welcomed back to campus fall of 2006 with a new and unique option for housing as an alternative to residence halls.  McMillan Manor, located at 195 E. McMillan St., offers furnished apartments with 12-month leases.

The new property is being presented to UC students as a step above traditional housing, providing single-occupancy bedrooms and fully equipped kitchens for each unit, according to Ben Coffman, property manager for the facility.  Slated to open Sept. 1, 2006, McMillan Manor is an alternative to the current housing that students are provided and "will attract students to the university that desire more than just typical dormitory-style living," according to a press release.

The monthly rent includes all utilities, local phone service, high-speed Internet access and cable.  Units are available in two-, three- and four-bedroom floor plans with the option to add an additional bathroom.  McMillan Manor also has a fitness center and courtyard with a pool and clubhouse, controlled access entrances, security cameras and courtesy officers.

Read full article here:
http://www.newsrecord.org/media/paper693/news/2006/01/23/News/New-Housing.Option.For.Students-1492532.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.newsrecord.org

[buildingcincinnati]

This thing's moving right along.  I can't believe how massive the garage is, though.  I don't think I like that part of the project very much....

Here's a photo from about a week and a half ago.  Sorry about the clouds!:

[atlas]

thanks for the update. 

[kendall]

Please tell me they are going to put brick on that facade!

[RiverViewer]

I think the facade is done...it's a very avante-garde project...

[CiNYC]

I noticed the facade the other day and I could be mistaken, but it looked like siding to me.  I think it'd look great if it was cladded in white painted brick.

[cincyimages]

http://www.mcmillanmanor.com

[The_Cincinnati_Kid]

Well, I can't say I care too much for the final design given the rendering above, but here are a few pics taken today (from the car).

[atlas]

in my opinion, that rendering doesnt look promising.  it looks like run down projects.

[Brutus_buckeye]

ugly

[The_Cincinnati_Kid]

McMillan Manor geared to serve UC students with furnished units
Rents range from $585 to $645 per month a person
BY JON NEWBERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Taking timely advantage of the dwindling, late-summer opportunities for sunbathing, students have begun moving into McMillan Manor, a new five-story, 122-unit apartment building on the border of Mount Auburn and Corryville.  Fully furnished two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments surround a courtyard that features a heated pool and a large sundeck.

The student housing project was developed by the JFP Group, which is headed by radio industry veteran Terry Jacobs, and co-developed by Neyer Holdings Corp.  It's being managed by Ambling Management Co. of Valdosta, Ga., which also runs student apartment complexes in Athens and Youngstown.

Read full article here:
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060910/BIZ01/609100317/1076/BIZ

[UncleRando]

I love to see new housing and new invest Uptown, but this project has a cheap look to it from street level....maybe once the place is landscaped with some surrounding structures it will look better.

[David]

Yeah, it does look cheap. I hate siding. It is a lot cheaper than Stetson Square though, atleast.

[buildingcincinnati]

McMillan Manor opens to students
After 18 months of construction, McMillan Manor is now open
Amy Schoenfeld Issue date: 9/11/06 Section: News
 
A newly opened student housing development, located at 195 E. McMillan Street, is the latest option for U.C. students who are looking to live off-campus.  McMillan Manor had its grand opening celebration Friday, Sept. 8. Construction started in 2005 and took 18 months to complete, with the finishing touches completed last week, according to Tiffany Walton, who works in the leasing office.

The apartments in McMillan Manor come in different sizes, ranging from two to four bedrooms. Utilities such as water, electricity, local phone service, cable TV, and wireless Internet are included, according to the website, www.mcmillanmanor.com. Parking is available on a quarterly basis, and a shuttle service will be starting up on Sept. 20, according to Walton.  "There will probably be stops at every four corners," of the university, Walton said.

A two-bedroom apartment with one bath is $625 a month per person. A three-bedroom apartment with two baths is $605 a month per person. A four-bedroom apartment with two baths is $585 a month per person. All apartments come fully furnished with a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave and furniture.  The leases are all 12 months, starting on Sept. 1. There are six floors, including a basement, which also has apartments.

Read full article here:
http://www.newsrecord.org/media/storage/paper693/news/2006/09/11/News/Mcmillan.Manor.Opens.To.Students-2269869.shtml?norewrite200609141952&sourcedomain=www.newsrecord.org

[UncleRando]

^good to hear that it isn't having trouble filling up.  The more residential, the better (although I wish it were full-time residents).

[David]

I might move there... it's only 450 a month per person. Considering its furnished and everything is taken care of, I think it's a great deal.

[UncleRando]

The management of this place sounds good...and I love the fact that a good amount of the staff live there!  But in terms of the bldg...it looks like crap from the street imo.  Too much siding, and way too monatanous!  I also find it a bit extreme for all of the security measures that they offer.  I mean it sounds like some South American residential project (one where you're protecting yourself from potential gorilla warfare).

Either way, its great to see more residents in the Uptown area...I would definately like to see more of them year-round residents though.

[RiverViewer]

I might move there... it's only 450 a month per person. Considering its furnished and everything is taken care of, I think it's a great deal.

Did you ever move here/look more into it?  The view thing sounds utterly kick-ass...and $450/month sounds pretty cheap, relatively speaking...

[David]

No I'm moving into a house on Warner which I'd prefer for several reasons but mostly because my rent will be less than 250/month for my portion!!! I hear McMillan Manor is quite nice; I know it has a swimming pool and a bunch of other amenities but I'm cheap and when you're dealing with thousands of debt and an undetermined future career, you try to conserve 

[UncleRando]

McMillan and Highland unlikely to become a fast-food vortex
http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2009/09/mcmillan-and-highland-unlikely-to.html

A proposal to bring another fast food restaurant to the corner of E McMillan Street and Highland Avenue in Mount Auburn has little support, but will be considered by Cincinnati City Council's Economic Development Committee today at noon.

Originally proposed for the Mount Auburn Place condominium project, JFP Group, represented by attorney Tim Burke, is seeking to rezone 2442=2450 Highland Avenue to CC-A Commercial Community Auto-Oriented District.

JFP Group demolished the buildings in 2006, trying to complement McMillan Manor on the southwest corner of the intersection,

The developer was successful in getting the Taco Bell restaurant built on the northeast corner of the intersection.

Margaret Wuerstle, chief planner for the City, advised against adding yet another drive through restaurant for the intersection.

Wuerstle said that traffic counts report 19,100 vehicles on McMillan daily, and 7,510 passing on Highland.

"Historically, the southeast and southwest corners of this intersection had multi-family mixed-use transitional zoning, and has never been an auto-oriented commercial zone," she said in a memo to Council.. "Based on the Department of Transportation and Engineering comments related to the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual, this intersection cannot handle a new restaurant facility with a drive through."

She added that it would impact the existing character of the surrounding area, and no end user has been identified.

The CC-A zoning was needed for a drive through, setback from the street, and building transparency.

In a June 4 letter to Mount Auburn Community Council president Freeman McNeal, Burke says that JFP would draft a binding agreement with the council, promising to take immediate steps to clean up, seed, and straw the lot; installing a landscaped sign near the corner saying "something like 'Welcome to the Community of Mt. Auburn -- the Home of McMillan Manor'"; provide the community council with Phase I Environmental Reports; to donate to the community council, or any other non-profit entity, the lot it owns on Maplewood Avenue; and to keep construction dust and noise to a minimum.

The City Planning Commission did not approve the zoning change at its June 19 meeting, and the Mount Auburn Community Council has not formally responded to the request.