The Dennison Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio, took another turn in its history recently, when Chris Seelbach, a city councilman, said he wanted to have the building recognized as a landmark. The Dennison's fate has been undecided for over a year, as preservationists seek to save the hotel while its owner wants to raze it. More hearings are likely before a final decision is reached.
The owner, Columbia Development Group, received permission to tear the 124-year-old hotel down in 2016, but that decision was blocked by the Historic Conservation Board (HCB). In December, 2016, Cincinnati's zoning appeals board overturned HCB's decision, giving the go-ahead to Columbia, only to have Seelbach step in. In order to reach a decision, the city must determine if the Dennison has architectural or historic significance such that it should be preserved.
Some see the struggle as a delay that blocks a property owner from taking an already-approved action, while others see it as an attempt to reverse a poor decision that could damage the fabric of the city's downtown. They believe the Dennison has historic value apart from being located in the Main Street Historic District, including the fact it was designed by Samuel Hannaford & Sons, who also built the Music Hall and City Hall.
Efforts like this can be enhanced if organizers work with flyer printing companies, which can devise informative mailers for local residents.
