You might have noticed that the City of Middletown has four city-owned properties that we are now accepting proposals for. The four properties are the Studio Theater (1345 Central Ave.), 1200 Central Ave. (retail shop), 19 South Clinton St. (commercial building), and 24 North Main Street (old Montgomery Wards). Our goal is to offer these properties for future redevelopment.
Each of these properties will have viewing dates, and the City will be accepting proposals for these properties on a rolling, quarterly basis until a proposal has been accepted for each site or the properties are demolished. Once a property has a proposal accepted, we will no longer accept proposals for that particular site.
If you would like to submit a proposal for one of the properties, you’ll need to attend a viewing and submit your completed proposal by the appropriate date:
1200 Central Ave., 19 South Clinton St., and 24 North Main St. will have viewing available on Wednesday, August 31 from 1:00-3:00 p.m., and proposals must be completed and submitted by October 3, 2016 at 4:30 p.m.
The Studio Theater will also have viewings on August 31 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., along with September 14 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Completed proposals must be submitted by October 3 at 4:30 p.m.
Please note that the City has simultaneously solicited proposals for demolition of the Studio Theater. There are two options being reviewed for demolition of the Studio Theater: complete demolition of the building, or demolition of only the rear portion of the building (the theater) and keeping the façade. The City is willing to accept redevelopment proposals for either of these two options, as well as proposals to completely rehab the building.
We would really like to see these Middletown properties rehabbed and turned into new, amazing things for Downtown Middletown. With all of the growth that we have seen in the past year, we are really looking forward to more!
We are sometimes chastised for our demolition efforts. The Studio Theater has sat empty since the 1980’s. If there are no bids taken to refurbish the theater in some fashion, then I’m taking the position that after 30+ years, there is no commercially viable re-use for that structure and we will move forward with demolition. This is your last chance to save that building.
For more information and for instructions to submit a proposal, click on the City of Middletown website here.
Completed proposals for any of the four properties should be submitted to the City’s Purchasing Agent Cindy Strayer at the City Building: One Donham Plaza.
