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Displaced tenants to FC Cincinnati: Move us, ‘compensate’ us Sharon Coolidge Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK
A group of tenants who have to move out of buildings owned by FC Cincinnati as the team builds a West End stadium is making new demands of the team. Among them: Build new housing for them and pay “proper compensation.” They off ered no specifi c amount of money or exactly where the team should build aff ordable housing. The letter, from Wade Street & Central Avenue Tenants United, was sent by Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Executive Director Josh Spring, to the public Monday, May 20. “We should continue to live in 421 Wade and 1559 Central until this replacement housing is completed and each of us has suitable housing and FCC should pay all moving costs and proper compensation to tenants,” the letter said. The deadline to vacate the properties is May 31. Team lawyers have publicly said nobody will be kicked out on that date, though people need to fi nd new housing. The fi ght comes in part because when FC Cincinnati President Jeff Berding lobbied Cincinnati City Council for taxpayer help and approval to build the stadium in the West End, he promised no residents would be displaced. It’s a catchy soundbite that resonated, but at the time Berding was answering questions from City West residents who feared they might have to move. The project does not displace residents of City West, which is west of the site. FC Cincinnati, as part of a community benefi ts agreement for the stadium, donated $100,000 for an emergency housing fund, paid $150,000 for a hous-
Roughly 14 tenants of 421 Wade St. and 1559 Central Ave. have pleaded their case to the public, garnering city council’s attention. LIZ DUFOUR/THE ENQUIRER
ing study of the neighborhood and work related to it. Berding has said the team is helping the residents fi nd new housing. Meetings the new demands, Berding said May 20 is not possible. “I was told via the building manager that tenants were waiting for a larger payout, an amount that was $40,000,”
Berding said. He accused Spring of organizing the tenants, who have short-term leases, and encouraging them to demand compensation before agreeing to move out, despite leases that will expire. The tenants, in the letter, said they are speaking for themselves.
“Legal counsel representing the tenants has also consistently asked for ‘appropriate compensation’ in numerous emails to the general counsel of FC Cincinnati dating back to April 30,” Berding said. “We respect the residents do not See TENANTS, Page 2A
Green Township lost a Fridays but gains an Olive Garden Scott Wartman Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK
The Green Township Board of Trustees has announced an Olive Garden restaurant will open sometime next year. GETTY IMAGES
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Anyone who grew up in Green Township the past 25 years probably spent a fair amount of time in the TGI Fridays on Glenway Ave. When it opened across from Western Bowl in 1994, the chain restaurant known for mixed grilles was a pretty big deal, providing a central meeting spot for a generation of Westsiders. People who live in the area, an area some call Western Hills, have since found other places to meet. The building
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has sat vacant for almost two years since Fridays closed in December 2017. Until now. Olive Garden will seek to return the building in front of the mostly vacant Western Woods Mall back to a destination. The Green Township Board of Trustees announced the Italian restaurant chain known for unlimited bread sticks and salad will open sometime next year. Real estate agent, broker and commercial property owner Bob Wurster has signed a lease with Darden Restaurants for a new Olive Garden on the for-
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mer Friday’s site. The new building and will be approximately 7.700 square feet. 206 seats are planned for the dining area and another 50 seats for the lounge and bar area for a total of 256. Weather permitting construction should begin in 2019 with a likely opening in the spring of 2020. “Olive Garden is the most-asked-for restaurant ever,” Board of Trustees Chairman Tony Rosiello said. “It’s good news for other restaurants and gives them a chance to put their best foot forward.” This story was updated with a new time for the Olive Garden to open.
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