Condo residents voice asbestos, noise and parking concerns as committee approves 12-year tax abatement for downtown hotel

The Cincinnati Budget & Finance Committee approved a Community Reinvestment Area agreement for 33 West Fourth Street on a 12-year, 100% exemption of improvements, authorizing the conversion of the building into a 44-guestroom boutique hotel.

The measure, introduced by the Department of Community and Economic Development, lists the total estimated construction cost at $12,400,000. The approval came after residents of the adjacent McAlpin condominiums spoke during public comment to outline four specific concerns about the Blue Suede Hotel redevelopment at Fourth and Race.

“We're not opposed to the development. Just to paint a picture for you, the hotel development property is about 4 stories high. We have a fifth story deck that overlooks the roof of the new hotel. And, we have 4 concerns,” said Guy Kuchenberger, identifying himself as a resident of the McAlpin condos. Kuchenberger and other neighbors said they were worried about dust and debris from demolishing a large roof shed, the removal of asbestos-containing roofing material, potential noise impacts from rooftop mechanical equipment and the planned valet parking on Fourth Street, which they said would abut their residential garage by roughly 30 feet.

“From my memory, we discussed the garage issue and the valet lane. We discussed the asbestos and the roof AC,” said Anthony Kato, division manager of economic development in the Department of Community and Economic Development. Kato said the department had connected condo owners with building inspection resources and the applicant and that follow-up conversations had occurred on Jan. 31 and Feb. 19. “We were told by the applicant that it was concerns were addressed. And if that is not the case, we're happy to continue those conversations,” he said.

Council Member Mark Jeffries acknowledged the issues raised by residents. “Of the concerns, demolition of the shed and dust, it seems very manageable. Asbestos, obviously, one would hope would be removed by whatever federal standards there are,” Jeffries said, and added that noise and valet parking were items the developer and neighbors could work through.

Vice Mayor Jan Michelle Kearney also urged continued communication among the developer, the condominium association and city staff, calling for a collaborative effort to resolve outstanding questions about demolition practices, asbestos abatement, noise mitigation for rooftop mechanicals and valet logistics on Fourth Street.

City staff said the developer was en route from a construction site and that the Department of Community and Economic Development would reconvene the parties as needed. The committee moved the CRA agreement for 33 West Fourth Street LLC on for passage; the meeting record shows the item advanced but does not include a roll-call vote tally in the transcript.

The ordinance authorizes the city manager to enter a CRA agreement to provide a 12-year tax exemption on 100% of the value of improvements at the address. The applicant is listed in committee materials as Blue Suede Hospitality Group and the development is described as a conversion of existing commercial space into a 44-guestroom boutique hotel at an estimated $12,400,000 in construction costs.

City staff and the developer were asked to continue direct discussions with the condominium homeowners association to address the four concerns raised in public comment; staff said they were committed to facilitating that follow-up and to sharing resolutions with the residents.