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Residents urge historic protections as Middletown hears CMC Properties' Manchester redevelopment plan
Summary
At a Dec. 2 town hall, residents urged Middletown City Council to require firm developer commitments, make the Manchester Block subject to historic‑commission review, and strengthen vacant‑property enforcement before any demolition proceeds; CMC Properties defended incentives aimed at concentrating housing downtown and said the proposal is an early draft. (Town hall: Dec. 2, 2025)
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Residents filled the council chamber on Dec. 2 for a town hall focused on CMC Properties’ proposal to redevelop the Manchester building, pressing elected officials to require clearer protections before any demolition proceeds.
"First, no demolition without a firm commitment from a developer," said Jade Smarta, who identified herself and gave her address for the record, urging that the city not create "one more vacant lot where a beloved building used to stand." Smarta and other speakers asked council to designate the Manchester block for historic‑commission review, tighten and enforce vacant‑property laws and ensure any replacement building supports downtown’s historic character.
Other speakers detailed related concerns. "We want something timeless like the Manchester that will age gracefully," said Gabe Shane Line, who said he spoke on behalf of the Save Downtown Middletown coalition and asked that citizen representatives be included in future decision‑making and that…
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