The University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Design Studio will be sponsoring a panel discussion on the future of Old St. George Church tomorrow evening at 5:30 PM, (BIRD'S EYE).

Panelists will include Matt Bourgeois, director of the Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CHCURC); Dan Hurley of the Cincinnati Museum Center; and historian Robert Wimberg.

The moderator will be Jim Tarbell.

The public is invited to attend and to share ideas, and a question and answer session will follow the panel discussion at 7 PM.

The Uptown landmark has faced an uncertain future ever since 2006, when it was purchased by the CHCURC to keep it from being razed for a new Walgreens.

A February steeple fire led to rumors that it was destined for the wrecking ball.

In March, Bourgeois said that those rumors were untrue and that insurance would cover the cost of restoring the church to its pre-fire condition.

But because of the building's layout, developer interest has been light.

According to Bourgeois, a retail use can likely be ruled out, but that they are exploring renovating the church for office space, a hotel or a brewery/restaurant.

The 1872 Romanesque Revival church was designed by Samuel Hannaford and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photo credit: Scott Beseler, Soapbox

Previous reading on BC:
CHCURC: Old St. George will be saved (2/5/08)