Cincinnati City Council has approved an emergency ordinance authorizing the transfer of $187,000 to stabilize the Meiner Flats building at in Over-the-Rhine.

The transfer will create a new Meiner Flats capital account, with money taken from the OTR Arts District Home Buyers Loan account and several hazard abatement accounts.

The City will now draw up an agreement with 3CDC (OTR Holdings, LLC), who will contribute $200,000 of their own funding, to bring the structure up to code.

Built in 1875 by the Meiner family to advertise their skills as stonemasons, the building has been vacant for over 20 years.

A roof collapse, combined with bricks and pieces of cornice falling to the sidewalk below, forced the City to order an emergency demolition in March.

Although it has been removed from the hazard abatement program for the time being, the façade remains hazardous and the sidewalk below remains closed.

In May, it was acquired by Christopher Tucker from Big Dog Holdings by quit claim deed for $1,000, according to auditor records.

No plans for a full restoration have been released.

Photo credit: Margo Warminski, Cincinnati Preservation Association

Previous reading on BC:
City considers $187,000 for Meiner Flats stabilization (9/2/08)
New Meiners Flats blog to aid in preservation effort (5/7/08)
Preservation Magazine spotlights Meiners Flats (5/1/08)
Donate economic stimulus rebate to save 1500 Vine (4/15/08)
1502 Vine fast-tracked for demolition (3/10/08)