Metropole Residents To Protest At City Council Meeting

CINCINNATI -- A new luxury hotel could be coming to the Tri-State, but hundreds of downtown residents could become homeless as a result.

The Metropole apartment building is located on Walnut Street in Downtown Cincinnati, and a Louisville-based company called 21-C is expected to transform it into a hotel.

Residents and community leaders are upset with the decision because it will displace the hundreds of low-income residents who make up the 230 units.

Those against the decision will protest at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Council chambers.

Cincinnati officials are considering a proposal to give $2.5 million to 21-C, which is an affiliate of 3CDC.

Those against the decision are also upset with an additional $5 million loan 21-C is requesting from the city. Opponents say it's wrong for Cincinnati leaders to spend tax-payer dollars on a discriminatory project run by an out-of-state company.

In the meantime, city officials are still trying to find new low-income housing for residents.

The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the homeless is now asking all taxpayers to show their disapproval at Wednesday's council meeting.