On the eve of Covington's bicentennial, demolition of this building would be an unspeakable loss to the community as far as part of the story of Covington.

Columbia Sussex, a hotel and casino operator, had hoped to make the main building a casino when it purchased the old brewery in 2008, but Kentucky has not passed legislation that would allow casino gambling in the commonwealth. So now CS has determined that they cannot do anything with the property -- with the 137 year-old building on it -- so they want to tear it down.

In papers filed with the City of Covington, they admit that they don't have any prospects for the property even if it was leveled. So why do it?

Look at the renaissance OTR is having now. Look at the number of apartments and retail ventures going up all over the area. Unfortunately, CS doesn't build those types of developments, they manage hotels and casinos. And they've jacked up the price to almost double what they paid for it before the 2008 market crash -- that no other developer can make the numbers work.

They made a "bad bet" and now they want to destroy some of the area's history so they can make a profit. I'm not against capitalism but this is a bad deal for everyone except them.

Newport's Wiedemann Brewery had some Samuel Hannaford-designed buildings (think Music Hall, Cincinnati City Hall). That brewery was torn down. And what's there today? A city jail facility and a closed Thriftway big box with a massive asphalt parking lot. Just imagine what those Hannaford buildings would be worth now?

Please consider signing my petition to put pressure on Columbia Sussex. Thank you.

http://savethebavarian.com/