Miami Student

Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: Editorials

Kelly Morton

After a judge ruled that the former Wendy's uptown at the corner of Main and High streets had to either be renovated or demolished within the next two years, Oxford Major Jerome Conley met with Associated Student Government (ASG) to share the news. At that meeting Oct. 9, ASG unanimously approved for a letter calling for the owners of the property to work quickly in resolving the matter. The Miami Student editorial board supports ASG in sending this letter to the structure's managers-Matt and Chris Rodbro-and hopefully the court ruling will lead to an expedited solution to the dilapidated building that was once Wendy's.

Mayor Conley had it right when he referred to the building as an eyesore. The building originally caught fire in August 2005 and has sat there ever since-with a blue tarp covering up the gaping hole left by the fire. It is in everyone's interest for the property to be redeveloped-namely the Rodbro's. As the property has sat rotting for the past couple years, Oxford residents and Miami University students have been left to endure a blighted property in the heart of uptown.

The community-including this editorial board-has become increasingly frustrated with the slow progress of the property. Because of this sluggish pace, the community deserves an explanation as to why the property has sat untouched for so long.

Matt Rodbro's claim ASG has been misinformed about the facts surrounding the property but their unwillingness to share many facts casts considerable doubt on such a claim. If Matt Rodbro is serious about wanting to clear up these supposed misperceptions, then he should take up Mike Scott's offer and sit down with an ASG representative to establish a clear channel of communication-which has been missing in this storied affair all along. The property should be redeveloped in accordance with current city ordinances and then perhaps added to or reconfigured if the Charter Amendment is eventually passed. Waiting for possible ordinances to pass while the property becomes ever more cumbersome to the community is not a viable option. The litigation process has seemed endless as well and the decision comes with a clear concern.

Two more years of looking at a burnt-out Wendy's seems like even more time for the property to rot needlessly. Hopefully the finality of the court's decision will bring haste to the situation and bring an end to an eyesore no one care cares to see. Oxford simply deserves better.

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