CINCINNATI -- A fight is brewing in Downtown Cincinnati over a prime piece of real estate.
Tenants at the Metropole Apartments on Walnut Street are alleging discrimination after finding out their building has been sold and they all have to move out.
The Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) purchased the Metropole and released plans last week to return it to its former glory: a luxury hotel right in the heart of what's become Downtown's arts and entertainment district.
It's a $48 million renovation project – problem is – there are 230 HUD-subsidized apartments in that building right now.
"I feel like the rug has been pulled-out from under me," said resident Robert Thomas. "I'm not sure I really want to leave here right now."
Another resident, Charles McAfee, says he feels like he's being discriminated against. "We don't fit in here, that's why they want to move us," he said.
Tenants at the Metropole, with the help of The Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, filed a complaint Monday with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
It alleges that 3CDC is "engaging in an unlawful attempt to force-out the current residents who are low-income African-American, senior citizens and persons with disabilities."
"These are the last units in downtown Cincinnati for low-income housing," said Robert Wavre, who is disabled and has lived at the Metropole for two years. "They're segregating the rich from the poor".
3CDC says it is working with the tenants to find new housing. They've given residents a year to transfer to another HUD-subsidized apartment.
"It's a year-long relocation plan," said 3CDC spokesperson Kelly Leon. "It involves three relocation experts in the building that will work with the residents over the course of the next year to help identify new homes for them and help transition them into those homes.”
“All moving expenses are paid and there will be no rent increases,” she added.
But residents say they're afraid they won't find another apartment that's so convenient, and so close to bus lines.
They also fear they'll have to move to a neighborhood where they won't feel safe.
"Someplace where we're gonna need a bullet-proof vest," said Wavre.
The next step is for HUD to hold a hearing on the issue.
