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Competing visions for the Anna Louise Inn

With court battles swirling around them, Western and Southernand the Anna Louise Innhave two different visions for the Lytle Park area in Cincinnati.

When Western Southern executives look out the window they see a potential redevelopment that could attract business,entertainment, and residents. Vice President Michael Laatsch says a UC economic study found this plan could generate 400 million over 30 years.

"Cincinnati's version of Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia or Gramercy Park in New York City and similar to what's happening to Washington Park here in Cincinnati."

He's says he's perplexed about why City leaders don't support the company's $3 million dollar offer to buy the Inn and relocate residents, instead opting to help fund a $13 million dollar renovation at the Anna Louise Inn, a 103 year old building for low to moderate income women like Robin Howard, who don't want to move.

"It's a safe neighborhood. The neighbors are friendly and it's nice to know I can live in the heart of downtown and not pay a whole lot of money and it's convenient."

Howard and others live in dorm rooms. The renovation would create efficiency apartments. Western and Southern says the residents could be better served in a newer building. The final outcome of a handful of court cases is unclear. Meanwhile residents are hoping next Thanksgiving they can cook the Turkey dinner in their new Anna Louise Inn rooms.

Ann Thompson has decades of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting.