Buyer backs out of $1.9 million deal to buy former West Chester Activity Center

Sue Kiesewetter
·2 min read
The $1.9 million sale of the West Chester Activity Center fell through and the property will be relisted at its original price of $2.5 million, officials said.
The $1.9 million sale of the West Chester Activity Center fell through and the property will be relisted at its original price of $2.5 million, officials said.

WEST CHESTER TWP. – The former West Chester Activity Center is back on the market.

RS Professionals LLC backed out of its deal to purchase the 16,389-square foot building for $1.9 million. Dr. Muhamed Aziz, who owns RS Professionals and operates Professional Psychiatric Services on U.S. 42, had planned to renovate the property for medical offices.

Under the purchase agreement, Aziz had until May 20 to fully inspect the building.

“We have decided to not move forward with the purchase of the Cox Road property due to the extensive remodeling that would have to be done to meet our needs due to the current floor plan and structural design,’’ said Laura Sheehan, Professional Psychiatric Services’ practice manager.

More: West Chester seniors want meeting space

“We are looking into all available real estate options to expand services for our patient population.”

Before putting in the bid, Aziz was aware that the roof and HVAC system were in poor condition and in need of repair or replacement. The building was being sold “as-is,” said Mark Welch, chairman of the board of trustees.

“He backed out and he backed out in enough time to get his deposit back. (It) ended nice and clean, and it’s time to move on,’’ Welch said.

“It’s another false start. In any real estate transaction, it’s not a done deal until you’re closed. This is not uncommon.”

North Ridge Realty Group is the listing agent for the township. The former activity center sits on 3.6 acres at 3900 Cox Road. It will again be listed at $2.5 million.

“We put it back on the market for better opportunities,’’ said Trustee Lee Wong. “That’s how business goes.”

A look back:: West Chester selling activity center for Kroger store

Built in 1984, the building was used as the township’s branch of MidPointe Library and then as an activity center. It’s been empty since 2019 when the non-profit Community First opted out of its agreement to manage the facility.

This is the second time the township has tried to sell the building. A 2019 deal with Regency Center Acquisitions LLC fell through last summer.

Regency planned to use the activity center and purchase surrounding properties to build a large Kroger Marketplace on the site.

Senior citizens had repeatedly asked the township to renovate the building for use again as a community center, but that didn’t happen. Welch said that is no longer under consideration.

Seniors are now meeting at the West Chester branch of the MidPointe Library and Lakota West High School until classes resume in August and return to meeting at the Boys and Girls Club of West Chester/Liberty.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: West Chester Activity Center back on the market.