Anna Louise Inn sold after long period of litigation

Western & Southern recently bought the Anna Louise Inn for a reported $4 million. It plans to turn the current site of the Anna Louise into a hotel.   Western & Southern first approached Cincinnati Union Bethel, the nonprofit that runs the Anna Louise, with an offer of $1.8 million to buy the building. The offer was declined, and later CUB was awarded $12.6 million in tax credits to renovate the Anna Louise. Days before renovation, Western & Southern sued the non-profit over a zoning issue halting construction. (Read an indepth Soapbox feature about that part of the story here.)   After two years of litigation, CUB agreed to sell the Anna Louise. As part of the agreement, CUB will be able to use the tax credits to build a new home for Cincinnati’s struggling women. Residents will live in the current Anna Louise until the new building is completed, which will take about two years.   The intended site for the new Anna Louise is at the corner of Reading Road and Kinsey Avenue, on a plot of land that has yet to be purchased. The programming the Anna Louise offers will remain the same, but the residents' living quarters will be quite different.   “What residents have now is a dorm room with a bed, desk and dresser and a bathroom down the hall,” says Brittany Ballard, development director for CUB. “The new Anna Louise will include a kitchenette and bathroom in all apartments.”   Because the current Anna Louise is a historic building, Western & Southern won’t be able to make changes to the outside of the building.     By Caitlin Koenig Follow Caitlin on Twitter