A historic Cincinnati church complex once slated for redevelopment is headed to auction later this month.
The former St. Mark Catholic Church property at 3500 Montgomery Road in Evanston will be offered through a Crexi online auction Oct. 26-28 with a starting bid of $150,000. Blue Ash-based Astonish Commercial Real Estate Services is managing the sale.
Historic Evanston church carries $150,000 opening bid
The 47,534-square-foot complex sits on nearly 2.4 acres and includes the church sanctuary, 130-foot bell tower, rectory and connecting bridge. St. Mark church, designed by renowned church architect Henry J. Schlacks, was built in 1916.
According to the auction listing, the site is being marketed as a prime redevelopment opportunity for institutions, schools or nonprofits.
A holding company managed
by developer and former Cincinnati Bengals player Chinedum Ndukwe purchased the property in December 2022 for $650,000, according to public records.
Property once targeted for $22M redevelopment project
In 2023, Ndukwe's Kingsley + Co. development firm was approved for $2 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits to convert the church property into a community hub and event space for about $22 million. But tax credits are only awarded after a project is completed.
In June, the city of Cincinnati scolded Ndukwe and directed him to clean up his properties or lose any future incentives from the city.
An email sent to Kingsley + Co. requesting an interview or statement on the auction was not immediately returned.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: St. Mark church complex in Cincinnati heads to auction
