A historic Cincinnati school once slated for demolition could be saved and converted into apartments.
A key vote later this month could determine the fate of the Hoffman School, with East Walnut Hills residents weighing a request to help finance the property’s purchase to save it from getting razed.
Former Bengal Chinedum Ndukwe, head of Kingsley + Co. development firm and owner of the old school building, got City Council’s permission to demolish the building in August 2023 to make way for a proposed $67 million apartment development.
Hoffman School could be saved
City Council approved demolition despite pushback from local residents and preservationists who wanted to declare the building a local historic landmark.
In 2025, Ndukwe got final approval from City Council to build the proposed apartment development, but the project stalled after repeated funding and historic tax credit denials by City Council and state boards.
Following complaints about illegal dumping and worsening conditions, Ndukwe agreed to sell the property to the DeSales Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation, or DCDC, the main development corporation for East Walnut Hills and Evanston.
“This agreement represents a highly positive, collaborative outcome that highlights Kingsley + Co.’s and DCDC’s commitment to prioritizing the best interests of the City of Cincinnati and the local Evanston and East Walnut Hills neighborhoods,” the two sides said in a joint statement. “Kingsley + Co. intentionally pivoted its strategy − choosing to transition the site to DCDC to ensure the project directly aligns with the community’s vision and needs.”
Developer seeks funding support for purchase
DeSales has entered into a contract to purchase the Hoffman School site from a subsidiary of Ndukwe’s firm, 3060 Durrell Investors LLC for an undisclosed amount, according to a Facebook post from the East Walnut Hills Assembly − the neighborhood’s primary community council.
The old school building at 3060 Durrell Ave. was appraised at $1.8 million in 2025, according to Hamilton County Property records.
DeSales also wants to redevelop the century-old landmark at the edge of East Walnut Hills and Evanston into apartments as part of a larger redevelopment of the site.
The purchase would include the historic school building and the playground parcel on Woodburn Avenue.
But before the development can happen, community leaders must secure funding for the purchase.
Residents to weigh TIF request July 22
The organization plans to seek money from the East Walnut Hills Tax Increment Financing fund to cover acquisition costs and is asking the East Walnut Hills Assembly to approve the allocation.
“The residents will have the final say as they should,” Stephen Ramos, president of the assembly, told The Enquirer. “They have been very clear and concise about wanting the historic Hoffman School to be saved and transformed into housing.
“I expect unanimous support and enthusiasm from our residents on July 22,” he said.
A special meeting has been scheduled at 7 p.m. on July 22 at Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church, located at 1600 Madison Road.
Assembly members will discuss the proposal and could vote on whether to support the funding request.
The decision could shape the future of the old school building, which housed Christ Temple Full Gospel Baptist Church before it was acquired by Ndukwe, who owns the development firm, Kingsley and Company.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Historic Hoffman School to be ‘saved and transformed’
Reporting by Randy Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Randy Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
