After awarding $18,000 in prize money to the top three teams in a competition last spring, the Ohio U. Foundation has yet to fill The Oasis property that has remained vacant for nearly four years.

At its summer meeting, the Foundation Board of Trustees reviewed the winning plan and other top submissions, which detailed businesses that could fill the vacancy at 70 University Terrace, but then tabled the subject until November.

“I don’t think they expected to make a decision and move forward at their July meeting,” said Jennifer Bowie, director of development in the division of University Advancement.

The winning plan – to demolish The Oasis and build a boutique inn – won $10,000 from the foundation in May. The 12-bedroom inn would be a branch of the Ohio University Inn and would employ the same management company.

Second place won $5,000 and third place won $3,000. The prize money came from the OU Foundation’s discretionary fund.

The Oasis, owned by the OU Foundation, currently covers about 4,500 square feet, according to a 2006 assessment. The former restaurant closed November 2006 and has not been maintained since.

Bowie said the Oasis Business Plan Competition served its purpose by renewing interest in the abandoned 106-year-old property. The foundation trustees now have more ideas on the table and can continue planning, she said.

“They’re just not going to rush into a decision,” Bowie said.