BY B.G. GREGG
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati would get $22 million for the new Bengals stadium and $3 million for the new Contemporary Arts Center under a capital spending bill to be introduced today in the Ohio House.
Other projects, including the new Lincoln Heights Health Center ($1 million) and expansion of the Cincinnati Museum Center ($525,000), also are expected to be in the bill.
Some local projects, including the new National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, an upgrade at Riverbend Music Center for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and improvement money for the American Classical Music Hall of Fame were still being considered late Monday.
Hamilton County Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus said the $22 million is money the state promised during planning for the new stadium. He said the state originally promised $57 million and has already provided $15 million. The proposed appropriation is about half of the rest, and he expects the other half to come in the next biennium. The Bengals stadium will cost about $404 million to build and should be completed by summer 2000. Most of it will be funded by a countywide sales tax.
State Senate President Richard Finan said he thinks lawmakers will approve $22 million each for the new Bengals and Cleveland Browns stadiums because the capital bill also has $500 million for school buildings.
"I think people will have a tough time voting against a bill that includes more money for schools," said Mr. Finan, R-Evendale. Charles Desmarais, director of the Contemporary Arts Center, said he had asked the state for $5 million to help build a new center at Sixth and Walnut streets. The project would cost a total of $27.5 million (including an endowment) and is expected to attract 150,000 to 300,000 visitors a year.
"I'm extremely pleased and I'm hopeful the language includes something that says the rest will come in the next cycle," he said. He doesn't expect a problem getting the money approved. "There's a long and wonderful tradition of the Ohio legislature supporting arts projects," he said.
Mr. Desmarais said the city has provided $4.3 million to buy property where the arts center will be built, and private donors have given $8.2 million.
The new Lincoln Heights Health Center, to be in the 9600 block of Mangham Drive, is expected to cost about $6 million. The center serves about 18,000 patients a year and employs 50.
The Cincinnati Museum Center would use its $525,000 to expand the permanent exhibits at the Cincinnati History Museum.
"We want to put in an exhibit that tells the history of Cincinnati during certain time periods," said Meg Olberding, director of public relations for the museum center.
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is hoping for state money to help with Riverbend improvements, including expanding the lawn, creating a public picnic area and increasing electrical capacity, said Steven Monder, president of the symphony.
The Classical Music Museum needs money for improvements when it relocates to an undetermined permanent location in downtown Cincinnati, said founder and Executive Director David Klingshirn. Ed Rigaud, president and CEO of the Underground Railroad center, said his organization is seeking $15 million in state money to help fund its $80 million facility ($10 million endowment), which should open in 2003. He said the center has $20 million raised already. He estimates the project would attract 300,000 people a year and bring the state $17 million in annual revenue.
$500 million for school repairs in budget bill
