Thursday, February 25, 1999
Rename Sabin? His wife hopes no
BY LAURA PULFER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Heloisa Sabin
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Albert Sabin
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Heloisa Sabin is crushed. The tribute to her late husband seemed so permanent at the time.
“I thought that they were giving this to him forever and ever,” she says.
When the Albert B. Sabin Convention Center was dedicated in June 1986, Otis Bowen, then-U.S. secretary of health and human services said, “The facility is truly a centerpiece of this city. How fitting that the name chosen belongs to one who is truly the centerpiece of what this nation is all about and for what its people value.”
Now city leaders are talking about expanding the city's “centerpiece” — and maybe even selling its name to the highest bidder.
Business and political leaders say the convention center is too small, that a $325 million to $350 million expansion is the only way to compete for business.
They hope to cobble together a funding strategy, including an increase in hotel taxes, a new restaurant tax and money from Ohio, Cincinnati and Hamilton County.
In addition, they are “exploring” the sale of naming rights.
Maybe somebody will pay enough money to have his company's name next to Dr. Sabin's. Or instead of Dr. Sabin's.
“I think this would be a shame,” Mrs. Sabin said Wednesday by phone from her home in Washington, D.C.
“Albert never would sell his name. But he was proud to give it to Cincinnati.”
Dr. Sabin gave his name; he did not sell it Laura Pulfer column
Rename Sabin? His wife hopes no
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