The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center has raised its fund- raising goal from $90 million to $110 million.

        The increase, which was approved by the Freedom Center's executive committee in late February, will help pay for elements of the museum's design that were unanticipated. They include waterproofing and beams connecting the garage to the center itself.

        Additional costs include the price of exhibits and operating costs.

        “The feasibility study said the $80 (million) to $90 million range, but after looking at the study over several months, we said, "The building's about right in size but the estimate is low,'” said Ed Rigaud, president and CEO of the Freedom Center.

        “And the exhibits were the ones we wanted, but we didn't know how much they were, so the numbers all went up some.”

        The cost of the project could still fluctuate because it will be several more months before contracts go out for bid. But the fund-raising goal will not be raised beyond the $110 million, he said.

        Cost-cutting and in-kind contributions are expected to cover any additional expenses.

        The Freedom Center, a 158,000-square-foot museum scheduled to open in spring 2004, will be built on the riverfront.

        It will be one of four major anchors in the $2 billion Ohio riverfront redevelopment. The others are Paul Brown Stadium, Great American Ball Park and The Banks, a housing and entertainment neighborhood.

        The Freedom Center is a tribute to the Underground Railroad — a network of African-Americans, abolitionists and their allies that helped slaves escape from the South to freedom in the North before the Civil War.

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