By Carl Weiser
Enquirer Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Five months late, Congress finally finished writing the nation's budget for 2003 - and with it will come millions for Greater Cincinnati projects.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will get $6 million in its final federal allotment. A study for flooding along Mill Creek gets $4 million. A plan to revitalize Lawrenceburg's historic High Street gets $1 million.

"This appropriations bill carries a heavy load of federal funds to Cincinnati's parks, hospitals, law enforcement, transportation systems and water supply," said Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, a member of the committee that wrote the final bill. He said he was especially happy about the money for downtown projects such as the Freedom Center, the Government Square transit center, and a study for a riverfront park - "projects vital to ensuring a vibrant downtown area."

The spending bills that make up the fiscal 2003 budget were supposed to be passed by Oct. 1, 2002, the day fiscal 2003 began. But most got bogged down in partisan fights, and not until late Wednesday were all the problems resolved in joint House-Senate negotiations.

The House approved the compromise bill late Thursday and Senate passage is expected today before the bill goes to President Bush for his signature.

Most projects in the final compromise version were cut by 0.65 percent to make up for additional spending on drought relief, Amtrak and homeland security.

That cost the Freedom Center $40,000.

"These are pretty good results in a tough year," said Bob Martinez, the Freedom Center's Washington lobbyist.

Freedom Center President Edwin Rigaud said getting bipartisan backing for the center "demonstrated America's deep desire to come together in the continuing quest for freedom."

The Government Square transit center saw its money cut from $6.4 million in an earlier version to $4 million in the final bill. But transit officials still were pleased.

"Of course, you always would like to get the full amount, but in this day and age we are grateful," said Sallie Hilvers, spokeswoman for Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority.

The $8 million project will make downtown's public transportation hub more accessible to the disabled, provide larger passenger shelters and give riders arrival and departure information.

"It was very important that our area get its fair share, and I'm glad we did," said Rep. Rob Portman of Terrace Park, chairman of the House Republican leadership.

Other projects included in the final bill:

• $4.5 million for flood control along Mill Creek.

• $1.4 million for the Cincinnati police to help with record management and another $750,000 for police officer and recruit training.

• $1.4 million to renovate the University of Cincinnati's Medical Sciences Building, built in 1974.

• $810,000 for the Hamilton County Communication Center for a computer dispatch system.

• $794,000 for Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center to buy equipment for brain imaging.

• $200,000 for study of a riverfront park.

• $150,000 for fencing around Lunken Airport.

• $1 million for a medical treatment center in Mount Orab in Brown County.

• $1 million to help revitalize Lawrenceburg's High Street.

"The High Street corridor is an important part of Lawrenceburg's heritage," said Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind. "Preserving our small towns and rehabilitating historical landmarks help make our communities better places to live."