2008.03.06 twenty-two projects vie for funds

Print | Close Window Last Updated: 2:18 pm | Thursday, March 6, 2008 22 projects vie for funds Freedom Center door left off list of county requests BY JESSICA BROWN | [email protected] The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center likely will not get any state money for a new front door. The nonprofit organization's request for $1.4 million to reconfigure its lobby and build a new front door on the opposite side of the building was rejected by a committee convened to decide which of 38 projects should be submitted to the Ohio General Assembly to vie for state capital funding. "The moving of the door ... there was absolutely no support for that," said Hamilton County Commission President Todd Portune, who is on the committee. The Freedom Center could still submit its project separately to the General Assembly, but projects are more apt to get approval if they have the backing of the committee. Freedom Center officials did not return calls Wednesday. In all, 22 community projects in Hamilton County totaling around $30 million were selected for the final list. They include Cincinnati's streetcars, Art Museum renovations, a zoo exhibit, a bike trail and jails. The state will decide later this year whether to fund them, which is far from guaranteed. Local officials estimate Hamilton County will receive between $18 million and $20 million in state capital money this year. A committee - led by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber - made up of government, business, arts and nonprofit leaders narrowed the list to the final 22 projects this week after several public hearings. The Freedom Center's requests were among the more controversial. The building's front door now faces the Ohio River and the site of the yet-to-be-built Banks riverfront project. Freedom Center CEO Don Murphy said he had lost faith that the often-stalled Banks, which was to drive more people to the Freedom Center, would ever be built. He wanted to maximize foot traffic by adding the new entrance on the opposite side of the building facing downtown. The Freedom Center also requested $1.5 million for exhibit renovations and $850,000 in construction money. The $850,000 is the last remaining part of a $15 million commitment the state made years ago for construction of the Freedom Center building. Several people came to public hearings to oppose the Freedom Center's requests. Critics said the Freedom Center should not be relying on tax dollars. They said it had promised to be self-sufficient and was failing to live up to that promise. The committee approved only the Freedom Center's $850,000 request. Portune said the committee had researched the issue to make sure that the promise was, indeed, made. Commissioner Pat DeWine also objected to the Freedom Center money, saying: "I think there comes a time when Page 1 of 2 Print - 22 projects vie for funds 3/7/2008 http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080306/NEWS01/803060377/1056/ ...

2008.03.06 twenty-two projects vie for funds

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