News

Resolution passed today discusses capital plan, stimulus funds and upkeep of publicly owned building  

CINCINNATI - Hamilton County Commissioners today unanimously passed a resolution committing their long-term support to one of the area's most significant buildings, Cincinnati Union Terminal.

The resolution calls for the County Administrator, to work in partnership with Cincinnati Museum Center on its plan "to assure the preservation of Union Terminal and the success of the vision of Cincinnati Museum Center."

Measures include:

• Development of a capital funding plan, as recommended by Hamilton County's independent consultants and the Tax Levy Review Committee, to further implement repairs identified in the 2007 Union Terminal Master Plan
• Determination of availability of Build America Recovery Zone Facility and/or "stimulus" bonds to advance most critical repair projects
• County support for CMC in relation to Metropolitan Sewer District assistance for green roofs on Union Terminal
• A review of services the county may cost effectively provide for the upkeep of Union Terminal and its grounds

"We are very pleased with the Commissioners' commitment to this public treasure," said Douglass W. McDonald, president and CEO of Cincinnati Museum Center. "Community support is critical to the future of this jewel in the Queen City's crown."

The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Todd Portune.

"Cincinnati Museum Center is a treasure that each new generation of Greater Cincinnatians has willingly assumed the mantle of responsibility to preserve," said Commissioner Portune. "Now is our time to rise up to the challenge and assure future generations that they will be able to use and enjoy this gem of an asset in our community."

Union Terminal recently celebrated its 75th Anniversary. Since opening its doors in 1933, more than 150 million visitors have passed through the building. In its heyday as a train station during World War II, Union Terminal welcomed more than 34,000 passengers a day.

In 2007, the American Institute of Architects listed Union Terminal as the nation's 45th most important piece of architecture, ranking it ahead of such structures as Carnegie Hall, The Art Institute of Chicago and Yankee Stadium.

Union Terminal is now home to Cincinnati Museum Center, the nation's 17th most visited museum according to Forbes Traveler, welcoming more than 1.3 million visitors annually.

A copy of the entire resolution can be found at http://www.cincymuseum.org/pdf/HamiltonCountyCommissionResolution.pdf.

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Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is a nationally recognized institution dedicated to sparking community dialogue, insight and inspiration. As one of the top cultural attractions in the Midwest, Cincinnati Museum Center has served as an educational, research and entertainment resource to millions of visitors from around the world.  

Organizations within Museum Center include the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX® Theater, and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library. These organizations combine to serve more than one million visitors annually, reaching out to nearly 400,000 young people through hands-on exhibits and programs.  

Originally built in 1933 as a train station, Union Terminal stands as one of the last remaining grand-scale Art Deco style railroad terminals. The building is a National Historic Landmark and was renovated and reopened as Cincinnati Museum Center in 1990.For information, call 1-800-733-2077 or visit www.cincymuseum.org.  

Cincinnati Museum Center gratefully acknowledges operating and capital support from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County and the State of Ohio.