The Cincinnati Business Courier has
coverage of the current debate by Hamilton County, Ohio Comissioners regarding raising the funds necessary to renovate Cincinnati Union Terminal and the local Music Hall.
Hamilton County commissioners voted Wednesday to hold a public hearing on whether to increase the county’s sales tax to pay for repairs to two Cincinnati icons – Union Terminal and Music Hall. “The best airing of this is in a public setting,” said Chip Gerhardt, a spokesman for the Cultural Facilities Task Force, which is studying what repairs are needed and how to pay for them. “These are public buildings and this is a public discussion. The public has not only the right, but the responsibility to determine the fate of these two facilities.” Democratic Commissioner Todd Portune and Republican Commissioner Greg Hartmann voted for the resolution. Republican Commissioner Chris Monzel, who is up for re-election this year, voted “no.” Commissioners emphasized that they were only having a hearing and not ready to place a sales tax initiative on the ballot for this fall.
Amtrak remains an essentially irrelevant presence at this station, which is served by the thrice weekly
Cardinal. Much like Kansas City Union Station, Cincinnati Union Terminal has managed to remain open by being converted for use as a museum. Although there is no apparent future plans for improved Amtrak service to Cincinnati the station seems likely to remain in place for the long term.