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Capacity crowd sounds off on 'icon tax'

Dan Horn
dhorn@enquirer.com
Businessman Otto M. Budig Jr. speaks before a standing-room-only crowd during a public meeting of the Hamilton County commissioners  about the proposed $331 million renovation of Music Hall and Union Terminal, hosted at the Sharonville Convention Center.

Hamilton County commissioners got their first chance Wednesday to hear what people think of the $331 million plan to fix Music Hall and Union Terminal.

They got an earful.

Hundreds of vocal, cheering supporters and opponents of the plan squeezed into the Sharonville Convention Center to offer warnings, praise, suggestions, complaints and plenty of advice to the three commissioners who will decide the plan's fate sometime in the next two weeks.

Most came to support the proposal and were part of a well-organized campaign that included bright yellow signs urging the commissioners to "Save Our Icons" and frequent eruptions of applause for speakers who backed the renovation plan. Dozens of supporters arrived on buses and helped fill the meeting room.

While supporters said the plan is the last, best chance to save two of Cincinnati's most iconic buildings, critics called it a potential boondoggle and said it would be unfair to impose a quarter-cent sales tax increase to cover about two-thirds of the project cost.

The rest of the cost would be covered by private donors, state and federal grants and about $10 million from the city.

The commissioners must decide by Aug. 6 whether to put the proposed sales tax on the ballot.

Here's some of what they heard Wednesday night:

Bob Hassel of Western Hills: "To lose both these places would be a tragedy of the greatest severity. There's a history here. You can't rebuild these things. Let us do it."

Ann Becker of West Chester Township: "Take Music Hall out of the deal. Music Hall has never been supported by Hamilton County. The city of Cincinnati should play a much greater role in the project. Cincinnati needs to pay their fair share ... and the users need to pay their fair share. The current plan is out of balance."

Delaney Smith of Indian Hill: "As a former youth orchestra member ... every time in the middle of the concert I'd have a moment where I thought, 'Wow, I'm playing on the stage of Music Hall.' This is the real value of places like Music Hall and Union Terminal: Their ability to awe and inspire. This tax would fund more than renovations. It would fund passion and inspiration for years to come."

Ryan Rybolt of Sharonville: "My wife and I share these experiences with our two daughters. Like generations before us, our responsibility is to preserve these few remaining assets. We're collectively responsible for these assets."

Jeff Capell of Blue Ash: He proposed dropping Music Hall from the plan, asking the city and patrons for more and asking Hamilton County taxpayers for less. "Do you want to do it fast or do you want to do it right? There are many reasons Music Hall should be dropped. It has no history with the county, like Union Terminal does. And it serves a much wealthier clientele."

Gary Huffman, CEO of Ohio National Financial Services: "Normally, I'm opposed to tax increases. I see this as an investment in the economic vitality of our community. This is where we work, play, grow, spend and renew. This is where our children learn what community and excellent mean."

Dan Regenold: "We do not believe the plan is fair to Hamilton County. This plan requires a whopping nine to 10 years to complete. It just doesn't seem fair. It just doesn't seem balanced."

Mark Schlachter: "No matter who holds the title to the structure, they are truly the property of the citizens of this community. This is neither a city or county issue. This is a regional issue. The sales tax should be placed on the ballot so the voters of Hamilton County can decide."

Dennis Harrington of Cincinnati: "It's easy to forget in this debate the organizations that bring these buildings to life (the opera, symphony, ballet, May Festival and Cincinnati Museum Center). They also employ a lot of people. These two buildings provide an incredible economic impact."