URGENT!
The Hamilton County Commissioners are holding public hearings and we need you to attend and speak out on behalf of our icons on Wednesday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sharonville Convention Center. If you're able to attend, please RSVP by clicking here.
 
Dear Friends,

As the discussion around the proposed quarter-cent Hamilton County sales tax levy to support the restoration, renovation and repair of Music Hall and Union Terminal continues, we are pleased to bring you the second in a series of communications. On Monday, we provided some context and information about the Cultural Facilities Task Force, an independent group of community leaders, making the levy proposal.
Please click here to review Monday's correspondence.
 

Representatives of the Task Force met with Hamilton County's Tax Levy Review Committee on Monday night and comprehensively addressed a number of questions, including what would happen if the proposed quarter-cent sales tax levy vote was delayed by a year.


As many of you know, the project to renovate Music Hall and Union Terminal has been delayed a number of times over the years. These projects are complex to say the least, and we are grateful to all of you who have kept the initiatives moving forward.
In 2012, another important step was taken when the City of Cincinnati agreed to lease Music Hall to the Music Hall Revitalization Company and commit $10 million toward the renovation project. Your vocal support to save Music Hall was critical then, and we need your support again for this next critical step for both Music Hall and Union Terminal.

Any delay to the quarter-cent sales tax levy vote will result in further delaying these important renovation projects-leading to further deterioration of our these icons, and, more importantly, also make the costs to renovate them considerably higher. For instance, the Cultural Facilities Task Force determined that
delaying by one year would result in:
  • $15 million in additional construction costs from inflation and deterioration;
  • $12 million (if interest rates go up even slightly) to $52 million if they increase a full percentage point; and
  • Loss of $32 million in private philanthropic contributions have been made contingent upon both Union Terminal and Music Hall being restored as a result of the Task Force's recommended path.
The construction, architectural and engineering experts of the Cultural Facilities Task Force have stated that is no chance further study will find cost reductions to justify further reviews and delays. They recommend very strongly, after eight months and more than 5,000 hours of careful study, that the quarter-cent sales tax levy be put to the voters this November.

As I stated Monday, it is important to share your support with the Hamilton County Commissioners.  Please contact the Hamilton County Commissioners with this simple message:
Thank them for their leadership in addressing these long-standing issues. 

Ask them to allow the citizens of Hamilton County the opportunity to vote on this proposed plan in November.

As an important reminder, the Hamilton County Commissioners are holding public hearings and we encourage you to attend and speak out on behalf of our icons, Music Hall and Union Terminal, at the next public meeting on
Wednesday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Cincinnati, OH 45246.This promises to be an informative session and your presence would be deeply appreciated. If you're able to attend, please RSVP by clicking here.

We will continue to send updates, and you're encouraged to visit the Save Our Icons website,
saveouricons.org.You can also text "Icons" to Cincy (24629) to get involved and get urgent updates and alerts via text. If you have questions about the process or the Music Hall project, please don't hesitate to ask us at info@saveouricons.org.

Thank you for your continued support!

 

Sincerely,
Trey Devey
President
Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra
May Festival
 
 
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