Efforts are underway to raise the money needed to renovate Music Hall. The project can move forward now that the revitalization company and the City of Cincinnati have signed a 75 year lease.
We don't have all the details on what the 95-million dollar renovation will include, but Music Hall Revitalization Company Chairman Otto M. Budig said it contains the wow factor. Budig said it will focus on a more comfortable seating arrangement, greater accessibility and expanded restroom capacity. The renovation has been scaled back 70 million and Budig stresses all the money has to be raised before the project will begin. He would not give a timetable.
"We are committed to doing this project right as opposed to finishing it quickly."
Once the money is in place he says Music Hall will be closed 17 months to do the work. President and CEO of Downtown Cincinnati Inc., David Ginsburg is looking forward to it.
"This is iconic. This is important. It's been in the news for a long time and the team and the agreement with the city now gives us confidence that this will be here for our children and our children's children."
The revitalization company will announce more specific renovation and funding details in the first quarter of next year.
(Otto Budig is a member of the Cincinnati Public Radio board of directors.)
