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June 25,
2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Chad Mertz, (513) 287-7054, cmertz@cincymuseum.org
State Awards Museum Center Capital Funds
$2.5 Million for Restoration and Repair of Union Terminal
Cincinnati Museum Center is pleased to announce a $2.5 million award from
the State of Ohio. These funds, appropriated through the FY09-10 State
Capital Budget, will be used to help Museum Center renovate and restore
its home, historic Union Terminal.
"Funds from the State of Ohio are deeply appreciated and particularly
important," said Museum Center President/CEO Douglass W. McDonald.
"The restoration project of Union Terminal is immense in scope, and
this state award can help to leverage other monies for this important
endeavor."
This year, Museum Center is celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Union
Terminal. This nationally recognized architectural icon is a State and
National Historic Landmark.
In 2006, Museum Center undertook a master building assessment, as well
as a strategic visioning process. These plans were concluded in 2007 and
over the next several years will help to direct Museum Center through:
· Major building preservation
· Exhibit revitalization
· Larger community development initiatives
The first phase of Union Terminal preservation will address the following:
· Exterior Building Envelope (windows and flat roofs)
· Building Systems and Infrastructure (HVAC, chillers, security)
· Interior Architecture
· Dalton Street Underpass and Fountain
· Green Design Initiatives
The last real renovation of Union Terminal was initiated in 1989, for
the purpose retrofitting a multi-museum complex in the historic building.
Almost 20 years later, many of the original 1933 systems are still in
use. In addition, many of the 1989 installations have since exceeded their
life span. Several historic spaces, which were not addressed in 1989,
are in serious disrepair.
As a steward of Union Terminal, Cincinnati Museum Center has undertaken
the responsibility of restoring this icon to ensure that future generations
will have access to the landmark.
In addition, the State of Ohio awarded $150,000 to pave driveways for
Cincinnati Museum Center's new education and research facility in Adams
County. The Eulett Center at the Richard and Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia
Preserve opened in April. The 13,000 acre preserve is co-owned and -managed
by Cincinnati Museum Center and The Nature Conservancy of Ohio.
With more than one million visitors each year, Museum Center is the top
cultural attraction in Cincinnati and the most visited museum complex
in the State of Ohio. Currently, Museum Center hosts more than 700 private
events each year and the renovation of the building will provide additional
rentable, revenue generating space for the institution.
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is home
to 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. It is a nationally
recognized educational and research resource and one of the top cultural
attractions in the Midwest. Cincinnati Museum Center serves more than
one million visitors annually, reaching out to almost 400,000 young people
through hands-on exhibits and programs. Originally built in 1933 as the
Union Terminal train station, the building is a national historic landmark
and was renovated and reopened as Cincinnati Museum Center in 1990. For
information, call (513) 287-7000 or 1-800-733-2077 or visit www.cincymuseum.org.
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