Print - Freedom Center a priority Page 1 of 1 Print | X Close Window QT» THE ENQUIRER Last Updated: 5:52 am | Thursday, August 31,2008, Freedom Center a priority Area leaders ask state for $27M for 15 projects BY KIMBALL PERRY AND JON CRAIG | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERS ‘Area leaders have submitted a $27 milion wish list to Columbus - and the funding priority is getting money for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a key state lawmaker said Wednesday. “The number one priority in my mind would be the funding for the Freedom Center,” said State Rep. Tyrone K. Yates, D-Evanstor/East Walnut Hills Yates was referring to the local list of requested money from the 2006 State Capital Bill, which provides money for local building projects. The Cincinnati-area requests will be sent in a letter from local officials and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce. It seeks $27.25 million for 15 projects - nearly twice as much as all of Hamilton County got for state-funded projects in its last capital budget. ‘The most important to Yates, a member of the House Finance & Appropriations Committee, were $9.65 million for Hamilton County stadium funding and $2.85 million for the Freedom Center. In March, Yates warmed that the Freedom Center supporters “need to have a clear understanding of where the center is going, what its financial health was, what its financial future is.” Yates made those earlier comments, he said, because the Freedom Center officials said they would seek no more public money after getting $41 milion in public money toward its $110 million construction costs. Hamilton County built the $15 million platform and garage on which the center stands. After extensive lobbying by Freedom Center President Spencer Grew and CEO John Pepper, Yates thinks the center should get the requested $2.85 milion - as well as $10 million over the next five years. Yates will push to pay for the center's daily operations. Opened in August, 2004, the Freedom Center - dedicated to the fight to end slavery in the U.S. - has had financial problems. Itlost $5.5 million in its first 18 months and laid off workers last year. Yates also wants the state to pay $9.65 milion for Hamilton County stadium funding. Ten years ago, Ohio lawmakers pledged $81 milion toward the building of the two professional sports stadiums - but it came with a caveat: Future lawmakers, they noted, weren't bound by the agreement, E-mail kperry@enquirer.com Print | X Close Window | Copyright 2006, Enquirercom http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbes.dlV/article?AID=/2006083 | /NEWS01/608310335/1077&temp... 8/31/2006