Campy's Editorial Page 

January 21st, 2000

By: Matthew McGowan

    Working downtown gives you an unique perspective on many of the matters facing Cincinnati today.  From our doorstep you can see the construction of Paul Brown Stadium, as well as the reconstruction of Ft. Washington Way.  There is one matter, however, which most people are not aware of, and it's potential impact on our city is far greater than that of either project mentioned above.  That issue is the proposed expansion of the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center.

    Many people question the need for the expansion.  With all the current traffic headaches downtown, who can blame them.  Nobody wants to see more construction, and everyone is sick of seeing tax money squandered on city council's pet projects.  Even the mayor is saying the project may need to be downsized because we can't afford it.  He of all people should know that we can't afford to not do it.

    The fact is, Cincinnati has lost a lot of convention business over the past five years.  Small to mid-level conventions have been diverted to the more modern facilities in Sharonville and Northern Kentucky.  Other groups which have increased in size are moving to the larger Convention Centers in Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Columbus.  This loss of convention dollars has a direct effect on almost every business in downtown Cincinnati, including ours.  The city and county also feel the pinch in lost tax revenue. (Which means they probably will make up for the loss by raising local taxes.)  Right now, it is a no-win situation.

    Downtown Cincinnati is undergoing a major facelift in hopes of re-establishing itself as a major metropolitan city.  Part of doing this requires attracting as many visitors as possible.  An expanded convention center will do more to accomplish that goal than a new football stadium ever will.  Maybe the increase in visitors could even help fill that new stadium.  At least then Hamilton County taxpayers won't have to pay for all the tickets that the Bengals' don't sell.  

    In fact, if the city really needs money for the project, maybe Mike Brown should be asked to ante up.  With those first few seasons of guaranteed sellouts he was promised in his deal with the county, he should be able to spare a few million.  Since he has trouble fielding a competitive football team, this could be the perfect opportunity for him to give something positive back to the community.

Previous Editorial

Downtown Parking (December 1999)