1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,200 Speaker 1: Don't want to be an Americandi. 2 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:04,800 Speaker 2: There we go back half the week, get effect here 3 00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:08,920 Speaker 2: seven hundred wlwt in the weather looking good. No, but 4 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:12,879 Speaker 2: there are some storm clouds right now over the top 5 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 2: of city Hall. So the city comes out with a servi. 6 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:19,160 Speaker 2: They ask Cincinnatians what do you like? What do you dislike? 7 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:22,639 Speaker 2: And it came out that Cincinnatis are frustrated. We've got potholes, 8 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 2: we've got bad roads, we got rising crime, at least 9 00:00:25,320 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 2: the perception of violence downtown and elsewhere, shootings at Riverfront 10 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:31,280 Speaker 2: Live and beyond. We've got quality of life that is 11 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:34,640 Speaker 2: not so good. And in light of that, council just 12 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 2: voted by the narrowest of margins to spend eight million 13 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 2: dollars on River Bend two point zero anyway, And the 14 00:00:42,240 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 2: sponsor that bill joins the show now on seven hundred 15 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 2: w that would be Anna Alby, who is in the 16 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 2: bunker right now. She's in the bunker. There's incoming flak 17 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 2: from her own party. She's under fire. She's under fire. Anna, 18 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:56,160 Speaker 2: I'll be welcome to the show. How are you hey? 19 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 1: Good morning, good morning. I appreciate that opting to be 20 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 1: here today about this great new music venue. We're going 21 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:04,559 Speaker 1: to get in Cincinnati, all. 22 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 2: Right, So let's begin with that. There were I mentioned 23 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 2: the eight economic indicators suggested a fewer people visited downtown 24 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:14,040 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty five over twenty twenty four. Could that 25 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:14,800 Speaker 2: be the economy? 26 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:15,040 Speaker 1: Sure? 27 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:17,080 Speaker 2: Could it be the crime spike and the perception that 28 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:21,399 Speaker 2: Cincinnati is dystopian from the suburban nights, that you need 29 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:23,960 Speaker 2: to come in every so often and pay for stuff 30 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 2: through the form of taxes. A bus ridership dropped in 31 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 2: the core weekdays are down street cars down Bank's amenity 32 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 2: fever at their revenue dropped eleven percent year over year. 33 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 2: Certainly the hamlet County South tex grew six percent, but 34 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:41,440 Speaker 2: it didn't appear to reach downtown businesses. So people in residence. 35 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:44,199 Speaker 2: You asked the survey and the number roads number one 36 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 2: among the thirteen city services, and it was dead last 37 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:50,720 Speaker 2: and satisfaction. We're going to see, as you know, with 38 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 2: the snow now gone, it's pothole hell in Cincinnati. We're 39 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:56,360 Speaker 2: about ten years behind fixing this whole thing. But that's 40 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:58,760 Speaker 2: the truth. The optics are that you guys are taking 41 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 2: money to spa on a music venue and not take 42 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 2: care into the roads. How do you defend that. 43 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 1: Uh, well, we so thank you for bringing up the survey. 44 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: I do want to also highlight, you know, last year 45 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:11,919 Speaker 1: was an interesting time because the Convention Center was also construction, 46 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:15,320 Speaker 1: so under construction. So hoping now that that's up and 47 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 1: running and you know, well and in a couple of 48 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:20,240 Speaker 1: years here at the hotel back online. These are the 49 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 1: types of investments a city really needs to make to 50 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 1: make sure that we do have that exciting urban core 51 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 1: that people have something to come down to and spend 52 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:30,800 Speaker 1: their money at. So these are all big investments that 53 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:35,519 Speaker 1: we make at the city. And so this the next venue, 54 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:37,720 Speaker 1: the Farmer Music Center with River Bend two point zero, 55 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:39,480 Speaker 1: whatever you want to call it, is going to be 56 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:43,320 Speaker 1: one of those big marquee attractions. You know, I'm absolutely 57 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 1: throughout the previous River Bend, which I think we all 58 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:51,560 Speaker 1: knew and loved and I spent many well that I mean, 59 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:53,919 Speaker 1: I've got some good, good memory from Warp Tour back 60 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:58,799 Speaker 1: in the day. But you won. Yeah, it was out 61 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 1: out of the out the city of Cincinnati was in 62 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:04,040 Speaker 1: you know, Anderson. The new Farmer Center is going to 63 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:06,920 Speaker 1: Music Center is going to be in the city, which 64 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: means we are going to benefit from earning stacks, so 65 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 1: when people are working jobs there, but then also the 66 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:16,919 Speaker 1: emission stack, the pickettack, so as musical acts and attractions 67 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:19,480 Speaker 1: are putting on performance there, the city of Cincinnati gets 68 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 1: this slice of that. And so looking at this is 69 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 1: a huge investment for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. The one 70 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:30,600 Speaker 1: hundred and sixty million dollar price tag for this new 71 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 1: facility here, and it's gonna be great the city of Cincinnati. 72 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 1: We're putting an eight million We are going to earn 73 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 1: those dollars back in like five years, and then we 74 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 1: are one to continue to make that money for the 75 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 1: rest of the life of this venue. And that's strep 76 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:49,560 Speaker 1: dollars into the city budget, right. And on top of that, 77 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 1: you've got to quote economic impact, which the indicators show 78 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:57,080 Speaker 1: that we're expecting one hundred million dollars of economic impact. 79 00:03:57,160 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 1: So to your kind of key up around people coming 80 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 1: down town, I know this is a quite downtown Cincinnati, 81 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 1: and visitors are going to stay at our hotels, go 82 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 1: to our restaurants, visit our small businesses, go to our 83 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:12,520 Speaker 1: museum center. Do all of those things that I love 84 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 1: about Cincinnati. 85 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:16,680 Speaker 2: One may ask, though an all but is that okay, 86 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:18,880 Speaker 2: it's not like this is a brand new bill. Now 87 00:04:18,920 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 2: you're making it bigger and better and better, absolutely, and 88 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:23,240 Speaker 2: which is way overneeded because you go and you look, 89 00:04:23,279 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 2: it looks kind of tired in there. It's still a 90 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:28,159 Speaker 2: great quest. Yeah, you get a great, great play. You know, 91 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 2: the bathrooms are hard to get to and and uh, 92 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:32,880 Speaker 2: it needs it needs a little jugien up. There's not 93 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:35,120 Speaker 2: even the River Bend. People say that I and it's 94 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:37,320 Speaker 2: such a crown jewel. You're right about keeping that going. 95 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 2: But I guess the question I would have is this 96 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 2: is not a new bill. This is not new revenue coming. 97 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:43,919 Speaker 2: And maybe slightly if you had a more stage and 98 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 2: more many of these maybe get bigger action. But you're 99 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:49,720 Speaker 2: saying that this is going to be a big boon 100 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 2: to the economy. But the boon's already there, isn't it. 101 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:54,640 Speaker 2: I mean, you may see a little bit of an 102 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:56,440 Speaker 2: increase in revenue, but it ain't. It's not going to 103 00:04:56,480 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 2: be like new revenue because River Bends already existing. 104 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 1: It's a new stage. So the River Bend that you 105 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:04,760 Speaker 1: and I know and love is going offline, and the 106 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 1: Farmer Music Center is going to be a new State, 107 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 1: a new amphitheater with seating for up to twenty thousand people. 108 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:15,200 Speaker 1: I don't know the exact seating of Old River Bend, 109 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:17,480 Speaker 1: but I know this is going to be larger, and 110 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: that means you can attract bigger acts, right, more people 111 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 1: coming to putting Cincinnati on their summer tour lineup. I mean, 112 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:26,600 Speaker 1: I can't tell you how many times I go to 113 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:29,040 Speaker 1: look up a favorite artist in the nearest place they 114 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 1: are is Columbus or Lobo or Indianapolis. Right, So we 115 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 1: can have the opportunity here to be that summer destination 116 00:05:36,440 --> 00:05:38,400 Speaker 1: for those summer acts that are going on tour. 117 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 2: I guess the pushback there would be kind of a 118 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 2: little bit about this with you know, Live Nation, Ticketmaster 119 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:45,000 Speaker 2: and all those things are into the business. Anna, is 120 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 2: that the problem that I hear from promoters is that 121 00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 2: the big acts and I'm talking like you know, the 122 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:54,320 Speaker 2: Foo Fighter stuff like that, right, big big acts beyond it, 123 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 2: they want one hundred percent of the gate. The problem 124 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:57,920 Speaker 2: is the deal is that MEBI takes like thirty five 125 00:05:57,920 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 2: percent off the top, and that's why they go to 126 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 2: other states, not here. Not all the reasons, but one 127 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:05,640 Speaker 2: of the main reasons, how does that remedy this, Hey, 128 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:06,599 Speaker 2: I don't. 129 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 1: I don't know about me and ized revenue stream exact. 130 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:12,360 Speaker 1: I don't know the details there. But when you're talking 131 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:15,600 Speaker 1: about acts that day, right, Beyonce can Philip hey Court, right, 132 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:19,160 Speaker 1: Taylor Swift effect, and I think we would all love 133 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:22,160 Speaker 1: for a Beyonce concert here, right, So then you're in 134 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 1: a difference. 135 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:26,119 Speaker 2: I mean, I guess we're of a stadium like Taylor Swift. 136 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:28,600 Speaker 2: But the point is that if they're taking a more 137 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 2: than a third off the top and the premioer's like, well, 138 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:31,880 Speaker 2: we want one hundred percent of the gate for the 139 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:34,320 Speaker 2: bigger X. Is that why we don't get the bigger AX? 140 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 2: Is that a question you asked? 141 00:06:37,040 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 1: There are so many acts though that that aren't the 142 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 1: Beyonces of the world, that we still want to come here. 143 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 1: This will be a destination. Uh. And honestly, like, there 144 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:49,479 Speaker 1: is nothing better than enjoying a wonderful summer day watching 145 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 1: musical acts. It's one of my favorite things. And to 146 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:56,160 Speaker 1: be able to be also a home for the Cincinnati 147 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:59,720 Speaker 1: Symphony Orchestra, the opera, the ballet hopefully. I don't know 148 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:03,360 Speaker 1: if you remember this, but during COVID times, the Opera 149 00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:05,960 Speaker 1: did performances outside in a park way up in Blue 150 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,600 Speaker 1: ash and I fall carmon there and to this day 151 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 1: my favorite performance at the opera. It was just you 152 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:15,080 Speaker 1: take this art form that usually kind of in music 153 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 1: hall and kind of has that got ro to it 154 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:21,000 Speaker 1: and brought it to the people, you know, on lawn chairs, 155 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 1: and it was one of the most fun actidomies. That's 156 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 1: the type of potential. 157 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 2: I don't know if the model is though, that we're 158 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:28,200 Speaker 2: going to see the bigger acts because of the way 159 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 2: the revenue stream, the way of the revenue sharing works. 160 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 2: And I'll be council member who sponsored a resolution to 161 00:07:34,520 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 2: take eight million dollars and I would say fairly an investment, 162 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 2: not just giving an eight million dollar grant, but she 163 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 2: expects a five year return on that investment and then 164 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 2: in perpetuity. And this has got to get done as 165 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 2: part of the twenty twenty seven budget, which got told 166 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:51,560 Speaker 2: July first to get this done. So she seth Walsh, 167 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:54,560 Speaker 2: Nolan Owens and James all voting yes. The nose were 168 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 2: council members Jeffrey Kearney, Johnson, and Jeffrey Kramerding will be 169 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 2: on the show tomorrow to kind of respond to this 170 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 2: as well. On the no side of this thing, we 171 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 2: do you face a thirty five million dollar general fund deficit, 172 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:08,160 Speaker 2: the eight million would come from a separate budget. I 173 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 2: think there's a distinction there that that is emphasized. But 174 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 2: at the same time, I know the mayor came at 175 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:15,960 Speaker 2: you pretty hard yesterday during the meeting and impressed you 176 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 2: on what the actual funding app is and specifically why 177 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 2: eight million dollars in the project is the project game 178 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:25,239 Speaker 2: to perceived because you're still like one hundred million short. 179 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 1: Right, great question, Yeah, this is you know, this is 180 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 1: a big project. The full all in press stag is 181 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:33,559 Speaker 1: one hundred and sixty millions. But along the way there 182 00:08:33,559 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 1: are key milestones the CSO needs to meet the keep 183 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:40,480 Speaker 1: construction going so it can actually open on time. The 184 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:43,400 Speaker 1: goal is to open this venue spring twenty twenty seven, 185 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:45,720 Speaker 1: so we got like what twelve to fourteen months here 186 00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:49,320 Speaker 1: to get it done. So you know, this eight million 187 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 1: helps get to that next key funding milestone to make 188 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 1: sure that construction is ongoing because you see you also 189 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 1: probably saw this week the latest reports on the cost 190 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 1: of the Brent Spence Bridge. Yeah, right, when these things 191 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:04,920 Speaker 1: drag out costs. Just the loon they get bigger and bigger, right, 192 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: So being able to get this money early and make 193 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 1: sure the process is going is so vital. And we 194 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:13,360 Speaker 1: talk about that all the time at city Hall. We 195 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 1: hear over and over time as money time is money, 196 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 1: time is money. And in this case, you know, we're 197 00:09:17,640 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 1: not talking about housing development or convention center bridge. We're 198 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:25,800 Speaker 1: talking about a non profit that is bringing on this 199 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 1: nation leading you know, music venue, bringing that to our city. 200 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:33,439 Speaker 1: So we got to beither to help our art scene. 201 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 1: And it's just an extra bonus to me that it's 202 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 1: such a strong nonprofit leader with the Cincinna Symphony Orchestra. 203 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 2: Council member Analybe the city manager said, hey, listen, you 204 00:09:43,679 --> 00:09:46,160 Speaker 2: know what we I think the initial thing you said was, well, 205 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:48,280 Speaker 2: you know, the numbers look good, the profile and the 206 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:52,079 Speaker 2: city manager's office said, well, we didn't vet the finances, 207 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 2: we didn't look over this the numbers. We didn't analyze 208 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:56,360 Speaker 2: us and break it down to see if what you 209 00:09:56,440 --> 00:09:58,960 Speaker 2: were told is accurate. Not that you know you find 210 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,439 Speaker 2: information now, you're not an accountant, you're not the person's 211 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,240 Speaker 2: doing this. You demand reports, you look at them and 212 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 2: go this is a good investment for the city. The 213 00:10:05,440 --> 00:10:07,600 Speaker 2: city manager says, that didn't happen in this case. What's 214 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 2: the truth. 215 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:12,960 Speaker 1: So there were definitely conversations between the city and the CSO, 216 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 1: and you know, all the numbers that they're sharing with 217 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 1: us in terms of the total costs, how much they 218 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 1: fund raise, what the gap is, that's all accurate, and 219 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:23,440 Speaker 1: part of that is why to in the resolution, we 220 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:26,880 Speaker 1: had some very technical language that read that this allocation 221 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 1: will be contingent upon the administration's projects underwriting, standard review process, 222 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:35,120 Speaker 1: and other conditions appropriate and necessary to guarantee the completion 223 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 1: of the project. We want to make sure that these 224 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:39,800 Speaker 1: dollars from the city, they are taxpayer dollars, you know, 225 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:41,560 Speaker 1: are put to good youth. So we are going to 226 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 1: do all that due diligence, and yesterday's a resolution, right, 227 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:49,079 Speaker 1: it's basically a declaration from the City Cincinnati, led by 228 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:52,720 Speaker 1: five of my council member colleagues, to say this is 229 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 1: a worthwhile investment. The next steps is this is going 230 00:10:56,400 --> 00:11:00,040 Speaker 1: to be put into the budget priority motion that a 231 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:03,079 Speaker 1: County member Prime Meeting's office will will lead and then 232 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:05,720 Speaker 1: that will go to the city manager. The city manager 233 00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:07,880 Speaker 1: and that has a bunch of different priority areas. Right, 234 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 1: that's where we get to say how much money we 235 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:10,839 Speaker 1: want to spend on housing, how much we want to 236 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 1: spend on food access, right, all those things. City manner 237 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:17,400 Speaker 1: takes all that, puts together the budget and then that 238 00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:19,680 Speaker 1: will come back to the city Council after the mayor 239 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:22,959 Speaker 1: sees it in come June roughly, and that's when we'll 240 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:26,840 Speaker 1: vote on it officially. All right, those are out the door. 241 00:11:26,920 --> 00:11:28,760 Speaker 2: Okay, good, that's important to say. We just didn't give 242 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 2: eight million dollars. Say here you go. There's got to 243 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:34,000 Speaker 2: be metrics that are hit before that triggers the eight 244 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:35,880 Speaker 2: million dollars. 245 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 1: Correct, correct, yep, yep. And making sure we do all 246 00:11:38,760 --> 00:11:41,680 Speaker 1: that due diligence, make sure the contracting is done and 247 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 1: we have all those terms in that contract to ensure 248 00:11:44,679 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 1: that these tax dollars are protected and that we know 249 00:11:47,520 --> 00:11:49,680 Speaker 1: they are going to be put to good use. All right. 250 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:52,400 Speaker 2: So the client claim that there's no pro former here, 251 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:54,960 Speaker 2: meaning that no one has examined the numbers and kicked 252 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:57,160 Speaker 2: it around to see how accurate they are and if 253 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 2: indeed the eight million dollar investment will be turned in 254 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:03,360 Speaker 2: five six years. So the claim that the city's just 255 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:06,480 Speaker 2: handing out eight million dollars with no proformance? Is false? 256 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:10,079 Speaker 1: Correct? Right, that's what I want to say. 257 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:12,200 Speaker 2: All that worked, all right, you're doing all that stuff. 258 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:14,240 Speaker 2: This is just a peremptory vote. Okay, I got it. 259 00:12:14,280 --> 00:12:17,520 Speaker 2: So you know the other question I one may have 260 00:12:17,600 --> 00:12:19,480 Speaker 2: here too, is I heard this, and I think people 261 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:21,840 Speaker 2: hear this, and as you know, Anna, we hear headlines. 262 00:12:21,880 --> 00:12:23,880 Speaker 2: We don't hear that the in depth story, and I 263 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 2: think this is fair. Is you hear this and go okay, Well, 264 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:28,839 Speaker 2: they're giving out eight million dollars. The roads are falling apart, 265 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 2: crime is rising, the city's thirty five million dollars upside down, 266 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:34,640 Speaker 2: but we're giving a ready rich people eight million dollars. 267 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:36,800 Speaker 2: See this somehow gets cut to the front of the 268 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:39,120 Speaker 2: budget line, which is one of the cries effort from 269 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:41,200 Speaker 2: at least of other council members who voted against this 270 00:12:41,320 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 2: and said, how the hell did this get pushed to 271 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:45,200 Speaker 2: the top and it just kind of came out of nowhere? 272 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:48,480 Speaker 1: Is that true? No, We've been briefed on this for 273 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 1: the past year. We've known as coming for a long time, 274 00:12:51,720 --> 00:12:54,280 Speaker 1: that this project was coming, and you know, you mentioned 275 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:56,960 Speaker 1: briefly earlier, but just to clarify for your listeners. So, 276 00:12:57,000 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 1: the City Cincinnati or any government has two budgets, yeah, 277 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:03,640 Speaker 1: operating budget and a capital budget. The operating budget is 278 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:07,199 Speaker 1: like where people's salaries come out of, where we fund 279 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:10,600 Speaker 1: you know, various programs. So some of the food access 280 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:13,200 Speaker 1: work that I've done that comes out of the operating budget. 281 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:15,600 Speaker 1: The capital budget, right, those are for things that you 282 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 1: can see, touch, feel, right, the building stuff. We are 283 00:13:19,520 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 1: really grateful that when it comes to things like paving growths, 284 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:25,080 Speaker 1: we have those Cincion track dollars from selling the railroad 285 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:28,800 Speaker 1: and last year we allocated twenty million dollars for road repaving. 286 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:30,719 Speaker 1: This year we'll do twenty one millions. And you know 287 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 1: what we found out the city literally does not have 288 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 1: the capacity get those dollars out the door as fast 289 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:38,160 Speaker 1: as we are allocating them. And that came up this 290 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:42,199 Speaker 1: week when the Director of Transportation Engineering presented to council 291 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:45,480 Speaker 1: about his budget priorities going into this year, and you 292 00:13:45,559 --> 00:13:47,520 Speaker 1: heard a lot of us really hone in on the 293 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:51,200 Speaker 1: fact that in the resident survey, potholes was the number 294 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:54,760 Speaker 1: one concern, really closely by sidewalks, which is another passion 295 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:57,520 Speaker 1: area for me. And you heard him say that he's 296 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:01,199 Speaker 1: trying to shrink the process down for repaving roads from 297 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:06,000 Speaker 1: an eighteen month process down to twelve, right, so he 298 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:09,839 Speaker 1: literally does not have the capacity currently to pave the 299 00:14:09,920 --> 00:14:12,320 Speaker 1: roads as quickly as we are allocating money. So we 300 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: are putting the dollars there. The council has done our job, 301 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 1: and frankly, it is on the City Manager's office at 302 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 1: this point to improve their operational capacity to get those 303 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 1: dollars out the door. And that came up in her 304 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 1: city manager review. 305 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:28,320 Speaker 2: Well, this is we've known this. With the railroad money, 306 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 2: It's going to take you ten years just to catch up. 307 00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 2: That's how far that's how far behind we are in 308 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 2: repairing potholes and fix the streets. 309 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:38,800 Speaker 1: Yeah. Yes, and you know what, I'm mad that previous 310 00:14:38,960 --> 00:14:41,480 Speaker 1: you know, city councils didn't allocate the money that they 311 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 1: needed to along the way. Right this, the third maintenance 312 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 1: cost is a killer. We're paying playing catchup for decades 313 00:14:48,960 --> 00:14:52,240 Speaker 1: of neglect and it's frustrating. So, you know, I'm grateful 314 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 1: again to the residents and citizens of Cincinnati for voting 315 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:58,840 Speaker 1: for that really historic sale of the railroad that gives 316 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:01,520 Speaker 1: us the resources to we start digging our way out 317 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:02,160 Speaker 1: of that hole. 318 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:04,920 Speaker 2: Well, the fact that the matter of those anahobeous is 319 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:08,880 Speaker 2: you know this is a non binding this is non 320 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 2: biting vote anyway, So it's going to be voted on 321 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 2: as council as a hole. The Mayor and four other 322 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:15,120 Speaker 2: members of the nine on council are not fans of 323 00:15:15,120 --> 00:15:17,840 Speaker 2: this whole thing. They voted against it. The mayor really 324 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:20,160 Speaker 2: took you to task publicly yesterday. If you heard any 325 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:22,600 Speaker 2: of those cuts or saw any of the coverage here is. 326 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 1: That I lived it. 327 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, you lived it. He wanted. He was pretty tough 328 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:27,920 Speaker 2: on you, and you know you couldn't answer the basic 329 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:30,960 Speaker 2: question about what the funding gap is. Why eight million dollars, 330 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 2: whether the project proceeds about the city's money, is that 331 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:37,479 Speaker 2: why you did that? Four members of council voted against. 332 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 1: You on this. Hey, I want to be really clear. 333 00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 1: The total price tag is one hundred and sixty million. 334 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:45,760 Speaker 1: They are CSO is sitting at seventy six million in 335 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 1: hand now right, that is the funding gap. But there 336 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:51,600 Speaker 1: are key milestones along the way and we this eight 337 00:15:51,640 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 1: million will help them get to that next key milestone. 338 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:57,320 Speaker 1: They need to keep construction going and frankly, the mayor 339 00:15:57,320 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: has been briefed on that many times, just like I have. 340 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:02,600 Speaker 1: And we also know that the CFO, you know, is 341 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:05,320 Speaker 1: looking at state dollars, not just the state capital but 342 00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 1: you know, hopefully dollars get unlocked in that unclaimed funds 343 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:13,080 Speaker 1: application process is caught up in the courts now, but 344 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 1: that's another really great opportunity, and we really want to 345 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:18,960 Speaker 1: equip the cso to be able to go up there 346 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 1: make the best case that the city is on board. Like, 347 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:24,920 Speaker 1: it is wild to me that we are having arguments 348 00:16:24,920 --> 00:16:27,520 Speaker 1: about you know, process of you know, when when this 349 00:16:27,640 --> 00:16:30,520 Speaker 1: resolution was done versus not when we are talking about 350 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:33,200 Speaker 1: a major investment that's going to pay back, pay us 351 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 1: back in five years and those dollars, Just to be clear, 352 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:38,480 Speaker 1: we're making an investment out of those capital fund dollars, 353 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:41,680 Speaker 1: but the revenue we're getting back is into the operating fund, 354 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 1: which is what can go towards that deficit you've been 355 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:46,640 Speaker 1: alluding to the whole time, Right, So these are dollars 356 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:50,680 Speaker 1: coming back to address that thirty million dollar deficit back 357 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 1: to us. Right, We are going to get that money 358 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:56,040 Speaker 1: back in five within five years and then forever, I 359 00:16:56,080 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 1: mean I just don't know who looking at that says 360 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:00,560 Speaker 1: that that's, you know, not a great idea. 361 00:17:00,680 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 2: Well, there are a lot of questions. There's a lot 362 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:06,760 Speaker 2: of question marks there right. The Symphony said, seventy six 363 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:10,000 Speaker 2: percent of the funding secured. The Farmers gave sixty million dollars. 364 00:17:10,680 --> 00:17:15,200 Speaker 2: The Farmer Family Foundation did if the project already funded 365 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:17,399 Speaker 2: an under construction, people are going to whiz the eight 366 00:17:17,440 --> 00:17:20,400 Speaker 2: million dollars so urgent. Not only that, as I said, 367 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:22,720 Speaker 2: other members of council said, man, this is came like 368 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:24,800 Speaker 2: got pushed to the front of the pack with other 369 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:27,400 Speaker 2: budget issues and concerns there. And if I'm a voter, 370 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 2: I'm gonna put myself in the final I know we're 371 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:31,639 Speaker 2: runing late in I appreciate your time as always. If 372 00:17:31,680 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 2: I'm a voter, I'm hearing this thing and going, man, 373 00:17:33,600 --> 00:17:35,679 Speaker 2: this thing feels rush. You're giving eight million dollars to 374 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:38,879 Speaker 2: me me, and there's a lot of questions weren't unanswered. 375 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:41,159 Speaker 2: I think in the mind of not maybe all voters, 376 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:43,600 Speaker 2: but a voter may think, look, the city's handing out 377 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 2: eight million dollars with none of the big financial questions answered. 378 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:49,280 Speaker 2: The mayor is not happy about this. At least half 379 00:17:49,280 --> 00:17:53,199 Speaker 2: almost half a council is it looks to me like 380 00:17:53,320 --> 00:17:55,840 Speaker 2: this is PG sitting Feld, this is Jeff Pastor, this 381 00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:58,760 Speaker 2: is Ta Maya denied all over again. I'm not alleging you. 382 00:17:58,840 --> 00:18:01,000 Speaker 2: I don't think you're in on this, but I could 383 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:02,960 Speaker 2: see how a void er think. Are we just saying? 384 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 2: Is this just on the round of kickbacks coming towards 385 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 2: people because we're a little jada these days as voters 386 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:09,000 Speaker 2: about pop politics. Anny, you know what I'm. 387 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 1: Saying, I understand being jaded. I'm not going to take 388 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:16,800 Speaker 1: the date on that because I find the premise insulting. 389 00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:19,720 Speaker 1: But again, the urgency here is to make sure the 390 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:25,520 Speaker 1: construction can continue. Again, there is a real possibility that 391 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 1: if certain funding deadlines aren't hit, construction halts, and as 392 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:32,600 Speaker 1: I've said before, construction halts, costs go up, and we 393 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:35,440 Speaker 1: in any of those tax revenue dollars that we're looking 394 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:38,080 Speaker 1: forward to getting at the city, those are delayed another year, 395 00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:41,359 Speaker 1: two years, whatever that looks like. So the urgency is 396 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:43,119 Speaker 1: to make sure we can actually get this built and 397 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:45,720 Speaker 1: open in time. And by the way, next spring is 398 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:49,439 Speaker 1: right ahead, right before the summer concert series, right, you 399 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:52,360 Speaker 1: don't want to miss that you three month gap that's 400 00:18:52,359 --> 00:18:55,399 Speaker 1: going to bring in the most revenue from an outdoor venue. 401 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:58,639 Speaker 1: So that is the urgency. The urgency is real. I 402 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:01,119 Speaker 1: understand some of my colleagues didn't love love the process, 403 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:03,840 Speaker 1: but again, this will go through the budget process just 404 00:19:03,920 --> 00:19:06,919 Speaker 1: like everything else, and we will vote finally officially to 405 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:10,200 Speaker 1: approve those dollars int you with the rest of the budget. 406 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:12,920 Speaker 2: Well, again, this is not binding. It's gonna take some time. 407 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:15,120 Speaker 2: So everybody, just, you know, stop for a second. Let's 408 00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:17,480 Speaker 2: think about this. Because you know, you can fix potholes, 409 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:19,760 Speaker 2: you can hopefully solve crime, and you can walk and 410 00:19:19,840 --> 00:19:21,840 Speaker 2: chew gun them at the same time. And I think 411 00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:23,879 Speaker 2: a new river bed in newly imagined Riverbend is a 412 00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:26,639 Speaker 2: long time overdue, as we talked about it. It's just 413 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 2: like the timing is tough, I think for a lot 414 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:30,119 Speaker 2: of voters right now. And I know you appreciate that. 415 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 2: And I'll be all the best. Thanks for jumping on 416 00:19:31,920 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 2: the show this morning. We'll chat again soon. 417 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:35,600 Speaker 1: Be well. Take care, take care. 418 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:37,159 Speaker 2: We got to get a news update and she was 419 00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:40,560 Speaker 2: a little offended there about the kickback question, and I 420 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:42,000 Speaker 2: think I was fair in saying I don't think it's 421 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:44,200 Speaker 2: you or anything, but a voter could think that, Wait 422 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:46,720 Speaker 2: a minute, didn't we just go through this with city council. 423 00:19:47,560 --> 00:19:50,359 Speaker 2: We're getting projects stuff. I don't care. What was it 424 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:51,359 Speaker 2: with the Brady Center, right? 425 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:51,560 Speaker 1: Was it? 426 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:53,359 Speaker 2: Tamya Darren said, I don't care. This is a this 427 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:56,280 Speaker 2: is a music venue for white people, I believe, is 428 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:58,959 Speaker 2: what she said. If I'm not mistaken, I'll just I'll 429 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:01,280 Speaker 2: get the money and go on vacation, is what she did. 430 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:04,400 Speaker 2: Jeff Paster pg. Sittenval, of course, in his thing in court, 431 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:06,159 Speaker 2: are you thinking the same thing here? I mean, that 432 00:20:06,280 --> 00:20:07,840 Speaker 2: was like one of the first things I thought of, like, 433 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:10,159 Speaker 2: this thing's gonna come out of the blue. Didn't we 434 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:13,080 Speaker 2: just go through this a few years ago? And are 435 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:14,960 Speaker 2: you that jaded? Because I am. We'll talk about it 436 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:16,200 Speaker 2: next on the show seven hundred w