Ohio lawmakers increasingly skeptical of money for Riverbend 2.0

Local politicians often fight to get money for local projects. But in Greater Cincinnati, Statehouse politicians from both parties are working to halt money for a local concert venue.

At issue: Should a proposed "Riverbend 2.0" riverfront concert venue get money from a special state fund?

Bringing a new concert venue to Cincinnati would seem like a popular venture. But the project has been divisive because it's proposed for the site that once was a beloved amusement park and popular pool.

Leading the opposition is Save Coney Islanders, a group organized in the wake of the park's closing.

"I hear loud and clear that our community does not want funding to go to this project," said Rep. Rachel Baker, a Democrat from Anderson Township.

How much were backers seeking?

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, whose subsidiary bought Coney Island to expand its Riverbend concert venue, originally sought $20 million from the state, according to Baker. A Hamilton County task force made of business leaders and other officials vetting such request whittled it down to $16 million, Baker said.

What's happening at the Statehouse?

The project was initially allocated $8 million in the House from the "super duper fund," a one-time pot of $700 million for projects. (Each chamber of the General Assembly was given $350 million to hand out.)

The Senate gave no money to the project, following the wishes of callers to the state senator representing Coney Island, his aide told The Enquirer previously.

Now, lawmakers could lose part of its $8 million.

"Our delegation of Republicans representing Hamilton County have suggested diverting some of the $8 million so as to more fully fund our capital budget community projects – approximately $1.5 million," Rep. Bill Seitz, a Green Township Republican, told The Enquirer in a statement.

The budget bill is set to be finalized on Wednesday.

What is 'Riverbend 2.0'?

Riverbend 2.0 is a planned $118 million music venue and entertainment campus to be built in Anderson Township, on the site of the old Coney Island amusement park.

What happened to Coney Island?

Coney Island closed its gates to the public at the end of last year. The historic amusement park shut down its rides in 2019. Since, Coney Island had been used as a water park, with its main attraction being the home to the world's largest recirculating pool, the Sunlite Pool.

The land was sold to Music and Event Managment Inc, called MEMI, a nonprofit organization owned by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. MEMI owns and operates five venues in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton areas, including Riverbend and the Andrew J. Brady Music Center.

Save Coney Islanders want 'Sunlite Pool 2.0'

Save Coney Islanders is seeking to divert some of the state funding for its own project, Sunlite Pool 2.0. The group wants to make its own version of the Sunlite Pool, according to Victoria Vogelgesang, organizer of Save Coney Islanders.

According to Vogelgesang, members of the Save Coney Islanders bought the iconic waterslide, known as the Silver Bullet.

How far along is this plan for Sunlite 2.0?

The group acknowledges it has no land and little funding to get its project started.

How much could it cost?

The pool would cost $20 million, Vogelgesang estimated.

The group said it hopes to get state funding for the project, or to take money directly from MEMI. "They should be required to reinvest in Sunlite Pool 2.0," Vogelgesang said.

Another option for funding the Sunlite 2.0 projects is to create partnerships with nonprofits and local governments. Vogelgesang could not disclose which groups the Save Coney Islanders has contacted. The group also plans to apply for grant money to fund the pool.

So far, the group's GoFundMe page has received more than $7,000 in support, which has gone to buying advertising and to creating a documentary about Coney Island.

What does MEMI have to say about all this?

It's unclear how important the state money is to the project. MEMI officials did not return The Enquirer's four calls and email for requests to comment.

Where would 'Sunlite 2.0' be located?

In case MEMI, the organization behind Riverbend 2.0, has "second thoughts" about building the music venue, Vogelgesang said that the group wants the Sunlite to remain on its original site and are willing to repair the damage. However, MEMI has made clear it has no plans to stop the project.

Construction has started on Riverbend 2.0 and the original pool has been filled in with concrete, according to Save Coney Islanders member Nancy Flammer.

If not the original site, the group is also looking at properties in Anderson Township or near the site of the old Coney Island, including Beech Acres Park. However, no land has been purchased.

"We want a pool," said Flammer, resident of Anderson Township. "The need is still there."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Coney Island and Sunlite Pool: What's happening with Riverbend 2.0