Some of the deteriorating walls at the Cincinnati Union Terminal. Restoration is set to be complete in the fall of 2018.

Advertisement Union Terminal supporters 'cautiously optimistic' about Issue 8's approval Issue 8 relates to .25 cent sales tax increase over 5 years Share Shares Copy Link Copy

As early voting begins, the early words from backers of the sales tax increase for the Museum Center at Union Terminal are "cautiously optimistic.”They sense public support for the more than $200 million worth of repairs, but are not taking anything for granted.Watch this storyThere are free tours this month to view the deteriorating space, something the 1.2 million annual visitors never see. Patrons would never know the historic structure needs major repair work, judging from the public space.On the third floor, right behind the north side of the mural to American labor there is a long, significant crack.Right across from it on an exterior wall, decades worth of water damage deliver falling plaster with regularity."You can see how porous it is,” said Steve Terheiden, who is the senior director of Facility Operations.Mark Watkins produced a video about the restoration work so far. It is shown on one of the screens in the rotunda as part of the campaign to pass a quarter-cent, five-year sales tax to pay for the rest of the repairs.The repairs are considerable, according to Union Terminal officials.Several buckets are clustered in one hallway to catch the steady drip of water from a flat roof that was redone just a few years ago."Most of this water that you see now is literally coming through the roof,” said Terheiden. "It's coming through the masonry that's abutting or adjoining all that roof area."The Cultural Facilities Task Force had wanted both Music Hall and the Museum Center to benefit from a sales tax initiative.A majority of the Hamilton County Commission balked and decided the tax hike would apply to the Museum Center or nothing at all.The private fundraising plan for Music Hall is a work in progress, but any private money raised is contingent on the passage of Issue 8.The $172 million generated by the tax would go exclusively for repairs at The Museum Center.The tax would add two cents to every $10 purchase anyone makes in Hamilton County.Elizabeth Pierce, vice president of marketing and communications for Union Terminal, said, "Forty-seven percent of sales tax is paid by people who live outside Hamilton County. So it's a really nice way to engage the regional economy in supporting Union Terminal."On Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. the National Trust for Historic Preservation will set up shop on Fountain Square to launch a "Yes On 8" Action Center. Sharing a story about Union Terminal will be encouraged.The next free tour of the building's repair needs is Saturday at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.The public will be able to see things like rusted steel lintels that are bulging the exterior bricks on the north roof.If nothing is done the building will fall apart and the clock is ticking, according to Terheiden."You know, how much time?" Terheiden asked rhetorically. "You want to put a date on it? It's hard to say. But, that's going to fall down and land on this roof at some point."There's 504,000 square feet of space at Union Terminal.There is no organized opposition to Issue 8 as of yet.The tax watchdog group known as COAST is neutral on the issue at the moment. The organization plans to meet next Tuesday night to discuss the issue.There will be an event Thursday night on Fountain Square to build support for the campaign.