Middletown River Center : "Among the possible sponsorship...

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 13:01:01 +0000

Author: VietVet
Subject: 6438
Posted: Mar 13 2017 at 1:01pm

"Among the possible sponsorship possibilities include naming rights for the entire facility or for various components of the facility such as having the conference room, education office, the welcome center, or terrace, according to MetroParks. The approximate values for these naming rights range from $30,000 to $250,000"

Gotta have a welcome center, a terrace and an educational office. That's a given.

Should be no problem for the high rollers in the Middletown area to foot the bill for this, right? Surely we will hear from the S. Main St crowd as they continue their support of their downtown area. Perhaps we can get the downtown arts community to offer to pay for this as well as it will only enhance their downtown investments, and, after all, does have the potential of creating a larger customer base. How about those council members who have done the rubber stamp two step in approving anything and everything thrown at them toward the downtown efforts. Surely they will contribute a significant amount to this undertaking as well. How about Cincy State? They have a stake in the downtown health too and the PAC people, who owe the taxpayers their very existence as they built them a brand new studio building to apply their trades.

"MetroParks also offers other proposed sponsorship opportunities available and costs vary depending on size and complexity. Those items include a splash pad for $250,000; an observation deck for $50,000 to $250,000; interpretive displays for $5,000; a sculpture for about $25,000; benches for $2,000; table and chairs for $4,000; canoe/kayak racks for $4,000; bike racks for $500; bike lockers that store two bikes for $2,500; and a paver patio for about $50,000 or about $20 per square-foot."

Very reasonable costs for these items.....

Perhaps we could do another "paver stone with your name on it for a buck or two" program just like the Bicentennial Commons did. That worked out fairly well didn't it?

So, we have a 1.2 million dollar project that requires up front money before the state will reimburse the money donors. What about procuring the donor money aspect of the project before anticipating the actual design and building of the project? Might be all in vain if there isn't enough donor support and therefore no state money given.

Another concern comes to mind about this idea. Given the location along the river and in close proximity to the downtown area, and knowing the type of "drug usage/prostitution nightlife" that has historically been reported around downtown, how long does one anticipate keeping this facility looking "intriguing" to everyone concerned?

Just seems to have a possibility to garner an attraction factor to those other than for it's intended use and might just develop into a "frequent call to police" as to criminal behavior. Just trying to anticipate the worst knowing the history of the criminal element of this city.

Middletown River Center : MetroParks seeks sponsors for Middletown...

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 11:10:54 +0000

Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 6438
Posted: Mar 13 2017 at 11:10am

MetroParks seeks sponsors forMiddletown River Center

Ed Richter Staff Writer

8:00a.m. Monday, March 13, 2017 Middletown

MIDDLETOWN

For about$1.3 million, someone can have the naming rights for the new River Centerrecreational facility that is currently being designed.

MetroParks ofButler County released various sponsorship opportunities for the $1.2 millionproject on the Great Miami River in Middletown.The county-wide park district furthers its mission by offering sponsorshipopportunities through monetary or in-kind support for programs, services orfacilities.

MORE: Park projects planned in FairfieldTwp., Middletown

Among thepossible sponsorship possibilities include naming rights for the entirefacility or for various components of the facility such as having theconference room, education office, the welcome center, or terrace, according toMetroParks. The approximate values for these naming rights range from $30,000 to$250,000.

MetroParksalso offers other proposed sponsorship opportunities available and costs varydepending on size and complexity. Those items include a splash pad for$250,000; an observation deck for $50,000 to $250,000; interpretive displaysfor $5,000; a sculpture for about $25,000; benches for $2,000; table and chairsfor $4,000; canoe/kayak racks for $4,000; bike racks for $500; bike lockersthat store two bikes for $2,500; and a paver patio for about $50,000 or about$20 per square-foot.

The proposedSponsorship Opportunities for the River Center were shared forinformational purposes with the MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners at theirmeeting last month.

KellyBarkley, senior manager of community relations for MetroParks, said, “thesponsorship opportunities included in the package are best estimate costs forthe various items available to sponsor.”

She said theitems and package do not require specific approval from the board as they wereconsistent with the board-approved Sponsorship Guidelines.

Barkley saidthe facility is now in the design phase and said MetroParks hopes to send outrequests for proposals for the project in July. She said MetroParks is hopingto begin construction this fall with the project being completed during thesecond quarter of 2018.

The $1.2million River Center is envisioned to as a hub forthose who walk, run and bike along the regional recreational/bike trail that ismanaged by MetroParks. When that is completed, trail users will be able toaccess businesses in downtown Middletown.The planned facility will include public restrooms in addition to meeting andeducational spaces. It will also serve as home base for the MetroParksvolunteer Trail Ambassador Program and as a substation for MetroParks publicsafety staff.

Barkley saidfinal design work is being completed on the $1.2 million River Centerand financing options are currently being pursued. The project received a $1million State Capital Improvement Project grant in February 2015.

“The way thatthe State Capital Budget projects work is that the entity completing the projectmust pay for the work, then submit documentation to be reimbursed for theexpenses by the state,” she said in an email response. “Additionally, the statehas not yet released the funds for the reimbursement. The project is movingforward as expected at this point.”

Middletown Forum : Middletown River Center

Middletown River Center : "Among the possible sponsorship...

Middletown River Center : MetroParks seeks sponsors for Middletown...

MetroParks seeks sponsors forMiddletown River Center