Council reallocates FY26 Riverfront Transit Center funds to Cincinnati Art Museum maintenance

CINCINNATI ' The Budget & Finance Committee approved a council motion to move fiscal 2026 funds originally slated for preliminary work on the Riverfront Transit Center to the Cincinnati Art Museum to address deferred maintenance.

The motion was introduced by Councilmember Seth Walsh. Administration staff told the committee the Riverfront Transit Center allocation for FY26 would have been used for preliminary design work to investigate beams beneath Second Street. Officials said Metro operates and maintains parts of the transit center but the city retains responsibility for the asset and any structural work.

Museum representatives told the committee the Cincinnati Art Museum has approximately $200,000 in an active capital account and previously allocated capital dollars that have been administratively difficult to spend; they said the museum's deferred-maintenance backlog is "well north" of $12 million and that city funds would allow faster remedial work on public-facing areas including a stabilization project referenced during the hearing.

The committee recorded a roll-call vote and the motion passed. After committee discussion, the administration and museum indicated they would work together to improve procurement paths so museum-allocated funds could be spent more quickly.

Councilmember Walsh said the Riverfront Transit Center item lacked sufficient documentation for immediate FY26 spending, while museum advocates argued the facility needs urgent repair and city funds would be used for stabilization and other public-facing maintenance.

The transfer will be reflected in ordinance language presented to full council at the follow-up meeting Wednesday.