The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Bethany Station project will need $12M-$14M, plus operating funds

Area entrepreneurs take lead role for small business owners
Updated 3 min. ago
Students injured after truck hits school bus
Updated 6 min. ago
Contech changes name, ownership structure
1:30 p.m.
Alleged shooter indicted on murder charge
12:58 p.m.
Kasich: Education will lead to new jobs
8:52 a.m.
> More headlines

By Dave Greber, Staff Writer 7:07 PM Friday, May 29, 2009

Renovating West Chester Twp.’s 1940s-era former Bethany Station could bring an estimated 30,000 visitors at its peak and $1.7 million annually to the area once construction is complete later this year, officials told trustees last week.

The $12 million to $14 million project looks to turn the former Voice of America Bethany Station — a landmark that spread messages of democracy throughout the world for more than five decades via shortwave radio — into The National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting.

A capital campaign to raise the funds for rehabilitation is expected to kick off later this year, according to Bill Zerkle, of the museum’s executive board.

But the project is largely dependant on the economy, which would make a capital campaign — necessary to raise the money for the renovation — difficult at this time, Zerkle said. The board has also been advised to open the facility all at once — instead of in phases as the work is completed — meaning they’re looking at 2011 as a “hopeful” timeline for a public showing.

The board will also be seeking additional sources of income — an estimated $360,000 — through memberships, fundraisers, space rental and federal, state and local grants for its annual operation.

Once complete, visitors will be able to walk through the history of broadcasting, including the role which the Bethany Station played in World War II and the events leading to the Cold War; a grand concourse that features the story of “America’s Voice”; a restored 1940s-era control room; the role Cincinnati played in early broadcasting; gift shop, eatery and more.

Because of its location, West Chester Twp. officials have been asked to sign off on the project. Trustees are also expected to consider dispensing grants and paying for the cost of a consultant to facilitate the capital campaign, a decision that could be made in the coming weeks.

Trustees also heard from the project’s architect, who will spearhead the renovation to the building’s exterior.

The $1.3 million exterior work — including a new parking lot, landscaping and roadway improvements — is expected to go out to bid next month and could be complete in the next six to seven months, township officials said.

On Tuesday, May 26, trustees decided against moving forward at this time with providing the museum board with a consultant to act as a grant writer on the renovation.

The $25,000 annual cost of the consultant was not factored into this year’s budget, so the township would have to find another source to cover the part-time position’s salary.

Trustee George Lang suggested diverting future income from the township’s recycling program that helps fund the community’s bike trails, but Stoker and Trustee Lee Wong disagreed.

Instead trustees accepted the museum board’s business plan and directed Administrator Judi Boyko to work with the board to create contract expectations for the facility.

Lang also requested Boyko and other staff to investigate other sources of revenue to potentially help fund a consultant for the museum board.

Share this article