Hamilton Co. Commissioners Say No To FC Cincinnati Stadium

By Travis Thayer Hamilton Co. Commissioners have rejected a proposal to assist FC Cincinnati with the construction of a brand-new soccer specific stadium. Rendering courtesy FC Cincinnati. (Hamilton County, Oh.) – Hamilton County Commissioners are saying “NO” to aiding FC Cincinnati with their efforts to build a new soccer specific stadium. On Tuesday, FC Cincinnati General Manager Jeff Berding announced that the club would 100 percent privately fund the construction of a brand-new $200 million soccer specific stadium that would go in Oakley or on the west side The club, which has aspirations of moving up to Major League Soccer, is required to own their own stadium in order to be considered for Major League Soccer expansion. However, the club would need taxpayer dollars for infrastructure needs around a potential stadium, such as new roads and exit ramps, and parking structures. Today, county commissioner rejected FC Cincinnati’s pitch to use a hotel tax to help pay for those infrastructure needs, reports The Enquirer. Commissioner Todd Portune instead proposed that FC Cincinnati use Paul Brown Stadium for their home games. Berding, along with club owner Carl Linder III, have long stated that Paul Brown Stadium is not an option and that a new stadium is essential for the MLS expansion bid. As it stands now, it appears Hamilton County will put taxpayer money towards other needs that were not specifically identified on Wednesday. As for FC Cincinnati, they could try to build their stadium across the Ohio River in Newport, Kentucky. The MLS is expected to announce its next round of expansion in December. A recent report suggests Cincinnati, Nashville and Sacramento are in a three-city race for two spots in the MLS. RELATED STORIES:  FC Cincinnati Wants County To Split Stadium Cost