(Cincinnati, Oh.)--Major League Soccer rejected the Hamilton County Commissioners proposal to have F.C. Cincinnati play their home games in Paul Brown Stadium.
Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune, made his pitch to Major League Soccer Monday but the League countered back saying that a soccer specific stadium is critical to the teams viability and the future of the league. With the rejection Portune, now says the county will move forward with plans to use their parking revenues to build a new $15 million garage adjacent to the site of the proposed stadium in Oakley. Commissioners are expected to vote on the plan next week.
Portune is also ready to sign off on using a portion of the county's hotel tax to fund some more of the infrastructure improvements at the site. F-C Cincinnati says $200 million in private money has been secured for its own stadium but needs the $75 million commitment from the city and county for the site improvements. The city is working on a plan to come up with the funds of its own for the project.
The Mayor has proposed using money from the sale of Blue ash Airport BUT that could be a tough sell to members of city council. That money was placed in an emergency fund earlier this year to cover basic city services in the event of a national economic downturn.
Councils finance committee will take up the proposal next week.