( Cincinnati, OH ) - All three proposed neighborhood sites are still an option as FC Cincinnati continues to iron out plans for a new soccer stadium.
Club President Jeff Berding provided an update Wednesday, and says no one location is currently favored over the other.
The absolute latest on each site from the club:
- In Oakley, FCC is undertaking a due diligence process, which includes, among other items, a traffic study and environmental analysis. These studies take time to conduct and upon completion, we will collectively and collaboratively review the results as part of an ongoing community engagement process where the traffic study will be key.
- In Newport, we continue to have good conversations with the site owner and developer about the Ovation development. At the appropriate time, we would look forward to additional meetings with elected officials, residents and area stakeholders.
- For the West End, we are exploring whether we can assemble the land needed to allow for a stadium development. In that regard, we have had early conversations with area stakeholders including the West End Community Council, CPS, CMHA and property owners. FC Cincinnati’s interest in the CMHA parcels is to support residential development that brings more homes to the neighborhood. Media reports that have stated the FCC’s interest in these parcels is tied to a stadium site are incorrect as we have no interest in building a stadium on the CMHA parcels. I look forward to meeting with the West End Community Council Board on February 13th and to other opportunities with West End residents to discuss what could be an exciting future together.
Berding says he understands that there are fears that a soccer stadium could negatively impact Taft High School, but wants to put those concerns to rest.
"While there are several configurations that could work, none of them touch the High School building. We look forward to discussing how FC Cincinnati could support Taft High School directly in new soccer programs, new student internships, new extracurricular fundraising opportunities and other ideas as determined when we meet with CPS and Taft staff, parents and students."
Of course any stadium plans are contingent on FC Cincinnati being awarded an MLS franchise. Berding says they hope to hear back from the league later this month.