(Cincinnati, OH) -- It has to be resolved this week. FC Cincinnati wants to wrap up work on a Community Benefits Agreement with the West End this week.
There was a meeting over the weekend and the soccer club says stakeholders were unable to reach consensus on what should be included in a community benefits agreement that is part of the deal to put the teams new home in the neighborhood.
Ratifying the agreement is apparently the only thing keeping the soccer club from finalizing its bid for a new MLS team.
Although Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley presented a resolution to approve the CBA for FC Cincinnati’s proposed soccer stadium Monday at the Budget and Finance Committee, but Committee Chairman David Mann held it, because three upcoming meetings could result in a community benefits agreement.
West End stakeholders are having a private meeting Monday night. If nothing comes from that, there’s a West End Community Council meeting tomorrow night that could end in a CBA. If it doesn’t happen then, there’s a meeting between FC Cincinnati and West End neighborhood representatives Wednesday.
Mann said he hopes a CBA, signed by both the team and the neighborhood, will be ready by Wednesday. That’s when he plans to hold a special budget committee at 1 p.m.