BY LUCY MAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Diagram of Wedge site
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It won't be easy, tidy or cheap. But a new ballpark can be built just west of The Crown, a leading stadium architect told Hamilton County commissioners Friday.
The county and Reds have been talking exclusively about the riverfront site, known as Baseball on Main or the "Wedge," as the two sides close in on a stadium agreement. They are so close, in fact, that a deal could be announced any time.
Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus, a fan of the riverfront site, viewed the presentation by HOK Sport architect Michael Hand as comforting reinforcement of what the county was told a year ago. "We're about to embark on a pretty challenging construction project," he said. "But I think the challenges are surpassed by the end result."
Reds Managing Executive John Allen said the Reds still hope to be in their new stadium in the 2002 season.
Commissioner John Dowlin, who prefers the rival site at Broadway and Reading Road known as Broadway Commons, characterized the presentation as "much ado about nothing" since the architect had little new information or insights to present.
"There was nothing that bolstered my position. I don't think there was anything that bolstered Bob's position," he said. "I don't know how much it cost us today, but the question is, "Was it worth it?' "
Mr. Dowlin pointed to year-old cost estimates done by Huber, Hunt & Nichols, a construction management firm, that showed a Wedge stadium could cost as much as $323 million, assuming construction started this spring. He argues it will cost even more because construction likely won't begin until 2000. The estimate for Broadway was $287 million starting this spring, but that didn't include land costs, which could add another $30 million to the cost.
The rare public discussion gave commissioners a chance to ask how construction of a ballpark at the Wedge could work.
Broadway backers have blasted the site, saying it will be too complex to build between The Crown and Cinergy Field since part of Cinergy's parking garage and seating bowl would have to be removed.
Mr. Hand and W.F. Mullen, an executive vice president with Huber, Hunt & Nichols, said those issues make the site challenging. But both men said they don't think the challenges are insurmountable. Hamilton County Public Works Director Gary VanHart said the county brought Mr. Hand to town to "take a better look and hopefully a better comfort level that we can make a stadium fit down there."
"All indications are supportive of an acceptable location for a baseball park," Mr. Hand said.
Mr. Hand said he doesn't think a new ballpark should sit too close to The Crown because it could interfere with the coliseum's main entrance. He also suggested the ballpark should sit as close to the Ohio River as possible. But Baseball on Main advocate Michael Schuster, a local architect, has suggested placing the ballpark closer to downtown.
Mr. Bedinghaus said it will be interesting to see which side of that debate prevails.
He stressed, however, that he thinks the debate over whether the ballpark should be built at Broadway or the riverfront is over. Broadway backers disagree. Restaurant owner Jim Tarbell, spiritual leader of the Broadway advocates, tried to get Mr. Hand and Mr. Mullen to pick one site over the other. They refused.
"All of these sites have plusses and minuses," Mr. Mullen said. "He does architecture, and I do buildings. We don't pick sites."
Mr. Hand did say he disagreed with Mr. Schuster's assertion that it could be difficult to fit a 45,000-seat stadium at Broadway without extraordinary measures. And Mr. Mullen conceded it "ought to be easier" to build at Broadway "because you're not dealing with Cinergy Field."
Another view
Mr. Tarbell then unveiled what he said was a transcript of a conversation he had with suspended Reds CEO Marge Schott. Mrs. Schott reportedly said all things being equal, she prefers the riverfront, but she still wants a ballpark just west of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge.
Mrs. Schott reportedly said she wants the county to study Broadway, and that she would consider Broadway if the county were willing to offer a similar deal as the one being offered for the riverfront. Mrs. Schott, who in recent months has refused to discuss stadium issues with reporters, did not return phone calls Friday.
Mr. Dowlin said he spoke with Mrs. Schott Thursday, but she didn't say anything to him as focused as she reportedly said to Mr. Tarbell. Mr. Bedinghaus said he's "pretty confident Mrs. Schott is going to be a part" of a Wedge site deal.
"I can't imagine a scenario where Mrs. Schott doesn't sign off on this deal," he said.
Schott's role
Commissioners stress they won't make a deal with the Reds without Mrs. Schott's signature. The county's lawyers have told commissioners that Mrs. Schott is the only person who can legally bind the team to a deal, Mr. Bedinghaus said.
Major League Baseball, which has final say over any stadium deal, has told the county at least twice that Mr. Allen has the power to make a deal for the team.
Indications from baseball Friday were that Mrs. Schott's reported comments would not change negotiations.
"John Allen has the clear authority to negotiate a deal," a source close to baseball said Friday. "Everyone has opinions."
Geoff Hobson and John Fay contributed to this report
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