Wednesday, January 20, 1999
Minority figures up on stadium
Contracts fall short; work force on target
BY LUCY MAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
With $219 million in contracts awarded for the new Bengals stadium, companies owned by women and minorities have won about 7 percent of the work, new Hamilton County figures show.
The $16.4 million in contracts awarded to firms owned by women or minorities is an increase over figures reported in December, when 6 percent of the contracts awarded had gone to such firms.
While that number still falls far short of the county's goals, the coun ty's work force figures show minority workers have put in 22 percent of the hours spent building the stadium.
“We are particularly proud of the work force,” Hamilton County Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus said. “The county will continue to work on attracting minority- and female-owned companies on this project.”
In a 1995 agreement with the city, the county committed to a goal of 15 percent participation by minority-owned and women-owned businesses on the new stadiums for the Bengals and Reds.
That agreement also said members of minority groups would work a number of hours on the stadium proportionally equal to Hamilton County's minority population.
Hamilton County has a minority population of more than 20 percent, according to 1990 Census figures.
The 22 percent minority work force figure “shows there are opportunities for employment on these massive public works projects,” said Johnathan Holifield, first vice president of the Cincinnati NAACP.
Still, the county has been under fire for failing to meet its goal of 15 percent participation by companies owned by women and minorities.
And the NAACP certainly is “not satisfied” with the 7 percent figure, said Mr. Holifield, who helped negotiate the goals in the 1995 agreement.
Mr. Holifield said the group is confident the African American Chamber of Commerce and Hamilton County will be able to work together to improve those numbers.
In all, the Paul Brown Stadium project will result in $288 million in contracts.
But about $25 million worth of the remaining contracts involves specialized work done by very few firms across the country, leaving little opportunity for minority companies to win the contracts.
Those specialty items include televisions, seating, ticketing systems, sound systems and scoreboards.
The total project budget is $404 million, which includes land costs, building three riverfront practice fields, the stadium plaza and utility work.
Show must go on at Wilson after arson
Social Security won't recognize child's rare disease
Second 911 operator gets job back
Strip-for-groceries teacher not guilty
Settlement closer over radiation tests
Moore says pick a passion in your life
Butler to pay Kenton Co. $425,000 to settle lawsuit
Dealer pleads guilty in art case
Driver with past indicted in fatality
Jerry Handorf's madcap world
Lucasville prison in lockdown after tip on security breach
Minority figures up on stadium
Officers ordered to attend counseling
Officials accused of role in jail death
School gym classes using fitness clubs
School leaders worry voters won't pay for improvements
Tickets for pope's visit tough to get
TV drama a dream for Ohio writer
Builder recommended for Boone Co. courthouse
Fire departments face dilemma
Flu arrives late in Tristate; only 2 confirmed cases in Ohio
Kenton studies schools' help line
Man gets 13 years for killing brother
Man shot, seriously wounded
'Need you to help' in Honduras
Newport misses out on funds
Planners lose leader in Monroe
Police reviews supported
Suspect captured after wild car chase
Township to contest annexation
TRISTATE DIGEST
