Cincinnati Council committee to vote on FC Cincy infrastructure plan

Cincinnati City Council's Budget and Finance Committee is expected to vote Monday on financing infrastructure around an FC Cincinnati stadium site in Oakley.

Some of our past coverage....
-9 claims and assumptions about Oakley soccer stadium plan
-Here's how much FC Cincy owners gave to politicians
-Cranley's plan pulls money from rainy day fund
-What would stadium mean for traffic, parking in northern Oakley?
-Oakley Community Council won't support infrastructure funding plan
-How are other cities pay for MLS stadiums?

by WCPO Admin 11/27/2017 3:06:33 PM

3rd & 7 37yd

Dave Schaff of Oakley Com. Council speaking to media about 11-0 vote yesterday against using TIF $ for FC Stadium. @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPpoNY1WAAANjUk.jpg

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 3:52:33 PM
Here’s my view as the City Council meeting set to start. 50-60 in crowd so far @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPpqyysW0AA-GMe.jpg

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:03:51 PM
Lots of paperwork being handed to media. @mayormallory and Gary Lindgren at CBC endorse FC Stadium build. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:05:19 PM
But Oakley Community Council is against using its TIF $ for FC Stadium build. Wants TIF $ to go to Gateway project and new apartment complex on Madison Road instead. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:06:27 PM
New ordinance passed out to media. Reducing amount of Oakley TIF $ going to stadium infrastructure to 7.38m. @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPpsLOGX0AAjejT.jpg

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:09:53 PM
Tax watchdog Tim Mara warns City Council: “No good can come to rushing to a decision.” Wants to see itemized list of infrastructure costs for FC Stadium. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:12:37 PM
We can't afford to pay maintenance on our beautiful parks, why would we spend to put more concrete in Oakley, one citizen asks council, says $ should be spent on city needs not FC. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:14:46 PM
Dave Schaff of Oakley Com. Council says "FC Cincinnati site is not within the Oakley TIF district." @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:17:57 PM
18 people sign up to speak about city plan for infrastructure around FC Cincinnati stadium in Oakley. @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPpuTVgWsAEAOxY.jpg

by Tom Mckee WCPO via twitter 11/27/2017 4:19:11 PM
So far 5 speakers against and 1 for FC Stadium project spend. Looks like we have a few dozen more waiting to speak. @wcpo

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:19:53 PM
A 27-year Oakley resident says he is part of a "silent majority" who want FC Stadium built in Oakley. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:21:40 PM
Melanie Bates of school board says "its just an unknown for us," partnering with Port Authority on FC Stadium, wants to make sure school finances are considered. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:27:55 PM
Lots of Oakley residents speaking. “If you want to do this right, really improve the communication with Oakley Com, Council … you want them to be on your side." @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:30:54 PM
Full house for city hearing on infrastructure for Oakley site of FC Cincinnati stadium. Public comments split. @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPpxHImWsAEFSNC.jpg

by Tom Mckee WCPO via twitter 11/27/2017 4:31:27 PM
Standing room only at city council. On speaker #13 now. @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPpxfDrXUAEW_A5.jpg

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:33:03 PM
. @CharlieWinburn welcomes Mike Allen to mtg. Also spotted: @derekbauman and Dan Hils from CPD FOP. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:34:40 PM
Speaker #14 says: "Building a brand new shiny MLS soccer stadium is a need, not a want.” @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:35:55 PM
Speaker #15 - "Western Hills Viaduct is literally crumbling." She says city should spend $ on heroin epidemic, child poverty, more bus service. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:38:07 PM
Laura Hamilton, of W. Price Hill Com Council: "This is not the way things should be done. Anyone who votes in this city can see that.” Says plan is rushed. @wcpo

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:42:09 PM
Overflow crowd must move upstairs. Cannot block doors. Only a few mtgs. a year get this crowded. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:44:23 PM
Oakley Com Council president Sean Fausto speaking now. @wcpo

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:45:01 PM
Sean Fausto says: "This is a very difficult position for us to be in, do we support it, do we not support it?” Oakley seems split on stadium. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:47:27 PM
City will now keep Madison Road TIF intact, and chip in $2 .5m from FY19 capital budget, towards @fccincinnati stadium. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:52:06 PM
Evan Nolan of Oakley Com Council says neighborhood already has infrastructure needs that need to be fixed with or without FC stadium. "We have traffic issues already," @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:55:54 PM
Speaker #25 a man wearing an FC scarf says: "There are some people who are anti-stadium because of the word ‘stadium.’” @wcpo

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 4:58:52 PM
Speaker #27 : "Please God tell me you’re not going to vote for this on such short notice.” @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 5:01:32 PM
31 members of public split on value of city infrastructure plan to support FC Cincinnati stadium in Oakley. @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPp58LTW4AAQpZH.jpg

by Tom Mckee WCPO via twitter 11/27/2017 5:10:00 PM
Public comment is over. 30 speakers. Now we'll hear from city council and mayor. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 5:10:19 PM
Cranley: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," reading endorsement letter from former mayor Mark Mallory. @wcpo

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 5:11:49 PM
Mayor John Cranley says look at big picture in voting for infrastructure for FC Cincinnati stadium in Oakley. @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPp63uMWsAEfbny.jpg

by Tom Mckee WCPO via twitter 11/27/2017 5:14:05 PM
"Cities are either growing or dying ... who knows what the future of what our beloved Bengals and Reds will be," Cranley says. @wcpo

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 5:14:37 PM
Mayor John Cranley says voting for infrastructure for FC Cincinnati Stadium in Oakley will be viewed in years as historic no brainer. @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPp7i0FX0AAKJ2F.jpg

by Tom Mckee WCPO via twitter 11/27/2017 5:17:02 PM
“I promise we will be announcing thousands of jobs if we make this commitment to this public infrastructure." Cranley says he is talking to employers who would come to Oakley if infrastructure was in place. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 5:20:44 PM
Once in a lifetime opportunity is how Mayor John Cranley views infrastructure deal for FC Cincinnati stadium in Oakley. @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPp8fHQW0AAQZ7Q.jpg

by Tom Mckee WCPO via twitter 11/27/2017 5:21:09 PM
"I believe as community we should be more focused on winning the bid than nitpicking every little piece of this when so much is at stake," Cranley says, as he addresses each potential flaw, one by one. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 5:24:26 PM
"Lets not kids ourselves, if this proposal is defeated, MLS is reading the press," Cranley says, and is unlikely to give bid even if stadium is built in Newport. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 5:29:56 PM
"Come on, sometimes you have to do politically tough things for the good of the city," Cranley says to city council, urging them to support FC. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 5:31:30 PM
Waiting in the back to speak is Jeff Berding and Carl Lindner. But first @CharlieWinburn is making his speech, sounds pretty favorable to FC. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 5:35:49 PM
Up next, Jeff Berding and Carl Linder. @WCPO introduced by Winburn who is actually wearing Lindner cuff links. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPqBH-wWkAMTAGx.jpg

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 5:41:25 PM
FC Cincinnati owners addressing request for infrastructure For new soccer stadium in Oakley. @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPqBqm_XUAAonen.jpg

by Tom Mckee WCPO via twitter 11/27/2017 5:43:47 PM
FC Cincinnati owners make their case for city infrastructure dollars around new stadium in Oakley. No tax dollars sought. @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPqC0stW0AUURg2.jpg

by Tom Mckee WCPO via twitter 11/27/2017 5:48:50 PM
FC Cincinnati owners cite study saying new Oakley stadium could generate $20 million in added spending a year. @WCPO https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPqECQGX0AAoGuc.jpg

by Tom Mckee WCPO via twitter 11/27/2017 5:54:06 PM
A new FC stadium would bring: 2,400 construction jobs, Berding says. @wcpo

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 5:54:47 PM
“It’s a tough situation to be in," @PGSittenfeld admits, about learning $7 .3m in Blue Ash Airport $, that he wanted to save, mayor wants to spend on FC stadium. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 6:14:34 PM
FC will own 28-30 acres of Oakley land, but will only use half for stadium, Berding said. Other land will be used for office space, residential, entertainment. @wcpo

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 7:43:24 PM
Will FC pay workers a $15 an hour living wage, Seelbach asks. Berding says he will work with city, but adds, "I don’t know what the Bengals and Reds pay their stadium workers.” @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 7:47:58 PM
Hour 4 of city council meeting. Seems like we are gradually edging toward a vote on FC ... and then another meeting Wednesday for a final vote. @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 7:59:55 PM
“This opportunity that we’re talking about is rare.” Sounds like Christopher Smitherman is on board. I count 5 yes votes with Mann, Murray, Flynn, Winburn, @WCPO

by paula christian via twitter 11/27/2017 8:18:24 PM
Smitherman: “There are many African American churches in this city that would not exist if the Lindners had not bailed them out."

by LucyMayCincyBiz via twitter retweeted by PaulaChristian_ 11/27/2017 8:20:18 PM