New designs for the proposed stadium show a seating capacity of between 25,000-26,500FC CINCINNATI
FC Cincinnati "released images and details for its proposed stadium" in the West End neighborhood, designed by Meis Architects with "local support" from design firm Elevar, according to a front-page piece by Patrick Brennan of the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER. The new designs show a seating capacity of between 25,000-26,500, an "increase from initial projections" and making it "one of the largest soccer-specific venues in North America." Only StubHub Center would have a "larger listed capacity -- 27,000 -- than what FC Cincinnati's proposing." The proposed stadium's capacity would be "approximately 6,000 seats fewer than Nippert Stadium," the team's current home at the Univ. of Cincinnati for the next two seasons. The new stadium features a canopy roof "designed to go around the entire stadium bowl and completely cover all seating rows." The club said that this feature will help with "keeping noise from leaving the venue." Concept designs for the proposed stadium show premium seating, including suites and club space, is "more than double current capacity at Nippert Stadium." Additional "modifications and adjustments are expected to be made" to the designs over the next few months, before "formal construction on the stadium begins" in '19 (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 10/10). In Cincinnati, Chris Pugh noted while most people were "impressed by the stadium design, some questioned available parking" in the West End area (CINCINNATI.com, 10/9).
