Cincinnati and Hamilton County yesterday "came through with a combined" $51M in infrastructure support -- the "final pieces" FC Cincinnati needs for its MLS franchise bid due next week, according to a front-page piece by Knight, Wartman & Coolidge of the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER. Team owners have said that they "will pay" $150M for a franchise license, one of two to be awarded this year, and "privately pay" for a $200M, 21,000-seat stadium. FC Cincinnati chose the Oakley neighborhood "but with the caveat that the public would need to cover" the $70-75M infrastructure cost for roads, sewers and utilities. Public officials "found it hard to ignore" the $350M worth of "private investment put up." In votes yesterday, county commissioners "unanimously agreed to build" a $15M parking garage with parking revenue and City Council, in a 5-3 vote, "agreed to spend" another $36M. The plan is "light on details." But most officials said that those details "can be worked out later." Commissioners "hoped the soccer team could share Paul Brown Stadium," but MLS "nixed that idea." That '"no' persuaded commissioners to help out" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 11/30). In Cincinnati, Coolidge, Knight & Horn cite sources as saying that the stadium "could still be built in the West End." Cincinnati Vice Mayor David Mann said that the "advantage of the West End is its proximity to Downtown." MLS has "expressed a preference for an urban location" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 11/30).
