In Cincinnati, FC Cincinnati is a big deal. As a young team in US minor league soccer, they have pulled attendance rivaling all but 2 of the Major League Soccer teams. Of course, they want to be in contention then for a MLS expansion team. According to them, the only way they can do this is to move from their rented space at the University of Cincinnati and build their own stadium.
Jeff Berding, the President of FC Cincinnati, says that they don’t want city/county funds to build the stadium but need $75 million for infrastructure improvements (gas lines, water, roads, etc) to make it work. The local government, however, has no appetite for spending public funds on stadium projects, mostly IMO because Berding was the architect behind what is considered one of the worst stadium deals for a city in US history. Had Berding’s name not been associated with the team it may have been an easier sell.
That being said, I am all for infrastructure costs being absorbed by the city/county, HOWEVER we should never be involved in building a parking garage/lot for a private entity which may only be used infrequently.
