After opting last week to hold off on a decision, the Cincinnati City Council on Thursday approved a zoning change for the FC Cincinnati stadium project.
The city council was originally supposed to vote last week on two key measures relating to the stadium project on the city’s West End, including a land deal with FC Cincinnati and a zoning change that would allow major construction to begin. Although it approved the land deal, the council held off on the zoning vote, citing outstanding disputes involving the facility.
Ultimately, a dispute between FC Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Ballet was resolved before Thursday’s vote, while the council approved a plan to assist a business owner whose restaurant was displaced by demolition to make way for the stadium project. The zoning change was approved by a 7-0 margin, allowing FC Cincinnati to proceed with major construction work as it pursues a 2021 opening. More from the Cincinnati Enquirer:
“We’re eager to get back to work on the site, as are local contractors, subcontractors and workers,” said FC Cincinnati President and General Manager Jeff Berding
The vote will keep the privately funded, $250 million stadium on track. Berding said. Opening is scheduled for March 2021…
Council hit the pause button on the zoning change last week after issues with stadium neighbors popped up. And that put pouring the stadium’s foundation behind schedule. It was a tense week of negotiations with final deals struck hours before the council meeting.
After having its expansion bid approved by MLS last year, FC Cincinnati will begin MLS play this season at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium. Nippert Stadium is expected to host the club for the next two seasons until the new West End stadium, which is being constructed at the former site of Taft High School’s Stargel Stadium, opens in time for the 2021 campaign.
Rendering courtesy Meis Architects.
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