^Plus, they could put Grand Victoria Casino billboards on it. 

^^Gordon Bombay[/member] flip it 90 degrees and you got it. You could even maintain the circle drive on the south side the for the casino for access purposes and connect it directly to Court, Court Street would become a cul de sac with the entrance off Eggleston.

Eggleston is heavily traveled at rush hour and during sporting/special events on the riverfront. A connection with Gilbert would be critical with this design. I'd also like to see Broadway made two-way...

First the prisoners get free concerts from 'the Shoe' now they could watch FC games too!?

 

If you kept parts of the field open without a grandstand, similar to the new proposed Tampa Bay stadium previously discussed, you could definitely fit a stadium on that site (and it would have nice views of downtown). The problem is it would probably require completely removing that section of East Court and Reedy. If that was done Gilbert overpass should get demo'd and Gilbert should be connected to Eggleston. I have proposed getting rid of that Gilbert overpass anyway to make more developable land on that surface lot ridden section of downtown, so this would all be great if it happened but it feels like too many moving parts...

Wow, this is the first time I've noticed how useless those Gilbert Ave overpasses are.  Not really geographically necessary, just saving cars 20 seconds entering and exiting downtown. They should be removed to encourage development and to simplify the street grid in that area making it easier for walkers and bikers.  If Gilbert connected with Eggleston, I see no problem with removing that section of Court Street either. 

It would be nice to see it incorporated into the site where the casino garage is now. I hate the thought of losing more public land and losing connectivity. We need more connectivity, not less. Particularly since such a monolithic venture has the potential to kill the possibility of this area ever becoming a more vibrant urban environment we all want.

Another possibility is just north of P&G, between Sixth St. and KZF Design.  The P&G daycare could be rebuilt into the stadium bleachers. 

It would be nice to see it incorporated into the site where the casino garage is now. I hate the thought of losing more public land and losing connectivity. We need more connectivity, not less. Particularly since such a monolithic venture has the potential to kill the possibility of this area ever becoming a more vibrant urban environment we all want.

 

To this I would say, choose your battles. The casino already forms a huge monolithic site wedged in between neighborhoods that is backed up against a highway that is itself backed up against the hillside of Mt Adams. By adding to this monilithic site, you're not really affecting much, and maybe you are preventing a monolith from taking over elsewhere.

 

Plus if you reconnected Gilbert to Eggleston by tearing down the overpasses as mentioned above you're adding important connectivity where it counts, to the eastern edge of downtown, and freeing up land for development. You would also be saving the city maintaince costs of the overpass.

 

jmecklenborg[/member] how awesome would it be if it was built butting up to the casino like that, but Belterra bought the stadium naming rights?

^ I don't see why everyone seems to hate the casino? I named my son after the casino.

You named your son Horseshoe?

jmecklenborg[/member] how awesome would it be if it was built butting up to the casino like that, but Belterra bought the stadium naming rights?

 

Remember that Grand Vic had that billboard for years until it mysteriously disappeared when the Horseshoe broke ground. 

 

 

This was in the River City News:

 

It just so happens that Berding's old boss, Bill Butler, and Corporex own the Ovation site in Newport, which is a large swath of riverfront land long awaiting a development. Additionally, Covington was rocked by the announced departure of its IRS center, which could also open up development on another large piece of near-riverfront property. "Are we aware of those sites? Yes we are," Berding said, when asked by The River City News at Thursday's event. He declined to get into specifics of the site evaluation process but said sites are explored in the team's application to MLS.

 

"Our commitment, because soccer is urban, we have said we were going to build a stadium in the urban core and last I checked, this side of the river has an urban core," Berding said. "So, whether it's Clifton or maybe a little bit north of Clifton and it comes down to what I would call the riverfront, Northern Kentucky, absolutely.

 

^ I don't see why everyone seems to hate the casino? I named my son after the casino.

 

I wouldn't say that I hate it, but it's been a bit underwhelming for me. I voted for the measure that created it (and the one before that failed and would've brought a casino to Wilmington (was that it?) mainly on the grounds that I don't care if people are opposed to gambling on moral/religious principles - it's legal in other nearby states, why not keep some revenue here when people will do it anyways? I was also excited at the time to have Broadway Commons developed from just as massive parking lot into something useful (there were also no franchises who could put a new arena there and no hope for an MLS side at the time who could use the site). However, then it debuted. The building is ugly, whatever, but the sign is gaudy and awful. Then, as it turns out, the casino was incredibly underwhelming. I haven't been in since it originally switched to the Jack brand. Not really my thing I guess.

 

Don't hate it, not opposed to it being there, but if we could spruce up the site with say an MLS stadium and fill in around it with more interesting development - let's do it. Having it right there next to OTR and downtown would make it one of the best stadiums in MLS.

Yeah, putting the MLS stadium there I think would be a big win win, and could help drive development possibly even faster around that side of Pendelton.

Covington would make sense too but the thought of putting it in KY didn't cross my mind until joshknut[/member] mentioned it.

 

For the people who were around during the 1996 stadium deal, was there a real possibility of losing either the Reds or Bengals to KY? Like, were Newport or Covington ready to step up and finance a new stadium if Hamilton County wouldn't?

I wouldn't mind if FCC set up shop at the IRS site. It would be a perfect spot for a venue like this and it would have killer views of Cincinnati. Not sure what happens to that land when the feds have finally cleared out.

 

I think it would suck if the Reds left the city, but the Bengals can do whatever they want for all I care. I'd prefer they stay in the market, but I'm not concerned where they actually play. Whether that's on the river, in Kentucky, or in Clermont County. Makes no difference to me.

 

FCC is young enough where a move to NKY wouldn't bother me and it's still Cincinnati even if it isn't "Cincinnati".

Covington would make sense too but the thought of putting it in KY didn't cross my mind until joshknut[/member] mentioned it.

 

For the people who were around during the 1996 stadium deal, was there a real possibility of losing either the Reds or Bengals to KY? Like, were Newport or Covington ready to step up and finance a new stadium if Hamilton County wouldn't?

 

No.  Those cities couldn't have possibly tax themselves enough to have afforded one, let alone both stadiums.  It would have required, at minimum, a tax shared between the three NKY counties.  Almost impossible to pull off, esp if all three counties had votes. 

 

This was in the River City News:

 

It just so happens that Berding's old boss, Bill Butler, and Corporex own the Ovation site in Newport, which is a large swath of riverfront land long awaiting a development. Additionally, Covington was rocked by the announced departure of its IRS center, which could also open up development on another large piece of near-riverfront property. "Are we aware of those sites? Yes we are," Berding said, when asked by The River City News at Thursday's event. He declined to get into specifics of the site evaluation process but said sites are explored in the team's application to MLS.

 

"Our commitment, because soccer is urban, we have said we were going to build a stadium in the urban core and last I checked, this side of the river has an urban core," Berding said. "So, whether it's Clifton or maybe a little bit north of Clifton and it comes down to what I would call the riverfront, Northern Kentucky, absolutely.

 

 

At least post their link.  :angel:

 

http://www.rcnky.com/articles/2017/02/03/covington-newport-mix-fc-cincinnati-explores-options-stadium

FC Greater Cincinnati. FC GC for short. Northern Kentucky; it's what makes Cincinnati, Greater.

 

But seriously I would say Nippert is still first in my mind, Casino site second, Newport third. I would prefer the IRS site be broken up and have the street grid reconnected than more mega-sized developments. Between the Banks and Ovation site we already have plenty of that available, IRS should be broken to smaller lots and sold to smaller private developers, please don't give it Corporex.

FC Cincinnati pins down two stadium sites, hires architect, report says

 

FC Cincinnati has focused its stadium search on two sites and has started working with an architect, according to a published report.

 

The year-old professional soccer franchise is targeting two stadium locations between the University of Cincinnati and the Ohio River, according to an in-depth Sports Illustrated analysis of Cincinnati published last week as part of a batch of analyses on each of the 12 markets competing for four Major League Soccer expansion franchises.

 

The SI.com report didn't go into specifics about any sites, but it said FC Cincinnati president and general manager Jeff Berding said the team has MEIS architects working on a new stadium design. MEIS, with offices in New York and Los Angeles, designed MLS facility StubHub Center in Los Angeles as well as other MLS stadiums. The firm also did design work for renovations at Paul Brown Stadium, home of the Cincinnati Bengals, where Berding worked for 20 years before launching FC Cincinnati a year and a half ago.

 

“Berding said FCC has zeroed in on two potential stadium sites, both of which are in the city’s urban core that stretches (between) the river, downtown, Over-the-Rhine and UC,” Brian Straus, who covers soccer, wrote on SI.com.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/02/06/fc-cincinnati-pins-down-two-stadium-sites-hires.html

Anyone think the city would sell part of inwood park to FC Cincinnati to build a stadium there? If that happens wonder if the streetcar extension could have a stop at that site.

I don't think that would ever happen. Neighborhoods would completely oppose it.

Inwood would not be a good location for a stadium. It's would be a traffic nightmare because those streets around there are not built for huge influxes of traffic. There is no existing parking infrastructure and there is no adjacent commercial district.

The weird way that it's worded, "between UC and the river," almost makes you  think they are thinking about the Glencoe Hole or something.

Im making my out of left field mixed metaphor guess before someone else does. Im betting it will be located at the site of the former Hudepohl brewery. The port authority owns the property for redevelopment, the business nextdoor just moved to the Pleasent Rigde/Oakley Kmart site and the museum offices may return home once the renovation of the terminal is done. Near the highway, close to town plenty of room to park and grow. It is solated from the core by I-75 and near the relocated mens shelter but it is between UC and the river at least and having the big old smokestack integrated into the design would give it some history. After looking at the map though with the bend in the river anywhere from straight east of Nippert to south west of it  can fit into that description of 'between UC and the river'.

 

Everything north of UC and south of the river is "between" if you circle the globe.  Soccer is the world sport so that would make sense. 

Architect hints at FC Cincinnati stadium design

 

The architect who is working on new stadium designs for professional soccer team FC Cincinnati has worked on several other Major League Soccer facilities and looked at the other expansion candidates, but he chose the local club.

 

“I wouldn’t want to be on another team,” Dan Meis, founder of MEIS, a sports and entertainment architectural firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles, told me on Monday.

 

MEIS said FC Cincinnati brought his firm on board about a month and a half ago to work on developing designs and site studies for a potential new stadium. FC Cincinnati might need to build a new stadium to win an MLS expansion franchise.

 

FC Cincinnati president and general manager Jeff Berding and majority owner Carl Lindner III, co-CEO of American Financial Group Inc., are bidding on the expansion franchise. MLS has said it’ll award two expansion franchises by year-end to begin play in 2020 and two additional expansion teams at some point down the road.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/02/07/architect-hints-at-fc-cincinnati-stadium-design.html

Hey all, I dropped the Columbus Crew stadium into a few sites around town we've mentioned here for a possible FC Cincinnati stadium using screenshots from Microsoft Maps for Widows 10. I tried to keep the scale as close as possible by confirming dimensions using the distance measure tool in Google maps.

 

First is the casino.  Would require removal of Court St. and some design around the parking garage but overall feasible.  Close to OTR for the fan clubs. The big footprint wouldn't harm the urban fabric too much further, due to it being at the edge of the neighborhood, but would be extremely close to everything. Could be part of a larger overall effort to transform eastern downtown.

 

 

Second (I think I was the only one suggesting this) is the Glencoe Hole. Walkable from Uptown (with an uphill pilgrimmage march possible form OTR.)  There would be some serious terrain challenges with this site.  Perhaps the stadium could be built atop its own parking garage, to keep it closer to elevation of Auburn Ave.  Though a long shot, it's interesting that this site would be accessible by a light rail stop if John Schneider's Mt Auburn Tunnel comes to fruition. ( https://cincinnatiideas.com/uptown-light-rail/ )

 

 

Third is IRS site in Covington.  This site is simply huge.  It is incredible what a waste of urban space this IRS facility is plopped down right in the middle of the beautiful walkable historic neighborhoods of Covington.  The stadium fits easily here, even with a convention center expansion. Even with both, it looks like the site could get split up with some cross streets and mixed use development added.

 

 

 

I looked at the Hudepohl site and the Bengals practice field, but the Crew stadium didn't fit in easily with the street grid.

 

 

 

 

All of those look great! One caveat, though. Mapfre (Crew) Stadium probably isn't a good analogue. It's probably too big and a new stadium would be more modern. I'd use Houston, Kansas City or San Jose's stadiums as a template. If you want bigger, Orlando's new stadium seats 30,000 with a safe-standing section.

FCC has spent most of their off-season improving the front half of the team.

 

Our two most recent signings have been Victor Mansaray from Seattle Sounders and Djiby Fall (pronounced Jee-Bee). Fall has played all over Europe and was most recently in the Kazakhstan Premier League and has had two appearances for the Senegal National Team. He's 31, so definitely a veteran player and will be the primary striker for the team.

 

http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/757172?referrer_id=2577005

Why an FC Cincinnati MLS expansion franchise would be welcomed by Columbus Crew

 

 

FC Cincinnati’s bid to become one of the next Major League Soccer expansion franchises looks strong in most categories.

 

But questions have come up from time to time about whether Cincinnati’s close proximity to Columbus – it’s about 100 miles away and already has the Columbus Crew SC in MLS – could hurt FC Cincinnati’s chances.

 

Let’s put those to rest now. MLS commissioner Don Garber and FC Cincinnati president and general manager Jeff Berding have said it’s not a problem. I contacted the Crew just to make sure they won’t fight FC Cincinnati’s bid. No worries there.

 

“It is exciting to see several markets close to Columbus in the applicant pool, including Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis and St. Louis,” Columbus Crew SC investor-operator and chairman Anthony Precourt told me in an emailed statement. “Our Crew SC supporters have a chance to see some healthy new regional rivalries develop within MLS in the coming years.”

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/02/14/why-an-fc-cincinnati-mls-expansion-franchise-would.html

The Bengals and Colts are only 100 miles apart. 

I like the Casino site the best just for its proximity to OTR and continued development there. It would make it such a powerhouse of the neighborhood. Although having the jail right there detracts a bit from the spot. However, this spot would not lead to a sea of surface parking and many of the existing lots could be used. Also, it could be the most financially feasible option as I am sure the Casino would look to partner on the financing of it because it could use the stadium for concerts or other casino events in the area and it may allow them to develop a hotel there too.

 

Glencoe is an interesting option. It could really help develop Mt. Auburn so long as it does not lead to a sea of surface parking, and does offer a close walk to UC. It would not lead to as many concerts and such as the casino site would and the roads in the area would have to be expanded to better handle gameday traffic. I think traffic on Auburn is a nightmare most of the day anyway and I would hate to go there on game day. At least Nippert has more options and better traffic patterns to get there.

 

The IRS site is a good option too. Like the casino, it is good developable land and would be a coup to Covington. It offers great views and walkable to main Strauss which would be good. The infrastructure and traffic patterns are already in place there, and there is already ample parking. Personally I like the Casino the best, but this appears to be a decent option. It could also be incorporated with the Convention Center (heck maybe they build a retractable roof to get larger events and connect it to the convention center.

I like the Casino site the best just for its proximity to OTR and continued development there. It would make it such a powerhouse of the neighborhood. Although having the jail right there detracts a bit from the spot. However, this spot would not lead to a sea of surface parking and many of the existing lots could be used. Also, it could be the most financially feasible option as I am sure the Casino would look to partner on the financing of it because it could use the stadium for concerts or other casino events in the area and it may allow them to develop a hotel there too.

 

Glencoe is an interesting option. It could really help develop Mt. Auburn so long as it does not lead to a sea of surface parking, and does offer a close walk to UC. It would not lead to as many concerts and such as the casino site would and the roads in the area would have to be expanded to better handle gameday traffic. I think traffic on Auburn is a nightmare most of the day anyway and I would hate to go there on game day. At least Nippert has more options and better traffic patterns to get there.

 

The IRS site is a good option too. Like the casino, it is good developable land and would be a coup to Covington. It offers great views and walkable to main Strauss which would be good. The infrastructure and traffic patterns are already in place there, and there is already ample parking. Personally I like the Casino the best, but this appears to be a decent option. It could also be incorporated with the Convention Center (heck maybe they build a retractable roof to get larger events and connect it to the convention center.

 

Glencoe would be a disaster.

 

One benefit of the IRS site is that the Commonwealth of Kentucky might contribute some funding to land their first professional team

I doubt Bevin would support that. Or most of the legislature.

 

From a traffic, engineering, and accessibility standpoint, I agree Glencoe would be terrible.

I just don't see them putting it in Covington, it would be a good spot though. But the team is called "Cincinnati FC" and but the team won't even be in Cincinnati? The optics from outside the area will be issue. IMO

New York Red Bulls play in Harrison, New Jersey

Chicago Fire plays in Bridgeview, Illinois

Philadelphia Union plays in Chester, Pennsylvania

FC Dallas plays in Frisco, Texas

LA Galaxy plays in Carson, California

Real Salt Lake plays in Sandy, Utah

And when visitors fly into Cincinnati's airport, they won't even have to leave the state to see the game! ;)

I just don't see them putting it in Covington, it would be a good spot though. But the team is called "Cincinnati FC" and but the team won't even be in Cincinnati? The optics from outside the area will be issue. IMO

 

I think people would get over that rather quickly if it meant a world class venue and solidified the team's MLS goals. Might even help bolster the perception that despite different states and names, all these areas are "Cincinnati" in a sense. I lived in NKY for 5 years and still identified as a Cincinnatian. Now living in the city proper, I still spend time (and money) in NKY, mostly Covington. I tend to see Newport and Covington as just another neighborhood with their own unique features. It's literally much quicker to reach those places via transit, car, or bike than any of the outer suburbs like West Chester and Mason.

All good points, but I still don't think it will happened especially not at the IRS site. The federal government owns the land, and it will take them years to decide what to do with the land, then once they decide that it will take years to actually go through the process to excess the property. Also, How can FC Cincinnati have identified the IRS as one of the two potential sites if it isn't even available and won't be for some time. They can't just call up the IRS and ask if they can have the land when they leave. Its has to go through a long process before the land could even be made available.

^ even so, MLS will allow them to play in Nippert for a couple years as long as the other stadium issues (financing and location) are already in place

I think by far Casino site would be best with using structured parking to not create surface lots.  Casino could invest some into it for shared used of concerts as mentioned, etc.  Retractable roof could get NCAA tourney games / boxing / NCAA Wrestling Tournament *I wish*.  They should propose a retractable roof, at least then maybe it could get US Bank owners of their sorry a**es).  Possibly city funding only from TIF District there or bonds against TIF district?  Then I agree, would really help redevelop more of Pendleton.

 

I'm not worried about the jail.  In the next 10 years hopefully those huge surface lots close by get developed and it makes it the jail less noticeable, people won't even care.

Hey all, I dropped the Columbus Crew stadium into a few sites around town we've mentioned here for a possible FC Cincinnati stadium using screenshots from Microsoft Maps for Widows 10. I tried to keep the scale as close as possible by confirming dimensions using the distance measure tool in Google maps.

 

The only other sites that I've heard mentioned is the Ovation site in Newport and the milacron site in Oakley. Because of the Corporex connections Berding has, that one seems like a legit contender, though it gets more complicated with the new traffic circle and new Route 9 layout. Of the options discussed here the casino location is definitely still the best.

^ even so, MLS will allow them to play in Nippert for a couple years as long as the other stadium issues (financing and location) are already in place

 

I don't see the IRS site being available for 8 to 10 years.

Hey all, I dropped the Columbus Crew stadium into a few sites around town we've mentioned here for a possible FC Cincinnati stadium using screenshots from Microsoft Maps for Widows 10. I tried to keep the scale as close as possible by confirming dimensions using the distance measure tool in Google maps.

 

The only other sites that I've heard mentioned is the Ovation site in Newport and the milacron site in Oakley. Because of the Corporex connections Berding has, that one seems like a legit contender, though it gets more complicated with the new traffic circle and new Route 9 layout. Of the options discussed here the casino location is definitely still the best.

 

What if the Linders gave the Browns an equity position in FC Cincinnati in exchange for the practice fields? Its kind of a win for everyone. The Browns diversify into the fastest growing pro sport (especially important if CTE and other health risks threaten the long term viability of football by discouraging youth participation and drying up the talent pool at the college and pro levels) and they turn an asset that produces essentially no revenue into one that does. If you need a practice field literally next door to the Bengals stadium, you would probably have access to the FC Stadium (FC's last home game is Sept 16; Bengals first home game was Sept 11). Then you buy a new practice field in Queensgate.

 

 

(edit: turns out the practice fields are owned by the county, so essentially you would have the Browns assign their lease of them to FC)

Hey all, I dropped the Columbus Crew stadium into a few sites around town we've mentioned here for a possible FC Cincinnati stadium using screenshots from Microsoft Maps for Widows 10. I tried to keep the scale as close as possible by confirming dimensions using the distance measure tool in Google maps.

 

The only other sites that I've heard mentioned is the Ovation site in Newport and the milacron site in Oakley. Because of the Corporex connections Berding has, that one seems like a legit contender, though it gets more complicated with the new traffic circle and new Route 9 layout. Of the options discussed here the casino location is definitely still the best.

 

What if the Linders gave the Browns an equity position in FC Cincinnati in exchange for the practice fields? Its kind of a win for everyone. The Browns diversify into the fastest growing pro sport (especially important if CTE and other health risks threaten the long term viability of football by discouraging youth participation and drying up the talent pool at the college and pro levels) and they turn an asset that produces essentially no revenue into one that does. If you need a practice field literally next door to the Bengals stadium, you would probably have access to the FC Stadium (FC's last home game is Sept 16; Bengals first home game was Sept 11). Then you buy a new practice field in Queensgate.

 

 

(edit: turns out the practice fields are owned by the county, so essentially you would have the Browns assign their lease of them to FC)

 

At least to fit the dimensions of the Crew stadium (500x600 ft.,) you would need to reconfigure Mehring Way which passes under the Clay Wade Bailey bridge in that area. Maybe not impossible but might take some doing.

^ Personally I like the Casino site better. It integrates better with downtown and is more walkable. PBS acts as a boundary to downtown and would not encourage as much other development on that location.

Hey all, I dropped the Columbus Crew stadium into a few sites around town we've mentioned here for a possible FC Cincinnati stadium using screenshots from Microsoft Maps for Widows 10. I tried to keep the scale as close as possible by confirming dimensions using the distance measure tool in Google maps.

 

The only other sites that I've heard mentioned is the Ovation site in Newport and the milacron site in Oakley. Because of the Corporex connections Berding has, that one seems like a legit contender, though it gets more complicated with the new traffic circle and new Route 9 layout. Of the options discussed here the casino location is definitely still the best.

 

What if the Linders gave the Browns an equity position in FC Cincinnati in exchange for the practice fields? Its kind of a win for everyone. The Browns diversify into the fastest growing pro sport (especially important if CTE and other health risks threaten the long term viability of football by discouraging youth participation and drying up the talent pool at the college and pro levels) and they turn an asset that produces essentially no revenue into one that does. If you need a practice field literally next door to the Bengals stadium, you would probably have access to the FC Stadium (FC's last home game is Sept 16; Bengals first home game was Sept 11). Then you buy a new practice field in Queensgate.

 

 

(edit: turns out the practice fields are owned by the county, so essentially you would have the Browns assign their lease of them to FC)

 

If they want to partner with the Bengals ownership group, why not follow the lead of Atlanta and simply use Paul Brown Stadium?

 

What if the Linders gave the Browns an equity position in FC Cincinnati in exchange for the practice fields? 

 

I've been thinking about this as well. Interestingly enough, the Bengals had attempted to purchase an MLS franchise to play at PBS in the early 00's. I never heard the details of what went down and why it didn't happen, but they've at least shown interest in the past. I also think the practice filed site would be nice as it places all stadiums on the riverfront and could allow the western side of downtown to attract more bars/development. Not terribly far from the streetcar either AND if NKY make their streetcar a reality - boom!

 

Then you buy a new practice field in Queensgate.

 

The Bengals could always look into returning to old Spinney Field, their former practice site near Queensgate. I also wonder if a deal could be worked out where FCC helps fund a new Bengals/UC football indoor training facility in exchange for the current practice field land. As it stands now, the Bengals and UC both utilize the "bubble" at UC from time to time.

 

If they want to partner with the Bengals ownership group, why not follow the lead of Atlanta and simply use Paul Brown Stadium?

 

I don't think that's a realistic possibility. Speaking as an MLS observer: The league has really tried to get away from playing in shared football stadiums. It wants stadiums that look good on television, where teams have a firm say in dates and collecting revenue. Atlanta is a little bit different in that their new stadium has soccer considered from the ground up. The sightlines in Atlanta work, the pitch will receive the same priority as the NFL team, and the upper bowl can be completely hidden to create an intimate environment while still utilizing suites. In Seattle, they get away with using a football stadium simply due to attendance demands. That team averages far more than most (~44,000, sometimes more for playoffs) and they entered the league in a time when MLS needed strong markets and didn't exactly have everyone beating down the door to get in. New England and DC also play in football stadiums, but are actively looking to leave.

 

PBS doesn't really offer the advantages of Atlanta which make a shared stadium beneficial.

 

Speaking as a fan: playing in cavernous, bland Paul Brown would be terrible. While a 17,000 average for USL is impressive, it would look horrible on television in a 60,000 seat stadium.