8 hours ago, 646empire said:

I highly doubt a PBS renovation will be more than about 400 million. I’m not even sure the bengals even want a roof lol. The cost of a roof could be in the hundreds of millions which would be about the cost to gut Heritage Bank Center. The team/NFL will cover part of it and that will be that. This chatter about the bengals wanting a brand new stadium is silly to me. If I had to guess they will get the renovation and extend the lease thru the 2030s at which point the team will want a new stadium around 2040 or so. 

I'm really hoping that this is the route they go.  Having our stadium downtown is a huge draw and is somewhat unique across the NFL.  Also, I may be alone in this, but I really like the way PBS looks on the outside.  I think it's a beautiful stadium with a relatively small footprint (barely any parking lots).  If they can continue investing and overhauling the guts of it and leave the rest of the building alone, I think that's a huge win.  I find both SoFi and Allegiant Stadium unattractive.

8 hours ago, 646empire said:

I highly doubt a PBS renovation will be more than about 400 million. I’m not even sure the bengals even want a roof lol. The cost of a roof could be in the hundreds of millions which would be about the cost to gut Heritage Bank Center. The team/NFL will cover part of it and that will be that. This chatter about the bengals wanting a brand new stadium is silly to me. If I had to guess they will get the renovation and extend the lease thru the 2030s at which point the team will want a new stadium around 2040 or so. 

Renovation of PBS will likely cost more than $400 million. All the new video boards and technology upgrades drive this cost. Also, it is going to be the labor cost that really determines the price, and the labor costs are much higher now than they were 25 years ago. Now Buffalo is in a unique position (similar to SoFi) in that construction costs in NY and CA tend to be inflated some because higher labor and regulatory environments there driving up the cost some.  My guess is that a major PBS renovation is going to be in the $500-$700 million range (which is not the end of the world).

 

I agree with you in that the Bengals will not ask for a new stadium but major upgrades instead. There are many key differences from the 1990s to today. First and foremost, Riverfront Stadium was designed in a different era when attending games was a bit less of an event and much more utilitarian. The wide concourses that are common today were not thought of when the old stadium was designed and there were no renovations that could accommodate that. PBS already has this. Also, NFL teams realized the financial benefits of having their own stadiums and revenue streams. This was a key component to the need for PBS. That is not really at issue in this case. Also, the Bengals have been sitting on a large potential unrealized revenue stream that they have not taken advantage of yet, that being naming rights of PBS. That gives them another financial incentive to stay in PBS. A new stadium would likely use naming rights as a revenue source to finance construction. I think the Bengals ultimately would like to keep this with the team. 

2 hours ago, 10albersa said:

I'm really hoping that this is the route they go.  Having our stadium downtown is a huge draw and is somewhat unique across the NFL.  Also, I may be alone in this, but I really like the way PBS looks on the outside.  I think it's a beautiful stadium with a relatively small footprint (barely any parking lots).  If they can continue investing and overhauling the guts of it and leave the rest of the building alone, I think that's a huge win.  I find both SoFi and Allegiant Stadium unattractive.

 

Ha, a lot of the other NFL stadiums have autocross going on outside of them all weekend during the spring and summer. Not the case at PBS.

 

The whole idea of the public sector/taxpayers funding the majority of stadium and arena builds (not including state schools) is kind of outdated anyway, no?

7 minutes ago, GCrites80s said:

 

Ha, a lot of the other NFL stadiums have autocross going on outside of them all weekend during the spring and summer. Not the case at PBS.

 

The whole idea of the public sector/taxpayers funding the majority of stadium and arena builds (not including state schools) is kind of outdated anyway, no?

Yes and no. I think you definitely see more teams with skin in the game then occurred during the 90s. However, it depends on the market.

In a market like LA, NYC, Houston, Dallas, DC, etc. those cities can put a lot more pressure on teams to put up more money because the teams and leagues have a strong desire to be competing in those top markets. They need those eyeballs, ad dollars and corporate sponsorships that thrive in those markets.  Also, you have other opportunities (SOFI for example) to generate additional revenue streams through large corporate events (SuperBowl, Draft, Combine, etc) that smaller markets will not have in the future. 

Markets like Buffalo, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Jacksonville etc. are not prime NFL destinations and they are competing with markets like San Antonio, Portland, Austin, Toronto, San Diego, etc. who may decide it is worth the public capital and investment to spend on an NFL stadium to lure a team to town. it worked for Indy, Baltimore and St. Louis in the past. Did not work so well for San Antonio or even Tampa Bay (baseball). However, if history repeats itself, there will be smaller/mid market cities that continue to play that game. 

4 hours ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

Renovation of PBS will likely cost more than $400 million. All the new video boards and technology upgrades drive this cost. Also, it is going to be the labor cost that really determines the price, and the labor costs are much higher now than they were 25 years ago. Now Buffalo is in a unique position (similar to SoFi) in that construction costs in NY and CA tend to be inflated some because higher labor and regulatory environments there driving up the cost some.  My guess is that a major PBS renovation is going to be in the $500-$700 million range (which is not the end of the world).

We shall see but I’m not seeing a renovation of that price tag needed at that venue. PBS is simply not in that bad of shape and the overall design still feels modern. On a side note keep in mind if a renovation price tag hits 600/700 million you will see many people question why we don’t just build a brand new stadium and I would agree. Dropping 500-700 million on a renovation seems way overboard for a maybe 15 year lease extension which is what I’ve her it will be.

Bengals just got new scoreboards in 2015 that were replacements of the originals from when it first opened in 2000.  I don't think those will be on upgrade list or certainly won't for a while.  

If Cincy wants a new* arena the easiest thing to do is go back to the renovation plans from a few years ago

 

https://heritagebankcenter.com/whatsnextcincy

 

FYI: Union Terminal discussion has been moved to the appropriate thread.

 

 

15 minutes ago, 646empire said:

If Cincy wants a new* arena the easiest thing to do is go back to the renovation plans from a few years ago

 

https://heritagebankcenter.com/whatsnextcincy

 

That is actually the most practical idea even if it is not the most liked idea. If you build a new arena on another site, you still have to deal with the capacity and competition from Heritage Bank Arena. If you renovated into something modern, you’re not adding capacity to the market. 
if the goal is to maximize events for the arena, you don’t want to compete with heritage bank, because they can offer a product at a bargain basement price. Yes, it may not have the amenities a new arena war, but some concert promoter‘s Would be inclined to save a little bit of money on facility rental for the right opportunityWould be inclined to save a little bit of money on facility rental for the right opportunity

The ownership group of the old arena would certainly sell the land for redevelopment or redevelop it themselves into something else if a new arena was built. 

50 minutes ago, 646empire said:

If Cincy wants a new* arena the easiest thing to do is go back to the renovation plans from a few years ago

 

https://heritagebankcenter.com/whatsnextcincy

 

I agree with the caveat that if a new arena could be developed in tandem with convention center expansion for hosting certain kinds of events that could make sense too. I would have said the casino area makes sense, especially if you could get Hard Rock involved as a concert promoter but until then the most logical place for an arena in my mind is still near the Banks which is our city's main arena/entertainment district. 

33 minutes ago, ryanlammi said:

The ownership group of the old arena would certainly sell the land for redevelopment or redevelop it themselves into something else if a new arena was built. 

I would not necessarily bet on such certainties. The arena is privately owned so it can continue for as long as the owner so choose. The Robinson family continued use in the Gardens for many years after its prime.I would not necessarily bet on such certainties. The arena is privately owned so it can continue for as long as the owner so choose. The Robinson family continued use in the Gardens for many years after its prime.

Aside from renovating Heritage Bank, I would think that best location would be the block of Linn/Gest & 6/7th.

 

looking at similar venues in surrounding cities it would provide the size needed to build new area, close proximity to convention center, and could spur redevelopment in queensgate, and the property is currently available

To be clear, the plan was to tear down Heritage and build new on that site. Not to renovate. 

30 minutes ago, DEPACincy said:

To be clear, the plan was to tear down Heritage and build new on that site. Not to renovate. 

That was not my understanding... I was under the impression the tearing down was of the exterior walls to widen the concourses. The seating bowl would remain (updated obviously).

39 minutes ago, DEPACincy said:

To be clear, the plan was to tear down Heritage and build new on that site. Not to renovate. 

From what I understand they would not be demolishing the entire structure and starting from scratch, they would keep most of the super structure and foundation of Heritage Bank Center. Which I’m sure is how they kept the cost at around 350m rather than the 500m for a brand new building.

Edited March 30, 20223 yr by 646empire

They were going to take it down to the bones basically.  So technically a renovation, but it would have been a complete gut of the current arena.  

25 minutes ago, CincyIntheKnow said:

That was not my understanding... I was under the impression the tearing down was of the exterior walls to widen the concourses. The seating bowl would remain (updated obviously).

Not exactly, They were taking it to the metal. There was a new level that was going to be added and the entire seating bowl was going to be re-configured. 

1 hour ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

I would not necessarily bet on such certainties. The arena is privately owned so it can continue for as long as the owner so choose. The Robinson family continued use in the Gardens for many years after its prime.I would not necessarily bet on such certainties. The arena is privately owned so it can continue for as long as the owner so choose. The Robinson family continued use in the Gardens for many years after its prime.

 

That's possible, but I don't see a way they remain at even a break even point without concerts. They may stick it out for a year or two as they wind down operations, but that location is going to be way too valuable for a residential tower or something for it to remain in use as a deteriorating arena for a long time like the Gardens did. I would also expect the city, county, FCC ownership, 3CDC, The Port, or someone else to buy the land. Whoever is investing in a new arena wouldn't want an arena on the other end of downtown cutting into their profits, even if they get the more prestigious events.

They looked at the options of renovating it, including taking it down to the superstructure and rebuilding from there. The cheapest option was to demolish completely and start from scratch. It even says in the link provided that the project is to demolish the existing arena.

6 hours ago, ryanlammi said:

That's possible, but I don't see a way they remain at even a break even point without concerts. They may stick it out for a year or two as they wind down operations,

Cyclones would likely stay at the Heritage Bank Arena if a new one is built somewhere else. Cheaper to operate out of the old arena. Certainly big name concerts like Billy Joel, Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, etc. would play in the new state of the art arena, but older groups who may not completely sell out arena tours or play in smaller markets may decide to save the cost and play at the older arena. Also, consider the fact that the owners of the arena is Nederlander Group which is the largest concert promoter in the country. Certainly, given the option they will steer some of their shows to the older arena that they own. 

Not considering concerts, look at Cinti Gardens as a perfect example. After the Royals left and the Heritage Bank was built in the 70s, the Gardens still hosted boxing, Shrine Circus, and other minor league events.  There are certainly events to keep it operational, especially given the fact the Cyclones are staying.  Yes, the Gardens was not in a prime location, but that property would have been prime industrial redevelopment long before it was demolished. The family that owned it just did not want to sell it. 

 

6 hours ago, ryanlammi said:

that location is going to be way too valuable for a residential tower or something for it to remain in use as a deteriorating arena

It depends what the mortgage is on the property and if the owner of the arena gets its price on the land. The city/county/Port, etc are going to certainly put pressure to do something with that land and space, but it is certainly not as simple as waving your hand and demolishing the old arena and building apartments and hotels there. 

7 hours ago, DEPACincy said:

They looked at the options of renovating it, including taking it down to the superstructure and rebuilding from there. The cheapest option was to demolish completely and start from scratch. It even says in the link provided that the project is to demolish the existing arena.

I dont know if that $350 million is still the price tag, but that seems like a bargain considering the going rate for these arenas.

24 minutes ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

Cyclones would likely stay at the Heritage Bank Arena if a new one is built somewhere else.

 

The Cyclones are owned by the same group who owns the arena and as much fun as their games can be—that franchise has never been a discussion point in the demand for a new facility. Even if a new arena comes and Heritage closes—minor league hockey franchises are a dime-a-dozen and it wouldn't be hard to get a new one (nor would it be hard to continue the Cyclones brand). 

 

Not considering concerts, look at Cinti Gardens as a perfect example. After the Royals left and the Heritage Bank was built in the 70s, the Gardens still hosted boxing, Shrine Circus, and other minor league events.  There are certainly events to keep it operational, especially given the fact the Cyclones are staying.  Yes, the Gardens was not in a prime location, but that property would have been prime industrial redevelopment long before it was demolished. The family that owned it just did not want to sell it.

 

I disagree with this analogy. The events hosted at The Gardens were not events that ever would've considered US Bank Arena (aside from the brief period of wrestling boom when the Gardens was WWF exclusive and US Bank WCW exclusive). The Shrine Circus often switched between The Gardens and UC's campus, never going to USBA even after Ringling folded. As for boxing? Well, neither arena hosted a major boxing event in the past thirty years. If anything, UFC is the big combat sport and you can bet that would go to a new arena. The Gardens land was also not always prime for redevelopment.

 

What the Gardens truly succeeded in was not just having the AHL Mighty Ducks (that team an arrival out of spite for the Cyclones moving Downtown and would've kept the Clones out of business had they successfully become the "Railraiders" in 2005), but the fact that it was also a facility for youth hockey. Both the large rink and its extra facility hosted several local leagues, workshops, etc. Heritage Bank won't have that. 

 

It depends what the mortgage is on the property and if the owner of the arena gets its price on the land. The city/county/Port, etc are going to certainly put pressure to do something with that land and space, but it is certainly not as simple as waving your hand and demolishing the old arena and building apartments and hotels there.

 

It is when you're sitting on valuable real estate and the value of your building quickly goes from "meh" (currently) to "lol" if it's made totally obsolete by a newer arena. 

 

Not to mention, who's to say Neiderlander isn't brought in as a partner with a new arena?

8 hours ago, Gordon Bombay said:

Even if a new arena comes and Heritage closes—minor league hockey franchises are a dime-a-dozen and it wouldn't be hard to get a new one (nor would it be hard to continue the Cyclones brand)

Yes, that may be true, but who says Heritage Bank would close. The current owners are likely to use continued operation as leverage until they get the price they want to sell to a developer. 

 

8 hours ago, Gordon Bombay said:

t The Gardens were not events that ever would've considered US Bank Arena (aside from the brief period of wrestling boom when the Gardens was WWF exclusive and US Bank WCW exclusive).

Yes, but the point was that they were able to continue hosting events that generated income for it to justify continued operation. It may be the case here, at least in the short term, until Nederlander is able to negotiate the price they want to sell the property.

 

8 hours ago, Gordon Bombay said:

It is when you're sitting on valuable real estate and the value of your building quickly goes from "meh" (currently) to "lol" if it's made totally obsolete by a newer arena. 

 

Not to mention, who's to say Nederlander isn't brought in as a partner with a new arena?

There are many considerations at play. Look at the Millennium Hotel and how hard it was for the city to purchase that property despite trying for over a decade and how in other cities many leaders had similar experiences trying to negotiate with that company. Point being, there are many reasons for why a property owner will sell a property, profit and price appreciation being the major driver but not the sole reason. 

 

Also, re Nederlander running a new arena, that very well may be the case, but until something is decided, I am not considering that in the equation. 

9 hours ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

Certainly big name concerts like Billy Joel, Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, etc. would play in the new state of the art arena, but older groups who may not completely sell out arena tours or play in smaller markets may decide to save the cost and play at the older arena.

Not necessarily true.  The acts will play the venue that gives them the biggest payday.  If HBA has a smaller gross but even way less expenses, they may opt to play the older building.   

 

It would also depend on how deep the pockets are at the new arena.   They may lower their rent initially to run HBA out of business.  

 

9 hours ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

Also, consider the fact that the owners of the arena is Nederlander Group which is the largest concert promoter in the country. 

Nederlander isn't even close to #1, which is by far Live Nation.   Nederlander currently ranks #4 post-pandemic, but this is only because many of the bigger indie promoters are still getting their footing coming out of Covid.   Prior to Covid Nederlander was top 30. 

 

https://data.pollstar.com/chart/2021/09/Top100Promoters_977.pdf

 

 

I think Detroit is a good city to show our options. Joe Louis Arena is attached to their convention center and can be used for large conventions/events. On the other hand they have Little Caesar's arena which was built across a trenched interstate from Downtown to try and spur development in that area. They also have a domed football stadium that has hosted a super bowl and a final four. The huge caveat is that we don't have an NHL or NBA team to anchor our arena, but the question is which one of those is the most 'successful' in Detroit and which one has added the most the city? 

10 minutes ago, ucgrady said:

Joe Louis Arena is attached to their convention center

I don't know Detroit, but according to Wikipedia: "In April 2017, the Red Wings hosted their final game at Joe Louis Arena; the venue was succeeded by Little Caesars Arena. The arena closed on July 29, 2017. Demolition started in spring 2019 and was completed by late summer 2020."

10 minutes ago, ucgrady said:

I think Detroit is a good city to show our options. Joe Louis Arena is attached to their convention center and can be used for large conventions/events. On the other hand they have Little Caesar's arena which was built across a trenched interstate from Downtown to try and spur development in that area. They also have a domed football stadium that has hosted a super bowl and a final four. The huge caveat is that we don't have an NHL or NBA team to anchor our arena, but the question is which one of those is the most 'successful' in Detroit and which one has added the most the city? 

 

The Joe has been torn down for a few years now. It never hosted events after the Red Wings moved to Little Caesars Arena. There's currently a group looking to build an apartment tower on the site.

Haha, so what your saying is having a big arena adjacent to a convention center, without a permanent host like an NHL team, doesn't have value. 

Just now, ucgrady said:

Haha, so what your saying is having a big arena adjacent to a convention center, without a permanent host like an NHL team, doesn't have value. 

 

I mean, the owners of the team built a brand new, state of the art arena on the other end of Downtown. They aren't going to program two arenas. And the Joe needed a LOT of work if they had any plans of continuing to use it.

It looks like the plan for both stadiums will probably be renovations and not new venues. If no roof is included on PBS then an arena need will continue.

 

"This is just my opinion that you will not see either team have an expectation or be seeking new stadiums somewhere else, like a move to the burbs," Castellini said during the pro sports panel at the Business Courier's Future of Sports event Thursday morning at the Hard Rock Casino.

"Both teams are going to be renovating their stadiums on site, in my opinion," Castellini said

"That's very much our expectation. It's continuing to get the value out of the investment that's already been made."

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/04/07/reds-castellini-reds-bengals-likely-to-keep-re.html

Edited April 7, 20223 yr by 646empire

On 3/29/2022 at 7:16 PM, ucnum1 said:

Most or almost zero realize they won't be a new tax for any new stadium or PBS renovation.The half cent sales tax passed in 1996 has no expiration date.Im guessing the Bengals get a half billion dollar renovation without a huge backlash anything more and it's bloody murder cries against it.

 

^ This may have been the most accurate prediction in this thread.

 

32 minutes ago, ColDayMan said:

I guess I'll put this here?

Here’s how much it will cost to upgrade Paul Brown Stadium

 

Paul Brown Stadium needs $493.7 million in upgrades over the next 20 years, according to a study by consulting firm Gensler funded by the Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County.

 

The facility condition is the first of two examinations the stadium, which opened in 2000, will receive. Another study will look at potential master plan changes needs at a time when NFL teams and their host cities are spending more than $1 billion for new stadiums. Gensler said that costs in the facilities assessment could also be covered in the master plan update.

 

The county cautioned that the number is only Gensler's recommendation and is not endorsed at this time by Hamilton County and the Bengals.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/04/26/pbs-upgrades.html

 

 

 

7 hours ago, taestell said:

 

^ This may have been the most accurate prediction in this thread.

 

 

 

 

The way I read it is the 500 million is not just the renovation* by itself but Is the renovation plus the upkeep over the next 20 years. I’m assuming the renovation it self will be much lower than the price tag listed. But we shall see.

On 3/31/2022 at 8:33 AM, Brutus_buckeye said:

Yes, that may be true, but who says Heritage Bank would close.

In a theoretical future where Cincy somehow gets a modern 20k seat arena with all the amenities, modern logistics (loading/unloading/lights/sound), etc., no act is going to opt for the lesser option (or, rather, whoever is managing said new arena is going to have pull with the regular touring acts such as Disney, WWE, etc). This isn’t the Coliseum vs The Gardens where the Gardens had a whole separate side business of hockey leagues, free parking, etc. What few acts *might* consider Heritage over a new place aren’t going to be enough to pay the bills.
 

What Heritage has going for it now is solely seating capacity. A new arena would outclass it there and by every other metric. Acts looking for smaller seating? Well, they’ll go to NKUs arena, Cintas (where the Globetrotters have gone), or 5/3 (where AEW goes). 
 

Music? If you’re a large touring band such as the Chili Peppers, U2, etc., you’re going to go where you can get butts in seats and maximize your other opportunities such as merchandise (a massive hassle at Heritage). Need a smaller venue? Take your pick between any university arena, either riverfront music venue, a slew of theatres, river bend, PNC Pavilion, or even the Timberwolf at Kings Island (which announced a new summer concert series today). EDIT: and now the soccer stadium is hosting music. 
 

If there’s a new arena, Neiderlander will either be a partner in it or pack it in on the Riverfront. Their land will instantly be more valuable as an asset for sale than as a venue for anything other than the hockey team which they own (and can also sell the rights for to a new arena). Maybe, at the very least, they pick up some independent rodeo or off-brand Monster Truck tour for a few months before they demolish the place. 

Edited April 27, 20223 yr by Gordon Bombay

 

Why would we build a new arena with a retractable roof? Is there an example of a similar project in the US? 

 

The only retractable roofs I can think of in the US are for baseball and football stadiums. We don't need any more of those. Basketball, hockey, and convention center arenas don't have retractable roofs.

It sounds like they would want this for the Western and Souther Open too. Arthur Ashe Stadium in NYC has a retractable roof and seats a total of 20,000. But it’s an outdoor stadium with a roof, not an arena. I don’t think a retractable roof would be a good idea since you’d only open it once a year for tennis, if that. I think this guy is just spitballing ideas

ah. Thanks. I refuse to subscribe to the Enquirer or listen to podcasts with Jason Williams, so I wasn't able to see any details.

 

The added expense of a retractable roof does not seem worth it when we already have outdoor venues of various sizes you can book if you need to be outside (Nippert, GABP, PBS, TQL). I still think the region would benefit from a new arena. The benefit is not worth our local governments footing the whole bill. So it all depends on how much we would be on the hook for to determine if it would be a net positive.

So to give some context it sounds like the USTA is the one pushing for the WS Open to be moved downtown as they prefer an urban location for their tournaments. Actually a pretty exciting prospect and it sounds like Barrett is listening to them and wants to make such a thing happen. Would be great to have that big event downtown annually rather than Kings Mills.

Edited June 9, 20223 yr by dnymck

8 minutes ago, dnymck said:

So to give some context it sounds like the USTA is the one pushing for the WS Open to be moved downtown as they prefer an urban location for their tournaments. Actually a pretty exciting prospect and it sounds like Barrett is listening to them and wants to make such a thing happen. Would be great to have that big event downtown annually rather than Kings Mills.

Did I miss something in that article? What I read actually said the opposite, Which goes smack against what Barrett implied.

 

”He suggested the US Tennis Association wants more of its events in downtown settings. This was news to the US Tennis Association which, when apprised of Barrett’s comments, said it was perfectly OK with the W&S tournament remaining in Mason and that, in fact, the suburban location was a reason for the event’s success. “

Edited June 9, 20223 yr by 646empire

6 minutes ago, dnymck said:

So to give some context it sounds like the USTA is the one pushing for the WS Open to be moved downtown as they prefer an urban location for their tournaments. Actually a pretty exciting prospect and it sounds like Barrett is listening to them and wants to make such a thing happen. Would be great to have that big event downtown annually rather than Kings Mills.

So is this going to be an arena or tennis center? That is what is confusing. A tennis court is much smaller than an arena floor. I do not know if it is worth building it just for tennis. Would want some flexibility for other events like concerts, hockey, etc. 

 

Also, with a tennis tourney,  you would need many more courts than one arena could handle. Not sure if I am following his plans/idea here. And if the plan is a new arena for the tennis tourney, it makes sense to build it at the existing arena location because then you could possibly utilize the courts at Sawyer point (which have some tennis infastructure already to hold the tennis tourney,

The tennis tournament isn't moving downtown.  The tennis center we have now is one of the nicest in the country, there's no reason to abandon it.  It also doesn't make sense to build an arena with a retractable roof for tennis for many reasons as noted above.  The tournament is either staying there or leaving this region.  

27 minutes ago, Cincy513 said:

The tennis tournament isn't moving downtown.  The tennis center we have now is one of the nicest in the country, there's no reason to abandon it.  It also doesn't make sense to build an arena with a retractable roof for tennis for many reasons as noted above.  The tournament is either staying there or leaving this region.  

There is one reason why it makes sense to move it downtown. To build an arena, you need a major tenant. The problem is that there really are no other available options in the region now that the universities have their own on campus arenas. We are not getting another major league team and minor leagues do not bring in the revenues to support it. Given that the tourney is going to 2 weeks, and maybe would be a bit longer with other tennis events going on, you could argue that the tourney could be the catalyst needed to finance construction of such a venture. 

 

I am not saying that it makes sense, but that could be the angle they are trying to play

53 minutes ago, 646empire said:

Did I miss something in that article? What I read actually said the opposite, Which goes smack against what Barrett implied.

 

”He suggested the US Tennis Association wants more of its events in downtown settings. This was news to the US Tennis Association which, when apprised of Barrett’s comments, said it was perfectly OK with the W&S tournament remaining in Mason and that, in fact, the suburban location was a reason for the event’s success. “

My bad I had only heard his interview on That's So Cincinnati, didn't know USTA came back and refuted it. Strange, I think @Brutus_buckeye's theory makes sense and this is just Barrett trying to add legitimacy to the claim that we need a new arena.

Edited June 9, 20223 yr by dnymck

FC Cincinnati co-CEO Jeff Berding wants third-party study of a new Cincinnati arena

 

FC Cincinnati co-CEO Jeff Berding repeated his call Friday for the region to build a new arena, asking leaders to commission a third-party study to look at the cost, potential location, market, how to pay for it and other information.

 

Berding made his remarks at the annual meeting of Visit Cincy, the region’s convention and visitors bureau. Berding chairs Visit Cincy’s board.

 

It’s the second year in a row Berding has used the meeting to ask the region to build a new arena. This year, he showed a rendering on the screen behind him.

 

In a year, “Let’s not look at ourselves and say, ‘Well, we didn’t do anything about the arena,’” Berding said.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2023/03/10/berding-wants-third-party-study-of-a-new-arena.html

 

3 hours ago, ColDayMan said:

FC Cincinnati co-CEO Jeff Berding wants third-party study of a new Cincinnati arena

 

FC Cincinnati co-CEO Jeff Berding repeated his call Friday for the region to build a new arena, asking leaders to commission a third-party study to look at the cost, potential location, market, how to pay for it and other information.

 

Berding made his remarks at the annual meeting of Visit Cincy, the region’s convention and visitors bureau. Berding chairs Visit Cincy’s board.

 

It’s the second year in a row Berding has used the meeting to ask the region to build a new arena. This year, he showed a rendering on the screen behind him.

 

In a year, “Let’s not look at ourselves and say, ‘Well, we didn’t do anything about the arena,’” Berding said.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2023/03/10/berding-wants-third-party-study-of-a-new-arena.html

 

I’m all for new shiny things but what’s really the purpose of a new arena? If anything I’d much rather spend money and renovate Heritage Bank Center (had a nice rendering a few years back), but if they do decide that we need a new arena I’d much prefer it to go over by the Casino. The Cet site should be used for housing. 

No tax increase needed for new Cincinnati arena, Berding says

 

It won’t take a tax increase for Cincinnati to build a new downtown arena, said Jeff Berding, the FC Cincinnati co-CEO and leading proponent of replacing the half-century old Heritage Bank Center.

 

Berding outlined his initial thoughts on building a new arena Friday after the Visit Cincy annual meeting where he urged the city, county and business community to commission a third-party examination of the idea. Such a study would generate information on costs, potential locations, financing, the market and other issues. Visit Cincy is the region’s convention and visitors bureau, and Berding chairs the board.

 

“There doesn’t need to be a tax increase to do this. There doesn’t,” Berding said. “However … that’s the whole point of having an independent study. It includes a financing plan. There’s government dollars. There’s also private dollars that can go into these things.

 

“I’ve seen enough high-level financing models that suggest there doesn’t need to be a tax increase.”

 

Berding has been talking with stakeholders about the idea since he first pushed for it about 11 months ago. Berding has spoken favorably to them about the potential of a West End arena at the site of the city-owned Town Center Garage and WCET-TV’s privately owned headquarters. He asked Populous, a stadium and arena design firm, to generate a rendering “for inspiration,” he said.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2023/03/10/berding-no-tax-increase-needed-for-new-arena.html

“high-level financing models” - did someone with like, a finance degree or something put this type of model together? 
 

Seriously though Cincinnati does need a new arena. Would the spot on Central Parkway be good? People’s thoughts? 

1 hour ago, IAGuy39 said:

“high-level financing models” - did someone with like, a finance degree or something put this type of model together? 
 

Seriously though Cincinnati does need a new arena. Would the spot on Central Parkway be good? People’s thoughts? 

FC Ownership plans on financing most if not the entire construction cost they want it as close as possible to their assets at TQL Stadium.They also want a NHL or NBA team as the main tenant.I say good luck with the last one but with billionaires always a chance