Banks concert venue: County commissioners reach agreement with Bengals; could pave way for new indoor practice facility

Show Caption Hide Caption This is what the proposed Banks concert venue would look like A 3D rendering from the developer of the proposed Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra project. Latest story - https://cin.ci/2w9H60s

After years of acrimony, Hamilton County and Bengals officials came together in a kumbaya moment Wednesday promising to put their differences for the betterment of the community.

The first step was the county commissioners' approval of a memorandum of understanding in which the Bengals agreed to allow Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to proceed with its plans for a music venue near Paul Brown Stadium.

The proposed music venue would be built on Lot 27, which is now being used as a parking lot just east of the stadium.

It's a site that was previously opposed for development by Bengals' owner Mike Brown, who said he wanted to keep the lot for tailgating.

But a new era of cooperation has emerged in which the Bengals and the county have prioritized bringing the vision for The Banks riverfront development to fruition.

“This community has a long history of coming together at important junctures to keep Cincinnati and the broader community moving in a positive direction,'' The Bengals said in a statement. "Today’s cooperation agreement represents another one of those times that the parties have come together, and the Bengals offer our sincere thanks to Hamilton County for their leadership in keeping this community on an upward trajectory.''

The county commissioners voted unanimously to pass a resolution introducing a memorandum of understanding that not only included the proposed music venue but also paved the way for a new indoor practice facility for the Bengals.

One possible snag: Can Hilltop find a new site?

Under a proposed lease amendment, the Bengals would have the right to develop the 15-acre Hilltop site southwest of the stadium for a new practice facility and a 1,750- to 1,950-space parking lot that could be used for tailgating.

The Bengals would have to build the practice facility at their own expense. But money for the acquisition of the Hilltop site and construction of the parking lot would come from the county’s stadium fund.

The site is owned by Hilltop Basic Resources Inc., which uses it as a ready mixed concrete plant and aggregate distribution yard.

It has an approximate value of at least $4.2 million, according to Hamilton County property records.

Hilltop president Kevin Sheehan acknowledged the company has been discussing the potential sale of the property to the county, but no deal has been struck yet.

He said selling the property is largely contingent on whether the company can find a suitable replacement site.

'A new chapter' between Bengals, county

The music venue, on the other hand, is more of a done deal.

If all goes as planned, the facility would open in the spring of 2020, according to Commissioner Todd Portune joined the other commissioners in voting unanimously to approve the memorandum of understanding.

"This is a very, very good day for Hamilton County,'' Portune said. "This is a new chapter. It certainly redefines our relationship with The Bengals.''

The Bengals have control of Lot 27 and other lots at The Banks under a lease signed 20 years ago with the county giving the team the rights to veto development over two stories tall within a block of the stadium.

But county commissioners on Wednesday also said they are working with The Bengals on an amendment to the lease that would modify building height limitations based on urban planning review and otherwise free up land for development.

"This is not just about the music venue,'' Portune said. "This is also very important about how we re-frame our relationship with the Bengals.''

The amendment to the lease would also eliminate $29.4 million in yearly payments by the county to the Bengals, and also limit the amount of money the county has to contribute to the stadium for capital improvements.

As for reports #Bengals are getting an indoor facility, they are not. Let's start there. They have always had the right to build one if they want. They now could also build one on the new Hilltop property they are acquiring in the music venue deal. They have NO plans to do so. — Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 14, 2018