Cranley says Banks music venue in jeopardy

Sharon Coolidge | Cincinnati Enquirer

Show Caption Hide Caption Video: Here's where Bengals, others want Banks concert venue The Bengals have threatened to veto plans for a concert venue built closer to Paul Brown Stadium by

Plans to put a concert venue at The Banks hit a new snag Wednesday - and Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley warned the venue may not be built at all.

Cincinnati City Council approved the Joint Banks Steering Committee's recommendation to name the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra as the concert venue developer. But during the debate, Cranley voiced frustration with the Bengals' efforts to control where the concert venue goes.

The Bengals, whose stadium is located next to the proposed site, have veto power, he said. And they've indicated they'll use it, Cranley said.

"I worry we're giving people false hope," Cranley said.

He explained:

"There's no question we're far from a deal," Cranley said. "One, the Bengals have made it clear they don't support using the lots closest to the stadium. And two, there is no agreement or legal obligation for us to put money into parking."

The Bengals responded with a statement that didn't directly address whether they'd veto a music venue. But it reiterated the team's support for putting the venue on Lot 24.

"It appears the city and county have some issues to work through regarding the financing of the music venue," Bengals spokeswoman Emily Parker said in a statement. "Lot 24 is the least expensive and quickest answer to moving forward on the music venue. We are continuing to have productive conversations with Hamilton County and we look forward to working with the city, county and the music venue developer and others."

The deal calls for a $20 million parking garage under the CSO's preferred site, with the city and county each paying half But there's an expectation that the county alone would reap the revenue as they have in past parking deals at The Banks.

More: The Banks concert venue: The Cincinnati Symphony will build it

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More: Bengals threaten to veto proposed site for new concert venue at The Banks

The concert venue was envisioned on lots near the Bengals stadium. But the Bengals say they have veto power on the lots near them and in this case they want the concert venue built south of GE, instead of directly next to the stadium.

Cranley is calling for a vote on whether the music venue should go south of GE. If not, the idea is likely dead, he said.

"What we need to do is have a direct discussion with the Bengals, find out where they are and bring it back to council," Cranley said. "We could make a decision that could move the CSO forward quickly or decide we don't want to use Lot 24 for that purpose in which case I don't think there will be any music venue down there anytime soon."

Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld said, "this lot issue is a big deal, potentially a game changer." Sittenfeld added he was hopeful there is a "more placid path forward."

Cranley: "Oh I think there is a placid step forward. The Bengals will support Lot 24. The question is, do we as policymakers want to use Lot 24 or not and does the county? They have made it equally clear to me directly – they will not support the other two lots. They want to re-engage a planning process for The Banks."