Banks concert venue: Hamilton County commissioners want music venue next to Paul Brown

Scott Wartman | Cincinnati Enquirer

Show Caption Hide Caption Drone video: Proposed music venue sites at The Banks Aerial footage of the three proposed music venue sites at The Banks.

The Hamilton County commissioners on Tuesday said for the first time they want to see a proposed riverfront music venue built next to Paul Brown Stadium.

This could set up a fight this fall with the Bengals, whose ownership has opposed locating the music venue there.

The lease signed 20 years ago between the team and county gives the Bengals rights to veto development over two stories tall within a block of the stadium - including the lot county commissioners said they'd prefer.

We have known since June who would build the music venue when the city and county chose the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra as the developer.

But where the venue would go has remained a question all summer.

More: Businesses at The Banks get 'antsy' as new music venue's location remains a mystery

More: The Banks concert venue: What's next

Business owners have grown impatient for the proposed 4,000-seat, general admission music venue they hope will bring the foot traffic that has failed to meet expectations for the riverfront entertainment and residential complex.

All three Hamilton County commissioners made it clear at a special meeting on Tuesday they want the music venue on Lot 27.

"We need to get on with the work in earnest," Commissioner Todd Portune said. "We still have an opportunity for this venue to open in the fall of 2019."

Lot 27 is currently a parking lot that Bengals' owner Mike Brown has stated he wants to keep for tailgating. The Bengals suggested Lot 24, a 2.2-acre parcel a little further away from Paul Brown Stadium.

The problem with Lot 24 is that a developer has proposed a $75 million residential and commercial development there.

Commissioner Denise Driehaus said she believes Lot 24 is better suited for a development that has a higher density of housing and businesses. Lot 24 is the largest undeveloped lot at The Banks.

The location for a music venue is far from set. The commissioners didn't vote on it Tuesday but directed County Administrator Jeff Aluotto to negotiate a development agreement for the symphony to build on Lot 27. The CSO's proposal would also take up parts of Lot 23 and 28, including a large lawn space next to Smale Riverfront Park.

The city and county will have to approve the development agreement. The Bengals will also have to agree to allow the music venue to be built on Lot 27.

The Bengals spokeswoman Emily Parker had no comment when asked what the team would do if the county and city persist in trying to build the music venue on Lot 27. But Brown, at a recent media luncheon, didn't seem like he'd relent.

"It has become a political issue," Brown said. "For us, for me, it's relatively simple. My job is to protect the interest of our football team. My job is to help our fans have what they want. For our fans, it is better for them if they have this area for tailgating."

The Bengals have agreed to tall buildings near the stadium in the past, but at a cost. The team waived the height restrictions in 2014 so General Electric could build its 12-story Global Operations Center by Paul Brown Stadium.

In return, Hamilton County agreed to pay for $10 million worth of improvements to the stadium, including a new scoreboard and Wi-Fi.

"We've been able to work with them in the past productively, and we'll continue to do that in this case," said Commissioner Chris Monzel.