Traffic study says FC Cincinnati viable for Oakley. So, where does team go now?

A Major League Soccer stadium could work in Oakley, according to a traffic study unveiled Monday as FC Cincinnati continues its odyssey toward selecting one of three sites.

The study, paid for by FC Cincinnati, indicated that reconfiguring four intersections and adjusting traffic signals would alleviate traffic headaches near the potential stadium site – the former Cast Fab location north of Madison Road near Crossroads Church and Oakley Station.

With that information in hand, FC Cincinnati President and General Manager Jeff Berding and the ownership team now must weigh which Cincinnati neighborhood is the best fit – the West End or Oakley?

Each has pros and cons.

Oakley residents, while not all on board, seem to be more welcoming, and the soccer club has an option on the land, with local government help already approved in the form of $51 million for stadium infrastructure.

Berding seems focused on the West End, with its proximity to Downtown and Over-the-Rhine, though he has not stated a preference. But that location is complicated by vocal opponents who say a stadium will spur gentrification that will further tear apart the historic black neighborhood.

Two other hurdles there: The Cincinnati Public school board has to approve the sale of Stargel Stadium, which isn't a foregone conclusion. Also, a new infrastructure package would need approval from City Council, which has three new members since the Oakley money was approved.

As conversation focuses on Oakley and the West End, Berding has not dismissed Newport as an option.

"This is an enormously big deal," Berding said. "We need to make sure we get it right. We need to get it right for our fans and for our community."

That's assuming FC Cincinnati gets an MLS expansion team. The league says Sacramento and Detroit also remain contenders for a slot that it initially expected to fill in December.

Berding unveiled portions of the traffic study Monday night at Oakley Community Council's board meeting. He said he's paying attention to traffic issues, parking, noise, litter and even the time of games. Neighborhood concerns are important, he said.

He committed to the Oakley traffic study in November, when Cincinnati and Hamilton County approved infrastructure support for a 21,000-seat stadium. FC Cincinnati said it would build the stadium itself at a cost of $250 million.

FC Cincinnati hired Cincinnati-based engineering firm Bayer Becker to do the initial traffic analysis. No cost was given for the proposed construction.

The study recommended changes at:

Madison Road and Vandercar Way

Vandercar Way and Marburg Avenue

Madison and Ridge roads

Marburg and Ibsen avenues

What was missing from the presentation: the Edwards Connector. That expensive project remains under review by the city and may still be needed, but it isn't necessary for the stadium, according to a draft of the study shared with the Oakley Community Council board and an audience of more than 100 on Monday evening.

Etta Reed, an engineer with Bayer Becker, didn't offer many specifics, saying only that it involves an additional left turn lane and right turn lane. "At this point we're not prepared to announce what the improvements would be," she said.

Bayer Becker made its recommendations with the assumption the stadium would seat 28,000 people, with 28 to 30 events a year.

One of the questions centered on walkability, prompting Berding to talk about Oakley Station, home to several big box stores.

"We want it to be the original vision," he said. "More walkable, more urban, not all big-box retail. We will absolutely work with the city and developer. Maybe we become a developer ourselves to make that happen."

FC Cincinnati intends to share the final traffic study with the city's transportation department. And it has launched a parking study.