Pared-down list would ask state for $4 million - not $10 million - for FC Cincinnati project

COLUMBUS - Business leaders want to ask state officials for $4 million to help cover infrastructure needed to build a stadium for FC Cincinnati – $6 million less than the initial $10 million request, according to a pared-down list obtained by The Enquirer.

That money, requested by the city of Cincinnati, would help pay for the roads, sewers and utilities needed to build a stadium in Oakley. Cincinnati and Hamilton County have already agreed to pay $51 million for infrastructure, which could cost between $70 million and $75 million total. The team would pay for the stadium itself.

Gary Lindgren, executive director of the Cincinnati Business Committee, which helped narrow down the projects, said FC Cincinnati could have an economic impact on the area of more than $1 billion. A $4 million investment from the state could leverage $350 million in private investments, he said.

"That’s why it received strong support," Lindgren told The Enquirer.

However, that $4 million could be redistributed if Major League Soccer doesn't pick FC Cincinnati for its expansion. So, business leaders are compiling an alternative list if FC Cincinnati doesn't make the cut.

The $4 million ask for FC Cincinnati is the largest request on a list of 32 projects that totaled nearly $22 million. That number was pared down from 43 Hamilton County projects that applied for $64.6 million.

The Cincinnati Business Committee, which coordinated with the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, reviewed the applications and submitted a list to Hamilton County lawmakers Wednesday.

Those reviewing the projects, which included city and county officials, had to reduce the total ask because state leaders would not sign off on $65 million for Hamilton County alone.

Other projects include:

$2.5 million for The Banks

$2.5 million for the Hamilton County Jail to renovate space and create space for 100 inmates to participate in drug treatment

$2 million for the Cincinnati Museum Center

$1.25 million for Playhouse in the Park

$1 million each for the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati Art Museum, Film Cincinnati, Children's Home, City of Montgomery for a park and community gathering space and Wasson Way

$500,000 each for Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc. and the Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education.

FC Cincinnati's project wasn't the only one to receive less money than initially requested.

Cincinnati Museum Center requested $5 million to add science exhibits to Union Terminal but would receive $2 million under the winnowed list. Film Cincinnati requested $4 million for a 78,000-square-foot film campus and would receive $1 million under the proposed list.

The process is far from finished and could depend greatly on MLS. Hamilton County lawmakers have until Jan. 19 to submit their requests to legislative leaders. From there, the projects must be approved by the Ohio House and Senate before Gov. John Kasich signs the final bill.

Ohio Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville, said in December that he would largely defer to local lawmakers' wishes on projects.

Rosenberger, who used to play soccer, said he appreciated the approach of FC Cincinnati's leadership, especially compared with the Columbus Crew's, which is considering a move to Texas.

“What I do appreciate is two Cincinnati businessmen that are at least here in Ohio, they want to see something that is going to grow and be successful," Rosenberger told The Enquirer.

In 2016, Ohio lawmakers doled out $160 million for community projects statewide and Hamilton County nabbed about $24 million of that. Less money will be available in 2018, Rosenberger said.