UC Board of Trustees approves next phase of Fifth Third Arena renovation

Fifth Third Arena will be getting its long-awaited facelift, provided fundraising keeps progressing.

The University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees on Tuesday morning took the next step toward moving ahead with an $85 million renovation of Fifth Third Arena, unanimously approving $2.2 million in design funding toward the project. Fifth Third is the campus home of UC men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball since 1989, and the project will be financed by private funds.

"We're thrilled. This is a huge step," UC athletic director Mike Bohn said. "This begins the process for architectural design."

Bohn said $15 million has been raised toward the project, but the UC Board wants $25 million more to be raised by December before fully going ahead. The project originally was to cost $70 million but the final price tag should be around $85 million, Bohn said.

"We have a lot of work to do, but I'm optimistic it will be done," Bohn said.

Tuesday's approval was to move ahead with drawings as rendered. The mood at Tuesday's Board meeting was overwhelmingly positive, endorsed by major players including UC President Dr. Santa Ono and Board of Trustees chairman Tom Humes.

Humes, speaking at the UC Board meeting at Russell C. Myers Alumni Center on campus, said that while $15 million has been raised toward the project, an additional $25 million must be raised before the Board gives full approval in December to proceed. Humes said he is confident that will occur. A total funding request for the project will be submitted to the board for review and approval in the next 90 days, UC said.

Bohn made an enthusiastic pitch while asking for Board approval to raise the remaining funds.

"It's important to understand this will all be raised by private funds," Bohn said.

Construction is expected to begin immediately after the Bearcats complete the 2015-16 basketball season, with a target start of March 2016. Tuesday's action will allow the Populous/Moody Nolan design team to remain on its current schedule.

"From our standpoint, obviously, we're very experienced in our traveling," UC men's basketball coach Mick Cronin said, speaking before the Board of Trustees on Tuesday. "What I can tell you is that this on-campus arena would be as good or better, or maybe the best on-campus arena for competition in the country. This is truly state of the art. From a recruiting and competitive standpoint, this would be huge for us."

UC women's basketball coach Jamelle Elliott and volleyball coach Molly Alvey also attended the Board meeting Tuesday.

Ono and several others also spoke in favor of the renovation at Tuesday's meeting, but a faculty representative expressed concern about the amount of funds being raised for UC athletic projects. UC also is near completion of an $86 million renovation and expansion of its Nippert Stadium football facility, which will reopen for the 2015 Bearcats football season on Sept. 5 against Alabama A&M. That project also is being financed by private funds.

Another speaker in Tuesday's well-attended meeting said that some financial concerns could be alleviated if UC gains entrance into a major conference. UC right now resides outside the so-called Power Five as a member of the American Athletic Conference.

UC has been mentioned as a potential Big 12 Conference candidate, but nothing appears imminent on that front.

UC teams under the renovation plan would vacate Fifth Third Arena for the 2016-17 season. Bohn said that US Bank Arena, Cincinnati Gardens, Cintas Center (Xavier University) and Northern Kentucky University (BB&T Arena) are among possibilities as a temporary home. It is expected that UC teams will return to the renovated Fifth Third for the 2017-18 season.

The current seating capacity of 13,176 will be reduced to about 11,500, according to the plan. Bohn said he would like to find a way to get it closer to 12,000, as plans continue to evolve.

The Enquirer reported last month that UC was close to approving renovations of the building, which opened in November 1989. In the first game, UC player Steve Sanders made a three-point shot at the buzzer as the Bearcats upset No. 20 Minnesota 66-64.

The facility has housed some of UC's greatest basketball teams and players, including the 1992 men's Final Four team and All-Americans including Danny Fortson, Kenyon Martin, Steve Logan and Sean Kilpatrick.

The building opened as the Myrl H. Shoemaker Center, named for the former Ohio Lieutenant Governor. The facility was renamed Fifth Third Arena in 2004, to recognize Fifth Third Bank's support of a UC athletic facilities improvement campaign.

The arena from its inception was criticized for its poor sightlines, most notably from the corners and high above. More than a few seats also are considered uncomfortable. The renovation plan includes a 360-degree seating bowl, and it will replace the current rollaway bleachers with permanent seats.

"There will be better sound, better views," UC architect Beth McGrew said. "There are no bad seats in this design."

A new roof is planned along with upgrades to concessions, lighting and the heating and cooling systems. Retail kiosks for fans will be located in the upper bowl. Many upper level bench seats will be replaced with chairback seating.