FC Cincinnati wants to move Stargel for Major League Soccer stadium; school board mum

FC Cincinnati's vision for the West End would mean building a Major League Soccer stadium on the current site of Taft High School's Stargel stadium, but it comes with the promise the club will build a new and better high school stadium with the same name nearby.

FC Cincinnati President and General Manager Jeff Berding unveiled the plan at Monday night's Cincinnati Public Schools board meeting, sharing details about the stadium that have been rumored and hinted at for weeks.

The club would replace the existing youth sports hub with a new stadium on land across the street from the high school where Drees Homes had planned to build a Citirama. FC Cincinnati would buy that land from Drees and take the lead on building more affordable homes in City West on 66 scattered sites it has the option to buy from the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority.

The stadium land swap needs CPS board approval, putting the school board – with three new members this year – in the driver's seat. Hundreds turned out to voice their opinion and learn details of what the soccer club is planning.

"This would be the best high school stadium in the city, and we'll pay for the whole thing," Berding told The Enquirer before the meeting.

Cincinnati Public Schools Board President Carolyn Jones called Berding's presentation the start of the conversation. No sale papers have been drawn up; no vote is scheduled.

The board's seven members expressed concern about receiving full property tax payments, making sure the students are better off if a deal is done and getting community support for the plan.

Berding pledges the schools would be held "harmless or improved."

What the board didn't do: Say – or even hint – at how they might vote.

The community should expect more town hall meetings. The West End Community Council board is set to discuss the matter at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Carl H. Lindner YMCA on Linn Street, and CPS is going to hear from the public again at 6 p.m. Feb. 21 at Taft IT High School.

Almost 50 people signed up to speak, the majority against the idea. Some of those opposed held signs that read "People over profit" and "Fair funding now."

Councilman Wendell Young recounted how African-Americans have been pushed out of the community over and over, drawing cheers.

"I simply urge you not to be part of gentrifying the West End," Young said.

Contina Davis grew up in the West End and still lives there. "We don't want to look like Over-the-Rhine," she said.

Supporters were hard to miss; many wore blue and orange FC Cincinnati gear.

Paul Bogenshutz said he lives steps from Stargel Stadium.

"That area needs something," Bogenshutz said. "It needs a boost. This gives the neighborhood a fighting chance."

It's unclear how much city and county money the club would ask for. City Council and the Hamilton County commissioners had already agreed to put a combined $51 million toward infrastructure for an MLS stadium in Oakley in agreements that are transferable to another site.

Stargel Stadium, named for an influential teacher and coach who brought youth sports to the African-American neighborhood, serves six high school football teams and variety of other teams and sports throughout the year.

Berding says three stadium sites remain under consideration for a possible MLS stadium: West End, Oakley and Newport. School board approval would likely cement West End as the preferred site. But Berding is also seeking neighborhood approval, which he does not have yet.

An MLS expansion announcement is expected by the end of February.

FC Cincinnati’s West End plan wouldn't touch Taft High School or take any homes, Berding said. Cincinnati Center City Department Corp. is working on a plan to rebuild the WCET garage at Central Parkway near Ezzard Charles and told The Enquirer last week the size is dependent on whether FC Cincinnati chooses the West End. A new home for WCET and public radio offices, which adjoin the garage, has not yet been determined.

FC Cincinnati is proposing to build a new Stargel with synthetic turf, an Olympic-sized track and an area for pole-vaulting and shotput events. A canopy bearing the Stargel name would cover the home section. It would also have locker rooms, which the current stadium doesn't have. And it would be fenced in, which is important to ticket sales.

The new stadium could also house a soccer program, which would have support from FC Cincinnati.

"CPS would have a say in all decisions about high school stadium," Berding said. A stadium with those amenities could cost FC Cincinnati as much as $10 million, based on the cost of similar stadiums. Berding didn't cite a cost.

The new Stargel would be built before the current one is torn down, ensuring no gap in athletic programming, Berding said.