OPINION

Jeff Berding | Opinion contributor

Those who know me know that patience is not my strong suit. Lately, I’ve been tested in that regard. After pitching what we believe is a winning bid to Major League Soccer in December, our FC Cincinnati ownership team still does not know if we will be awarded a franchise. We expect a decision this month.

We will only build a new stadium if FC Cincinnati moves up to the MLS level. So, we cannot proceed with selecting a stadium location until we learn our fate. This delay is causing me and our community a bit of frustration.

Before we look ahead, let's take a look back. In June 2017, we announced that, if awarded an MLS franchise, FCC had identified three potential neighborhoods for a new, privately funded $200 million-plus soccer stadium: Oakley, the West End and Newport. Each area has opportunities and challenges that have not yet been fully assessed. We are moving as quickly as possible to complete final site plans, feasibility analyses, cost estimations and schedules for each site so the team can make a final, educated decision based not only on FC Cincinnati qualifications but also the level of support from the neighborhood and elected officials.

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For the stadium to be a great addition to a neighborhood, this $200 million economic development project should maintain the fabric of the neighborhood while bringing increased density, retail, entertainment, community facilities and, most importantly, jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for our future neighbors.

In Oakley, traffic and environmental studies are underway. These studies take time to conduct and upon completion, we will collectively and collaboratively review the results as part of an ongoing community engagement process where the traffic study is key.

Mike Nyerges/The Enquirer

FCC continues to have good conversations with the site owner and developer about the Ovation development. At the appropriate time, FCC would look forward to additional meetings with elected officials, residents and area stakeholders.

In the West End neighborhood, outreach is underway with a community engagement process that includes residents, stakeholders and elected officials. FCC has engaged former Mayor Mark Mallory, a fourth generation and current West End resident and FCC fan from the beginning, to ensure the neighborhood’s concerns are addressed in any final stadium development plan. If stadium plans require partnership with Cincinnati Public Schools, FC Cincinnati will work to improve CPS facilities and student programs which will make CPS and Taft High School better as a result.

Mallory and I will meet with the West End Community Council Board on Feb. 13 and are planning other opportunities to meet with West End residents to hear concerns, answer questions and discuss what could be an exciting future together.

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FC Cincinnati stadium design unveiling event

As we await the MLS decision and then proceed with site selection, I pledge this to you:

Communication. We will share as much information as we are able to with our potential neighbors and elected officials – a process that has been limited as we access the feasibility of property acquisition.

Outreach. We will listen to and work with the community and elected officials not just during the stadium site selection process but also afterward during construction and after a stadium opens.

Partnership. We will develop a winning program with the neighborhood, including a commitment to inclusion, jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities and other community benefits.

If awarded an MLS franchise, FC Cincinnati will not make the stadium decision alone. The site must not only be the best for FCC but must be a positive addition to the community, welcomed by neighbors and our elected officials. We look forward to winning news with MLS and an inclusive community conversation on stadium plans from there.

Jeff Berding is the president and general manager of FC Cincinnati.