Patrick Brennan

pbrennan@enquirer.com

For passersby on the University of Cincinnati campus, the foot print of the construction zone at Nippert Stadium provides a pretty clear view into the work that'll be completed there this winter.

For those that don't often get to the UC campus, construction renderings released by the school to The Enquirer Wednesday tell the whole story of the more than $2 million worth of construction being paid for by Futbol Club Cincinnati.

The renderings show carved out corners in the south end zone – changes UC Athletic Director Mike Bohn said will enhance player safety and create opportunities for new seating areas for Bearcats football.

For FC Cincinnati, the changes will expand the field size to meet Major League Soccer specifications, making the venue a more attractive component of the soccer club's bid for MLS expansion.

Bohn said the soccer club would be responsible for putting Nippert's lower bowl back to its original configuration should it leave the facility for any reason. FC Cincinnati is still in the initial, three-year term of a deal that could see it play home matches at Nippert for up to 15 years.

FC Cincinnati last week hosted MLS Commissioner Don Garber as part of its effort to secure an MLS expansion spot. Garber, one of American soccer's power brokers, toured Nippert with Bohn.

West Chester-based Sunesis Construction Co. was awarded the stadium construction contract in October and will undertake Nippert's lower-bowl reconfiguration, according to documents obtained by The Enquirer through an Oct. 3 public records request. Bohn confirmed FC Cincinnati will pay for the reconfiguration at an approximate price tag of $2,008,944.