Downtown arena...

[GoBearcats31]

The Enquirer is reporting on the latest developments for a possible new downtown arena
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/new...i/70836158007/

Possible sites, per Visit Cincy:

1. West End Site: South of TQL Stadium on Ezzard Charles Drive and West Central Parkway.
2. Downtown East Site: North of the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati between Gilbert Avenue and Reading Road.
3. Heritage Bank Center Site: On the original site of the Heritage Bank Center at Broadway and Pete Rose Way.
4. Queensgate Site: On the lot currently housing the historic Longworth Hall building at Gest Street and Pete Rose Way.
5. Convention Center South Site: South of the Duke Energy Convention Center between Fourth and Fifth streets and Plum and Elm streets.
6. P&G Headquarters North Site: North of P&G's Central Building spanning Sycamore Street between Sixth and Seventh streets.
7. Millennium Hotel Site 1: On the site of the former Millennium Hotel on Elm Street between Fifth and Sixth streets.
8. Millennium Hotel Site 2: On the site of the former Millennium Hotel on Elm Street between Fifth and Seventh streets.

Construction on the new arena could start as early as February 2026 and wrap up by June 2028. Visit Cincy hopes to take the completed feasibility study before the city and the public in the first half of next year.

[Bearcat93]

Who’s paying for this arena? The city isn’t and surely the public isn’t. I doubt this has enough private money to get built but if it does, 20-22K should be the target.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

Just who would be the primary tenant for this arena? We have no NHL or NBA team, or even the prospect of having one.

[bearcatbret]

The Enquirer article states that Hunnington Bank is interested in partially funding the new arena. It also stated that there could be well over 100 events per year there. The one benefit that I see is that Cincinnati could finally host events such as the NCCA tournament early rounds. Berding has a reputation of turning lead into gold so there may be something to this.

Cincinnati tourism organization highlights possible spots for new arena (wcpo.com)
The initiative is already supported by the Cincinnati Cyclones, Huntington, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber and the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, Visit Cincy cites in the presentation.

[red_n_black_attack]

Just who would be the primary tenant for this arena? We have no NHL or NBA team, or even the prospect of having one.

Per the article, the Cyclones would likely be tenant most of the time, but no team would be listed as primary tenant or owner. I'm not familiar with a similar operating philosophy in use for the new arena in Kansas City. My guess (2 cents), the arena owner/operator would charge per event, but not give special scheduling preference to a team like Cyclones. The benefit would be the arena could block out times from Cyclones more than a year in advance so they could target other events, such as NCAA Tourney.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

A new arena for minor league? Not a good idea at all. And, the ECHL is not even the highest minor league level.

[Lobot]

The City of Cincinnati has needed a new arena for at least 20 years. The city has lost out on concerts, political conventions and rallies, NCAA tourney regionals, and large events that the convention center won't hold, etc.

AEG/Nederlander has basically been stonewalling the city for eons trying to get the city to eminent domain the current arena and pay them to go away or make the city pay for a new arena that they control. Making that ownership group irrelevant would be great for the city and almost everyone involved.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

When the Cincinnati Stingers (WHA) disbanded, the current arena, without a major tenant, quickly turned into a giant white elephant, falling into disrepair and little used. True, a new arena has been needed for a very long time.

[Bearcat93]

Not sure 16K would grab the marquee indoor concerts & NCAA basketball games.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

Not sure 16K would grab the marquee indoor concerts & NCAA basketball games.

I'm sure. It wouldn't.

[bearcatbret]

I found this interesting.

The seating capacity requirements for the NCAA basketball tournament can vary depending on the venue hosting the event. The NCAA does not have a specific minimum seating requirement for the tournament. However, it is generally expected that the facility should have a seating capacity of at least 10,000 seats¹. The key is to ensure that the facility meets all of the NCAA specifications, including a variety of amenities like suites and boxes to accommodate media and press conferences, as well as ample room for fans¹.

For more detailed information about the selection process and other aspects of the NCAA basketball tournament, you can refer to the official NCAA website or other reliable sources²³⁴.

As have been discussed over the years, the Coliseum has become a dump. It has terrible site lines. It just doesn't stand up to today's standards. It is not an attractive venue to anyone. I am not against a privately sponsored and owned new arena. I will vote no if it comes down to the voters approving the City or County pay for it.

[True Bearcat]

A new arena for minor league? Not a good idea at all. And, the ECHL is not even the highest minor league level.

It would not just be for "minor league." If you read the article you would have learned that it would be used to lure national party conventions to town, NCAA basketball and hockey tournaments, major indoor concerts that skip Cincinnati, conventions, and other uses. A new arena would be an economic boom for the area. Help sell hotel rooms, push restaurants sales, and other items dependent on sales. County and city leaders know they cannot ask the taxpayer for a dime to build the new arena. Local Fortune 500 companies such as Kroger and P&G are leading this charge.