fc cincy stadium proposal community outreach summary report · partnership in the event (fcc)...
TRANSCRIPT
Board of EducationFC Cincy Stadium Proposal
Community OutreachSummary Report
CPSCPS
CPS
MARCH 2018
IntroductionIn January 2018, the Cincinnati Public School District Board of Education was approached by Football Club Cincinnati (FCC) to “discuss a potential FCC-CPS partnership in the event (FCC) choose(s) to pursue a West End stadium location.”
The Board of Education responded to that proposal, stating that such a proposal involve a robust community discussion and stakeholder input with utmost openness and transparency.
This Community Outreach Summary Report is a summation of the Board’s work in this area between January and March 2018, and includes information that was presented at three public Board meetings, including a Community Meeting focused exclusively on the FC Cincinnati stadium proposal.
In total, the Board heard over 100 verbal speeches during its public engagement sessions, and received over 1,200 written comments in response to the Board’s FC Cincinnati public survey.
The illustrations throughout this report are the product of Graphic Illustrator Tom Miller of Atomic Art. Mr. Miller captured the essence of the over 50 individuals who spoke at the Board’s Community Meeting, to highlight the passion and commitment of community members on this issue.
The Board thanks Ms. Regina Carswell Russo of RRightNow Communications, who facilitated the Board’s Community Meeting.
Most importantly, the Board appreciates and thanks the hundreds of citizens of Cincinnati who have sent letters, testified at Board members, responded to the Board’s survey and have otherwise provided input to the Board regarding this proposed land agreement.
Cincinnati Public School District Board of Education MembersCarolyn Jones, President
Ericka Copeland-Dansby, Vice President
Melanie Bates
Eve Bolton
Lannis Timmons
Ryan Messer
Michael Moroski
Laura Mitchell, Superintendent
Jennifer Wagner, Treasurer
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Timeline of CommunicationsCopies of this correspondence is included at the end of this report. Links to correspondence can also be found online at www.cps-k12.org.
The CPS Board of Education was asked by FC Cincinnati to consider a land agreement proposal that would allow FC Cincinnati to utilize the current location of CPS’s Stargel Stadium in exchange for the construction of a new Stargel Stadium adjacent to Taft IT High School.
The Board stated its commitment to openness and transparency in all matters, including the discussion of this proposal.
Letter from FC Cincinnati to CPS Board of EducationOn January 22, FC Cincinnati President and General Manager Jeff Berding sent a letter to CPS Board of Education President Carolyn Jones.
On January 24, Board President Jones sent a written reply to Mr. Berding acknowledging receipt of his letter.
On January 31, the Board of Education met for its regularly scheduled meeting. At that meeting, the Board committed to several action steps to continue public engagement in an open and transparent way.
• Hold a community meeting at Taft IT High School;
• Request a presentation from FC Cincinnati on their development plans;
• Survey the community for their opinion.
On February 8, Jeff Berding wrote the Board of Education about the possibility of making a specific proposal to the Board. He also emailed the Board additional information on February 12th.
On February 12th, Mr. Berding and other FC Cincinnati representatives presented a land agreement concept and a redevelopment proposal for Stargel Stadium. CPS Athletics Manager Joshua Hardin also provided the Board information about the teams and other organizations that utilize Stargel Stadium.
On February 21st, the Board held a Community Meeting at Taft IT High School.
The Board released results of a non-scientific public survey on March 7. Over 2,700 individuals, 40 percent of whom self- identified as CPS Taxpayers, responded to the survey.
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Board Meeting
Individuals that testified
Craig Rozen
Shirley J. Jones
Steve Smith
Tia Brown
Alexis Kidd
Sterling Rogers Trice
Stephan Pryor Hawktime
Edith Thrower
Christopher Griffin
Kelli Prather
Michelle Dillingham
Mary B, Rivers (Letter)
Julie Sellers
Hearing of the PublicJanuary 31, 2018 Board Meeting
The Board of Education held a Hearing of the Public during its regularly scheduled February 12th Board Meeting. A dozen community members spoke about the FC Cincinnati stadium proposal.
At the meeting, the Board committed to several action steps to continue public engagement in an open and transparent way including:
• Hold a community meeting at Taft IT High School;
• Request a presentation from FC Cincinnati on their development plans;
• Survey the community for their opinion.
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Board Meeting
CPS Athletics and FacilitiesStargel Stadium Reconstruction
2002: Start Stadium Reconstruction
2004: Stargel Stadium Dedication Initial project cost:$5,459,000
2015: Field and track improvements $397,000
Final cost: $5,856,000
Individuals that testified
Craig Rozen
Wendell Young
Cecil Thomas
Kelli Prather
Clement Tsao
Josh Spring
Allie Graff
John Harshaw
Gwen Marshall
Iris Roley
Peter Hames
Sterling Rogers Trice
Clayton Adams
Andrew Kuecwicz
Lashon Taylor
Tom Savoca
Carol Brown
Marlena Brookfield
Amy Scroghan
David Brenner
Joe Mallory
Paul Bogenschutz
Contina Davis
Michelle Dillingham
Alexis Kidd
Cerissa Newbill
Stephen Pryor
Marq Casey
Raymond Ellerbe
Kevin Wallace
Jeff Capell
Ralph Moon
Shirley Felton
Christopher Griffin
Brian Garry
Carliss O’Neal
Jared McFaddin
Gail D. Finke
Scott Finke
Julie Sellers
Hearing of the PublicFebruary 12, 2018 Board Meeting
On February 12, 2018, the Board of Education met for a regularly scheduled Board meeting, with a specific agenda to address the FC Cincinnati proposal.
Jeff Berding, President and General Manager of FC Cincinnati and other FC Cincinnati representatives presented a land agreement concept and a redevelopment proposal for Stargel Stadium.
CPS Athletics Manager Joshua Hardin also provided the Board information about the teams and other organizations that utilize Stargel Stadium.
The Board heard from over 40 individuals during a Hearing of the Public. At that meeting, the Board announced that it would hold a Community Meeting on February 21, 2018 at Taft IT High School.
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Board Meeting (cont)
Other Uses • Taft IT Physical Education Classes and other health and fitness programs
• 2017 Special Olympics summer event
• 2018 Project Connect summer event
Student Enrollment Taft IT: HS: 607
Virtual HS: 347
Stadium SpecsSeating: 3,000 2,000 Home; 1,000 Visitor
Facility includes: • Ticket booth • Concession area • Storage for maintenance and athletics
Teams That Utilize StargelCincinnati Public Schools Teams
High School Football • Aiken Football Team • Taft IT Football Team • Hughes Football Team • Shroder Team • Gamble Team • Riverview East Team
Track and Field • Taft • Gamble • Riverview East • Sayler Park
Non-CPS School Teams
Football • Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy
Track and Field • Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy • St. Joseph’s
Others • Gotham Soccer • Kings Hammer Soccer • Cincinnati Christian University • Ohio Premier Football League • West End Little Senators Baseball • Cincinnati Gators Semi-Pro Football
Digital: 267
Rising Stars: 182 (Vine)
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MLS Bid & Stadium UpdateFC Cincinnati Stadium• Opportunity to win MLS franchise requires soccer-
specific stadium that works best in an urban environment
• FCC Stadium will be privately financed – owners prepared to invest over $350 million
• In June, 2017, FCC publicly identified three neighborhoods as potentially winning locations for new soccer stadium --Oakley, West End and Newport
• FCC has never identified one as “preferred” or “Plan A” option – all have strengths and challenges that FCC is evaluating
• Given enormous private investment, an FCC stadium must be great addition to neighborhood – Jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities – Affordable housing – Retail and entertainment – Community assets
Board Meeting (cont)
Potential West End Stadium Facts• Stadium will not touch Taft High School building in
any way
• No housing will be taken, no residents will be displaced
• A site plan involving high school stadium existing location would need to replace StargelStadium with bigger, improved StargelStadium so current activities are not impacted
• FCC has committed to neighborhood outreach that will lead to a binding Community Benefits Agreement
Existing Willard Stargel Stadium
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Board Meeting (cont)
Proposed Stargel Stadium Site Exchange
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Board Meeting (cont)
ACES Committee Meeting
Initial Vision for New Willard R. Stargel Stadium
Potential West End StadiumWill work with CPS to:
• Improve facilities
• Improve student programs, both sports & academic
• Expand student and Taft school community partnership
Will work with West End neighborhood youth coaches to support their program needs
Will work with City on enforceable CBA
Stadium Decision • Not FCC’s alone, with neighborhood and elected leaders
• With ongoing Communication, Outreach and Partnership
• First Step must be concept proposal and engagement with CPS then neighborhood residents
• Continue to work on other sites respecting need for engagement & public process
Joint Board and City Council MeetingThe Alliance for Community and Educational Success, a joint organization of the Board of Education and the Cincinnati City Council’s Education, Innovation and Growth Committee, met on February 27, 2018, to discuss the proposed FC Cincinnati stadium development.
Several community members spoke about the proposed stadium development, and the elected representatives discussed the matter.
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Community Meeting
Individuals that testified
Sterling Rogers Trice
Ralph Moon
Mwalimu Keita
Alexis Kidd
Marlena Brookfield
Tom Savoca
Carol Brown
John Donaldson
Andrea Hale
Brian Garry
Stephen Pryor
Dennis Whitehead
John Walter
David Brenner
Mark Quarry
Marsha Reese
Contina Davis
Gerald Bates
Gerald Smith
Shirley J. Jones
Keyshai Calloway
Donyae Grant
Tim Haines
Tia Brown
Tabitha Donald
Joseph Creighton
Gwen Marshall
Allie Graff
Mark Mussman
Josh Spring
Nick Johnson
Joshua Kruer
Steve Smith
Barbara Boylan
Chris Ostoich
Margy Waller
Kelly Pranther
Christopher Griffin
Colin Hill
Tom Conlon Jr
Craig Rozen
Earnestine Hill
Hearing of the PublicFebruary 21, 2018 Board Meeting
The Board of Education held a Community Meeting at Taft IT High School on February 21, 2018. Taft IT High School hosts the site for Stargel Stadium, but it’s important to note that six CPS high school football teams utilize Stargel Stadium.
In an effort to make the best-informed decision if a formal proposal was to be presented by FC Cincinnati, the Board held this meeting to hear directly from the community members, particularly West End students and parents.
Ms. Regina Carswell Russo of RRightNow Communications was the facilitator of the event. Ms. Russo kicked off the discussion with a question from a Taft IT High School student.
Speakers were asked to direct their comments to the essential question for the Board: “If the West End is selected as the site for the FC Cincinnati stadium, should the Board of Education enter into a land agreement to rebuild Stargel Stadium across the street from Taft IT High School?”
Over 50 individuals provided comments to the Board.
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Community Meeting (cont)
The Board of Education, in an effort to make the best informed decision if a formal proposal is presented, is holding this community meeting to hear directly from the community about their questions and concerns about a proposed FC Cincinnati Stadium.
If the West End is selected as the site for the FC Cincinnati stadium, should the Board of Education enter into a land agreement to rebuild Stargel Stadium across the street from Taft IT?
Next Steps1. Major League Soccer must select Cincinnati for
expansion team.
2. FC Cincinnati has until March 31 to sign an expansion agreement with MLS.
3. FC Cincinnati must make a formal legal proposal to CPS Board of Education.
4. Board of Education must deliberate and decide on proposal with openness and transparency that provides the best opportunity for our students and families.
Action Steps1. Board of Education will release a community survey
until 2/25 to get input from others.
2. Board of Education will summarize input from this meeting and share with the community and decision makers.
3. Board of Education will continue to discuss and deliberate this proposal in an open and transparent manner.
How does this impact CPS?
How does this impact the schools and programs that utilize Stargel Stadium?
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Survey SummaryThe Cincinnati Public School District Board of Education conducted a non-scientific survey to seek additional input from the Cincinnati community about the proposed FC Cincinnati Stadium. The Board appreciates the time that thousands of citizens took to provide input and ask questions about this proposed project.
The Board asked students, teachers, parents, and community members to share their thoughts and comments. In summary, 2,778 individuals replied to the survey. The survey initially opened on February 21st; an additional 1,068 individuals who have replied since February 28th, when the survey was reopened to get additional community input.
Nearly 41 percent of the survey respondents identified as “A CPS Taxpayer.”
When asked “what issues are important to you?” respondents were permitted to check all that applied; the top five responses were:
Potential positive economic development for the West End
Jobs and economic opportunity
Gentrification of the West End Neighborhood
Impact of existing tax abatements affecting CPS
Traffic impact
55.5 percent
42.81 percent
28.2 percent
26.61 percent
26.07 percent
1,539 respondents
1,187 respondents
782 respondents
738 respondents
723 respondents
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Survey Summary (cont)
When asked “what information could be shared with you?” respondents were permitted to check all that applied; the top five responses were:
Respondents were asked to provide additional comments to the Board; 1,285 individuals responded with comments.
Jobs and economic benefits of the project
Impact on the West End Neighborhood
Tax abatement impact
New or expanded soccer opportunities for CPS students
Parking in the area
53.59 percent
50.25 percent
43.29 percent
33.28 percent
29.22 percent
1,478 respondents
1,386 respondents
1,194 respondents
918 respondents
806 respondents
A full report of the survey results is available at ww.cps-k12.org.
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