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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