BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A stadium deal between the Reds and Hamilton County focuses on the riverfront "Baseball on Main" site passing a feasibility test as the sides moved closer to a memorandum of understanding.

The club and the county met Monday with each lead negotiator acknowledging "issues have been narrowed," but Reds Managing Executive John Allen and Hamilton County Administrator David Krings refused to elaborate.

Mr. Krings said the county has not backed off any site, including Broadway Commons downtown.

"It's not soup yet," County Commission President Bob Bedinghaus said Monday night. "We continue to talk to the Reds."

Those close to the situation said an agreement is under discussion in which the site dubbed "The Wedge" must pass muster from architects and engineers as a first step.

If the site between Cinergy Field and Riverfront Coliseum survives scrutiny, the remaining phases of the memorandum of understanding would kick in.

Both sides are refusing to discuss specifics, such as what happens if "The Wedge" is unable to be converted to a ballpark site.

With "The Wedge" question pretty much left in the hands of the experts, indications Monday night were that the discussions are now centered on the financial package instead of the site.

Mr. Bedinghaus said there are no more meetings set this week, but he said the sides would probably get back together in the next week or two.

But that isn't a timetable for a signed agreement.

"We can always talk," Mr. Krings said. "Both John Allen and I have a phone." REDS 4, BREWERS 3
NOTEBOOK: REDS PASS ON CORDERO
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Previous stories

REDS UNMOVED BY PRICE GAP June 20, 1997
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BALLPARK ESTIMATE: $230 MILLION June 11, 1997
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REDS TO KENTUCKY? WHISPERS PERSIST May 31, 1997
NO DEAL WITH REDS SEEN BY JUNE 1 May 23, 1997
REDS EASE STANCE ON 'WEDGE' May 16, 1997
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COSTS GOING UPMay 5, 1997
SCHOTT SAYS 'NO WAY' TO WEDGE April 12, 1997
SULLIVAN COLUMN April 12, 1997
CITY COULD PAY TO DELAY STADIUM April 10, 1997
BENGALS LEERY OF 'WEDGE' April 9, 1997

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THE GREAT STADIUM DEBATE
BALLPARK DEBATE LINGERS ON April 6, 1997
NEIGHBORHOOD A BIG PART OF BALLPARK April 6, 1997
BALLPARK, FANS' HONEYMOON SHORT April 6, 1997
REDS HAVE HURDLES, HELP IN SITE HUNT April 6, 1997
KENTUCKY DESERVES REDS, TOOApril 6, 1997
BORGMAN CARTOON April 6, 1997

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REDS PLAN SEAT LICENSING March 14, 1997
REDS TOLD BENGALS NOT PICKING SITE March 12, 1997
MAYOR SUPPORTS BROADWAY March 5, 1997
DESPITE FLOOD, REDS DON'T WAVER FROM RIVER March 5, 1997
BASEBALL ON MAIN PROPOSED Feb. 26, 1997
WEDGE SITE GETS BOOST FROM COUNTY Feb. 22, 1997
REDS, COUNTY RESUME STADIUM TALKS Feb. 19, 1997
ONLY CRIME IS NOT CONSIDERING BROADWAY Feb. 18, 1997
RIVER SITE OR LAWSUIT Feb. 15, 1997
REDS ARE READY TO PLAY HARDBALL Feb. 15, 1997
SCHOTT THREATENS TO MOVE IF REDS AREN'T ON RIVER Feb. 14, 1997