BY LUCY MAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Lawyers for the family that owns the Caddy's Complex spent Tuesday trying to convince a Hamilton County jury that the night spot's success is inextricably tied to its location at Plum Street and Pete Rose Way.

But lawyers for Hamilton County laid the foundation for an argument that the Schneider family could move its successful bar elsewhere and do just fine.

The arguments were something of a milestone for Hamilton County: the first day for a jury to hear the county's first court case to take land for the proposed $400.3 million Bengals stadium complex.

County commissioners voted last Wednesday to pay the Castellini Family Trust $36.5 million for 24 acres of riverfront land for the stadium, marking the first acquisition of land for the stadium.

But the county and Schneider family haven't been able to agree on a price for the Caddy's Complex. The county has offered $1.3 million, and the family is seeking $5.5 million, said Dave Greer, the lawyer representing the family.

Andrew Patton, the county's attorney, explained the complex process that appraisers use to determine a property's value. The county hired two appraisers, he said, and both used a lengthy process to determine the worth of the building and the land it sits on.

The county will show that its orderly appraisals came to a fair-market value of $1.3 million for the property, he said.

''We don't believe there is uniqueness to this area,'' he said.

The jury toured the two buildings that make up the Caddy's complex Tuesday morning and then headed back to a crowded Hamilton County Common Pleas courtroom to hear opening arguments and expert testimony about the property and its value.

The jury looked at still photos and video of the bar packed at pre-game events and dance nights. A local accountant testified concerning financial statements he prepared for the family.

Mallis Schneider, the 26-year-old president of Schneiders Five Inc., explained to jurors the corporation was composed of herself and her four younger brothers and sisters who own and operate Caddy's.

The corporation was formed in late 1992 by her father, Charles Schneider, and started operating in 1993, she said.

The Caddy's lawsuit is one of four that the county has filed to acquire land for the Bengals stadium because county lawyers haven't been able to agree to a price with land owners.

The next case, involving the company that owns Flanagan's Landing, is scheduled to begin Monday.

Shirey offers county riverfront deal
New group pushes price cap