Hamilton County may be ready to transform Cinergy Field, but the Reds aren't as sure.
Citing a slew of unanswered questions, the Reds responded cautiously Thursday to an enthusiastic argument for transformation by County Commission President Bob Bedinghaus.
A 'new' Cinergy
As envisioned by HOK Sports Facilities Group Inc. in 1994 drawings:
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Outfield walls with upper-deck seats cut out to present a new view of the downtown skyline.
Redesigned entrances
and ramps.
An outfield picnic section.
A steel-and-glass stadium club in right field that resembles the one at Cleveland's Jacobs Field.
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Mr. Bedinghaus said he expects a stadium deal with the Reds by March 31, but Reds managing executive John Allen said his team won't enter into an agreement for transformation until architects and engineers assure the club a 1970s bowl configuration can be turned into a 21st-century moneymaker.
Major League Baseball is skeptical of Mr. Bedinghaus' prediction a Cinergy transformation could be on the cutting edge of a new wave of designs in the style of Anaheim Stadium's $100 million renovation.
''It's a reversal of the successful trends that have been in the game recently,'' said one baseball source. ''Anaheim has a baseball footprint. Cinergy is more of a football print.''
Major League Baseball would have to approve any stadium deal. There has been discussion of tearing down the center field walls for a view of either the Ohio River or Cincinnati skyline. The Reds are looking for a grass field, a modern scoreboard and a Reds' museum, among other amenities.
Mr. Allen said the team runs the risk of not drawing enough fans with a transformation.
Discussion centers on a $125 million renovation, plus $50 million for demolition and rebuilding. In the team's last proposal, the Reds wanted a new 45,000-seat, $235 million ballpark with 3,000 club seats and 50 luxury suites.
''We're looking at this because all of our proposals for a new stadium got shot down,'' Mr. Allen said. He says a transformation means the Reds would probably be asked to contribute less money. Mr. Bedinghaus said he thinks it's ''still up in the air a little bit'' if the Reds get a transformed Cinergy or a new park on the riverfront just west of the Crown in the ''Wedge'' site.
''But I can make a pretty compelling case for transforming Cinergy Field,'' he added.
Cincinnati City Councilwoman Bobbie Sterne, leading council's riverfront development efforts as chair of the Community Development Committee said, ''We aren't going to have nearly as attractive a riverfront if that stadium goes there.''
Councilman Dwight Tillery, who in September endorsed Broadway Commons, said a renovated Cinergy makes it easier to make the case for a riverfront location.
Facelift won't make Cinergy chic Paul Daugherty column
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