BY LUCY MAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A lawyer opposing the Broadway Commons ballot initiative says a vote forcing Hamilton County to build a new ballpark there could cost taxpayers millions of extra dollars.
In a one-page protest filed with the Hamilton County Board of Elections Thursday, Robert Kreidler argues that if voters pass a measure forcing the Broadway location, the land there could end up costing two to three times as much as it otherwise would.
"When I have the only place that's allowed, I would think an appraiser could set almost any value he wished," Mr. Kreidler said.
Limited choice
If passed, the ballot measure would restrict county commissioners from building a new Major League ballpark anywhere but Broadway Commons, the site at Broadway and Reading Road.
The county has a tentative deal with the Reds to build a ballpark adjacent to Cinergy Field at a site known as Baseball on Main or the "Wedge." Broadway backers say their measure, if passed, would nullify that deal.
Donald Mooney, a lawyer for the Broadway group, said if the project becomes too expensive, the Reds could continue to play at Cinergy Field. Or, commissioners could go back to the voters, make their case and ask them to consider another site, he said.
Hamilton County certainly ended up paying a "hell of a lot more" than officials expected for land for the Bengals' new football stadium, County Commissioner John Dowlin acknowledged.
But Mr. Dowlin, a Broadway supporter, said Chavez Properties, which owns most of the Broadway land, has already given the county a price that Mr. Dowlin puts at $20 million to $30 million.
If the company were to demand more, a court would likely settle the amount through eminent domain proceedings, Mr. Dowlin said. Mr. Dowlin has argued a new ballpark at Broadway would save taxpayers as much as $60 million over a stadium at the Wedge. That savings, however, doesn't include land costs.
Thursday marked the last day for filing protests of the Hamilton County Board of Elections' 2-2 vote on the issue earlier this week. Both fans and foes of the ballot measure plan to make their case at a hearing in Columbus Tuesday afternoon.
Ohio Secretary of State Bob Taft could rule as soon as next week on whether the ballpark issue will appear on Hamilton County's November ballot.
In addition to the breaking the tie vote, he also must rule on the protests filed.
No matter what he decides, however, many expect his ruling will be challenged immediately in court.
Mr. Mooney filed a protest, arguing the issue should be placed on the ballot immediately because the elections board failed to find the petitions invalid.
Lawyers Bill Seitz and Joseph Trauth also filed a protest, arguing that the ballot measure, which creates a county charter for the purposes of locating the ballpark, is an illegal referendum that could threaten to change county government dramatically if passed.
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