BY LUCY MAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The people pushing to keep the Cincinnati Reds on the riverfront launched their campaign Tuesday, echoing a theme that worked with Hamilton County voters two years ago:
"This is not about the Reds," campaign Chairman John Schneider said. "This is about a vision for downtown Cincinnati."
A similar theme helped persuade voters in 1996 to pass a county sales tax increase to fund stadium construction.
This campaign -- "Move Greater Cincinnati Forward!" -- aims to persuade voters to vote against Issue 11, the measure on the Nov. 3 ballot that would create a county charter for the purpose of locating a Reds ballpark at the site known as Broadway Commons.
Hamilton County Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus said this campaign represents the completion of the job voters started two years ago when they passed the county sales tax: transforming the riverfront. Mr. Bedinghaus and Mr. Schneider argue the city's best chance at a riverfront rebirth is by building a Reds ballpark just west of the Crown at the site known as Baseball on Main or the "Wedge." Reds Managing Executive John Allen joined the campaign kickoff on the walkway between Cinergy Field and the Crown, saying the team needs a new riverfront ballpark to ensure the Reds' ability to field a competitive team.
"From the Reds' perspective, that's what this is about -- being able to maintain a competitive team," he said. "We are totally behind this."
Mr. Allen would not say, however, what the Reds would do if Hamilton County voters approve Issue 11, giving the nod to the site at Broadway and Reading Road that the Reds have repeatedly rejected.
"We don't think we're going to have to worry about that," he said.
Mr. Schneider said the riverfront campaign will focus on three things:
Riverfront development is inextricably tied to a new riverfront ballpark.
A yes vote on Issue 11 could lead to a dramatic change in the county's form of government;
There are far better uses for Broadway Commons than a baseball stadium. He thinks a housing development, for example, would do more for the city and the neighborhoods surrounding Broadway than a stadium that is dark most of the year.
Hamilton County Commission candidate Marilyn Hyland, a Broadway supporter running against Commission President Tom Neyer Jr., quipped the campaign should instead be called "Move Northern Kentucky Forward" because of the benefits a riverfront ballpark location would bring Newport and Covington.
But Mr. Neyer said he thinks the community must finish the job of redeveloping the central riverfront, and the stadium is an important part of that.
"We have to complete that now or we lose that window," he said.
