Tuesday, May 09, 2000
Ballpark overseer going for save
By Dan Klepal
The Cincinnati Enquirer
There's a fresh set of eyes getting ready to watch over the tax dollars spent during construction of the Reds ballpark.
Hamilton County hired a native Cincinnatian, Mike Sieving, as its construction project executive to oversee the building of the new ballpark and the demolition of the old one, Cinergy Field.
Mr. Sieving, a 55-year-old Miami Heights man, will make $120,000 per year, and the county thinks the position will be needed for between three and five years.
Monday was Mr. Sieving's first day on the job.
“This is a very challenging project and one of the highest profile projects in town,” Mr. Sieving said. “It requires additional staff to manage it, and I'll free up time for other county employees.”
County officials decided to create the position on the recommendation of their construction auditor, Pricewaterhousecoopers.
In announcing $45 million in cost overruns at Paul Brown Stadium Feb. 14, the auditor said there was lax oversight of changes to hundreds of individual contracts at the new football stadium, suggesting the need for the position.
Two days later, County Administrator Dave Krings said he intended to create the position.
Mr. Krings said Monday that he doesn't think Mr. Sieving will be involved much with the football stadium, which is to open in August. But questions about that construction might be directed his way, as well as additional responsibilities with other riverfront development — such as parking.
“It's primarily the Reds ballpark that we created the position for,” Mr. Krings said. “Is riverfront development part of the deal today? No. But who knows what may be the case in three to five years.”
Mr. Sieving is a Western Hills High School graduate who attended the University of Cincinnati. He received his state license in 1993, and is certified by the National Council of Architecture Registration Board.
“I bring a new perspective to this,” Mr. Sieving said. “I'll be looking at things we can do differently than in the past.”
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