Construction to Begin on Reds' New Ballpark

Court Permits Construction to Begin on Reds' Ballpark

TRO denied claim that demolition of old stadium would have 'detrimental' effect

Cincinnati, Ohio, August 2, 2000 -- When the Cincinnati Reds open the 2003 season, it looks as if they will be playing in their new Great American ballpark after all. A county judge cleared the way for the demolition of Cinergy Field to begin next week when he denied a request by the Firstar Center to halt the project. The owners of the Firstar Center had filed a lawsuit asking that the construction of the Great American ballpark be stopped. Warning that the delay could jeopardize the construction schedule of the Cincinnati Reds' new ballpark and push up its cost, Judge Robert Ruehlman denied a temporary restraining order sought by the owners of the Firstar Center.

The judge's ruling means that the demolition of Cinergy's parking areas, plaza, and bridge connecting the Firstar Center and Cinergy plaza level can begin, as scheduled. The demolition of a portion of Cinergy itself is to begin after the conclusion of this season.

Firstar's owners had complained that the demolition of Cinergy Field could cost the arena revenue and inconvenience its patrons. Firstar claims that attendance at arena events will suffer, as parking would become increasingly difficult. Firstar additionally claimed that its concerns about the parking, staging, and access have largely been ignored for more than two years as Cincinnati has planned the extensive riverside entertainment and residential project. Firstar attorneys argued that the restraining order was necessary to prevent the county from damaging Firstar's property value without first compensating the arena's owners for potential loss of business.

Although Firstar's owners complained that the demolition would have a detrimental effect on the arena, judge Ruehlman argued that the greater community interest demands that the construction project proceed on schedule.

Andrew Geiger