Hamilton County is finalizing a strategic move to purchase additional land adjacent to Paycor Stadium, a step toward further developing the Cincinnati riverfront. As reported by WLWT, this acquisition will provide extra tailgating and parking spaces for both Bengals games and future projects at The Banks. "The idea here was to provide additional tailgating space, parking space for the Bengals games, but also to provide additional parking for the development at The Banks," Hamilton County commissioner Denise Driehaus explained to WLWT.
Hilltop Concrete Plant, previously sitting by the Ohio River next to the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge, is expected to be vacated by the end of the month. Working to overcome a backdrop of complex negotiations that date back to 2019, the Bengals have facilitated this development by relinquishing $30 million in game-day payments, according to Sports Illustrated. This money equivalently covers the cost of the property, effectively having the Bengals pay for the land while ensuring public ownership.
While speaking on the efforts to purchase the property, Denise Driehaus noted the multifaceted nature of the ordeal to Local12, highlighting the involvement of various parties, including "the Army Corps of Engineers, with the city of Cincinnati, with the developer himself." The addition of new green space and possibly a bike lane is intended to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the waterfront area.
As Hilltop prepares to open a new facility in Riverside later this year, Hamilton County looks forward to replacing the old concrete facility with more inviting options. "The county plans to demolish the existing concrete facility to make way for a parking lot," Driehaus told local12, mentioning green space that includes a bike trail that connects beyond The Banks. Nonetheless, the property's position within a floodplain restricts redevelopment alternatives and demands ingenious solutions to serve Cincinnati's denizens and visitors better.
