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FC Cincinnati Unveils Stadium Design, Saying It Will 'Reclaim Vigor and Glory' In The West End

FC Cincinnati owners are unveiling the design of the team's new soccer 12.4-acre stadium. The stadium will have more than 26,000 seats and use lights as a design element. Architects say that use of lights will create a new experience every time fans attend a game.

The stadium will have a grass surface, and FC Cincinnati hopes this will make it a candidate to host FIFA events, such as the U.S. National Teams and the Concacaf Gold Cup and FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

FCC President Jeff Berding says the stadium will help "reclaim the vigor and glory" in the West End neighborhood. "Our stadium will be the beacon of a proud historic community," Berding says. "A source of jobs, community reinvestment and energize the neighborhood pride."

Credit Ambriehl Crutchfield / WVXU
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WVXU
Representatives from Turner Construction, FCC and Populous discuss design plans for the new soccer stadium.

"We are not creating this concrete monument or steel incased monument that has maybe an imposing look," Berding says. "But instead we have these vertical fins which when you're looking straight on you can see into the building - it's inviting."  He says this makes the structure more welcoming neighborhood more welcoming because people can see into the structure.

He says the roof covers every seat in the stadium and will contain noise, which was a concern for West End community members and nearby arts organizations.

fc cincinnati stadium 2019
Credit Courtesy of FC Cincinnati

"The number has been thrown out that we will peak out at 350 people on the job site," says Jessica Fitzwilson, who works for Turner Construction. "That doesn't mean there are 350 opportunities." She says Turner is asking companies it works with if there is room to employ members of the West End community.

Construction job opportunities for residents in the West End neighborhood aren't guaranteed.

Berding says CityLink is an avenue for people from the community to seek long-term opportunities after the stadium is complete. He says once the stadium opens, they will hire security, concessions and stadium operations but didn’t specify how many West End community members will be hired.

He says they want to include the neighborhood's history in the structure. Details on what that looks like are not finalized.

Construction of the stadium's foundation started this week.

FCC says the stadium will open in March 2021.

To see more renderings of the stadium FC Cincinnati shared Tuesday click the photo above.