Monday, June 8, 1998

BY TOM O'NEILL
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Broadway Commons proponent Jim Tarbell adresses a rally for the Reds stadium site Sunday. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

As parade marchers left for the Reds game Sunday and air rushed from the 31-foot-high inflatable baseball, there remained in the heated debate a cold question: If the stadium issue is in the ninth inning, do Broadway Commons supporters have two outs -- or three?

Although all discussions between Hamilton County commissioners and Reds officials are focused on a new Reds stadium on the riverfront, an estimated 450 fans gathered at Broadway and Reading Road for a tailgate party, rally and parade to boost the Broadway Commons site.

The mood was festive, buoyed by the appearance of Hamilton County Commissioner John Dowlin, who last week told the Enquirer he hoped the event would draw 1,000 people.

Longtime Broadway Commons supporter Jim Tarbell agreed the debate was in the ninth inning but preferred a run-scoring analogy: "I think we're on third base."

Mr. Tarbell called the so-called "wedge" site on the riverfront "absurd."

Swing-vote county Commissioner Tom Neyer Jr. recently indicated his support of a riverfront site, seriously hurting Broadway Commons' chances.

But those who attended were undeterred. "It will spur economic development and open up the riverfront," Dan Timmerman, 37, of Loveland said as he followed the parade.

Marchers placed Broadway Commons placards and baseball cards on the windshields of cars parked on Broadway.

But many others milling outside Cinergy Field prior to the Reds-Indians game were encamped with county Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus, who said Sunday, "It's pretty obvious all the discussions between the team and county center around the riverfront location."

"The best asset is the river," said Reds fan Dianne Williams, 34, of Madisonville.

"And quite frankly, I don't want to have to walk past a correctional facility to take my two boys to a game."

The day illustrated that while the two sites are separated by less than a dozen blocks, their supporters are a million miles apart.