CINCINNATI (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER) -Hamilton County has new lawyers to represent its interests in negotiations over Paycor Stadium renovations, according to our media partners at the Cincinnati Enquirer.
The three commissioners voted unanimously to appoint two new law firms to manage lease negotiations for the county at their May 15 meeting.
The county has terminated its agreement with attorney Tom Gabelman and his firm, Frost Brown Todd, according to a letter from Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich on behalf of the commissioners attached to the agenda.
“The board and the prosecuting attorney agree that services provided by another law firm would be beneficial to the board in representation of the board in matters dealing with the lease agreement with the Cincinnati Bengals, Inc., as well as in the further development of the Banks project,” the letter said.
County wants a ‘difference perspective’
Gabelman has represented the county in negotiations related to development at the Banks and the Reds and Bengals stadiums since 1997, according to his biography on the firm’s website. In 2019, Gabelman estimated the two law firms he worked for had received $21 million from county invoices over two decades.
Hamilton County Administrator Jeff Aluotto thanked Gabelman for his work for the county.
“This isn’t reflective of anything related to the work of that firm, but just more reflective of the fact that there comes a time to major projects when a different perspective on major issues is needed,” Aluotto said.
Gabelman: termination was ‘completely unexpected’
Gabelman addressed the commissioners and said the termination of their agreement with him was “completely unexpected.”
“As the project counsel to the board for the last 28 years, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve this board until about an hour and 15 minutes ago when I received a call that our services were being terminated with respect to the Banks project, with respect to our negotiations with Bengals, with respect to the Reds and so on,” he said.
Gabelman said he believed the county had just had a banner week and listed accomplishments before he was cut off for exceeding the time limit for public comments.
Pillich: county has been ‘treading water’ with Bengals negotiations
Pillich said with fresh eyes, she wanted to make sure the county has the tools necessary as they face the June 30 deadline for a lease agreement with the Bengals.
“You need a team that’s going to be supportive, and that is client-focused and has the skills and experience necessary to get the best deal for the taxpayers,” she said.
Dinsmore and Shohl law firm to take over stadium negotiations for Hamilton County
Pillich chose two new firms to handle lease negotiations. Dinsmore and Shohl attorneys will handle the stadium negotiations and the Banks developments.
The attorneys from Dinsmore taking the lead will be George Vincent, Marty Dunn, Richard Tranter and Charlie Braverman, according to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease will represent the county in negotiations for the Great American Ballpark lease.
Status of the stadium negotiations
The Bengals and the county approved a memorandum to fund the first phase of stadium improvements in April, contingent on a long-term lease agreement. The Bengals have to let the county know about their intentions to extend the current lease by June 30.
The stadium renovations are expected to cost $830 million over four phases and be completed in July 2029.
There was tension between the team and the county earlier in the year, when Bengals Vice President Troy Blackburn expressed the team’s “grave concern” over stadium issues in an email to Hamilton County Administrator Jeff Aluotto. Blackburn also expressed concern over the county commissioners’ public comments about stadium negotiations.
Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece called Blackburn’s emails “nasty” at a commissioners’ meeting on May. Reece voted against approving the memorandum with the Bengals.
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