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West Carrollton moving ahead on arena plan

Council expected to hire group to complete a study on its feasibility.

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By Lawrence Budd, Staff Writer Updated 10:31 AM Tuesday, January 24, 2012

WEST CARROLLTON — Convinced there is room for another arena-event center in the Miami Valley market, West Carrollton City Council is expected to switch consultants hired to help determine if a 4,000-seat facility should be the centerpiece of an entertainment district envisioned near the city’s Interstate 75 interchange.

Council is expected to vote tonight to hire AECOM, a global provider of technical and management support. The contract would be with the firm’s economics division in Chicago that works with government agencies on public facilities and entertainment and leisure planning.

AECOM is being hired to complete a study to help council decide if a private-public partnership can successfully finance, build and operate an events center that could be used by local sports teams, including the Dayton Gems hockey team.

Scarpello Consulting, the consulting firm hired by council in November, recommended the city hire AECOM for the initial study phase, as a result of response to a Nov. 30 Dayton Daily News story, officials said.

“There’s enough demand that would support an event center,” City Manager Brad Townsend said.

By hiring AECOM, city officials say they will save money and receive a quicker answer if there is enough private sector interest to build the facility. “We’re not going to own it. We’re not going to operate it,” Townsend said. “The private sector’s going to wait and see how the study comes out.”

He added interests from private developers hinge on AECOM’s work that will include looking at construction and operating costs, financing and locations.

AECOM’s contract is for $59,500, or $15,500 less than the city agreed to pay Scarpello.

“By having an independent, like AECOM do this, it takes away from the press thinking we influenced the study from the beginning, because we are very interested in helping coordinate phases three through six,” Kent Oelkers of Scarpello said in an email.

City officials said their facility would compete with local venues, such as Hara Arena, University of Dayton Arena and the Dayton Convention Center for a wide range of events. Officials from the Gems and Dutch Lions soccer team have expressed interest using the West Carrollton venue.

The council meeting begins with a work session at 6:15 p.m. today.

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