November 7, 1939: Cincinnati voters reject a $6 million bond issue that would have provided funds for a 60,000 seat stadium for the Reds. The vote was 81,941 against, 46,955 in favor. The bond issue was sponsored by the Build Greater Cincinnati Commitee, led by architect Charles Koch. Plans developed by Koch called for the construction of the stadium and a 15,000 seat auditorium to be used for conventions, baseketball, hockey, and boxing.
The facilities were to be built between Front Street, Broadway, Third Street, and Main Street on top of a parking garage large enough to hold 15,000 cars. The stadium was to be covered by a glass roof so that it could be utilized year round.
To say that Koch’s plans were ahead of their time, is an understatement. the Astrodome in Houston, the world’s first enclosed stadium wasn’t opened until 1965. Five years later, Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field became the first stadium built over a parking garage. The site for the proposed complex was in almost the exact location of the new ballpark being build for the Reds, slated to open in 2003 (Great American Ballpark).
All “Reds trivia†posts come from Greg Rhodes and John Snyder’s fabulous book, “Redleg Journal†(see link for purchasing) and are used with Greg’s permission.
Thanks again to Greg Rhodes for permission to use his material.