Hamilton County officials insist they don't know how much has been spent in overtime costs to ready Paul Brown Stadium for its Aug. 19 opening.

"I don't know that specific amount," said county Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus. "I don't have a ballpark figure on that."

Bedinghaus and county Administrator David Krings also said they did not know until Thursday afternoon that anyone - from the county, the Bengals or construction companies - had put into writing the terms of a new agreement that relieves the county from paying penalties to the Bengals for each game unable to be played in the new stadium.

County taxpayers previously had faced penalties of $2 million to $4 million per game. But a county push to have the stadium substantially completed by Aug. 19 resulted in the new waiver - and unknown overtime construction costs.

However, county officials still have not formally amended their initial agreement with the Bengals, meaning the team still holds a contract entitling them to as much as $24 million in late payments if the stadium is not substantially completed.

Krings said he located a letter Thursday afternoon, dated June 16, from Bengals' Director of Stadium Development Troy Blackburn and addressed to construction officials. The letter outlines the level of completion Blackburn says he expects by Aug. 19, when the team is scheduled to play its first preseason home game against the Chicago Bears.

According to the letter, nearly all of the $450 million stadium complex will be "substantially complete" - meaning only last-minute touchups remain, one construction official said. Blackburn listed 11 pages of exceptions.

The major concession the Bengals allowed the county: The stadium plaza's connection to Fort Washington Way may not be finished, making it difficult for fans to reach the stadium plaza via Elm Street.

Kenneth K. Butler, vice president and general manager of Turner Construction Co., was a recipient of Blackburn's letter. Butler said Thursday that he didn't know what overtime costs would be - and even if he did, he would not feel free to share it.

"I can't answer that, and I don't think Shelby (Reaves, project executive for Paul Brown Stadium's construction management team, Turner/Barton Malow/DAG) can or will," Butler said. "That's got to go through the county."

Reaves repeatedly in recent months has declined to reveal how much overtime and "premium" payments would have to be paid construction crews to speed their work.

Commissioner John Dowlin earlier this year asked Reaves for overtime and premium payment costs and Reaves declined to answer, saying he still was negotiating with companies.

Krings said he did not know the additional costs.

"The county commissioners should get it in writing, because (Bengals President) Mike Brown, if things change between now and Aug. 19, he can change his mind," recommended Marilyn Hyland, an unsuccessful former candidate for county commissioner who attended the commissioners' Wednesday meeting.

She reminded commissioners that she had called several times for renegotiating the stadium's opening date and that Bedinghaus called her suggestion naïve.

What may not be complete by Bengals' preseason kickoff time

Here are some of the items that do not have to be finished at Paul Brown Stadium by Aug. 19, according to the Cincinnati Bengals' Director of Stadium Development Troy Blackburn:

• The X-ray room need not be "substantially complete," but must be "functional."
• The southwest corner Plaza Level concession stand may "have partial functionality, but will be substantially complete by the regular season opening game (Sept. 10)."
• The Bengals Pro Shop will have "impaired functionality."
• The Club Level's north deck concession stands can be partially functional, but must be "substantially complete" by the regular season.
• Three Club Level suite overlook bars may have temporary counter surfaces "due to ongoing design efforts," but will be functional Aug. 19 and "substantially complete" by the regular season.
• The Club Level's west-side escalator landing may be unfinished.
• Upper level concession stands and permanent novelty stands will be partially functional, but ready by the regular season.
• The scoreboards may lack some outer casing and signage, but they will be working.
• If entry gates aren't finished, temporary gates will be in place.

More Articles