Berding promises to meet with West End residents, says stadium wouldn't breach Taft High School

Jeff Berding must have felt his ears ringing. The FC Cincinnati president and general manager has promised to attend a public meeting in the West End in two weeks to face residents who have been speaking out in public meetings against the soccer club's unspecified plan for their neighborhood the past two days. Berding also promised that Taft High School would not be negatively impacted by a soccer stadium if FC Cincinnati chooses to build there.  "I look forward to meeting with the West End Community Council Board on Feb. 13 and to other opportunities with West End residents to discuss what could be an exciting future together," Berding said in a statement released by the club Wednesday afternoon. Berding said building a soccer stadium in the West End would not breach Taft property. He said it could only benefit students there. "I understand that there are fears that FC Cincinnati’s stadium could negatively impact Taft High School. I wish to put these concerns to rest," Berding said.