A pictorial history of the development of Hunt Park.

First Iteration: Issue 1

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This stadium was going to be part of the redevelopment of the Ohio Penitentiary site - financed by a half-cent sales tax in Franklin County (hence, Issue 1). It was a proposal for an indoor arena and an outdoor stadium (seating 35,000 people). Highlights of this plan were the dramatic stadium canopy that would have covered the west stand, and the incorporation of elements of the historic Penitentiary into the mass of the stadium. Unfortunately, Issue 1 was defeated at the polls in a special election in May of 1997. Nationwide Insurance stepped in shortly after the election with a funding plan for the arena (to be named Nationwide Arena) but not for the stadium.

Second Iteration: Dublin

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After regrouping from the defeat of Issue 1, the Crew put together a proposal for a suburban stadium in the city of Dublin (on the northwest side of Columbus, outside the I-270 outerbelt). Comprised of earth-berm stands and a smaller capacity (25,000 people), a deal was struck with the city of Dublin to provide infrastructure to the site while the actual construction costs would be borne by the Columbus Crew. This proposal fell apart as the citizenry of Dublin mobilized to get a recall petition under way - which argued against the use of civic resources to help build stadia for private entities. Capitalizing on numerous other issues (including fears of traffic gridlock) the recall petition was successful, and the Dublin stadium proposal died.

Third Iteration: Search for a Site

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After being rebuffed twice in the polls, and with the remodeling of Ohio Stadium bearing down quickly with the end of the 1998 season, the Crew began an extensive search for a new stadium site - and a scheme which wouldn't involve any chance of a recall petition or other public ballot. Sites as far away as London, Ohio were considered in addition to some near Port Columbus International Airport (which was removed as an option when the airport annexed the land in question out of safety fears), south of Columbus along I-71, and other places.

Fourth Iteration: Ohio State Fairgrounds

Final Iteration: Hunt Park