Hamilton County Commissioners unanimously authorized County Administrator David Krings on Wednesday to sign a 30-year lease that lays out terms to build a new baseball stadium in time for the 2003 season.

The lease will assure the Reds of a home on the riverfront for at least the next three decades.

Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus said the agreement is about more than baseball.

"I'm excited at the chance to take a giant step toward the redevelopment of our riverfront," Mr. Bedinghaus said. Commissioner John Dowlin, who opposed the stadium's construction along the riverfront, said he is happy for the voters, who approved a half-cent sales tax to fund the stadium.

"We're all frustrated by delays in getting this lease executed," Mr. Dowlin said.

Copyright 1999 The Cincinnati Enquirer