Werner Park - Sarpy County/Royals Stadium

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:18 pm

OmahaJaysCU wrote:
Brad wrote:My money... IF they stay in the metro would be Sapp Brothers.

I am pulling for Chili Greens, however never heard anyone but me mention that...
Correct me if I am wrong, but doesnt any stadium built by the city in the city limits have to be controlled by MECA?

Not that I know of. At first they didn't want anything to do with that one. They don't control Rosenblatt.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:23 pm

Brad wrote:
OmahaJaysCU wrote:
Brad wrote:My money... IF they stay in the metro would be Sapp Brothers.

I am pulling for Chili Greens, however never heard anyone but me mention that...
Correct me if I am wrong, but doesnt any stadium built by the city in the city limits have to be controlled by MECA?
Not that I know of. At first they didn't want anything to do with that one. They don't control Rosenblatt.

I thought I remembered Daub saying during an interview that every new stadium or sports facility would have to be controlled by Meca. I must have misunderstood.

Jason4225 · Post by **Jason4225** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:42 pm

Brad wrote:My money... IF they stay in the metro would be Sapp Brothers.

I am pulling for Chili Greens, however never heard anyone but me mention that...

Unfortunately Chili Greens is owned by UNO and will eventually be developed for use by the University.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:30 pm

Jason4225 wrote:Unfortunately Chili Greens is owned by UNO and will eventually be developed for use by the University.

I know in to a Athletic Complex (See Below). That why I want an UNO/Royals partnership

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:36 pm

Jason4225 wrote:
Brad wrote:
Unfortunately Chili Greens is owned by UNO and will eventually be developed for use by the University.

Yes. That's my understanding as well..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:52 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote:
Jason4225 wrote: Unfortunately Chili Greens is owned by UNO and will eventually be developed for use by the University.
Yes. That's my understanding as well..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

And like I said in the post before yours... That my whole point in wanting them there!

Post by **Brad** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:10 pm

THIS WHOLE ARTICLE SUCKS... NOT THE OWH WRITING BUT JUST HOW F-IN TRUE IT ALL IS

Royals may pull out of Omaha

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... d=10406323

KAREN SLOAN WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:The Omaha Royals are toying with the idea of packing up and leaving town.

Sound familiar?

The situation is reminiscent of 1991, when the team's then-owner announced he might sell the Royals to a new owner who intended to move the outfit to Memphis, Tenn.

Then-Mayor P.J. Morgan and other local politicians desperately tried to find a way to keep the team. Their efforts led to a local buyout, with Union Pacific and Omaha businessmen Warren Buffett and Walter Scott purchasing the Royals.

Fast forward to 2008, and the Royals are again looking to relocate. This time, the team's president and the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority can't reach an agreement to play in the new stadium.

Unlike in the past, the city's movers and shakers have remained so quiet that you can almost hear the crickets chirping. Mayor Mike Fahey has said that he still wants to see the team play in the stadium. But, he adds, the two sides are so far apart that he doesn't know what can be done to get them together.

So why isn't there much of a fuss over the Royals possibly leaving town this time around, when city leaders were ready to pull out all the stops in 1991?

The answer largely comes down to the College World Series.

The Royals and the CWS were once seen as mutually beneficial, and even necessary for each other's survival in Omaha. But the CWS has since emerged as the dominant player, and city leaders no longer believe they need the Royals to keep the college tournament.

"The Royals are no longer seen as essential," said retired Omaha World-Herald Publisher Harold W. Andersen, who was involved in the 1991 effort to keep the team in Omaha. "The CWS was the big consideration in 1991, but now we've got it nailed down for 25 years."

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:30 pm

The problem is... none of the leaders of this city care about the baseball... just about the distinction of hosting the CWS.

All of my worst fears are being realized.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:36 pm

Stargazer wrote:All of my worst fears are being realized.

I had a little optimism until I read Fahey's quotes in there!

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:01 pm

I'm glad at least one other person (Shukert) see's how asinine the stadium is without the Royals. Still they keep saying they won't make it work for the Royals but we'll get another team.

I don't |expletive| get it!!!!!!!!!

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:33 pm

Yeah it's turning into a big |expletive| sandwich. Landing the CWS for 25 years is great, but losing the Royals will suck.

I'm with D'Shawn and have said it before too. If the $$$ don't make sense for the Royals, how does MECA expect some independent league team to make it? And if they are willing to do something for a independent league team that they won't do the the Royals......

:evil: :evil:

Having the Royals downtown was about more than having the AAA level baseball itself. It was about bringing the activity of 70(?) home games a year downtown. How many developers that were eyeballing NDowntown are now slowly backing away? Why haven't the downtown bars and restaurants banded together and thrown an absolute fit about MECA pissing away a few hundred thousand potential extra customers every summer? Why did Matt Parrault (Big Sports 590) beg and plead and push listeners to call, email, etc the city council and mayor to express support for the downtown stadium and then just absolutely DIE on the Royals. Since DAY 1 of the downtown ballpark being official, all he has said is that the Royals aren't going to play there. Why not make the effort? I need to stop venting now before I break |expletive|.

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:34 pm

How many bridges are the city and MECA trying to burn on this deal? It seems that everytime they say something in regards to the Royals, it's always a situation they downplay..

I have a feeling that we are hearing these things lately because the Royals are not 'potentially' looking elsewhere, but they 'want' to go somewhere else..

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:38 pm

Friends-

I'm sorry to say, but as I've inferred here before, this team is as good as gone..And I mean gone from metro Omaha..

This move, if it comes to fruition, will become a black eye in Omaha sports history and a very unfortunate by product of aligning your priorities with the NCAA and the 2 week CWS event. Omaha's loss will be another city's gain..

The 24,000 stadium in North Downtown has all the trappings of becoming the 'white elephant' that critics thought the Qwest Center would become..Only this time around, I afraid they may be correct..

..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:16 pm

I would bet heavy on them landing in Sarpy....I exchanged several emails a month ago with the GM, and came away with a real positive feeling that they are looking at staying more than anything.

Greg

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:20 pm

Greg S wrote:I would bet heavy on them landing in Sarpy....I exchanged several emails a month ago with the GM, and came away with a real positive feeling that they are looking at staying more than anything.

Greg

I indeed hope you are correct Greg..

But I wouldn't hold my breath..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

cp jay 07 · Post by **cp jay 07** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:25 am

A couple weeks ago I thought the royals would end up in Sarpy and that would be great, we don't lose the royals and get a DT stadium, now after seeing MECA screw up and hearing what the La Vista mayor thinks of the stadium, I think the Vancouver Royals will start play in 2011. But I'm not giving up on AAA baseball in Omaha, do you guys notice that two of the cities bidding for the royals are former AAA cities. I know Vancouver and Tuscon had AAA not to long ago and obviously lost them and now they are bidding for another team. I'm hoping that after a couple years of no baseball other than Creighton and the CWS MECA will realize they screwed up big time and try to get another AAA team with a sweetheart deal. But I will say goodbye to the royals in 2011 I have given up hope.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:45 am

cp jay 07 wrote: I'm hoping that after a couple years of no baseball other than Creighton and the CWS MECA will realize they screwed up big time and try to get another AAA team with a sweetheart deal. But I will say goodbye to the royals in 2011 I have given up hope.

That's a tall hope..

The reason being, once a city loses a AAA franchise, it's extremely difficult to get one back..Especially for Omaha with it's CWS event scheduling element..

Our best hope, is that common sense and big picture reason will get back into focus...And someone within the city's leadership core (public or private and/or both) will get involved..And somehow bring MECA and Stein back to the table to get an acceptable agreement ironed out..

The entire tone of the W-H piece seems to indicate that most of our city and civic leaders are apathetic as it relates to the possibility of losing the Royals..They will be sorry in the long run if they sit pat and let this happen..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:24 am

I don't see them moving to Sarpy. They've still got 3 years in the area so I think they are trying to keep people coming to the games.

Post by **nebugeater** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:40 am

DTO Luv wrote:I don't see them moving to Sarpy. They've still got 3 years in the area so I think they are trying to keep people coming to the games.

They may or may not end up in Sarpy but I do not think that their talking with Sarpy has anything to do with keeping people going to the games. Their stated time line is to have a location identified by this winter because in some cases something will have to be built. If that is the case then at best it will help the attendance for whatever part of this season it can. Next season and the rest on their time at the Blatt will have ZERO impact on attendance by talking to Sarpy.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:19 pm

I'm not sure our civic leaders have been apathetic unless you are only speaking in terms of Douglas County. Many of them did turn out at the last meeting the Royals had with the Sarpy County officials at the Embassy Suites in La Vista.

Greg

dheg74 · Post by **dheg74** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:37 pm

I agree with Brad "I am pulling for Chili Greens" -- that's actually not a bad idea but haven't heard it mentioned. Pretty much the middle of the city, easily accessible from all sides.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 4:11 pm

Greg S wrote:I'm not sure our civic leaders have been apathetic unless you are only speaking in terms of Douglas County. Many of them did turn out at the last meeting the Royals had with the Sarpy County officials at the Embassy Suites in La Vista.

Greg

I agree, the city leaders in Omaha seem to be a bit apathetic, but the leaders in Sarpy County have been very proactive.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:23 pm

Greg S wrote:I'm not sure our civic leaders have been apathetic unless you are only speaking in terms of Douglas County.

Greg

I was/am referring to Omaha city/civic leadership..As it related to the previously posted WH piece from yesterday..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 11:24 am

That's the key though, is that Omaha civic leaders may not have stepped up, but other leaders in the metro area have.

Greg

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 2:21 pm

Drove by Lot C on Cummings Friday morning and it looks like the street reconfiguration is gearing up. They had several streets blocked off and were starting to roll out some heavy equipment. Anyway, I read in an article on KMTV's site that the Southport developers were trying to get word from the Royals management within 60 days in regards to their intentions. The article indicated it wasn't a pressure tactic but rather they wanted to start on the necessary infrastructure planning before the rest of the development gets to far along. Anyway, it seems we may as well give up on the Royals playing downtown. It's clear from both sides that neither really wants them to be there that bad which is a shame. That being said though, I'm thinking the best and most positive use of energy would be to get behind the move to Sarpy county in as much as possible. At the end of the day, I got to believe that MECA will find much more use than just 2 weeks of CWS and independent league play. Don't ask me why but I got to believe that the people that have done such a great job with the Qwest Center are going to come through somehow. Also, thanks Omaha World Herald for keeping such close tabs on the story.

Sugar Land, Texas, is bubbling with talk of attracting a minor league baseball team.

President Alan Stein has permission from Minor League Baseball to talk with Sugar Land and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Whether either of those cities or another could emerge as a stronger contender than Sarpy County is yet to be seen.

Suitors for the Royals emerging

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... d=10407947

Post by **Brad** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 4:32 pm

I would guess that southport needs to know in 60 days because in 60 days there is am office park that will be being built there...

cp jay 07 · Post by **cp jay 07** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:33 am

Ok so I got a question here, why does it seem like people from Omaha think that even if the Royals move to Sarpy they are losing the royals and will never see a royals game again, and why did people from Sarpy think they are getting this new team that has been here for 40 years. I mean maybe I have a different look on things here because I have homes in both counties, mom lives in Omaha, dad in Papillion, I went to grade school in Papillion, high school in Omaha, I have Omaha friends and Papillion and Lavista friends. I mean I drive across Harrison street every day and don't feel a difference but it amazes me reading some letters in the public pulse and some posts on here how people think, if you ask me La Vista is Omaha, Papillion is Omaha there is not a difference.

This weekend I was talking to a friend from Omaha who was upset the royals were leaving, I said what about Sarpy and his reply was we would still lose them to Sarpy County. Another friend from La Vista was excited about getting this "new" team. Im sorry but this has been bugging me since this whole situation started and I just needed to rant on it.

This also brings up another question, how come when there is a tornado warning in douglas they say sarpy is fine, I mean I can still hear the sirens from my door.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:17 pm

I agree we need to start thinking in terms of the bigger metro area. Same mindset hit the Lancers. KC does a great job of viewing the entire area as one vs Missouri and Kansas, along with the different counties as well.

Greg

Post by **Brad** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:28 pm

cp jay 07 wrote:Ok so I got a question here, why does it seem like people from Omaha think that even if the Royals move to Sarpy they are losing the royals and will never see a royals game again, and why did people from Sarpy think they are getting this new team that has been here for 40 years. I mean maybe I have a different look on things here because I have homes in both counties, mom lives in Omaha, dad in Papillion, I went to grade school in Papillion, high school in Omaha, I have Omaha friends and Papillion and Lavista friends. I mean I drive across Harrison street every day and don't feel a difference but it amazes me reading some letters in the public pulse and some posts on here how people think, if you ask me La Vista is Omaha, Papillion is Omaha there is not a difference.

This weekend I was talking to a friend from Omaha who was upset the royals were leaving, I said what about Sarpy and his reply was we would still lose them to Sarpy County. Another friend from La Vista was excited about getting this "new" team. Im sorry but this has been bugging me since this whole situation started and I just needed to rant on it.

This also brings up another question, how come when there is a tornado warning in douglas they say sarpy is fine, I mean I can still hear the sirens from my door.

Two Things:

1. There is a VERY VOCAL group on this forum that is under the mindset that anything that is Not downtown is worthless. This forum DOES NOT represent the city as as a whole. It is Very Male, Very Downtown, and very Alternate Lifestyle weighted. While 50% or more of the forum crys foul, most of the city would be happy to keep them in the metro anywhere.

2. I am not so sure about Sarpy not supporting the Royals currently.

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:51 pm

Brad wrote:
cp jay 07 wrote:Ok so I got a question here, why does it seem like people from Omaha think that even if the Royals move to Sarpy they are losing the royals and will never see a royals game again, and why did people from Sarpy think they are getting this new team that has been here for 40 years. I mean maybe I have a different look on things here because I have homes in both counties, mom lives in Omaha, dad in Papillion, I went to grade school in Papillion, high school in Omaha, I have Omaha friends and Papillion and Lavista friends. I mean I drive across Harrison street every day and don't feel a difference but it amazes me reading some letters in the public pulse and some posts on here how people think, if you ask me La Vista is Omaha, Papillion is Omaha there is not a difference.

This weekend I was talking to a friend from Omaha who was upset the royals were leaving, I said what about Sarpy and his reply was we would still lose them to Sarpy County. Another friend from La Vista was excited about getting this "new" team. Im sorry but this has been bugging me since this whole situation started and I just needed to rant on it.

This also brings up another question, how come when there is a tornado warning in douglas they say sarpy is fine, I mean I can still hear the sirens from my door.
Two Things:

1. There is a VERY VOCAL group on this forum that is under the mindset that anything that is Not downtown is worthless. This forum DOES NOT represent the city as as a whole. It is Very Male, Very Downtown, and very Alternate Lifestyle weighted. While 50% or more of the forum crys foul, most of the city would be happy to keep them in the metro anywhere.

2. I am not so sure about Sarpy not supporting the Royals currently.

I want the royals in the downtown stadium because now I wonder if it is really necessary to have all of the amendities it has on the inside, if they do not find a tenant, they really need to scale this stadium WAY down, I'd say the probably could save $30 million by eliminating the 360 walkway, and many of the concession areas on the inside, because we all know that most of the inside will not get used... They can do that without losing the 24,000 seats..

I think a DT stadium is still a good idea, with that said, but I no longer want it to be a GRAND stadium that is just pretty to look at... It needs to be scaled down.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:02 pm

The Downtown Stadium is a Done Deal. Its not going to be scaled down, nor should it be. Its for The CWS. They Royals want it scaled down but you want to scale it down because they are NOT playing there? That dos not make any sense. And that 360 walkway is on a lot of stadiums of any size.

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:06 pm

Brad wrote:The Downtown Stadium is a Done Deal. Its not going to be scaled down, nor should it be. Its for The CWS. They Royals want it scaled down but you want to scale it down because they are NOT playing there? That dos not make any sense. And that 360 walkway is on a lot of stadiums of any size.

To clarify the statement.. I was meaning to scale-down the inside of the stadium, if you go to http://www.omahastadium.com ..... there is WAY too many needless spaces in there... Only the CWS will now be using the indoor space to its potential.. Even if there were other events going on in the stadium they will absolutely not being using all of the space inside of the stadium..

I just don't think its really feasible to have all the goodies, it was good when the we all thought the all parts of the stadium will be used... But now, it should be okay to scale the inside down some as for the most part there is too much that will not be used anymore..

Post by **Brad** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:11 pm

But the Stadium is being Built just for the CWS!

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:26 pm

Actually, I just had an idea..

Maybe, the better option would be to change the design on certain parts of the plan and have like a mini-indoor mall??

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:03 pm

Brad wrote: It is Very Male, Very Downtown, and very Alternate Lifestyle weighted.

I give you, your average eomaha forumer.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:13 pm

I wish. I'd kill for a 32 inch waist again.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:15 pm

Big E wrote:I wish. I'd kill for a 32 inch waist again.

I would kill for some hot chicks posting on here!

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:20 pm

There are - you just don't know it.

joeglow · Post by **joeglow** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:22 pm

I WANT it in Sarpy County. I would love to take my boys to 10-12 games a year. However, I am not going to get off work downtown, drive home, load the kids up, drive back downtown, and pay $6 to park. The simple fact is that the Royal's target demographic is out west and this move would more sense for them no matter the stadium being built for them downtown. And I don't care how much worse the driving is in other cities, or how I should not live out west, etc.

cp jay 07 · Post by **cp jay 07** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 12:58 am

Brad wrote:[
1. There is a VERY VOCAL group on this forum that is under the mindset that anything that is Not downtown is worthless. This forum DOES NOT represent the city as as a whole. It is Very Male, Very Downtown, and very Alternate Lifestyle weighted. While 50% or more of the forum crys foul, most of the city would be happy to keep them in the metro anywhere.

Oh I understand that and Im all for downtown and the royals playing there, I love downtown and love just hanging out down there, i knew alot of the members here would be against sarpy so that didnt suprise me, it was when I started seeing public pulse letters saying dont let the royals go to Sarpy then I became very confused.

I agree with Greg here about getting the whole metro behind this, KC is a great example, that's two states who get behind the chiefs and royals really well.