Downtown Stadium/ORoyals ownership change...????

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:41 pm

Well I hope the developers hit a home run on this project and not strike out.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:33 pm

OmahaChef wrote:Announcement in April or May of 2006, June at the very latest, with the first pitch thrown the home opener of 2008. So says my source.

Yes! One question, whats the word on Creighton? Will the Jays be playing ball there too?

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:02 pm

Fantastic news, I hope it all pans out. Can't wait to see the plans, hopefully will have lots of brick and an "old school" ballpark feel.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:27 pm

^I've heard from a very reliable source that the ballpark is going to look exactly as it does in the study.

Like nebport5's sig:

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:18 pm

You mean in the North Downtown study, maybe they should call it North Downtown park.. oh |expletive| here goes the naming discussion again.. BTW weren’t there two cartoons of the North Downtown park? One like that North Downtown signature and one with a taller hotel in the outfield?

Post by **Brad** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 6:55 pm

Ballpark site

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:47 pm

The World-Herald says that a formal annoucment of the sale of the controlling interest in the Omaha Royals from the Minkers to "Ivy Walls Management" of Lexington, KY and Philadelphia will be announced tomorrow...

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=38&u_sid=2129477

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 7:05 pm

This could be a good thing. I can't imagine anyone wanting to invest in this team right now, unless there was something to sweetent he deal... like the ability to push a new stadium through.

loyalomahan · Post by **loyalomahan** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 7:49 pm

The World Herald mentioned this Alan Stein guy as a possible buyer earlier this year. I'd say this is the big news emerging that people here have been looking for. He has already spearheaded the building of two new ballparks for other teams he has been associated with.

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 3:07 pm

Hey, the Governor showed up to announce that NFM was remodeling. Ya never know, Fahey might just have nothing better to do today.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:58 pm

From today's news conference:

Shea said, "Omaha, from my experience, is a great sports and family oriented community and the Omaha Royals have so much potential. We plan to enthusiastically continue efforts in the community to build a new urban ballpark neighborhood and to grow attendance and enthusiasm for the Omaha Royals.”

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:15 pm

bummer - I was really hoping for a stadium announcement today. Maybe they are just waiting for the acquisition (sp) to get final approval from Minor League Baseball and the Pacific Coast League. Soon hopefully though (fingers crossed)

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:13 am

OSC's coverage of this event had an interesting Byline take:

Omaha Royals Hit An Ownership Home Run

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:57 am

A preview of the OSC piece:

'Branch Rickey spoke briefly saying, "The PCL is very pleased that Bill Shea is bringing his experience and strengths to the ownership of the long-time and outstanding Triple-A franchise. Triple-A teams are a coveted baseball franchise and we are grateful Mayor Fahey shares the vision for a new urban ballpark. The League will lend whatever support we can to continue and to grow the success of the Omaha Royals."

In addition to Shea, Ivy Walls core management team attended the news conference; President and Chief Operating Officer Alan Stein and Chief Administrative Officer Sandra Noble Canon. Stein, who will be working closely with the Omaha management team, is credited with the success of the Lexington Legends and the new Applebee's Park in Lexington..'..

This sounds like a good fit for the ORoyals..And as I've stated NUMEROUS times on this forum in the past (and also echoed by Branch Rickey above), AAA baseball franchises are indeed a coveted plus for any city..

Hopefully with this new managment team, the new stadium has crept a bit closer to reality..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 7:50 am

The ORoyals baseball stadium gains further momentum..

From today's W-H:

'LINCOLN - The first piece of a financing plan for a new Omaha Royals baseball stadium on the north edge of downtown is headed toward first base.

A 32-page legislative proposal was unveiled Friday detailing how sales tax revenues might be used to finance a new ballpark.

It was filed as an amendment to a pending bill and is the product of weeks of negotiations between State Sen. David Landis of Lincoln and representatives of the Royals.

"It's a critical piece of the overall financial puzzle we're trying to put together," said Doug Stewart, Royals senior vice president and general manager.

The measure would allow up to 25 years of sales-tax financing for a qualified tourism-oriented project.'..

The story link:

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1636&u_sid=2131674

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:39 am

What is Ernie Chambers for? He's seemingly against everything.

UNMCStudent · Post by **UNMCStudent** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 2:50 pm

Swift wrote:What is Ernie Chambers for? He's seemingly against everything.

Certainly not term limits !

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:30 pm

All Chambers' and a number of other senators contention was (in the last session), that LB 500 be limited to tourist related projects (such AS a baseball park or amusement park)... and not to retailers. As it turns out... it worked out fine (as we surmised here) and Cabela's still is building a store, without any tax money (which Kansas City couldn't even pull off

). I'd call that a major victory.

As a liberal Democrat, I will miss Ernie. He has had some odd moments to be sure (mostly during his filibusters... which people seem to lose sight of), but his influence on this extreme red state legislature has been far more good than bad over his decades presence.

Most recent case in point, he's leading the (apparently futile) effort to stop this concealed hand gun law which will further solidify our standing as a red neck state.

Back to regular programming. ;)

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:41 pm

As for this legislative proposal... it's a good one. Here are the highlights...

-Projects considered would have to invest at least $20 million and add at least 75 new jobs
-Qualifying projects would receive up to 25 years of tax financing derived from 75% of the projects state sales taxes and 100% of local taxes.
-For the first 5 years, taxes from hotels within 2,000 feet (ie the Hilton) would also be tapped.

There shouldn't be any mistaking here... if this new ball park is to be built, a proposal like this one will need to be passed. The good news is, this could also spur other new developments (aka amusement park).

This is yet another emerging '11th hour' in the tale of improving Omaha and Nebraska's 'livability'. I sure hope our legislators (most of whom are in their final term) can get it done.

mchine73 · Post by **mchine73** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:03 pm

Is the Hilton less than 2000 feet away from this? Because I was thinking it would more than likely pertain to the hotel in the stadium and the 2(?) next to inplay.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:43 pm

mchine73 wrote:Is the Hilton less than 2000 feet away from this? Because I was thinking it would more than likely pertain to the hotel in the stadium and the 2(?) next to inplay.

One rumor we've heard here is that there will be a hotel on the same block as the stadium (think something like Camdian Yards in Baltimore)

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:59 pm

Approximately 2,000 feet... I doubt it was just coincidence that 2,000 feet put the Hilton within reach. Heck, the Doubletree might even be contributing to the cause.

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 6:20 pm

I think the sales tax proposal could be workable.

But the idea of using sales tax revenue from the Hilton (or the DoubleTree) is insane, and a potential deal killer. If anything, tax revenue from the Hilton should be used to help pay off the Qwest Center.

I'm hoping the Fahey administration is working behind the scenes to find another alternative, because this proposal doesn't look like it'll fly.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 6:11 pm

Team's sale is completed

The agreement between the group headed by Matt Minker and Power Alley LLC has been approved by the Pacific Coast League, Minor League Baseball and the office of the commissioner of Major League Baseball.

"Omahans are going to see some changes in the energy and marketing of the Omaha Royals, and our management team is excited about building on Omaha's interest in Triple A baseball," Shea said in a press release.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=38&u_sid=2198332

I hope some of these changes involve a new stadium. They are going to be surveying fans starting this Friday about what kind of changes they would like to see. I presume they will be doing this too on their most heavily attended game of the year, the July 3rd fireworks game. I definately hope they get a lot of pro stadium responses.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:39 pm

Wichita may be losing the Wranglers to a new stadium in Arkansas. There's an article in today's KC Star on it. We can't take it for granted that we will always have the Royals. Minor league baseball is growing in popularity and these teams are valuable civic assets. We need to step up with a plan to get this stadium done.

Greg

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:48 pm

I heard there is a dilemma with the sewer system being so large under the proposed area that a stadium can't be constructed. It would be nice if someone could find out if that is true or not.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 9:31 pm

Greg S wrote:Wichita may be losing the Wranglers to a new stadium in Arkansas. There's an article in today's KC Star on it. We can't take it for granted that we will always have the Royals. Minor league baseball is growing in popularity and these teams are valuable civic assets. We need to step up with a plan to get this stadium done.

Greg

Geez, the main reason they are thinking about leaving is simply related to their stadium? I was just down in Wichita recently and thought their stadium was actually pretty nice. Or it least it seemed a lot nicer and newer compared to Rosenblatt. It was smaller and looked to have a lot of the amenitites that I thought minor leage teams are going for. So yeah, I definately hope we can come up with a plan for a new stadium if thats what it takes to keep the Royals here. Anyone get surveyed recently at a Royals game about what changes you would like to see?

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:06 pm

Greg S wrote:We can't take it for granted that we will always have the Royals. Minor league baseball is growing in popularity and these teams are valuable civic assets. Greg

A point I've been making for several years and multiple times on this forum..Complacency will lead to the potential loss of the ORoyals..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:04 am

If that does happen we can kiss a pro team happening in our life time goodbye.

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:19 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote:
Greg S wrote:We can't take it for granted that we will always have the Royals. Minor league baseball is growing in popularity and these teams are valuable civic assets. Greg
A point I've been making for several years and multiple times on this forum..Complacency will lead to the potential loss of the ORoyals..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Remember that Warren Buffett and Walter Scott still own half of the Royals; as long as that continues, negligence is the primary way way we'd lose the Royals.

I'd much rather see the Royals and the city sit down and address issues at Rosenblatt instead of tilting windmills in North Downtown. I think the CWS is much more at risk than the Omaha Royals.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:27 pm

MTO wrote:I heard there is a dilemma with the sewer system being so large under the proposed area that a stadium can't be constructed. It would be nice if someone could find out if that is true or not.

Sounds like an urban myth to me.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:44 pm

Vincefurlong told us at the Omaha Streetcar Meeting, and I believe he did not say they couldn't build over it, I think he said they had to do some upgrades to it first. Besides, there is already a building on that property.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:39 am

HskrFanMike wrote:I'd much rather see the Royals and the city sit down and address issues at Rosenblatt instead of tilting windmills in North Downtown. I think the CWS is much more at risk than the Omaha Royals.

Much more? I'd say about equal regardless..

And the pusuit of a stadium for the ORoyals in North Downtown?..I'm still trying to figure out how the ORoyals pursuing a stadium in North Downtown puts the CWS in peril..The way I see it, that's exactly what the NCAA would like to see..Then they'd pretty much have Rosenblatt all to themselves..

So perrrrrfect for them..

Honestly, it has become increasingly clear, that a minor league ballpark and a CWS ballpark are 2 different entities..And Rosenblatt is currently exactly designed for the CWS event..Not for a AAA baseball team..Thus the reason ORoyals management is 'tilting windmills' in North Downtown..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:40 pm

The CWS with it's contracts coming up for renewals every few years will always be at risk. The O Royals is more of an immediate risk but we could put an end to it by figuring out a way to get the new stadium built.

Greg

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:39 am

I don't see what the connection between the Royals and the CWS is.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:52 am

Well, Rosenblatt of course. Or at least that's the perception... that if you take the Royals away... that the CWS can't support it alone. My understanding however is, that the CWS can indeed support Rosenblatt alone. And the Royals stand to benefit from playing in a 'right sized' venue downtown. Minor league baseball attendance overall has been on the rise... and to a great extent it is because the game has been placed in a family friendly, exciting atmosphere such as what as we're proposing here.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:56 am

I actually think the CWS would be better off not having the Royals there. That would give them all but 2 weeks of the year to renovate whatever they want (concourses), which is a little difficult when you have another tenant to deal with 6 months out of the year.

j4nu · Post by **j4nu** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:47 pm

Speaking of rennovations, I had an idea. Someone mentioned on here adding a parking garage to the area. I think an even better idea would be to build one right next the the stadium on the North side and include a NCAA College World Series or Baseball hall of fame. Make it the ground level retail and go up two or three stores with a kind of tower on the corner. Maybe with a baseball on the top as a sculpture. By doing this we gain:

-much needed parking for the stadium and zoo.
-another attraction for Omaha and the area.

Just an idea, what you guys think?

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:23 pm

build one right next the the stadium on the North side

If they did build a parking garage the north side would be the best location as the big parking lot on the south side gets used by a lot of bus groups that come to the zoo.