Big Dreams, Big Decisions :

A citizen guide to prioritizing proposed community projects

by Rodney Berry

Stadium for Baseball/Concerts

In November 2004, the Bring Back Baseball Committee proposed a public-private partnership for a new stadium that would attract a professional baseball team in the expanding Frontier League, as well as concerts, festivals, and other community events. The committee presented summaries of a market study, site plans, renderings, and a financing plan involving a locally-controlled nonprofit corporation as owner, tax exempt bonds, a surcharge on all revenues, loan guarantee, and a contribution of property and infrastructure.

In the final days of the 2005 General Assembly, state government authorized tax increment financing (TIF) for a comparable (yet more ambitious) Bowling Green project. Through the TIF tool that was adopted, a percentage of increases in state tax revenue in a designated district can be applied to the financing of qualifying projects. Community officials are exploring potential applications for the baseball stadium as well as other community projects.

Capacity:
4,000 seats (baseball), 2,000 fixed, 2,000 grass
7,900 seats (concerts and festivals)

Cost Estimate: $9.75 million
Includes: $1 million value for land, Infrastructure, Team Franchise, & Start-up Costs

Infrastructure estimates:
$425 thousand English Park site
$1.7 million Highway 54 site

Proposed Role of City Government:
Provide land and infrastructure
Establish TIF District

Proposed Role of County Government:
Levy surcharge on all sales at stadium
$3 million loan guarantee against surcharge revenue
Proposed Role of Local Nonprofit Board: Secure $1.5 million (local lenders)
Borrow $4.25 million (tax-exempt bonds)
supported by state TIF

Users:

• Frontier League Professional Baseball Team
• Community Baseball Teams
• Out-of-Town Baseball Teams (tournaments)
• Concerts and Festivals
• Assemblies and Community Events

Economic Impact:
construction jobs, construction purchasing, permanent operating jobs, annual payroll/payroll taxes, out-of-town visitors, annual local purchasing

Taxes generated:
sales tax, payroll tax, hotel taxes, other taxes

Advantages (English Park):

• Stand alone project with minimal city/county liability, value for low cost
• Multi-purpose facility will accommodate baseball, concerts, festivals, and more
• Low-cost family entertainment
• Boost to economy: jobs, purchasing, tourism
• Will generate spin-off business and neighborhood revitalization
• Hometown team source of community pride
• Breathe life into underutilized riverfront park
• Enhance the riverfront effort from RiverPark Center to English Park

Disadvantages (English Park):

• Would require gift of city park
• Parking challenges
• Potential noise issues
• Limited visibility and accessibility

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