The Train Keeps a Rollin'

Not surprising, after a petition begins to recall Mayor Fahey, there is now a petition to support a downtown ballpark. I'm not sure what the Douglas County government does, but are they so slow that they need petitions to keep them occupied? I guess I can't say that I'm surprised that the recalls keep coming in. I imagine these won't be the only two.

I have to say there are two scenarios that would make me happy (because that SO matters to the city of Omaha): 

1) A new stadium -- the new stadium would be beautiful, look out over the downtown skyline and would be state of the art. It would be welcome to Omaha by those in the city that want to be seen. 

2) Replace the original section of Rosenblatt -- the original metal part of Rosenblatt is an eye sore and is the worst part of the old girl. I realize that there are many other things that need to be replaced, but, as a fan, that's the minimum of what I want gone. It's embarrassing. 

My biggest issue with the new stadium is that I doubt it helps the O Royals, which I don't think Fahey and Diesing care about. It's not their agenda. Fahey doesn't have bad ideas, he just shoves the down people's throats, and that's what the city and I can't stand. The Old Feeder made a great comment on a previous post. It's the way they've done business and will until they are recalled or just get out.

By the way, Fahey fake-bakes like no one's business. He looks like a 20 year old chic getting ready for spring break. Come on Mayor. It's winter in Nebraska. We're not done...and does the city pay for that???

New Stadium Plans Unveiled

Mayor Fahey unveiled more concrete plans today, including a nice, new website from the CWS Oversight Committee. Here are a couple links to keep you up to date:

OWH: Plans unveiled for downtown Omaha ballpark

WOWT: Stadium Plans Unveiled

KETV: Stadium to Cost $127M...

KMTV: Mayor and Stadium Committee...

KPTM: Mayor, Committee Release Stadium Recommendation

Past House posts

I guess that my feeling is, it's going to happen, so we might as well enjoy the newness. I realize there are the tax issues, but one way or another, the stadium will be built. In five years we'll wonder how we ever did without it. I think the preliminary layout looks great. I am hoping to attend one of the public forum sessions to see what else they will come up with.

More Rosenblatt

Here is the latest OWH article with some Q & A in regards to the Rosenblatt debacle...I mean, new ballpark downtown.

NoDo Stadium Update

You may need to sit down for this:

In an article that will apparently appear in the Sunday OWH (it's online...I'm not breaking news), the NoDo Stadium will, shockingly, cost more than the $50 million first reported by the city government. Wow, didn't see that one coming. The cost of building the new stadium is now almost twice as much as renovating Rosenblatt. But a point worth bringing up is that tearing down Rosenblatt means expansion of the Henry Doorly Zoo. I'm not sure the exact numbers, but you would have to think the Zoo brings in more money during the year than the CWS does during it's two week (Royals profit??? Yeah right.).

Letter from MECA to mayor and ballpark committee (from OWH)

Letter from ballpark committee chairman to MECA (from OWH)

Here is the OWH's recap of all of the drama.

***Update***

OWH Feb 4: Ballpark's potential site could be decided in court

City of Omaha looking for some help?

Many, many, many blogs have documented the harshness that is the Evil Empire (aka, Axis of Evil or Muppet Mike, those who "run" the city). But now it seems they have a little help, kind of. A group of state senators introduced a bill asking that, for ever $3 Omaha puts towards the renovation of Rosenblatt Stadium, the state will chip in a $1 (up to $20 million). For those of you unfamiliar with the situation, Rosenblatt Stadium is home to a couple Creighton Blue Jaycollege baseball games; the Triple A affiliate of the KC Royals, the Omaha Royals, and; more importantly (financially speaking), the College World Series. State Senator John Synowiecki introduced LB 1156, working with a few other Omaha senators. He does say that this does not mandate that Omaha keep Rosenblatt and that it could be worked to help fund a new stadium.

There are so many issues that are affecting this process of either renovating Rosenblatt or building a new stadium:

• There is a loud group wanting to save Rosenblatt.
• The Omaha city government, not surprisingly, has not handled this well...there have been back channel supposed discussions with the NCAA, much confusion about how much a new stadium would really cost, what it would really look like...I could go on...
• The group put together to combine all sides lost their coordinator, apparently because he was annoyed with the city government.
• "Big money" seems to be pushing for the new stadium.
• Who pays for it?
• Is the NCAA really looking for a new stadium or a new city?
• Does the CWS really help the whole state?

I just don't think that the CWS provides enough money to the state for the state to support it. I think that there are many things that $20 million dollars could fix (child services, education, etc.). I don't see Synowiecki's bill passing to help Rosenblatt, but I could see the big money in Omaha talking with him and the rest of the legislature about channeling that money to their new stadium. Many people ask why the government doesn't put $20 million into the Sienna Francis house or likewise organizations...well, that's easy. They don't bring the money back in. Is it right? No, but how else are you going to get people to the state?

Here's some links:

LB 1156

Save Rosenblatt Stadium

OWH: Nebraska Legislature getting into Omaha's stadium game

LJS: Omaha Senator pushes bill that would help save Rosenblatt

WOWT: Lawmaker Floats Rosenblatt Bill

KPTM: Lawmakers Get Into Ballpark Battle

KOLN/KGIN: Save Rosenblatt