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wscsuperfan
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| 10/04/2007 4:25 PM |
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New Omaha ballpark could cost $116.5 million
by C. David Kotok and Karen Sloan, Omaha World Herald
Burgers, brats, and beers throughout Omaha could be taxed under Mayor Mike Fahey's proposal to pay for an up to $117 million baseball park downtown.
Members of the City Council were briefed today by the mayor and got their first look at the cost estimate to build a new downtown home for the College World Series.
The price tag is estimated at $95.1 million to $116.5 million. That price range would pay for a new 23,600-seat downtown stadium.
Rebuilding the series' current home, Rosenblatt Stadium, to the standards set forth by the NCAA would be more expensive, costing an additional $20 million or more, Fahey said.
"It is a big number," Fahey said of the cost for a new downtown stadium, "but we have an unprecedented opportunity."
The broad range in the estimated cost was attributed to uncertainties about a final design, Fahey said.
Among the biggest surprises in the mayor's finance plan is a new citywide tax on prepared food, beverages, and possibly, tickets to entertainment events.
Fahey is asking for a 2 percent entertainment tax that would apply to prepared foods and beverages. It would generate an estimated $3 million a year, which the mayor says would be the single largest revenue source used to pay for the stadium.
Such a tax could add 20 cents to a $10 meal or a dime to a $5 beer.
Now that the council has been given the numbers, Fahey is preparing to take his proposal to the public.
The City Council would have to approve any contract with the NCAA to play the CWS in a new stadium as well as any new tax. No public vote would be required.
The preliminary plan puts the ballpark on Lot D north of the Qwest Center Omaha. However, at least two other downtown sites remain under consideration, Fahey said.
About 9,000 to 10,000 permanent seats would be on the stadium's lower level, stretching in both directions from home plate to the left field and right field foul poles. An additional 7,600 removable seats, identical in appearance to the permanent seats, would be installed along the foul lines.
Removable bleachers behind the outfield walls would raise total seating for the CWS to 23,600, or about the same capacity as Rosenblatt.
The new stadium, however, would have many things lacking at Rosenblatt. Open concourses would offer 360-degree views so the field would always be visible.
At least 18 skybox suites would be built.
To pay for all the amenities, the administration has come up with a financing plan that Fahey says avoids putting the cost on the property tax.
Between 60 percent and 70 percent of the cost would be paid with public money. He hopes to raise the remainder - around $40 million - from private donors.
Fahey said he has had discussions with people interested in donating, though no money has been pledged.
The new tax would be on top of the existing 7 percent state and city sales tax. Groceries would be exempt.
The administration is still trying to determine the scope of the tax beyond prepared food and beverages. For example, the Mayor's Office has not figured out whether the tax would apply to events at the Qwest Center Omaha, the Holland Performing Arts Center, the Orpheum Theater, and other entertainment venues. It is also uncertain whether it would apply to CWS tickets.
Similar taxes have been used in Kansas City, Denver, Peoria and Peoria and Naperville, Illinois, Fahey said.
The new tax money would be used to pay off the lease-purchase bonds that Fahey is proposing to use for the stadium construction. The city also would use sewer bonds to pay for stadium infrastructure.
Lease-purchase bonds are not repaid with property taxes, and do not require a public vote for approval. They are paid with other city funds.
Such bonds have been used to pay for Rosenblatt improvements, libraries, and other public buildings.
"I did not want to do this on the backs of property owners," Fahey said.
Fahey said he had considered a similar funding mechanism - revenue bonds - for the new stadium, but lease-purchase bonds have a lower interest rate.
In addition to the entertainment tax, Fahey hopes to use revenues from the convention center and arena parking, naming rights, stadium suites, and team leases to pay off the bonds.
Fahey said he already has had one inquiry about naming rights. He said he has been told the value of naming rights could be greater than the $14 million paid by Qwest for the arena and convention center.
Fahey said he plans to speak to service industry groups in an effort to generate support for the proposed new tax. He acknowledged there could be some negative reaction.
"Any time you tax someone, it's never greeted with open arms," he said.
Fahey said he also plans to speak to the Omaha Royals and Creighton University about lease arrangements for the new stadium.
The Royals would be an important participant, Fahey said. The stadium design would allow for a smaller, more intimate park the Royals have sought.
Beyond the 23,600 capacity for the CWS, the stadium would be constructed to support a 5,000-seat future expansion, Fahey said.
Fahey said renovating or rebuilding at Rosenblatt would be prohibitively expensive. Architects and engineers said the existing ballpark would have to be demolished from foul pole to foul pole. Reconstruction costs would be about the same as building new downtown, he said.
Beyond that, Fahey said, there would be an up to $4 million cost for demolition and at least $15 million to buy up property and create fan areas along 13th Street.
Even with all that, the site would not have the hotels and restaurants sought by the NCAA, he said.
"Our goal is to build a downtown stadium," Fahey said.
"I don't think we can pass this up."
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TheCrusher
Posts:127
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| 10/04/2007 4:47 PM |
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| I like it. I know there are many clamoring to save Rosenblatt. I am not sure why. I have lived in Omaha my whole life, love the CWS, love Zestos, etc. I just don't think Rosenblatt is all that grand. And I think if we do the 'Save the Rosenblatt' thing, we lose the CWS within 10 years. |
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Logan
Posts:2525
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| 10/04/2007 4:50 PM |
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| if you build it they will come. |
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dwight, refuting reality one post at a time. |
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590Fan
Posts:4
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| 10/04/2007 5:36 PM |
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| Great move for Omaha...they need to get this done. |
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reideen
Posts:279
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| 10/04/2007 7:06 PM |
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The stadium idea is fine.
Problem I have with it is the tax implications. We're taxed enough here in Nebraska. I don't care if it only amounts to .20 on a $10.00 meal. Gas tax, property tax, baseball stadium tax, breathe my air tax, we're too tax happy here. We're already considering a move to KC....more taxes - no matter how small - will only make us continue the discussion.
Another thing. Fahey is looking for 40% coming from donations? Why isn't he looking for 60 - 70% to come from taxes? Can any of Rosenblatt's seating be recycled? (Don't know if it is possible or not - just throwing it out there.) Could using some of the existing seats help to cut the costs? |
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Crit40
Posts:2600
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| 10/04/2007 9:25 PM |
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Just make sure there are ferris wheels and pony rides so people will go to the games.  |
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Counting the Herd one hoof at a time. |
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reideen
Posts:279
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| 10/04/2007 10:05 PM |
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| Not a bad idea actually Crit. Chicago's Navy Pier area is huge and would certainly be a welcome addition downtown. If I knew something like that was part of the long term plan, then I'd be behind it. As it stands now, all I'm hearing is it'll be a stadium and what the tax implications will be. |
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Bugeater
Posts:971
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| 10/05/2007 1:09 AM |
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F*ck you Fahey, I pay enough taxes. Let the people who profit from the CWS pay for the f*cking thing. I'm also disturbed that this won't be decided by a vote of the people. If the city council approves this I, among others I'm sure, will be livid.
And Matt, you're way off base with your "go to the grocery store if you don't want to pay the tax". I don't have time to go home and prepare a meal on my 1/2 hour lunch break. Get real. |
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reideen
Posts:279
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| 10/05/2007 7:16 AM |
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Posted By Bugeater on 10/05/2007 1:09 AM
And Matt, you're way off base with your "go to the grocery store if you don't want to pay the tax". I don't have time to go home and prepare a meal on my 1/2 hour lunch break. Get real.
I've always thought Matt's 'single guy with disposable income' perspective of telling the BS590 listener base of how to live their lives was amusing. How about this Matt - how about you pay some property taxes and then tell us how much you agree with another tax. |
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TheCrusher
Posts:127
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| 10/05/2007 8:22 AM |
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Posted By reideen on 10/05/2007 7:16 AM Posted By Bugeater on 10/05/2007 1:09 AM
And Matt, you're way off base with your "go to the grocery store if you don't want to pay the tax". I don't have time to go home and prepare a meal on my 1/2 hour lunch break. Get real. I've always thought Matt's 'single guy with disposable income' perspective of telling the BS590 listener base of how to live their lives was amusing. How about this Matt - how about you pay some property taxes and then tell us how much you agree with another tax.
Yea, certainly those who do not pay Nebraska property taxes should not be lecturing those who do that taking on another tax burden is no big deal.
I have a decent house--no $45k deck-having manse, but still very nice--out in West Omaha and I do not much care for the amount of taxes I have to pay. However, I am for the new stadium. I am a baseball guy though, so I can certainly see myself attending more games in it--if the Royals are there--than I do now. It also means that I am more likely to make a lunch at home and bring it to work than to go out on my lunch break--which is probably better in the long run as well. |
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TheCrusher
Posts:127
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| 10/05/2007 8:28 AM |
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Posted By Bugeater on 10/05/2007 1:09 AM
Let the people who profit from the CWS pay for the f*cking thing.
Who, in your opinion, are those people? The problem with making those who profit from the CWS pay for the stadium is that those costs will, inevitably, get passed along to Omaha residents in one way or another. |
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ChiefLongStaff
Posts:180
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| 10/05/2007 8:32 AM |
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Posted By reideen on 10/05/2007 7:16 AM Posted By Bugeater on 10/05/2007 1:09 AM
And Matt, you're way off base with your "go to the grocery store if you don't want to pay the tax". I don't have time to go home and prepare a meal on my 1/2 hour lunch break. Get real. I've always thought Matt's 'single guy with disposable income' perspective of telling the BS590 listener base of how to live their lives was amusing. How about this Matt - how about you pay some property taxes and then tell us how much you agree with another tax.
I couldn't agree more. Matt doesn't pay property tax and doesn't have a family to support. My property taxes have gone up $2k since I bought the house four years ago. And, once they pass a new tax it never goes away. So, this isn't a temporary tax. It will still be there when the city wants to add more tax for something else down the road, etc, etc. Before you know it the "entertainment tax" is 15, 16, 17 percent.
I don't really care one way or the other about the new stadium, I just don't want to pay for it.
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App St 34
Mythigan 32 |
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egami
Posts:5570
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| 10/05/2007 9:02 AM |
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Posted By reideen on 10/05/2007 7:16 AM Posted By Bugeater on 10/05/2007 1:09 AM
And Matt, you're way off base with your "go to the grocery store if you don't want to pay the tax". I don't have time to go home and prepare a meal on my 1/2 hour lunch break. Get real. I've always thought Matt's 'single guy with disposable income' perspective of telling the BS590 listener base of how to live their lives was amusing. How about this Matt - how about you pay some property taxes and then tell us how much you agree with another tax.
What kills me is that he tries to act like he isn't in his 30's. |
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Posted By Omahan on 11/04/2008 2:24 PM
I've worked very hard to become your friend egami. |
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Logan
Posts:2525
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| 10/05/2007 10:11 AM |
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Posted By reideen on 10/05/2007 7:16 AM Posted By Bugeater on 10/05/2007 1:09 AM
And Matt, you're way off base with your "go to the grocery store if you don't want to pay the tax". I don't have time to go home and prepare a meal on my 1/2 hour lunch break. Get real. I've always thought Matt's 'single guy with disposable income' perspective of telling the BS590 listener base of how to live their lives was amusing. How about this Matt - how about you pay some property taxes and then tell us how much you agree with another tax.
you have to keep in mind he is from the peoples republic of massachusetts. |
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dwight, refuting reality one post at a time. |
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Thetree1918
Posts:0
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| 10/05/2007 10:27 AM |
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there are several reasons I don;t like this idea.
first of all, why be the first ballpark with the expandable seating...seems a way bit off the board risky for such a market that hasn't been defined. you are going to try something new that adds millions of dollars to the community of Omaha...not a wise choice
secondly, taxes, we are one of the highest taxed state sin the country, and if matt doesn't see it let him buy a fudgeing house, renting your life away will not let you see how most of us suffer from an INSANE property tax in this state. and does he register his car here? it's insane as well. there are so many taxes in this state i don't care if the next one goes to curing cancer and developing permanent rainbows in omaha...stop fudgeing taxing me!!!!
matt you are a single guy renting in downtown omaha with the other trendy kids in the city....don't even think yoru limited life view of taxes and short lived life here can really let us all know what we should and should not spend our tax dollars on. |
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egami
Posts:5570
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| 10/05/2007 10:36 AM |
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Posted By Thetree1918 on 10/05/2007 10:27 AM
matt you are a single guy renting in downtown omaha with the other trendy kids in the city
The old man trying to mix it up with the kiddies in the cool part of town.
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Posted By Omahan on 11/04/2008 2:24 PM
I've worked very hard to become your friend egami. |
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ChiefLongStaff
Posts:180
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| 10/05/2007 10:38 AM |
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Posted By egami on 10/05/2007 10:36 AM Posted By Thetree1918 on 10/05/2007 10:27 AM
matt you are a single guy renting in downtown omaha with the other trendy kids in the city The old man trying to mix it up with the kiddies in the cool part of town.
Kind of like being the old guy at the club?
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egami
Posts:5570
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| 10/05/2007 10:42 AM |
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Posted By ChiefLongStaff on 10/05/2007 10:38 AM Posted By egami on 10/05/2007 10:36 AM Posted By Thetree1918 on 10/05/2007 10:27 AM
matt you are a single guy renting in downtown omaha with the other trendy kids in the city The old man trying to mix it up with the kiddies in the cool part of town. Kind of like being the old guy at the club?
Exactly...he's admittedly in a tough spot. Mentally, he's still as fresh, green and naive as a kid out of high school. Emotionally, he's like a kid in high school. Yet, he's also trying to fit into the Whine and Cheese crowd at the Blue Jays games.
Then, yes, there is the whole "check out my blog and meet me at the club because we're gonna get wasted" comments he is always trying to make on air like he's still in that hip college age group. |
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Posted By Omahan on 11/04/2008 2:24 PM
I've worked very hard to become your friend egami. |
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ChiefLongStaff
Posts:180
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| 10/05/2007 12:40 PM |
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Posted By egami on 10/05/2007 10:42 AM Posted By ChiefLongStaff on 10/05/2007 10:38 AM Posted By egami on 10/05/2007 10:36 AM Posted By Thetree1918 on 10/05/2007 10:27 AM
matt you are a single guy renting in downtown omaha with the other trendy kids in the city The old man trying to mix it up with the kiddies in the cool part of town. Kind of like being the old guy at the club? Exactly...he's admittedly in a tough spot. Mentally, he's still as fresh, green and naive as a kid out of high school. Emotionally, he's like a kid in high school. Yet, he's also trying to fit into the Whine and Cheese crowd at the Blue Jays games. Then, yes, there is the whole "check out my blog and meet me at the club because we're gonna get wasted" comments he is always trying to make on air like he's still in that hip college age group.
A buddy of mine stopped by Two Fine Irishmen on the way to my house to watch the Wake Forest game. He had been a listener of Perrault's and wanted to stop by and say hi, etc. He tried to chat with him a few times and Perrault totally big timed him was kind of a d!ck. He listens to 1620 now.
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Logan
Posts:2525
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| 10/05/2007 12:51 PM |
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| matt has never big timed me nor anyone else i've seen approach him. that doesn't sound like him. whenever i've seen him in public he's always been very engaging. keep in mind if he's not busy at that moment he does need to pay attention to what's going on so he can talk about something 4 hours a day. |
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dwight, refuting reality one post at a time. |
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