Author Topic: Columbus: Huntington Park (Clippers ballpark) (Read 62367 times)

noozer · « **on:** November 09, 2005, 07:46:29 AM »

ARENA DISTRICT PROPERTIES
County purchasing land for Clippers’ new home
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Robert Vitale
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Franklin County now has the land it wants for a new minor league baseball stadium. The county commissioners agreed yesterday to buy 6.9 acres in the Arena District that they had identified in April as their preferred spot for a new home for the Columbus Clippers. The land at the northwestern corner of Nationwide Boulevard and Neil Avenue is west of Nationwide Arena. The county will buy five of six properties there for $11.5 million. Officials are negotiating for the sixth parcel, whose owner recently died.

Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2005/11/09/20051109-E1-05.html&chck=t

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #1 on:** November 09, 2005, 11:47:50 AM »

This post probably belongs in the "demolish Cooper Stadium" post.

As an aside, there are artist renderings floating around of the project (Channel 10 had them on last night), maybe someone can find it.

noozer · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2006, 02:05:54 AM »

County loans funds to buy land for Clippers stadium
Structuring ensures taxpayers’ money will not be spent, commissioners say
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Robert Vitale
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Franklin County will spend $11.5 million to buy land for a new minor-league baseball stadium, but officials say the deal is structured in a way that sticks to their pledge of taxpayer-free funding. The money is a loan, they say, to be repaid with interest when bonds are issued for the project later this year. The bonds, in turn, will be paid off with income from the stadium after it opens in 2008. County commissioners approved the loan yesterday. Officially, it’s from Franklin County to Franklin County Stadium Inc., a nonprofit corporation that’s overseen by the commissioner-appointed Parks and Recreation Board.

Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/01/11/20060111-E5-00.html

buildingcincinnati · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2006, 06:01:21 AM »

From Business First of Columbus, 1/16/06:

County behind in count to put Clippers in new ballpark by '08
Jeff Bell
Business First

Franklin County officials must play a game of catch-up if they hope to see the Columbus Clippers playing at a downtown ballpark by opening day in 2008. The project has fallen behind a design-and-construction timeline the county had hoped to follow, but officials close to the project think ground can be made up in the coming months. County officials and two committees of community representatives have been wrestling with project details since April, when commissioners committed to move the Triple A team from 73-year-old Cooper Stadium in Franklinton to the Arena District.

Full story at http://www.bizjournals.com/industries/real_estate/construction/2006/01/16/columbus_story6.html

buildingcincinnati · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2006, 10:50:52 AM »

From Suburban News Publications, 2/1/06:

Stadium meeting results in big turnout, few questions
The new diamond is scheduled to be open for the 2008 baseball season.
By JENNIFER WRAY

More than 50 representatives of firms looking for work on the new Cooper Stadium project attended a presentation Friday that was meant to give them an opportunity to ask questions. However, only three of them actually publicly sought answers from a panel made up of representatives of the Franklin County commissioners. County Administrator Don Brown said he wasn't surprised by the attendees' reticence. That reserved attitude was obvious when one of the potential applicants, Joe Briglia of the International Facilities Group, asked if the candidates could submit questions in writing. Brown said they could but the deadline for such questions would be Thursday, and the county's responses would be sent out to all the applicants.

Full story at http://www.snponline.com/NEWS2-1/2-1_allfcstadium.htm

tcj1985 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2006, 11:43:45 AM »

Well at least they aren't building the ballpark in the suburbs!!! This gives people another reason to patronize downtown Cbus. By the way, are the Clippers any good?

Brewmaster · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2006, 01:00:52 PM »

Quote from: tcjoe1985 on February 06, 2006, 11:43:45 AM

Well at least they aren't building the ballpark in the suburbs!!! This gives people another reason to patronize downtown Cbus. By the way, are the Clippers any good?

They're usually OK. The problem is that the Yankees just go out and buy big leagers instead of bring guys up through thier system.

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2006, 05:42:46 AM »

It looks like Huntington wants a piece of the action...

Huntington buys naming rights for Clippers' proposed stadium
The Columbus Clippers' proposed new stadium has a name: Huntington Park. Franklin County officials made an announcement at noon that they've sold naming rights for the team's new Arena District ballpark to Huntington Bancshares Inc.

ink · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2006, 06:04:07 AM »

Thats a pretty decent name!

Brewmaster · « **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2006, 06:22:32 AM »

Yeah...I can live with Huntington Park.

Huntington Field might have been a little classier sounding, but I'll take that over Lifestyle Communities Park!

noozer · « **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2006, 07:30:40 AM »

nbc4i.com
Plans Announced For Clippers' Arena District Stadium
Huntington Secures Naming Rights

UPDATED: 3:22 pm EST February 7, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The name of the new 10,000-seat baseball stadium for the Columbus Clippers will be called Huntington Park, officials said in a Tuesday announcement. The Franklin County Parks and Recreation Board and Franklin County Stadium Inc. made the announcement about Huntington Bancshares, Inc.'s letter of intent to purchasing the naming rights. Huntington will pay $12 million over 23 years for naming rights.

Full story at http://www.nbc4i.com/news/6814305/detail.html

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #11 on:** February 07, 2006, 07:43:23 AM »

^Ooooh, purdy!

Agree also, that Huntington Park sounds good. Much better than Value City Arena!

From 10TV:

Downtown Columbus
Clippers' Stadium Gets A Sponsor
Feb 7, 2006, 03:30 PM EST
Reported by Kevin Landers

Plans are moving forward for a new baseball stadium in downtown Columbus. There was a major financial announcement Tuesday morning. Huntington Bank has become the first corporate sponsor of the new stadium for the Clippers. The new stadium, Huntington Park, will be located at the corner of Neil Avenue and Nationwide Boulevard, and they hope to start their games in 2008.

Full story at http://www.10tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4468188

noozer · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2006, 01:43:32 AM »

DOWNTOWN HOME FOR CLIPPERS
Stadium getting bank for bucks
’08 opening likely as Huntington pays $12 million to name park
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Robert Vitale
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The Columbus Clippers’ new Arena District ballpark has yet to take shape, but yesterday it took a name. And a project previously known as "proposed new baseball stadium" came into sharper focus. "Everyone knows Huntington Park is coming," Clippers General Manager Ken Schnacke said. "I think it makes it real. Now it has a name." Franklin County officials said the naming rights deal puts the $55 million stadium project on track after a slow start last year.

Legal questions and an early reluctance among potential corporate partners put the 2008 opening in jeopardy, but Commissioner Paula Brooks said yesterday that it’s now possible by midseason 2008 at the latest.

Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/02/08/20060208-A1-00.html

UncleRando · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2006, 03:17:45 AM »

Love it....fits in very well with the existing urban framework.

noozer · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2006, 03:53:39 AM »

Now... imagine a light rail and Ohio Hub train station right alongside of all of this. That would be great!

ColDayMan · « **Reply #15 on:** February 08, 2006, 07:12:46 AM »

Screw that! How about Pappadeaux's!!!

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #16 on:** February 08, 2006, 10:05:27 AM »

Pappa-whaa?

*Sigh* What I wouldn't give to see set of passenger rail cars riding alongside the stadium ready to come to a stop at the new multi-model transit center at the Northwest corner of High and Nationwide. *Sigh*

noozer · « **Reply #17 on:** February 08, 2006, 12:24:20 PM »

That could very well happen. The area immediately to the north of the tracks near Neil Avenue would make an excellent site for a multi-modal transportation center that would accomodate trains. It might take some creative track work, but it can be done.

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #18 on:** February 08, 2006, 12:57:22 PM »

I remember way back when seeing some conceptual images of a COTA multi-model transit center at that very intersection, which is what I based my fantasy from. I definitely think it could work well, since that rail line could connect downtown to the airport and branch out to Easton, then the north corridor line would be at street level on High St. Then there could be a plaza for COTA buses. But that would make too much sense.

columbusguy20 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 08, 2006, 02:04:12 PM »

why not build a streetcar line thru that area, going along nationwide blvd., neil ave., and high st.? i dont think it would cost as much as building light rail, but i could be wrong. if they did, i dont like the name of it, a multi modal transit center/station! how bout something like Columbus Central, High St., Nationwide, or Union Station! just an idea

noozer · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2006, 03:06:58 AM »

County closing on lots for ballpark
Friday, February 24, 2006

Franklin County will take possession today of the first parcels of Arena District land where officials plan to build the Columbus Clippers’ new ballpark. During the next two weeks, sale closings are scheduled with five separate owners of land at the northwest corner of Nationwide Boulevard and Neil Avenue. The total price for the 6.9 acres is $15.4 million. Individual sales range from $1.5 million to $4 million.

The deals are as follows: William H. Wilson, $4,020,000; NWD Investments, $3,540,000; Beck Dublin LLC, $3,220,000; Iacovetta Properties, $3,110,000; and Katz Interests Inc., $1,510,000.

Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/02/24/20060224-C4-02.html

noozer · « **Reply #21 on:** February 24, 2006, 03:12:08 AM »

February 22 - March 1, 2006

Eight firms apply to lead stadium oversight
By JENNIFER WRAY

Eight companies have tossed their respective hats in the ring for an opportunity to work as the owner's representative in the construction of a new baseball stadium to house the Columbus Clippers. The stadium will replace the 74-year-old Cooper Stadium on the West Side and will be located on an 8-acre site in the Arena District, west of Nationwide Arena. The owner's representative will serve as a proxy for the county during the construction and will make sure the public's best interests are followed, officials have said.

The eight firms that responded to the county's Feb. 15 deadline were: Jones Lang LaSalle Americas Inc. of Columbus; the Staubach Co. of Columbus and Cleveland; H.R. Gray of Columbus; Soil Test Ltd. of Dublin; Nationwide Realty Investors of Columbus; International Facilities Group LLC of Columbus and Northbrook, Ill.; Construction Process Solutions Ltd. of Cincinnati and Cleveland and CT Consultants of Columbus and Willoughby.

Full story at http://www.snponline.com/NEWS2-22/2-22_allfcstadium.htm

Brewmaster · « **Reply #22 on:** February 24, 2006, 03:38:58 AM »

Hmmmm...I wonder if Nationwide will win.

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #23 on:** March 28, 2006, 04:12:33 AM »

Brewmaster wins the prize!

Nationwide to oversee Clippers’ stadium construction
Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Brutus_buckeye · « **Reply #24 on:** March 28, 2006, 11:57:08 AM »

Maybe if Huntington gets bought out by 5/3 there can be 3 5/3 fields in Ohio, and 2 more in Michigan

noozer · « **Reply #25 on:** March 29, 2006, 01:55:14 AM »

Nationwide’s pitch for ballpark can’t be beat
Arena developer awarded project, will do work free
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Robert Vitale
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The company that built Nationwide Arena and came up with the idea for an entertainment district to surround it now will turn its attention to one of the neighborhood’s final pieces. Franklin County commissioners chose Nationwide Realty Investors yesterday to oversee development of Huntington Park, the new Arena District baseball stadium they plan to build for the county-owned Columbus Clippers. One of its major selling points: The "hometown team," as Commissioner Paula Brooks called the locally based arm of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., has offered to do the job free. Nationwide Realty President Brian Ellis said the company will waive its fees as a "portion of our contribution to the project." For a project the size of the $55 million stadium, owner’s representatives usually would charge up to $1.25 million.

Full story at
http://www.dispatch.com/clippers/clippers.php?story=dispatch/2006/03/29/20060329-B1-02.html

buildingcincinnati · « **Reply #26 on:** April 26, 2006, 12:49:40 PM »

From the 4/26/06 Dispatch:

Labor deal could put stadium funds at risk
County pact would let unions assign workers
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Jim Siegel
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Franklin County might not get $7 million from the state to help build a new minor-league stadium if commissioners go ahead with a labor agreement that gives unions the power to assign workers to the project. "We’re going to have a hard time advocating state dollars from a taxpayers’ perspective when you’ve got this labor agreement thing," said Rep. Larry Wolpert, R-Hilliard. "Clearly this agreement is not in the best interest of the taxpayers." GOP lawmakers have been hearing from businesses and the Associated Builders and Contractors, a trade group of nonunion companies and a major Republican campaign contributor that is strongly opposed to the labor pact.

Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/clippers/clippers.php?story=dispatch/2006/04/26/20060426-A1-01.html

mavrijones · « **Reply #27 on:** April 30, 2006, 05:21:42 AM »

Is there going to be extra parking created or will they try to work with existing?? I guess there's the lot behing the Lifestyles Communities Pavilion (i agree--horifically named) and more by Lodge Bar/Blues Station etc...

Does anybody have any ideas of how/if Buggyworks will be in cooperating with the development? I think i read elsewhere that the will be a new street created or extended? I'm not talking about the 'Firestone Alley' between the two Buggyworks buildings...something else.

noozer · « **Reply #28 on:** May 14, 2006, 04:57:52 AM »

ARENA DISTRICT
Clippers parking may stay modest
Nationwide, county aim for a range of $3 to $5
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Robert Vitale
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Columbus Clippers fans are unlikely to pay Columbus Blue Jackets prices to park when the teams become Arena District neighbors in 2008. A pending agreement between Franklin County and Nationwide Realty Investors would lock in "market-rate" parking — $3 to $5 instead of the premium prices charged on hockey nights — when the Clippers move to their new stadium, both sides say. Parking, which runs as high as $15 when the Blue Jackets and bigname entertainers are on the marquee at Nationwide Arena, has been a major worry for Clippers fans since county commissioners announced plans last year to move the team from Cooper Stadium in Franklinton to new digs at Nationwide Boulevard and Neil Avenue.

The county owns the minor-league baseball team and Cooper Stadium, and it will own the new Huntington Park as well. Nationwide Realty Investors, chosen by commissioners two months ago to oversee the stadium project, has been the Arena District’s main developer. The company, other affiliates and its parent, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., also own 13 of the district’s 14 parking lots and garages.

Full story at http://dispatch.com/clippers/clippers.php?story=dispatch/2006/05/14/20060514-C1-02.html

X · « **Reply #29 on:** May 14, 2006, 03:40:46 PM »

Market rate is what the market will support, plain and simple. They are talking about the opposite- price control.

Brewmaster · « **Reply #30 on:** May 15, 2006, 09:58:45 AM »

Or...they could park and ride on the streetcar (fingers crossed) if they didn't get the free handout on the subsidized parking. In fact, some of those parking fees should go to fund the streetcar!!!

noozer · « **Reply #31 on:** May 15, 2006, 10:59:27 AM »

Brewmaster.... actually, using parking meter fees (and fines) is part of how Portland, Oregon fund it's streetcar line. They have designated parking zones for blocks either side of the streetcar corridor and if you park or get ticketed for a parking violation isndie those zones, the $$$ go to the streetcar system.

The remaining funding comes from an annual contribution from the local transit authority. In return, transit riders get free transfers on to the streetcars.

A very nice and symbiotic relationship.

Brewmaster · « **Reply #32 on:** May 15, 2006, 11:11:22 AM »

I like it. It all rolls up into market rate pricing. I'm also for raising the gas tax for the same reasons. If you want to drive an SUV, go for it, but be prepared to pay for it at the pump and subsidize alternative energy and rail projects so that others can benefit from your excess. Same basic principle here. If you are fortunate enough to afford to park close, some of that money should go to fund the parking/transportation needs of the other fans.

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #33 on:** May 16, 2006, 04:41:18 AM »

I think the issue here so much is the gamble the county is taking on this new stadium and possibly issolating its most ardant fan base: those that go to Clippers games because it's CHEAP. I think most believe that even if prices for tickets and parking were to double, the new clientele that would be frequenting Clippers games would more than make up for the loss of patrons that now deem the outting too expensive, but the county is going on the conservative. I think if, when all is said and done, that attendance and parking patronage do exceed current projections, we could see parking fees raised to more market driven levels.

However, as mentioned, it would be far more beneficial if the proposed streetcar system was integrated into this project in the manner described by noozer. Here's hoping.

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #34 on:** May 28, 2006, 06:09:09 AM »

UNION-ONLY CONTRACTS
Ballpark sponsors balk at labor plan
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Robert Vitale
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The Columbus Clippers could lose millions in corporate help for a new Arena District ballpark if Franklin County gives labor unions exclusive control over construction jobs, a top adviser on the project has warned. County commissioners’ consideration of what’s known as a project labor agreement with 22 area trade unions could jeopardize a $12 million naming-rights deal with Huntington Bancshares Inc., as well as other potential sponsorships, the adviser warned in a recent e-mail to county Administrator Don L. Brown and Commissioner Paula Brooks.

"The only way I see this project moving forward is if we take the PLA off the table," wrote Cathy Mayne Lyttle, vice chair of Franklin County Stadium Inc., the board that oversees the current and future homes of the county-owned Clippers.

Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news/news.php?story=dispatch/2006/05/28/20060528-A1-02.html

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Author Topic: Columbus: Huntington Park (Clippers ballpark) (Read 62367 times)