Sugar Land Baseball Stadium Project Speakers Bureau Available

Posted on Friday, August 20, 2010

Sugar Land, TX – Plans for the City of Sugar Land’s new minor league baseball team and stadium are well underway and generating a great deal of community interest. The City is close to completing engineering and quality of life impact studies to select the final site and preliminary results will be presented to City Council on Tuesday, August 24. In response to public interest, a speakers’ bureau of City staff and officials has been created to answer residents’ questions about ballpark plans, its impact on the community and to receive citizens’ feedback.

The City remains committed to selecting a final stadium site that does not negatively impact residents with respect to traffic, noise, lighting and public safety. City Council is expected to vote on the final site selection at its September 7 meeting and is actively seeking citizen input on the impact of the stadium’s site and plans.

Starting August 25, HOA’s, service organizations or other interested community groups can schedule a speaker and presentation to learn more about the City’s new baseball project including:

• Preferred stadium site near the northeast corner of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A
• Site selection process which included the consideration of the stadium as an economic stimulus to adjoining future commercial development,
• Potential economic impact of the stadium on the City
• Preliminary results of quality of life studies on traffic, noise, lighting and safety impacts to the community
• The City of Sugar Land partnership with Opening-Day Partners
• First western expansion team for Independent Atlantic League Association
• Proposed design-build stadium construction plans to MLB’s Triple A standards and estimated construction timeline
• Plans for ballpark amenities and year-round, family-friendly features

On May 18, the Sugar Land City Council approved an historic agreement with Opening Day Partners, LLC to bring professional minor league baseball to Sugar Land. ODP – an experienced community-focused operator that emphasizes year-round community events and activities at their stadiums – will own and operate Sugar Land’s baseball team. ODP will be the owner of the Atlantic League expansion team that will take to Sugar Land’s new field for its expected Opening Day in April 2012.

The $30 million stadium will be funded with a portion of sales tax revenues that may only be used for economic development purposes. No general fund tax dollars will be spent on the stadium. In addition to the stadium serving as a community amenity, a conservative cost-benefit analysis performed by Conventions, Sports & Leisure International shows the project will provide an annual benefit to the community of conservatively $7.7 million, or a return of $169 million over 30 years.

HOA’s, service organizations and other interested groups may schedule a speaker and presentation by contacting the City’s Communication department at 281-275-2216, by email at pubinfo@sugarlandtx.gov or using the Spreakers Bureau Form.

Sugar Land Selects Preferred Site for Minor League Baseball Stadium

Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Sugar Land, TX – Sugar Land City Council identified a preferred site near the northeast corner of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A for a minor league baseball stadium.

The preferred location is part of the Imperial Redevelopment/Tract 3 site proposed by Johnson Development Corporation, Cherokee Sugar Land LP and the Texas General Land Office.

The City will now begin a detailed process to confirm the site’s development capabilities and suitability prior to a final decision by City Council that’s expected by the end of the summer.

The preferred location for the stadium was made after careful consideration of four site options. An extensive site evaluation ensured the most cost effective and beneficial site to the community for the future professional minor league baseball stadium.

A comparative site analysis reviewed with City Council on June 22 provided an overview of the proposals submitted by interested developers, land purchase options and existing lease agreements held by the City.

The stadium is expected to result in nearby commercial development, so the City considered several locations to ensure the greatest quality of life and economic benefit to the community.

Other sites considered were near the intersections of U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard and State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A.

Another site that was explored was at U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard where the City leases land from the University of Houston System at Sugar Land. The City submitted a Facility Development Agreement (FDA) detailing the development of the baseball stadium per the terms of a ground lease with University of Houston System (UHS); however, UHS formally rejected the FDA to develop the stadium.

The City remains committed to selecting a final site that minimizes and/or eliminates any adverse impact to residents with respect to traffic, noise and safety. Protecting the quality of life for the residents of Sugar Land will be a critical component in the due diligence performed over the next 60 days and in the final site determination.

The initial vision for minor league baseball was developed by citizens serving on the Visioning Task Force, a group that established a goal to enhance entertainment and family-oriented opportunities within the community. Voters approved in November 2008 specific sales tax and venue taxes to fund the project -- no general fund tax dollars will be spent on the stadium.

Sugar Land City Council approved on May 18 an historic agreement with Opening Day Partners, LLC to bring professional minor league baseball to Sugar Land.

Site Location for Sugar Land's New Minor League Baseball Stadium Expected by Late Summer

Posted on Friday, June 4, 2010

Sugar Land, TX - On Tuesday, May 18th the Sugar Land City Council approved an historic agreement with Opening Day Partners, LLC to bring professional minor league baseball to Sugar Land. As the City and Opening Day Partners (ODP) continue to work through the other binding agreements and details on the stadium, the City is now assessing ideal sites for the stadium which will provide the greatest benefit for the community.

One site that continues to be explored is on land leased by the City from the University of Houston System, adjacent to the UH-Sugar Land campus at US59 and University Blvd. However, as the stadium is anticipated to spur significant economic activity and potentially ancillary development around the site, the City is also studying other locations within the community where locating the stadium might also provide an economic stimulator for spurring new commercial developments.

Other sites being considered are near the intersections of U.S. 59 & University Blvd and Hwy 6 & U.S. 90A (see map below). One important consideration in all of these sites is that the stadium will be built on currently undeveloped land, preserving the City’s existing neighborhoods from any direct impact from the project. The City remains committed to selecting a site that minimizes and/or eliminates any adverse impact to residents with respect to traffic, noise and safety. Protecting the quality of life for the residents of Sugar Land will be a critical consideration in determining the stadium site. With the selection of an ultimate location, the City hopes to energize the area surrounding the stadium by maximizing the economic benefits & impact to ensure the greatest benefit for the community is achieved. Additionally, the stadium will be designed and operated as a community destination enhancing the quality of life for Sugar Land residents.

The initial vision for minor league baseball was a product of the citizen-driven Visioning Task Force due to the potential for enhancing entertainment and family-oriented opportunities within the community. The funding for the project was approved by the voters in November 2008 and based on the support of the community, the City continues to move forward with the development of the stadium and examine its potential impact.

In addition to the stadium serving as a community amenity, a conservative and pragmatic cost-benefit analysis performed by Conventions, Sports & Leisure International shows the project will provide an annual benefit to the community of conservatively $7.7 million, or a return of $169 million over 30 years. Based on this solid methodology, the stadium has the potential of attracting more than 300,000 visitors annually, tourism that will also benefit hotels, restaurants and other retail establishments. Furthermore, the stadium will have a direct impact on the community by increasing the City’s sales tax and Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenues by keeping local entertainment expenditures within Sugar Land and Fort Bend County.

To ensure the most cost effective and appropriate site is selected for the new stadium therefore, the City has issued a Request for Statements of Interests to local developers to gauge their interest and vision in incorporating the project into their planned developments. In its request, the City is seeking developable sites for the stadium and parking field and has requested all interested parties respond by June 15th with how they envision the new stadium being incorporated into their future development plans. During the following 60 days, the City hopes to complete its review of all responses with a final decision on the stadium site by late summer.

Potential Sites for Sugar Land's Future Minor League Baseball Stadium:

Sugar Land Inks Deal for Minor League Baseball

Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Sugar Land, TX - Sugar Land City Council approved an historic agreement with Opening Day Partners, LLC to bring minor league baseball to Sugar Land.

ODP Chairman Peter Kirk and Partner Brooks Robinson, a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and a member of MLB’s All Century Team who won 16 consecutive Gold Glove awards from1960-1975, traveled to Sugar Land for the historic agreement.

A Letter of Intent approved on May 18 outlines a public-private partnership to fund the construction of a professional minor league baseball stadium in Sugar Land. The LOI identifies ODP as the owner of an Atlantic League expansion team that is committed to play long term in Sugar Land with a 20-year lease and a renewal option for an additional 10 years.

Potential stadium sites are still being evaluated to ensure the greatest benefit for the community. One site that continues to be explored is at U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard where the City leases land from the University of Houston System at Sugar Land.

The facility – built to MLB’s Triple A standards with family oriented amenities – will be designed as a flexible multi-use facility supporting year-round community events, college and high school baseball tournaments, concerts and other uses.

The agreement outlines a process expected to result in Sugar Land’s new baseball team taking the field in April 2012.

“This is an historic day for our community,” said City Manager Allen Bogard. “Our partnership with Opening Day Partners is the product of years of community leadership and vision and gets us one step closer to our goal of establishing a destination activity center in Sugar Land. This project will energize our economy for years to come. The long-term economic benefits will not only benefit Sugar Land, but also the surrounding area.”

A Cost Benefit Analysis shows the project will provide an annual benefit to the community of $7.7 million or a return of $169 million over 30 years. The stadium has the potential of attracting more than 300,000 annually, tourism that will also benefit hotels, restaurants and other retail establishments.

The $30 million stadium will be funded with a portion of sales tax revenues that may only be used for economic development purposes; hotel occupancy taxes; venue-specific taxes, including ticket and parking revenues; and $5 million from ODP. Voters approved the funding tools during a special election on Nov. 4, 2008.

ODP will contribute another $5 million for team franchise and startup costs.

A “name-the-team” contest will be announced soon with the winner to be awarded lifetime season tickets, according to Jon Danos, ODP’s president.

ODP has a strong background in minor league baseball with more than 27 years of experience in developing multi-use ballparks and successfully owning and/or operating minor league teams of all classifications.

ODP -- a community-focused operator that emphasizes year-round community events and activities at their stadiums -- has designed, constructed and operated 14 such ballparks since 1982. They have owned and operated their own minor league teams, operated teams for others, assisted in the sale and purchase of teams and advised and consulted with communities, U.S. Olympic committees, MLB and others throughout the world.

City Council to consider a Memorandum of Understanding for Ballpark Project

Posted on Monday, February 15, 2010

Sugar Land, TX - Sugar Land City Council on Feb. 16 will consider a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Opening Day Partners, LLC to provide a professional minor league baseball team and develop a stadium in Sugar Land's Cultural/Entertainment District.

The MOU designates Opening Day Partners ("ODP") as the City's exclusive negotiation partner for 90-days to work towards more formal and binding agreements. ODP has a strong background in minor league baseball with more than 27 years of experience in developing multi-use ballparks and successfully owning and/or operating Minor League teams of all classifications. ODP -- a community-focused operator that emphasizes year-round community events and activities at their stadiums -- has designed, constructed and operated 14 such ballparks since 1982. ODP is led by its chairman Peter Kirk, president and C.O.O. Jon Danos, and Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. They have owned and operated their own minor league teams, operated teams for others, assisted in the sale and purchase of teams, and advised and consulted with communities, Olympic Committees, Major League Baseball and others throughout the world.

During the past year and a half, Sugar Land:

• identified a specific site;
• performed a market assessment;
• determined specific goals for a suitable venue; and
• through a thorough public process involving formal Requests for Solicitations of Interest, identified the best private sector partner to assist the City.

Sugar Land's pursuit of a public-private partnership for the development and operation of a ballpark is intended to result in a first-class facility ready for the 2012 baseball season. The facility is anticipated to be a flexible multi-use design that will provide the potential to support college and high school baseball tournaments, concerts and other dynamic uses.