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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.1 Baseball Stadium ProposalOf QQ f� 19, 82 STAFF REPORT CITY CLERK DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL File # ❑ 10©❑p -®[O O�LIFOR��� DATE: July 19, 2011 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilrrembers FROM: Joni Pattillo, City Manager SUBJEC : Baseball Stadium Concept Proposal by Centerfield Partners Prepared By: Linda Maurer, Economic Development Director EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: On June 1, 2011, the City Manager received a letter from Centerfield Partners, a company that desires to own and operate an Independent Minor League baseball team in Dublin. Brian Clark, the CEO of Centerfield Partners LLC asked the City Manager to bring an item to the City Council to discuss whether they support the concept of a baseball stadium in the City. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council provide direction to Staff regarding interest in a minor league baseball stadium in Dublin. Submitted By Economic Development Director Reviewed y Assistant Ci v anager bg Page 1 of 2 irenn No. s . I �� DESCRIPTION: On June 1, 2011, the . City Manager received a letter from Brian Clark, CEO of Centerfield Partners, LLC (Attachment 1). Centerfield Partners desires to own and operate an Independent Minor League baseball team in Dublin. In the letter, Mr. Clark made a request to the City Manager to bring an item to the City Council to discuss whether they support the concept of a baseball stadium in the City. Over the last several months, Staff has met on occasion with Mr. Clark to discuss the concept of a baseball stadium in Dublin. The discussions rariged widely from a public-private ' partnership to a market-driven project on private property. The site requirements and financial commitments are significant. A minor league baseball stadium would require between 14-18 acres, based on Centerfield's estimation, for the facility and parking to hold between 3,000-4,000 people. Additionally, Mr. Clark is seeking a development partner to construct, operate and maintain the facility and would propose becoming a tenant for the project. Mr. Clark has estimated that baseball would be played between 40-50 times a year with the balance of time used for other events and sports. Staff has advised Mr. Clark to pursue a private project in conjunction with other development projects currently proposed or approved in Dublin. Staff made this recommendation because the amourit of land requested exceeds that of what the City owns in available land/parkland. Further, the City already has an existing parkland deficit and. the scope of a municipal stadium project would require debt financing, a funding mechanism never used by the City. Mr. Clark has met and talked with several developers in Dublin to discuss the concept of a baseball stadium as part of an overall project. Staff is seeking direction from the City Council regarding the level of interest in having a minor league stadium facility in Dublin. If the concept of a baseball stadium is desired, Staff will need some general direction from the City Council as to the role, level of involverrient and facilitation by senior City staff, given the focus on implementing the new sfrategic and operational initiatives. All studies or Staff time necessary to process an application will be the responsibility of Centerfield Partners. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: Not applicable. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Letter from Centerfield Partners Page 2 of 2 ~ ~ ~ CENTERFIELDPARTNERS, LLC June 1, 2011 Ms. Joni Pattillo City Manager, City of Dublin 100 Civic Plaza Dublin, CA 94568 Re: Concept Proposal to build a Minor Lea~ue Baseball Stadium in Dublin, CA Dear Ms. Pattillo: On behalf of Centerfieid Partners, LLC, and as a Dublin resident, I am requesting the City Council consider a"concept" proposal for a minor league baseball stadium in Dublin. - Centerfield Partners is in the business of owningrand operating Professional Independent Minor League baseball teams. We envision building a 3,000-4,000 seat baseball.stadium in the City of Dublin on 8-10 acres of yet-to-be-determined land. An additional 6-8 acres, or a suitable alternative, would be needed for surface parking to accommodate approximately 1,000 - 1,200 cars. Centerfield Partners is seeking a development/landowner partner to site and construct the facility mentioned above. A stadium in Dublin would be similar to many other great, small stadiums built across the country in the last decade, with 3,000-4,000 seats in a bowl configuration, additional grass berm seats, lights, great concession and picnic areas, and ample room for kids' activities (see attached Exhibit for pictures of stadiums most similar to our vision). The stadium would be capable of hosting 45-50 baseball games a year, between May and September, in addition to another 50± events such as other sports (soccer, lacrosse, softball, etc.) fairs, concerts, high school and college sports, all-star games, and even weddings. The stadium would be available for use by the City as well. Centerfield Partners wishes to become the primery tenant in this stadium, and would commit to bringing a professional Independent Minor League Baseball team to Dublin, to play in the 8- year old North American Baseball League (NABL). Centerfield Partners has met with developers in the Dublin market to understand their interest in building a baseball stadium as _ part ofi a larger development project. We have also met in the past with City of Dublin staff to . talk about our development concept and to better understand the availability of existing and future parklands, should the City Council be interested in a public/private partnership. At Staff's suggestion, I arn submitting to you this letter to share with you our vision, determine the CENTERFIELD PARTNERS, LLC ~ _ _. _ . Qublin; CA ,~'•~-Q/Wt ~J' ~ "7' ~ J( ~' 1 ATTACHMENT 1 a. ~ ~ ~~N~~~~'~~~.]~l~A~ZTNERS, LL~ City Council's levei' of interest in this concept, and to inform you of our desire to locate in Dublin. Centerfield Partners is in the business of owning and operating Professional Independent Minor League basebaf! fieams. Independent leagues are not affifiated with Major League Base6all (MLB). Piayers are professionals,. many of whom have previous experience playirtg in MLB; or in A-, AA-., or AAA- affiliated minor leagues, The level of play is generally considered A- to AA- quality. Centerfield Partners own the exclusive NABL rights to place ~p to four teams in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Dablin. Currently, we are in the final stage to bring an expansion tearn to San Rafaei, CA to begin play in the NABL in May 2012. Professional Minar League Baseball is a fun, affordable, family-friendly, and' cornmunity- oriented sports entertainment option. The Team would stage f.un activities, promotions, fund raisers, and giveaways at aur;games; while participating heayily in the community (visiting schools, etc.). We believe fihis would bring substantiaP economic, soeial and civic benefits to further enhance the quality of:tife in our dynamic community. We are genuinely excited abouf this opportunity to become part of the Dubiin community, and to partner with local businesses to offer a Jow-cost entertainment option. Our request is that the City Counei) rev4ew and discuss whether they suppqrt the concept of a baseball stadium. If there is support, I would respectFul(y ask for an allocation of key City sta#f time to spend evaluating site options and fieasibility with Centerfield Partners. The support anc related City staff time would assist us greatly in our efforts working with the development community. At the point of having a development pattner in place, Centerfietd Partners would plan to return to the City with a development partner sometime in the futuce with a;formal, detailed application. Thank you very much for.your consideration. Sineerel , t, ~ ~ ~. Brian Clark CEO, Centerfield Partners, tLC ,.~~'+a~~. ~;'.~;' . a;~r -~~f.: `' . ~~;: " ?.~~- . , ~.~ ,. ~ ~ CENTERFIELDPARTNERS, LLC Exhibit- Example Stadiums 1. 5,Q00-seat Fluor Field, Greenville, SC; Greenville Drive A-level Boston Red Sox affiliate (built 2006) 3. 5,200-seat Sovereign Bank Stadium, York, PA; York Revolution Independent Atlantic League (built 2007) • 3 2. 5,200-seat Dow Diamond, Midland, Michigan; Great Lake Loons A-level LA Dodgers affiliate (built 2007) CENTERFIELD PARTNERS, LLC ~ ~ Dublin, CA `T l ~ CENTERFIELDPARTNERS, LLC < ** end ** CENTER~IELD PARTNERS, LLC ~ublin, CA 4 4. 5,000-seat All-Pro Freight Stadium, Avon, OH; Lake Erie Crushers Independent Frontier League (built 2009)