Officials from the city of Jeffersonville, members of the Nations Baseball Park, local hoteliers and a few members of the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention and Tourism Bureau met Friday afternoon to discuss a proposed baseball facility in Jeffersonville.
The purpose of the meeting was to show the possible economic impact the $25 million, 25-field baseball complex, built on about 100 acres, would bring to Southern Indiana. Louis “Coach” Presutti, owner of the Cooperstown, N.Y., Dreams Park, made a presentation to the group, but The Evening News was asked to leave the meeting when he began to speak.
Tension has surrounded the city’s bid for the project, as there was a perceived lack of support from the tourism bureau by the city. It was also marred by an unsuccessful attempt to oust Jim Keith, executive director of the tourism bureau.
After a contentious meeting Sept. 30, the tourism bureau has since committed $120,000 per year for the next three years to help promote the Nations Baseball Park development, if Jeffersonville is chosen for the complex.
Before The Evening News was asked to leave — the meeting did not have a quorum of tourism board members and, thus, did not have to be public — the economic possibilities for the proposal were discussed.
According to previous reports, the park could bring in as much as $35 million in economic development, account for 95,000 hotel and motel room rentals and bring at least 500 jobs, many seasonal.
An area near the Clark Maritime Center has been mentioned as a possible location, which Jeffersonville would lease to Nations Baseball for development after the city secured the land.
“I think it’s pretty obvious that the impact of a park like this coming to town is pretty significant,” said Jon Robinson, with Nations Baseball, while introducing one of two videos shown to those in attendance during the first part of the meeting.
“I think from a hoteliers standpoint, one thing that Cooperstown doesn't have is a lot of hotels, but it is about 80,000 room nights across the summer,” he said.
“The great thing about a project like this is people come and visit, they spend their money, they enjoy the community and they leave. You don’t have to build extra schools, you don’t have to put on more fire departments, you don’t have to put a lot of infrastructure in — and so that’s the best form of economic development.
“That's why a lot of communities are vying for projects like this.”
According to a press release from the tourism bureau, 19 other communities in eight states were courting developers, including Louisville.
Clark County
Nations Baseball meets with local hoteliers
Economic impact discussed at Friday meeting
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Appeals court hears Covered Bridge case
The Indiana Court of Appeals heard the respective oral arguments on the town of Sellersburg’s effort to annex the Covered Bridge Subdivision and the Willows on Wednesday. Covered Bridge appealed the trial court’s ruling that the town’s annexation preceded the subdivision’s effort to incorporate into an independent town and that, in exchange for sewer service, the residents would agree to not remonstrate against the annexation attempt.
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Redistricting on tap again for Jeffersonville
Though they just did so last year, it’s already time for the Jeffersonville City Council to start thinking about redistricting again.
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JEFF Fest set for June 9
The Jeffersonville Entire Family Fun Festival, better known as JEFF Fest, will
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be held from 11 a.m.. to 4 p.m. June 9 in Jeffersonville’s Preservation Park, 150 W. Market St. -
Charlestown encourages Realtors and developers to help it grow
he city hosted a showcase for about 200 developers and Realtors at Charlestown High School on Tuesday. The purpose of the showcase was to pitch the city as a place that is expected to prosper, especially in light of the continued development at River Ridge Commerce Center.
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Jeffersonville mayor vetoes two council acts
“It’s a meaningless resolution. It carries no weight. I think it’s political posturing and I’d as soon not be a part of it,” Moore said. “I will not be brought into a political discussion that’s already been decided.”
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Bridges project specifics emerging
Valentine outlined that incentives will be part of Kentucky’s contract with the winning bidder.
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He explained that once construction begins, the expected cost of construction per day will total about $80,000 and the contractor can earn incentives for finishing early and penalties for finishing late. A completion date is set for June 30, 2018. - News and Tribune briefs for May 23, 2012
- May 22, 2012
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Gregg picks Simpson for Dems ticket
Gregg got his biggest applause from the crowd Tuesday when he played up their joint support for women’s access to health care, which has become a national talking point for Democrats.
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TARC OKs rate increases
Contrary to its monetary situation, the amount of people riding the public transit system has increased about 10 percent, Barker said.
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But the transportation service had not raised its fares, aside from express routes, in four years. -
Miss Clark County 2012 entrants sought
The contest is based on interview, evening gown and professional wear competition. Any Clark County young woman between the ages of 16 to 21 is eligible to participate.
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Appeals court hears Covered Bridge case
