HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-24 97-167 RESOLVECOUNCIL ACTION
Date: March 24. 19R7
Item No. 97-167
Item/Subject Accepting Contribution of Bangor Blue Ox for Multi -Purpose
Stadium Market and Financial Feasibility Study
Responsible Department: Community and Economic Development
Commentary:
Bangor Blue Ox has offered to contribute one-half of the cost of the multi-
purpose stadium market and financial feasibility study, up to amof
$20,000 (see attached January 24, 1997 letter). The projected cost rofthe
study is $40,250.
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artsent 74
Manager's Cents:
ivay9l
City Manager
Associated Information:
Budget Approval:
Finance Director
Legal Approval:
/QqT ity Solici or
Introduced For 0 Passage 0 First Reading 0 Referral
Page_�_ofl_
Idulti Purpose_ Stadium Earlcat,. and Ftno R£ial.. Fanaibility, Study
By be Oily Couuit OW Oily NBanyw:
RESOLVED, the City Manager is hereby authorized, on behalf of the City of Bangor, to
accept a contribution firm the Bangor Blue Ox for one-half of the cost of multi-purpose
market and fmancial feasibility study up w a maximum contribution of $20,000.
Assigned to Councilor Aube
na¢h 24, 1997 97-167
CITY OF
BANGOR
(TITLE.)
Pwlbg,
Jkcnapting-contribucion_oc_
Santos_ Blna. Ox-fo:•___.____
Idulti Purpose_ Stadium Earlcat,. and Ftno R£ial.. Fanaibility, Study
By be Oily Couuit OW Oily NBanyw:
RESOLVED, the City Manager is hereby authorized, on behalf of the City of Bangor, to
accept a contribution firm the Bangor Blue Ox for one-half of the cost of multi-purpose
market and fmancial feasibility study up w a maximum contribution of $20,000.
IN CIn COUNCIL
March 26, 1997 9)-16]
Passed EE S 0L VE
ACCevtiu¢ Contribution of Bangor Blue Ox
T CLEW. for Multi -Purpose Stadium Market and
Feasibility
Study
97-167 _
1
P.O. B X 1578
c BANGOR, MAINE 04402
aD q 207-941-2337 0 FAX 207-941-1961
D
Jan. 24, 1999
Mr. Rod WICay
Director, Community and Economic Development
City Hall
Bangor, ME 04401
Dear Rod,
There are exciting days ahead for all of us as Bangor explores the passibility of
.multi-purpose stadium in Bass Park.I want to thank you for your energy and input in the
Project thus far. l feel we have made great progress in outlining the benefits of such a
facility, narrowing down the potential sites, and exploring the architectural factors
involved in each. My gratitude also to John Frawley for his excellent report, dated Nov. 8,
on the preliminary engineering concerns.
The Bangor Blue Ox will be looking for a new home in which to start the 1998 season.
Since we started the baseball effort, in the fall of 1995, we have been looking toward a
site within Bangor city limits. The University of Maine was gracious enough to gent us e
two-year lease on Mahaney Diamond in Orono. Our hope was that atter year one, the
public response to the team would be such that wadium talks would begin. Stadium
Imancing discussions and construction would take W much of year two, and by out thnd
season a stadium would be ready. We're right on schedule.
'Me Blue Ox have been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm surrounding the team. It
seems as though the public recognizes what we hoped they would: that minor league
baseball offers family entmaimnet at a reasonable price, a source of community pride,
and a positive impact on the local economy.
The comment we heard most often from our fans this season was, `9f only you played in
Burger- "From our perspective, the idea of new ballpark is met with universal
enthusiasm. Positive comments from visitors to our office, new 100 percent renewal of
season tickets, and several letters to the Bangor Daily News in the last few months have
underecoreA this exciting possibility.
I believe that with a Blue Us lease, a summer concert series coordinated by Mike Dryer,
public skating in the winter, possible use by area high schools and colleges, and any
9)-167
weber of assorted one-time events, a multi-purpose stadium would not only receive a
Weal deal of use, but would provide Bangor with a regional wormition and state-wide
recognition.
Me facility we envision contains 3,000-4,000 permanent seats, with picnic areas or
gassy bemn which could bring concur attendance to roughly 9,0001 Most athletic
programs prefer rumored Wass which can be temporarily covered and protected for
concerts or similar shows. Minor league teams typically keep permanent office space at
their facility. As we have learned from various plans and architects, there is a great deal
of latitude in ballpark design, which we will focus on more m ently as the project
continues.
I know that the City Council is in favor of exploring the idea through a feasibility study.
P ile I understand the need for such a document, and would look forward to reading the
results, I am somewhat concerned about both the team and the city paying for obvious or
redundant information. After speaking with several firms which conduct these studies,
and baseball people who have experience m this area, I fear exorbitant fees for
questionable amounts of useful data.I believe it is in both the Blue Ox' and the city's best
interest to find the balance between what we need to know, such as a quantified market
analysis, and what we may already possess, such as demogaphics.
The Blue Ox support any study Ne council deems necessary, although we would like to
be included in the RFP process. Sithe we are talking about a city -owned facility on
city -owned property, we suggest that the city choose the consulting firm to conduct the
study, and own the information contained therein. Because the Blue Ox would be the
major tenant of new stadium, we would like to contribute one-half of the study's cost,
up to $20,000.
Again thaulc you for your efforts. The Blue Ox are a proud member of this community,
and look forward to contributing toward this memorable project.
Sigcerely,
Dean ly
President