Ballpark Commons Names Contractor, Secures Minor League Team

FRANKLIN, WI — The Ballpark Commons mixed-use development and baseball stadium which is breaking ground in Franklin this Spring, has hired Milwaukee’s Catalyst Construction as the project's general contractor for 212 multi-family apartments in four buildings.

Some of their recent work includes Aspire, Brewery Point, and Avante Apartments in Milwaukee, Metreau Apartments in Green Bay and VUE Apartments in Bay View.

“There is a real need and desire for multi-family housing options in Franklin and surrounding communities,” said developer Mike Zimmerman, CEO of ROC Ventures in a prepared statement. “The demand is only going to get higher and higher, and cities like Franklin need to create options for a huge millennial population as well as the emerging boom of empty-nesters who want to stay in their
community while freeing themselves from home ownership.”

Ballpark Commons, a mixed-use development featuring a 4,000-seat stadium, commercial and retail businesses, restaurants, residential apartments, and various entertainment and active lifestyle features, will be located in Franklin and begins construction in 2018.

Ballpark Commons Lands Minor League Team - Contest Set

Ballpark Commons secured an independent minor league professional baseball team, and developers are holding a contest to name the team. Zimmerman invited the public to name the team in time for their 2019 launch.

"We're offering a $2,500 prize to the person who contributes the name we use," Zimmerman said in a prepared statement. "There's no better way to make this team a part of the community than to have the people in the stands help to define its image and style."

Fans are invited to go to baseballwi.com to enter their choice for a team name, as well as mascot suggestions. Deadline for entries is Tuesday, April 24.

Related Reading:
Read More about the American Association League teams

The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball fields 12 teams across the midwestern U.S. Distinguished players who went on to play Major League baseball include the Brewers' Junior Guerra, who played in Wichita in 2011 and 2013, former Brewer Brandon Kintzler who played in St. Paul in 2009 and star pitcher Max Scherzer, who played in Fort Worth in 2006.

Advance ticket deposits for the inaugural 2019 season are being accepted starting today at baseballwi.com.

Greendale Objects To Project

According to a release issued by the Greendale Village Board in early January 2018, the $100 million mixed-use development proposed near Greendale's border with Franklin near the 76th Street area will generate additional traffic, noise pollution, light pollution and reduce air and water quality in the area.
In addition, the Village Board says that the developer's plans to re-route Crystal Ridge Road to align it with Highview Drive across 76th Street - while creating a four-way intersection with a traffic light - will decrease the quality of life for Greendale residents living in the area.

The Ballpark Commons project encompasses approximately 200 acres just south of Greendale and includes in its plans the following developments:

• An outdoor baseball stadium with a total capacity of approximately 4,000 spectators, including about 2,500 seats. The stadium would serve a minor league team affiliated with the American Association of Professional Baseball and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee baseball team.
• An indoor sports facility
• An indoor/outdoor Golf Center
• A hotel up to five stories near West Loomis Road.
• Approximately 300 apartments housed in six buildings. The area would include a clubhouse, pool, passive recreational uses such as a skating pond, shelter, green space/open space, and trails.

Photo: Vandewalle & Associates Inc.