Love It Or Hate It? New Waukesha Baseball Stadium Proposal

WAUKESHA, WI — A proposal to build a Northwoods League baseball stadium at Frame Park might be dead, but a new proposal from Big Top Baseball is coming back to life at a new location.

On Tuesday, March 6, the Waukesha City Council will consider a resolution that would allow Big Top Baseball to submit a new proposal for a baseball stadium - this time at Mindiola Park.

According to a memo issued by the Waukesha City Administrator, an outline of the new proposal would include the following stipulations:

Waukesha Would Agree To:

• Contribute up to $12 million in infrastructure cost to prepare site for construction and install related infrastructure.
• Provide development incentive to Big Top Waukesha to construct private improvements (buildings).
• Convey approximately 6 acres parcel to Big Top Waukesha for the purpose of the private investment.
• Develop 2-4 full size artificial turf soccer fields and construct additional parking on the site.
• Amend TIF 14 boundary to facilitate construction of improvements and facilitate redevelopment of the surrounding area.

Big Top Would:

• Construct baseball/soccer facility with 2500 fixed seats plus related amenities
• Agree to pay taxes on $12 million in assessed value (Approximately $252,000) or provide a PILOT from construction completion until development incentive is paid off

• Secure a Northwoods League franchise baseball team and play 36 homes games per year, plus additional playoff games.

• Secure a minor league/collegiate soccer team and play up to 12 games per year.
• Schedule home games for Carroll University, Waukesha North High School, and Waukesha South High Schoolbaseball.
• Manage stadium facility and host community oriented events
• Coordinate with Waukesha Parks Recreation and Forestry to host youth soccer tournaments, with “championship” games hosted on stadium field.
• Upon conclusion of development incentive, convey stadium to City of Waukesha and provide a lease payment to the city for use of the facility.
• Submit neighborhood impact plan, parking plan, and responsible alcohol consumption plan.
• Lease Term would be 10 years, with two 5-year renewal options.

Rendering Via City Of Waukesha/Big Top Baseball