[yman97]

As someone that has been to the CWS 4-5 times every year, I'd be the first to say that parking at Rosenblatt was terrible. I can't possibly see how the parking would be any worse. The neighborhoods ar every hilly and some don't have sidewalks and you have to walk up and down hills for blocks, if not miles. Even if you had to park a mile way in downtown Omaha, it'd be a much more enjoyable walk and you could turn that into an event if you arrived early enough. You'd be able to check out the people and the architecture and maybe even stop for a beer on the way. I'd much rather park in the Old Market or near SoMa and make that trip than walk by a bunch of houses.

By the way, here's some pics:

Omaha Stadium Proposal - Press Materials (http://www.omahastadium.com/background/press-materials.html - broken link)

[kdbrich]

Originally Posted by Go Ne

Gallup University, they could park in council bluffs and use the bridge, the old market, the 1000 new parking spots that will be built, that sounds like a lot of room to me and that would be a worse case scenario.

I'd hate to try to drive into the area on a game day. There really is very poor access in and out of there.

I was one of the biggest proponents of a new stadium. I really don't like Rosenblatt. I don't like the fact that there are no hotels near it, and the CWS teams have to travel so far for a hotel.

I don't like the total lack of parking around it, and having to park 2 miles away and walk through a neighborhood, hoping my car will be there and be totally intact when I get back.

But I don't like the fact that fahey lied to the city about how the options, and then he decided to go cowboy on his own plan to build a stadium so he'd have his legacy.

[mattpoulsen]

I don't think Fahey lied to anyone. Not all projects are immediately open to the public. The NCAA required a hush hush conversation. Plus, the committee he formed looked at 8 or 9 different places. I'm not really sure what immediate full disclosure to the people of Omaha really does...all it does is create chaos. The bottom line is they were looking into potential options...and he told us that. I'm not really sure what else he's suppose to do.

[kdbrich]

It's been said that a $60 million renovation would have been enough. Fahey didn't present that option, but instead pushed for a new stadium the whole time.

As for his committee? It was a hand-picked group of his people. He should have involved MECA from the start.

[yman97]

I don't remember reading that a renovation would be enogh but even if it were true, why renovate when the cost to taxpayers is the same? The NCAA wanted things that were impossible at Rosenblatt such as close proximity to hotels and restaurants, etc. The committee was hand-picked but so what? Sokol proved he wasn't a 'yes-man' when he quite the committee. I trust that these evaluations were fair and in the best interest in the city but then again, I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I also don't see the point in constantly renovating a 50 year old stadium when you can get a state of the art facility and lock in a long term deal.

[mattpoulsen]

All committees are hand picked. Its not as though you have an election to form a committee. That is simply part of Fahey's job. I'm not sure what the problem is with that. I could see a problem if Fahey hadn't formed a committee and did everything on his own, but he formed a committee in order to get an objective answer. I really don't understand what Fahey could have possibly done that would have made the critics happy. This is part of the mayor's job!

As far as MECCA goes, they're under the city's umbrella anyway. And why would you want a MECCA dictating to our city leaders as to what to do with the development. In fact, its probably more appropriate to keep MECCA out of the loop until a decision to go ahead has been made. MECCA needs to remember who they work for...a few signatures and they no longer exist.

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by mattpoulsen

All committees are hand picked. Its not as though you have an election to form a committee. That is simply part of Fahey's job. I'm not sure what the problem is with that. I could see a problem if Fahey hadn't formed a committee and did everything on his own, but he formed a committee in order to get an objective answer. I really don't understand what Fahey could have possibly done that would have made the critics happy. This is part of the mayor's job!

As far as MECCA goes, they're under the city's umbrella anyway. And why would you want a MECCA dictating to our city leaders as to what to do with the development. In fact, its probably more appropriate to keep MECCA out of the loop until a decision to go ahead has been made. MECCA needs to remember who they work for...a few signatures and they no longer exist.

Excellent recap Matt... MECA is a good balance to city leaders in such a discussion as they do have a focus on just a few key pieces of property, but in the end Matt is right. In regards to handpicking, those were key people who have their lives and businesses invested in the community and are the leaders in philinthropic (sp?) events in eastern Nebraska - they are key to the private gifts that will make this one go.

[kdbrich]

Originally Posted by yman97

I don't remember reading that a renovation would be enogh but even if it were true, why renovate when the cost to taxpayers is the same? The NCAA wanted things that were impossible at Rosenblatt such as close proximity to hotels and restaurants, etc. The committee was hand-picked but so what? Sokol proved he wasn't a 'yes-man' when he quite the committee. I trust that these evaluations were fair and in the best interest in the city but then again, I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I also don't see the point in constantly renovating a 50 year old stadium when you can get a state of the art facility and lock in a long term deal.

I believe Sokol said that a renovation would be enough to get an extension. The NCAA never said they HAD to have a new stadium, but they were happy to agree to it when presented with the idea.

I think the bottom line is that fahey is just charging forward when the majority of the people are not in favor of it. He didn't allow it to be put to a vote, because it would have been defeated.

[mattpoulsen]

I think you're completely wrong. I think the majority of people are definitely in favor of it. In fact, all the people I know thinks its a great idea. The reason the impressions are skewed is because call-in radio shows and internet message boards will reflect the views of the most zealous. Clearly, the Rosenblatt supporters are more strongly attached, and are thus more outspoken. But its like the smoking ban...70% of people support it but about 90% of the interviews and message board posts reflect the the view of the minority.

I just think that you're completely off base thinking that the majority of people are against it.

Furthermore, the NCAA said they wanted a place that was near more amenities, such as hotels. In addition, the lease they would sign for the renovation is much less than the one they'll sign for a new stadium. In the end, this is about cutting losses and moving on when its an opportune time to do so.

I would also add that many many things are not put to a vote. This idea that every project must be put to a vote is silly. And it would not have been defeated. Its obvious to most that that this is in the best interest of the city of Omaha as a whole.

[bpm08]

Stop by this page and you'll see why we need a new downtown ballpark

[URL="http://all4webs.com/m/3/paverosenblatt/home.htm?54208=64939"]Pave Rosenblatt[/URL]