City of Franklin officials this week will consider a proposal to create a $26.8 million special taxing district to help fund the long-discussed Ballpark Commons mixed-use development at the Rock Sports Complex.
The $120 million project at 7900 Crystal Ridge Drive, encompasses more than 200 acres of land, including the existing Rock Sports Complex and includes a minor league baseball stadium, indoor sports complex, apartments and retail stores.
Developer Michael Zimmerman has been trying to bring the project to fruition for more than two years, even floating the idea to officials in Oak Creek when the city of Franklin originally denied his proposal for a $10 million city-financed baseball stadium in 2014.
Zim-Mar Properties, LLC, partnering with developers WiRED properties, Marso Construction and Cartensen Homes, returned in January with revised plans for the property that includes:
At the Rock Sports Complex:
- A 4,000 seat stadium intended for an independent minor league professional baseball franchise. The stadium would also serve as the home field for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers baseball program.
- An indoor sports facility to accommodate four youth-sized baseball fields. The fields could also accommodate other sports such as soccer or lacrosse.
- A mixed-use development known as “Ballpark Commons,” which could include one or more restaurants and hotels and other retail uses.
At West Rawson Avenue and Old Loomis Road:
- Three multi-story, mixed-use buildings with retail on the first floor, 60 residential apartments on the upper floors.
- Two, 60,000-square-foot, three-story office buildings.
- Eighteen two-story apartment buildings with 240-units.
Zimmerman transformed the former Crystal Ridge Ski Hill, at the northwest corner of West Loomis Road and South 76th Street, into The Rock, a multi-sport complex with a ski hill, baseball fields, mountain biking trails and a BMX track.
Dick Lincoln, a consultant with the Ballpark commons development team, said the project depends on city financing approval.
“I’ve been doing this long enough to never be overly confident, but I’m certainly optimistic,” Lincoln said.
The Franklin Plan Commission will hold a public hearing Thursday before its meeting regarding the proposed $26.8 million, 15 year tax incremental financing district. On Sept. 6, the Common Council is tentatively scheduled to consider the creation of the TIF district and the Ballpark Commons development proposal.
