First Look at Milkmen Ballpark

First pitch at Routine Field in Franklin (WI), the home for the first-year Milwaukee Milkmen (Independent Professional, American Association) is less than a week away, and final preparation is in full, furious swing.  Read more and see photo gallery here.

Exclusive look at new #Milwaukee-area baseball stadium at @TheRockComplex: First look at Routine Field at Ballpark Commons in Franklin as first game nears: Slideshow @MKEMilkmen @UWM @MKE_ADBraun @craighaskins @Leinenkugels https://t.co/HK4twN3nwL

— MKE Business Journal (@MKEBizJournal) June 18, 2019

Ballpark Commons Construction Timetable Tightens

Ballpark Commons project developer Mike Zimmerman said the winter weather is creating a tight construction schedule for opening day on the new Franklin (WI) baseball stadium, but they’ll be ready for the first pitch on May 24.  Read more and view slideshow here.

Roc Ventures Seeking Extra $5 Million for Ballpark Commons

Franklin’s (WI) Ballpark Commons mixed-use development is seeking another $5.2 million in city financing help — beyond $22.5 million already approved. Read more here.

Ballpark Commons Ballpark to Feature Beer Garden, Possible Giant Climbable Milk Carton

The baseball stadium under construction in Franklin (WI) for the coming Milwaukee Milkmen (Independent Professional, American Association) will offer more than a seat to watch the team play. Beyond the game, it will have a beer garden, lawn games, a kids play area possibly with an oversized, climbable milk carton, and a burger and shake joint conceived by the former operators of AJ Bombers.  Read more and view photo here.  (Subscription required.)

Council Approves Changes to Ballpark Commons Plan

Despite objections from citizens, the Franklin (WI) common council approved a series of amendments, mostly on 4-1 votes, to the Ballpark Commons plan that will include allowing additional housing for senior citizens and athletes.  Read more here.

Ballpark Commons Will Include Senior Memory Care Housing

Apartments for older people at Franklin’s future Ballpark Commons mixed-use project will include memory care housing, according to newly released plans. The development’s senior housing will feature a three-story building on 6 acres.  Read more here about Ballpark Commons project.

Zimmerman Breaks Ground on Ballpark, Naming Rights Coming Soon

Mike Zimmerman broke ground Thursday on a new minor-league baseball stadium in Franklin (WI) and hopes to announce a naming rights sponsor within about two months.  Read more here.  (Subscription required.)  Read more and watch news report here.

10 Possible Names Announced for New Ballpark Commons Franchise

The ownership of the new American Association (Independent Professional) team that will take up residence at the developing Ballpark Commons in Franklin (WI) has announced 10 possible farmed-themed names for the franchise, including Crop Dusters, Cheesers, Farmhands, Haymakers, Broilers, Barn Owls, Cow Tippers, Bovines, Milk Men, and War Pigs.  Vote for your favorite here.

Aviators Get New Ownership

Milwaukee (WI)-based MKE Sports and Entertainment has sold the Lafayette Aviators (Summer Collegiate, Prospect League) to a trio of Purdue graduates, including Bill Davidson, CEO of National Sports Services, Brent Gutwein, co-founder of Granite Student Living, and Stuart Gutwein, a Lafayette attorney.  Read more here.

Name-the-Team Contest Underway for New Ballpark Commons Franchise

Mike Zimmerman, Chief Executive Officer of ROC Ventures and its new development, Ballpark Commons, has officially launched the name-the-team contest for the new American Association (Independent Professional) franchise coming to Franklin (WI) in 2019.  Zimmerman is pretty much using the same fun, interactive contest website he has used in the past.  Enter contest here.

Ballpark Commons Franchise Officially in the AA Fold, Name-the Team Contest Coming Soon

Fans of the new American Association (Independent Professional) franchise coming to the developing Ballpark Commons in Franklin  (WI) will have an opportunity to name the ball club when the name-the-team contest is launched soon.  Read more here.

Work to Begin Next Week on Franklin’s Ballpark Commons

The final land purchase for Franklin’s (WI) Ballpark Commons mixed-use development has occurred, with site preparation work to begin next week.  Read more here.

Ballpark Commons Lands Soccer Tenant

The Ballpark Commons project in Franklin (WI) has landed SC Waukesha soccer club as a tenant.  The organization will relocate to a 40,000-square-foot mixed-use indoor sports facility planned at the development after merging with Prospect Training Academy.  Read more here.

Closing In on Ballpark Commons

The development agreement for Ballpark Commons in Franklin (WI) is not yet complete, but it’s in the works to likely be completed within a few weeks, according to City Attorney Jesse Wesolowski.  Read more here.

Franklin Says Greendale’s Environmental Objections Over Ballpark Commons Have Been Addressed

Franklin (WI) has conditionally approved infrastructure plans for the massive Ballpark Commons bordering Greendale, saying Greendale’s environmental concerns have been answered.  Greendale may not think so.  Read more here.

Nearby Village Opposes Franklin’s Ballpark Commons Development

The planned Ballpark Commons development in Franklin (WI) is being opposed by officials in the nearby Village of Greendale, who say it will harm the quality of life for nearby residents.  Read more here.

Franklin Ballpark Developer Slogs Through Approval Process

Before the first pitch can be thrown, the Ballpark Commons developer has pitched a few applications to the city of Franklin (WI) that are going to need approval first.  And these aren’t the only ones.  Read more here.

Franklin Ballpark Construction Expected to Begin Spring 2018

With the sale of the Crystal Ridge landfill approved, the construction of the Ballpark Commons in Franklin (WI) can now begin.  The Milwaukee County Board reportedly approved the sale to ROC Ventures, the developer of the $100 million project, on Sept. 28 with an 11-7 vote.  Read more here.

Zimmerman to Buy, Not Lease Land for Franklin Ballpark Development

​Milwaukee County officials plan to sell, rather than lease, land in Franklin to Mike Zimmerman and his development team for the Ballpark Commons project.  Read more and view rendering here (subscription required).

Zimmerman Seeking Naming Rights for New Franklin Ballpark

Mike Zimmerman of The Rock Sports Complex is firming up plans to build a baseball stadium in Franklin (WI), and is now seeking a company to buy the naming rights.  Read more here (subscription required).

MKE Sports & Entertainment is Now ROC Ventures

PRESS RELEASE – MKE Sports & Entertainment, owner and operator of the Kokomo Jackrabbits Baseball Team at Kokomo Municipal Stadium, has changed its name to ROC Ventures – and with the change comes a new level of excitement for Kokomo.

A Look at Mike Zimmerman and His Ballpark Commons

Milwaukee Business Journal reporter Sean Ryan provides a teaser to an exclusive, behind-the-deal story on businessman Mike Zimmerman and the proposed Ballpark Commons in Franklin (WI).  Read more here.

Zimmerman Ventures/JLA Architects + Planner

Where to Put New Home Plate in Lafayette?

Where’s home plate in Lafayette’s (IN) new baseball stadium?  There’s your No. 1 topic from the two public input meetings as the city moves forward with a new facility in Columbian Park to replace the aging Loeb Stadium.  Read more here.

Franklin Council Approves TIF District for Ballpark Commons

The Franklin (WI) Common Council has approved a proposal that sets the stage for spending up to $26.8 million to help finance a mixed-use development centered on a new baseball stadium.  Read more here.

Franklin to Consider Ballpark Commons Spending Plan, Stadium Could Open in 2018

Franklin (WI) officials over the next month will consider a $26 million spending plan to support the Ballpark Commons development, which includes a minor league baseball stadium that could open in spring 2018.  Read more here.

Lafayette to Demolish Loeb Stadium, Build New Park

The city of Lafayette (IN) plans to demolish 80-year-old Loeb Stadium and replace it with a new ballpark.  The estimated $10 million facility would be designed by the same architect that designed the new ballpark in Kokomo (IN).   Read more here.  This makes sense, of course, as the Kokomo Jackrabbits and Lafayette

Zimmerman’s ‘Ballpark Commons’ Could Get Local Financing

The proposed “Ballpark Commons” development in Franklin (WI) could receive up to $25.8 million in local financing support, if elected officials want to pursue it, according to a city-commissioned report.  Read more here.

Ballpark Commons Receives Conditional Approval

Mike Zimmerman‘s proposal to build a baseball stadium for an independent professional team, along with other commercial developments and more than 300 apartments, has received conditional approval from the Franklin (WI) Common Council.  Read more here.

Proposed ‘Ballpark Commons’ in Franklin (WI) Takes First Major Step Forward

Plans for the more than $100 million Ballpark Commons development in Franklin (WI) got a first major city approval on Thursday.  The development includes a new baseball stadium at The Rock Sports Complex and surrounding retail, housing and commercial buildings.  Read more here.

Franklin, Zimmerman Take Next Ballpark Step with Approval of MOU

The Franklin (WI) Common Council Tuesday night unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and Zimmerman Ventures, leaving open the potential for the development of Ballpark Commons.  Read more here.

Proposed Franklin Ballpark Could Host American Association Team

The developers behind a new baseball stadium, indoor sports complex and mixed-use neighborhood in Franklin (WI) are asking city officials to approve a memorandum saying they are interested in pursuing the projects.  The plan includes a 4,500-capacity ballpark that would host an American Association (Independent Professional) franchise and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers baseball team. Read more here.

New Proposal for Ballpark, Mixed-Use Development in Franklin (WI)

After months of meeting with residents around The Rock Sports Complex in Franklin (WI), Mike Zimmerman is approaching the city for approvals to build a minor league baseball stadium to anchor a new development with apartments, retail and hotels.  Read more and watch news report here.

‘Kokomo Mantis’ FC to Compliment Jackrabbits at Kokomo Municipal Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – The fans of the Kokomo Mantis FC now have a name to get behind when rooting for their local soccer team.

Zimmerman to Pitch Ballpark Oct. 27

Mike Zimmerman is pursuing plans for an indoor sports complex and baseball stadium at The Rock Sports Complex in Franklin (WI) that would help spur up to $130 million in surrounding mixed-use development.  Read more here.  Because Zimmerman already operates two summer collegiate Prospect League franchises, and had an apparent falling out with the indy pro Frontier League, we assume the proposed ballpark would house a Prospect League team.

MKE Announces Soccer Franchise Coming to Kokomo Municipal Stadium Next Summer

PRESS RELEASE – MKE Sports & Entertainment, owners and operators of the Kokomo Jackrabbits Baseball team, are excited to announced the Premier Development League (PDL) has awarded Kokomo, Indiana an expansion franchise and will compete at Kokomo Municipal Stadium in 2016.

More on the New Kokomo Ballpark

Construction on the new ballpark for a yet-to-be-named summer collegiate Prospect League franchise in Kokomo (IN) is well underway.  Mayor Greg Goodnight says construction on the baseball stadium is slated to be finish by April of 2015.  Read more and view photo here.

Zimmerman’s Frontier League Ballpark Proposal Could be Expanded

Plans for an indy pro Frontier League baseball stadium in Oak Creek (WI) in suburban Milwaukee may be expanded to include a connected Major League Soccer complex and a sports dome for indoor training and events.  Read more here.

Zimmerman Zeroes In on Oak Creek (WI) for New Ballpark

After Franklin (WI) rejected the idea, Oak Creek’s (WI) Common Council on Tuesday will consider a request for public money to help build an indy pro Frontier League baseball stadium proposed by The Rock Sports Complex CEO Mike Zimmerman.  Read more here.

Zimmerman: Franklin Decision an ‘Epic Failure’

Developer Mike Zimmerman is dropping his proposal for city-financed baseball stadium in Franklin (WI) for an indy pro Frontier League franchise, even as local officials say they’ll continue studying the issue after again rejecting a financing plan.  Zimmerman called the decision by elected officials an “epic failure” and said the project is “dead.”  Read more here.

Franklin Rejects Tax Increment Financing for New Ballpark

The Franklin (WI) Common Council voted 6-0 Tuesday to reject a plan to provide $10.5 million in tax increment financing for a new ballpark for an indy pro Frontier League franchise, but city officials once again left open the possibility of the plan resurfacing.  Read more here.