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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kokomo Lands New Prospect League Franchise, Team Naming Contest Under Way

Kokomo (IN) Mayor Greg Goodnight joined Prospect League officials and new Kokomo team owner Michael Zimmerman to announce that Kokomo will join the Prospect League with new team for the 2015 season.  Read more here.  View official announcement here.  Check out the comical and interactive “Team Naming Contest” here.  Read more about the owner 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.

Franklin Moves Toward Approving New Ballpark, $100 Million Development

Franklin (WI) officials, pursuing the potential for $100 million in development that would create a new downtown for the Milwaukee County suburb, endorsed a $10.5 million deal for the construction of a new indy pro Frontier League baseball stadium that would serve as a catalyst to spur private commercial projects.  The Common Council is scheduled to meet April 22 to vote on the plan.  Read more here.

Oak Creek Possible Option B for Frontier League Team

If Franklin (WI) balks at approving a deal to build a new baseball stadium for an indy pro Frontier League franchise, The Rock sports complex CEO Mike Zimmerman is reportedly eyeballing nearby Oak Creek (WI) as a possible alternative.  Read more here.

No Taxpayer Funding for Franklin Ballpark Plan, But Maybe TIF?

A proposal for Franklin (WI) taxpayers to borrow $10.5 million to build a minor league baseball park for an indy pro Frontier League franchise is apparently dead, after a city task force voted 4-0 Wednesday night to reject the funding plan from Mike Zimmerman.  But a different city proposal to help finance the stadium at The Rock sports complex might be forthcoming.  Read more here.

Hearing Tonight on Proposed Ballpark in Milwaukee Suburb (UPDATED)

A proposed new $7 to $11 million baseball stadium in the Milwaukee suburb of Franklin (WI) for an indy pro Frontier League franchise will be vetted during a public hearing on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Franklin City Hall.  Read more here.  UPDATE:  The hearing was held in front of a packed house.  A city task force has been formed to assess the possibility of a private-public partnership.  Read more and watch news clip here.

 

Milwaukee Suburb Shows General Support for Ballpark Proposal, But Public Financing Another Issue

A proposed new $7 to $11 million baseball stadium in the Milwaukee suburb of Franklin (WI) received a generally favorable response from city officials at a Thursday meeting.  Mayor Tom Taylor and the six aldermen all expressed support for the project. But some council members also said they would be hesitant to support city financing for the stadium.  Read more here.

Ballpark Proposed for Suburban Milwaukee

Mike Zimmerman, owner of The Rock sports complex in the Franklin suburb of Milwaukee (WI), is seeking city permission to develop a $7-$11 million baseball stadium at the complex for an affiliated, indy pro Frontier League or summer collegiate club.  The park would have 2,500 to 3,000 seats and use around 20 to 30 acres.  Read more here.