Commissioners Announce Sale of Cooper Stadium

The Franklin County Commissioners have announced an exclusive Real Estate Sales Purchase Agreement with King Holding Corporation for the sale of just over 46 acres commonly known as Cooper Stadium, located at 1155 W. Mound Street, for an amount equal to $3.325 million dollars.

In 2005, the Commissioners and Cooper Stadium Board members created two committees: the Baseball Alternative Location Leaders (BALL), charged with securing a location for a new downtown ballpark; and the Cooper Alternative Plan (CAP), responsible for studying alternative uses for Cooper Stadium.

In November of 2005, the CAP Committee, comprised of Franklinton area associations, local elected officials and private sector representatives ranked motor sales and office/industrial uses as the best future prospects of the site. Consideration was given to economic development potential, job creation, neighborhood services, and recreational opportunities for the neighborhood, overall impact on Franklinton, regional drawing power, public cost/infrastructure, stadium reuse, environmental impacts, traffic, visual impact, feasibility and timeline.

Consistent with those recommendations, Mr. William J. Schottenstein, a principal with Arshot Investment Corporation, has announced conceptual plans to develop Cooper Stadium into a motorsports complex.

The pending land sale is based on a concept that has to be explored, vetted with the community, and undergo a series of developer contingencies before it becomes a reality. However, it is a concept which will benefit all of Franklin County and holds the promise of putting Cooper Stadium back into an active, vibrant, reuse – once the Clippers move to their new stadium in 2009.

Community Leaders Address Proposed Funding Cuts to Vital Criminal Justice Programs

Citing concern over the ultimate security of Franklin County's communities, Commissioners convened a Community Justice Forum on March 5, 2008. During the forum Commissioners urged Congress to restore proposed cuts to the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program.

In 2007, Franklin County received $962,282 in JAG funding. The County's estimated 2008 funding is $317,554. That is, in the first year alone, a loss of almost $645,000.

In a letter to Congress, Commissioners noted that these cuts reach across social, economic and cultural barriers affecting families, seniors, local law enforcement, schools, municipalities and non-profit programs in communities throughout the United States.

In Franklin County alone, these cuts mean that over 300 vulnerable youth won't receive the guidance of a mentor; 175 victims of domestic violence won't receive shelter and safety planning; local law enforcement will not be able to dedicate additional time to prevent drug abuse or curb gang activity and underage drinking; and, it means that 141 victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking won't receive necessary advocacy services currently provided through our Prosecutor's office.

As a result of these devastating cuts, funding may need to be redirected from other, already limited sources such as JAIBG and VAWA in an attempt to offset the reduction in JAG funding; however, drastic funding cuts across the board for all justice related grant programming makes this task almost impossible.

Justice Assistance Grant Forum call to action items:

Sample JAG Letter
JAG Fact Sheet

Impact of Cuts on Local Agencies
Legislative Directory

Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Marilyn Brown President

Mary Jo Kilroy

Paula Brooks