|
This morning, Franklin County Commissioners were joined by local community leaders, to announce 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.
“Franklin County is moving forward on another critical piece of central Ohio’s development puzzle,” said Commission President Marilyn Brown. “This agreement meets the fundamental spirit for a successful sale – the most important, I believe, is that the project stay’s true to the recommendations of the Cooper Alternative Plan and that the project generates jobs.”
In 2005, Franklin County Commissioners and Cooper Stadium Board members created the Baseball Alternative Location Leaders (B.A.L.L.) charged with securing a location for a new downtown ballpark, and; the Cooper Alternative Plan (C.A.P.) 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, announced today conceptual plans to develop Cooper Stadium into a motorsports complex.
Commissioners noted that 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, re-use – once the Clippers move to their new stadium in 2009.
“The Clippers are moving to a new home, and Cooper Stadium needs a new use. Motor Sports and Extreme Sports could fill the bill with extremely popular sports and entertainment options, bringing visitors and adding jobs,” said Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy.
“This process must engage the Franklinton community and South-Western City Schools,” said Commissioner Paula Brooks. “We look forward to learning more about Mr. Schottenstein’s plans and exactly how the County’s goal of good jobs for Franklinton will be achieved.”
|
