Fahey unveils plans for new College World Series ballpark

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By The Associated Press

OMAHA — Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey officially announced his plan to build a new ballpark for the College World Series Friday, saying it would bring more than $1 billion to Omaha over the next 20 years.

“The city of Omaha has been presented with the opportunity of a lifetime,” Fahey said. “We must take advantage of this opportunity.”

Fahey is hoping the new ballpark will persuade the NCAA to agree to keep the series in Omaha for the next two decades. The proposed 23,600-seat stadium would cost between $95.1 million to $116.5 million, depending on the final design.

Fahey’s plan calls for a 2 percent entertainment tax that would apply to prepared foods and drinks and might apply to concert tickets, parking and other items.

Fahey says that tax would generate about $3 million annually. The tax would have to be approved by the city council, and not all members are on board.

“My concern with that is he wanted to avoid a property tax increase, but in my opinion it’s a tax shift, and so he’s going to have to get the public on board,” Councilman Jim Vokal said.

The NCAA said last month that it’s willing to go along with the plan backed by city officials and CWS Inc., to move the series out of Rosenblatt Stadium and into the proposed new stadium.

The new stadium would have open concourses, plentiful parking and skyboxes. That plan also has backing of the Triple-A Omaha Royals. The team has said it would move to a new stadium if it were built, giving the ballpark a major tenant.

Public money would pay for between 60 percent and 70 percent of the cost. Fahey said he would like to raise the remaining $40 million from private donors.

Fahey also hopes to sell naming rights for the new stadium.

The new stadium would have 9,000 to 10,0000 permanent seats. Removable seats and outfield bleachers would be used to bring capacity up to 23,600 for the College World Series. At least 18 skyboxes would also be built.

The NCAA has said it would consider giving Omaha a long-term contract to continue hosting the CWS, but only if a new stadium is built. Fahey has said he would want a 20-year commitment. The current five-year contract expires in 2010.