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November election will shape cultural entertainment district’s future
By AUDREY M. MARKS
Sugar Land voters will determine the fate of the proposed cultural and entertainment district, that could include a minor league baseball park and outdoor concert venue, city council decided Tuesday night.
“The project is in the best interest of the community and there are enough financing tools out there that you have an abundance to choose from,” Cyril Hosley, co-chairwoman of the Visioning Task Force said during a presentation to City Council Aug. 5.
The Visioning task force presented the results of a 3-day scouting trip to Corpus Christi and Round Rock minor league ball parks to see the operations in person, and determine if Sugar Land could handle a similar facility.
Both ball parks are affiliated with Major League Baseball. The Corpus Christi Hooks are AA affiliates and the Round Rock Express the AAA affiliates for the Houston Astros.
While the task force said their preference for a Sugar Land team would be affiliated, there could be problems ahead.
Because the Astros own territorial rights for the surrounding nine counties, the proposed minor league team will be Astros affiliated or Astros approved.
To bypass involvement with the Houston Astros, the city could elect to go with an independent baseball league team and in turn need a smaller stadium.
The visioning task force encourages moving forward with the minor league ball park and recommends the city not get into the business of managing the stadium, Hosley said.
But cautioned to enter into a partnership with an entity that is flexible and cooperates.
“You need to consider the ability of the partner to pay for ongoing expenses,” Hosely said. “The idea is every year to have a little something new to bring people back other than just baseball or players.”
Hosely said the parks in Round Rock and Corpus Christi added new amenities throughout the years that include a party deck, swimming pool, playground equipment and rock climbing walls to create a safe and family friendly atmosphere.
“A successful operator is customer oriented,” she said.
Hosely said the task force learned the park “is not just about baseball, its about inexpensive, safe, wholesome entertainment.”
According to city-paid consultant research, the baseball park could cost anywhere between $30 million and $60 million dollars.
A final dollar amount for the whole cultural and entertainment district has not been identified.
While city council mulls funding formulas that include public-private partnerships, naming rights, and sponsorships, they will let citizens decide if a special tax could make up for the funding gap.
This would include increasing the hotel occupancy tax by 2 percent, to a total of 9 percent, where the 2 percent would be used for the cultural and entertainment district. Additional taxes include a ten percent tax on venue tickets, and an additional $3 tax on parking spots within the cultural and entertainment district.
Joe Esch, executive director of business and intergovernmental relations, said they will bring a resolution to city council during their Aug. 19 meeting to call the November election.
“The project is in the best interest of the community and there are enough financing tools out there that you have an abundance to choose from,” Cyril Hosley, co-chairwoman of the Visioning Task Force said during a presentation to City Council Aug. 5.
The Visioning task force presented the results of a 3-day scouting trip to Corpus Christi and Round Rock minor league ball parks to see the operations in person, and determine if Sugar Land could handle a similar facility.
Both ball parks are affiliated with Major League Baseball. The Corpus Christi Hooks are AA affiliates and the Round Rock Express the AAA affiliates for the Houston Astros.
While the task force said their preference for a Sugar Land team would be affiliated, there could be problems ahead.
Because the Astros own territorial rights for the surrounding nine counties, the proposed minor league team will be Astros affiliated or Astros approved.
To bypass involvement with the Houston Astros, the city could elect to go with an independent baseball league team and in turn need a smaller stadium.
The visioning task force encourages moving forward with the minor league ball park and recommends the city not get into the business of managing the stadium, Hosley said.
But cautioned to enter into a partnership with an entity that is flexible and cooperates.
“You need to consider the ability of the partner to pay for ongoing expenses,” Hosely said. “The idea is every year to have a little something new to bring people back other than just baseball or players.”
Hosely said the parks in Round Rock and Corpus Christi added new amenities throughout the years that include a party deck, swimming pool, playground equipment and rock climbing walls to create a safe and family friendly atmosphere.
“A successful operator is customer oriented,” she said.
Hosely said the task force learned the park “is not just about baseball, its about inexpensive, safe, wholesome entertainment.”
According to city-paid consultant research, the baseball park could cost anywhere between $30 million and $60 million dollars.
A final dollar amount for the whole cultural and entertainment district has not been identified.
While city council mulls funding formulas that include public-private partnerships, naming rights, and sponsorships, they will let citizens decide if a special tax could make up for the funding gap.
This would include increasing the hotel occupancy tax by 2 percent, to a total of 9 percent, where the 2 percent would be used for the cultural and entertainment district. Additional taxes include a ten percent tax on venue tickets, and an additional $3 tax on parking spots within the cultural and entertainment district.
Joe Esch, executive director of business and intergovernmental relations, said they will bring a resolution to city council during their Aug. 19 meeting to call the November election.
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