Team, year ballpark opened and total project cost (in millions of dollars)
Memphis Redbirds, 2000, 80.5
Columbus Clippers, 2009, 58.8
Reno Franchise, 2009, 55.0
Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 2008, 49.4
Sacramento River Cats , 2000, 46.5
Fresno Grizzlies, 2002, 46.0
Gwinnett Braves, 2009, 45.0
Louisville Bats, 2000, 40.0
Okla. City RedHawks, 1998, 39.9
Rochester Red Wings, 1996, 39.9
Syracuse Chiefs, 1997, 33.0
Portland Beavers, 2001, 29.4
Albuquerque Isotopes, 2003, 26.0
Round Rock Express, 2000, 25.0
New Orleans Zephyrs, 1997, 23.0
Indianapolis Indians, 1996, 21.0
Toledo Mud Hens, 2002, 38.4
Class AAA average, 41.0
Source: CSL Consultants
Sarpy County taxpayers will be on the hook for a more expensive minor league baseball stadium than what was unveiled a year ago.
Construction costs are now projected to be $6 million higher -- up 28 percent.
The county's March 2009 agreement with the Omaha Royals included the understanding the stadium would cost $20.3 million. But based on contractor bids being finalized this month, it's clear the figure will reach at least $24 million and could climb a couple of million dollars beyond that.
County officials have met for months with the Royals and the project's architects, trying to trim costs.
“The $20 million to $26 million was really a target we were hoping to meet,” said Sarpy County Administrator Mark Wayne. “I think we are doing pretty well. We are still well under what the norm is.”
Wayne, County Attorney Lee Polikov and three of the five County Board members said the most recent calculations are conservative when compared with other Class AAA ballparks.
Of the 17 built since 1996, four cost $30 million or less. The average cost was $41 million.
The new Sarpy County figure also remains below the $41.3 million projected in a 2008 feasibility study, which factored in more seating but excluded land and infrastructure.
By comparison, the much larger 24,000-seat ballpark being built for the College World Series in downtown Omaha is expected to cost $128 million.
Sarpy County Board members Pat Thomas, Rich Jansen and Rusty Hike said the current stadium costs are not cause for alarm.
“I don't like to see it go up one penny, but some building costs are always unforeseen,” Thomas said. “Right now, it may look bad, but in the long-range plan, it may work out.”
Board Chairwoman Joni Jones and board member Tom Richards said, however, that the county has not lived up to its promise to hold down costs.
Richards called the increased cost significant.
“Right now, it's more than anybody envisioned,” said Richards, who cast the lone vote against the project. “I am trying my best to reduce costs and still deliver a contract on a baseball stadium on time and without penalties for delays in construction.”
Jones said she is second-guessing her support after being a former “cheerleader” for the project.
“DLR Group knew this was supposed to be a $20.3 million project,” said Jones, referring to the stadium architect. “I heard from them that we could build a stadium for $18 million, and now we get to $24 million to $26 million. How did we allow that to happen? I am just very frustrated with the process.”
Last year, the county focused on getting a 25-year lease agreement with the Royals and left details about design and costs to be worked out later.
Jones said the county has allowed DLR Group of Omaha which has designed numerous minor league and college ballparks to drive up the Sarpy stadium's costs.
Under the county's contract, the firm will be paid 8 percent of the total construction cost. So the more the stadium costs, the more the architect makes.
The $24 million to $26 million cost covers only the stadium construction itself.
The county also will incur costs to cover infrastructure such as roads, architect's fees and traffic engineering work by Olsson Associates. In addition, the county has paid Kermit Brashear's law firm nearly $1 million in legal fees as project manager. County leaders, however, said they did not factor the legal fees into the total costs.
If all those costs were added to the stadium construction, the total could reach $30 million to $32 million, Jones said.
Thomas predicted the ballpark will attract other development, which would reap property and sales tax revenue for the county.
“There are several great opportunities for the county to bring in more money from out there,” Thomas said.
Hike said a $26 million stadium is still reasonable.
“I am pretty confident that we are going to have a nice stadium to help the area develop,” Hike said. “You don't want to cut it down to the bare minimum. And we can always add to it. I know the Royals would love to have a nice restaurant out there.”
County Attorney Polikov said cost concerns will be forgotten once fans show up for games a year from now.
“This should not be a blame game or have any type of negativity,” Polikov said.
He said building projects go over budget regularly, and $20.3 million was never iron-clad.
“It is unrealistic to pick a number out of the air and call it a budget. This could have easily been a $50 million stadium. We've cut it down from 10,000 seats to 6,000 seats. We made concessions,” Polikov said.
“Yes, it is public money, and we should spend it wisely. At some point, the public has to trust that we are using the public's money conscientiously,” he said.
“We are not building a practice facility. We still need to have a first base, a second base, a third base. Bathrooms. Walls to go over for home runs. There is only so much you can cut.”
Contact the writer: 444-1056, john.ferak@owh.com
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