You will notice that the facts below do not all support or oppose the project. I am not arguing for or against this project. I am just trying to be sure that if we disagree, we disagree based on facts. If anyone disputes these facts, or has additional insight or information, please send your comments. That way, all residents will have the opportunity to make a fully informed decision on their support of or opposition to the D2D project.
By way of full disclosure, I was on the D2D committee at its early stages, left the committee several years ago, and have no ongoing affiliation with it other than the D2D sign in my yard.
1. This is a school program. Although there are significant private dollars going into the renovation, these dollars are going to renovate a public structure which is part of the recreational facilities of the school district. The school district would spend significant amounts to renovate the field whether or not D2D existed.
2. There was indeed a significant private donation several years ago for the new bleachers. The money was donated to the school district before D2D began. Once it became clear that we were not going to stop at the bleachers, the decision was made not to spend the money on the bleachers until the full scope of the project was determined. The School District has not spent the money yet because the bleachers are a part of the overall D2D project, and not a standalone project. The money is instead being included as a part of the overall funding package for the renovation.
3. Phase 1 costs will likely rise if the dome is included. The specifications for the stormwater runoff facilities may be altered, if the dome is to be included in phase 4. The cost of these additional facilities is not pinned down yet, but the estimate of $400,000 was discussed at the Village Board meeting. This has not been reported in the paper, which is why I bring it up now.
4. The date the contractor needs to begin dome preparations is Sep 1 of this year, according to the discussion at the Board meeting. As such, we cannot wait until Phase 4 to decide if we are going to build a dome. We cannot wait to see if the private funding will be sufficient to cover the dome, as is suggested on the D2D website. Preparations for the dome need to begin in Phase 1.
5. The Village Board’s contribution is $465,000. The CDA’s contribution is $250,000. The CDA had agreed to conduct landscaping of part of the grounds using TIF monies before the $465,000 was voted on by the Village Board.
6. The dome phase of the project will be privately funded, and will only be built if it is determined that it can be economically self-sustaining. It will only be up from November to March, and may be rented out to private organizations. Business plans are being examined using comparisons to Minneapolis seasonal domes to see if the Shorewood dome would be economically viable.
Comments
1. "Steve, Thank you for taking the time to present the facts. Just one comment for clarification. While it is true that some money will have to be spent to prepare for the dome in Phase 1, that number is likely to less than $100K. No public money will be allocated to this element of the project and indeed the dome prep work (and hence the dome) will not proceed if all project features, as described to the public, cannot be delivered in Phase one. In other words, the dome prep. work will not take money from Phase one amenities. The $400K number discussed was misinterpreted as storm water retention cost required for the dome when in fact storm water must be retained for the field, with our without the dome. Finally, I believe the School Board will not approve the expediture of any dome prep. $'s if they are not convinced the dome is likely to become a profit center for the school district."
- Sean Cummings, D2D Committee Co-Chair
