Recommendation
Staff recommends Mayor and Council receive the presentation. Mr. Peter Kirk, representing Opening Day Partners will make a 15-20 minute presentation followed by a question and answer period.

Discussion
Opening Day Partners (ODP) is proposing to construct on RedGate land a "Brooks Robinson Youth Learning Center," Banquet Hall, and Minor League Ballpark.

According to the executive summary of their proposal,
"The Brooks Robinson Learning Center would be the creative driver of a comprehensive and county-wide out-of-school time program for Rockville's and Montgomery County's youth that could become a national model. The minor league ballpark would provide Rockville with affordable, family-oriented entertainment, over 200 full-time job equivalents, and over $15 million annually in economic activity. We further propose that the costs of operating and maintaining the golf course be taken over by our full time ballpark staff, thereby eliminating the need for further subsidy by the City of Rockville." A copy of the full executive summary is attached.

It is noteworthy that ODP proposes to use 40 acres of the (assumed) 140 acre total tract; whereas the actual RedGate acreage is 130 acres. The proposal states the combined buildings would require 20 acres and an additional 20 acres would be needed for parking, with the assumption that the remaining land would remain available for a reduced-size golf course, and youth sports playing fields. They propose the parking to be on "stabilized grass and not paving - areas that could be used for youth sports when not needed for evening events." Under the City's zoning ordinance regulations, permanent parking on a grass lot (as opposed to temporarily overflow parking) would not be allowed. If this proposal is to be given further consideration, these issues, and others, would need to be worked out.

With 90-100 acres of remaining land available, the golf course would need to be converted to either a 9-hole layout or "executive course." Executive courses are made up primarily of a combination of shorter holes - primarily par 3's with some par 4's.

Mayor and Council History
This is the first time this item has been brought before the Mayor and Council.

Attachments
Attach A-Opening Day Partners-Executive Summary.pdf

Department Head:



Burt Hall, Director of Recreation and Parks
Approved on: 05/20/2010

City Manager:

Scott Ullery, City Manager
Approved on: 05/22/2010