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Young Professionals Council Baseball Stadium Position |
OMAHA, Neb., April 1, 2008 - The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals Council issued the following statement today:
The Young Professionals Council (YPC) of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce recognizes the significant impact that the ballpark decision will have on Omaha's young professional community. As such, a fact-driven research campaign, which incorporated information derived from parties on both sides of the issue, was conducted. Based on the Council's research and careful deliberation, the following statement was approved today.
The YPC supports economic development in downtown Omaha and believes that a downtown stadium in NoDo, as recommended by the Stinson committee, will help attract and retain the best and brightest for Omaha. In addition to supporting the Stinson proposal, the YPC strongly encourages city leaders to consider the following community-wide issues related to the proposal:
"The stadium's design should be consistent with the North Downtown Development Study and Omaha by Design's Urban Design Elements. To that end, the new stadium should be designed as a neighborhood ballpark that will promote the development of the surrounding area as a pedestrian-friendly, vibrant, urban district. The design should include street-level retail to ensure that the area around the stadium is a destination throughout the year, and should minimize surface parking to allow for further development.
"The YPC also encourages city leaders to enhance public transportation infrastructure to accommodate the projected growth that will occur in the NoDo area. In particular, the proposed streetcar line connecting Creighton University, Qwest Center Omaha and the Old Market should be seriously considered. Such a line would ensure a symbiosis between NoDo, Creighton and the Old Market. Ensuring that this service is operational prior to the opening of the new venue will reduce public concern regarding traffic congestion and increase pedestrian safety in downtown Omaha.
"Designers of the new stadium should continue their efforts to design a LEED certifiable building in accordance with guidelines set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council. Building a LEED certifiable stadium not only makes good financial sense in the long-term, but will also make a strong statement to local and national audiences about Omaha's progressive approach to becoming a sustainable community.
"City leaders should ensure the economic vitality of South Omaha by facilitating a redevelopment strategy that includes the Rosenblatt neighborhood and surrounding community. Appropriate development should solidify the South Omaha area and associated neighborhoods as another unique destination within the city of Omaha.
"Finally, financing conclusions drawn on the stadium and related downtown infrastructure improvements should continue to be verified, solidified and publicly documented so as to minimize, if not eliminate, the risk of tax increases on Omahans.
The Young Professionals Council looks forward to working with community leaders to further develop these plans and other goals for our great city.
The Young Professionals Council is a program of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
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The mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce is to increase business, investment and employment in the Greater Omaha area.
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce o 1301 Harney St., Omaha, NE 68102
13206 Grover St., Omaha, NE 68144
Phone (402) 346-5000 o Fax (402) 346-7050
Contact: Kirsten Case-Penrod, manager - leadership and workforce development, at (402) 978-7945 or kcase@omahachamber.org
Craig Moody, YPC board member, at (402) 681-9458
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