Commissioners pursue information to develop a sports authority
The Fayette County commissioners will explore the creation and organization of a sports and exhibition authority.
In unanimous action Tuesday, Commissioners Al Ambrosini, Angela M. Zimmerlink and Vince Zapotosky agreed to hire the Pittsburgh law firms of Dickie, McCamey and Chilcote, and Dinsmore and Shohl LLP, to prepare the documents for the formation of the authority that, if approved, would oversee any future county sports, entertainment and exhibition facilities.
The request comes as a feasibility study is being completed by Grant Forbes LLC, the Duquesne University Department of Athletics and its marketing and promotions students to determine if the county can facilitate a minor league baseball team.
The study was initiated in mid-August to ascertain community support and funding availability.
Brad Geyer, Connellsville City councilman and a legislative aide for state Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, said Tuesday that preliminary findings in the report indicate that the next step — the formation of a county sports authority — should be pursued.
“It is becoming a little more clear that this may be a viable possibility for us,” he said of the area’s ability to support a minor league team.
The two law firms have the expertise to guide the county in establishing its own sports authority, said Geyer.
“This is step one in the formation of the (sports authority),” he said. “These law offices have experience and want to offer their services to the county.
“This is the best vehicle to get you the best information to make the proper decisions.”
The adoption of the resolution only allows for the law firms to produce the relevant documents should the commissioners want to proceed, said Geyer when questioned by Zimmerlink as to the scope of the resolution.
“They are not filing any paperwork with the DCED (state Department of Community and Economic Development), the state or IRS,” said Geyer. “They are simply giving you the knowledge of what we need to do to go forward.”
Geyer said there will be no charge to the county for the work being done by the law firms.
During public comment on the newly added agenda item, Jerrie Mazza of Vanderbilt questioned whether the lame duck commissioners — Ambrosini and Zapotosky — should consider the issue.
“Can’t you put this aside and let the next board of commissioners handle this?” she said. “You should be handling the day-to-day issues and putting aside the big issues for the new commissioners that are going to have to live with the things that you do now.”
Ambrosini responded that the current board is to serve until their replacements are sworn into office and will do so.
“We still have a job to do,” he said. “And we will do that.
“I’m not going to shirk my responsibilities.”
Michael Cavanagh, too, objected to the alleged fast-tracking of the item, adding that the public had yet to learn about the issue.
“You amended the agenda to put this on without anyone else having only limited knowledge,” he said. “I don’t know why this couldn’t be brought up at the next agenda meeting with proper disclosure of it.”
Zapotosky said the resolution was only for fact-finding purposes to help commissioners determine whether it should create the requested authority.
“The next (commission) will obviously play a very significant role, but you have to start somewhere,” he said.
According to Geyer, a group of county businessmen and others have discussed the potential for a local baseball team for many years.
In August, the county agreed to allocate $27,500 in Act 13 funds for Grant Forbes to complete the feasibility study.
“We have assembled a core team of experts to determine the feasibility of whether a minor league baseball team could survive in the Fayette County market and, if so, what size baseball park would be needed and if there could be any correlating development to accompany the ball park,” said Michael Butler, Grant Forbes representative.
Also joining Butler to collect the study data are Steve Greenberg, Chris Haupt and Larry Silverman.
Greenberg spent 26 years with the Pittsburgh Pirates as its vice president of marketing and new ballpark development. He oversaw the development of PNC Park among other projects during his tenure.
Haupt, principal/owner of DLA Architecture & Interior Design, also has ties to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. In addition to PNC Park, the firm’s portfolio includes McKechnie Field, Penn State University’s Beard Field and the university’s Medlar Field, where both college and minor league baseball teams play.
Silverman, an attorney with Dickie, McCamey, & Chilcote in Pittsburgh, served as senior vice president and general counsel for the Pirates.
Butler said earlier that the team would not be affiliated with a major league team, but likely an independent league such as a Frontier or Urbanic league.
Stefano, meanwhile, said that he is “very supportive” of the project.
“I am interested in any thing that will bring economic development to the region,” he said. “It is a very exciting opportunity.”
The Washington Wild Things baseball team, based in Washington County, is a Frontier League member.
Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi said that the county played no role in the development of the team, but has benefited from it being part of the community.
“They have had a positive impact on our county,” he said. “They have been good partners.
“There are heads on beds in our hotels and the restaurants are very busy.”
The community, too, has responded well to the team by attending games and other events held at the stadium.
“It has been good for Washington County,” said Maggi.
Geyer, meanwhile, said that the stadium could be used for concerts, conferences or to host other baseball activities.
“It will be a multi-use facility,” he said. “We would want it to be used 365 days a year.”
Commissioner-elect Dave Lohr said that he is excited about the opportunity and the potential for other initiatives and agreed the current commissioners should move forward.
“Time is money,” he said. “Businesses don’t operate on time they operate on money.”
Should the ball park be built, Lohr said he foresees population growth and economic development.
“It will increase the likeability of moving here,” he said. “Let’s get it in gear.”
The two law firms are expected to have the related sports authority formation documents prepared by the commission’s Dec. 15 meeting.