Crown Point planners approve two business lots in sportsplex

A two-lot subdivision in the Crown Point sports complex on North Street won approval from the city's Plan Commission this week.

The lots are intended to house sports-related businesses as part of an overall plan for improvements to the complex at 1313 E. North St. The planning board unanimously approved a secondary subdivision plat creating the the two lots.

The city has agreed to spend about $1.5 million on new playing fields, driveways and parking areas, better traffic control and improved concession stands and restrooms.

City officials also have hired a Florida consulting firm to study the feasibility of housing a Bo Jackson Elite Sports facility in the sports complex.

North Street sportsplex gets $1M boost

CROWN POINT | The North Street sports complex has received a $1 million donation to help cover the cost of planned improvements, Mayor David Uran said.

The money, from an anonymous donor, will allow officials to complete the first three phases of a project to build new playing fields, concession stands, restrooms and the like and to improve parking, roads and accessibility at the park, at 1300 E. North St.

The final phase, if it happens, would be the addition of a domed, year-round playing facility, Uran said.

"We want the first three phases built before we think about adding the domed facility," Uran said.

Officials last year authorized a $1.5 million bond sale to help cover the cost of improvements, which include a $675,000 playing field with all purpose turf.

The total cost of improving the sports complex is estimated at $6.3 million, according to information provided to city officials in September. That includes $1.4 million to improve drainage, with funding from a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers grant.

Some of the improvements are expected to be paid with proceeds from the pending sale of the Breyfogle property. A developer has agreed to pay $1.58 for the 51 acres in a deal not yet finalized. Former Mayor Dan Klein had intended the Brefyfogle site for a sports complex.

Uran in late 2009 unveiled plans for a $16 million Bo Jackson indoor sports dome at the North Street complex, in which Jackson's Bo Jackson Elite sports was to cover $3 million of the cost and the rest to come from private funds.

The Bo Jackson facility plans remain pending, Uran said recently. The dome, if it is built, would be paid from user fees and would not involve taxpayer money, he said.

City officials late last year approved a $15,000 contract with a Florida consulting firm to study the economic impact of a Bo Jackson facility at the park.

That study has not yet gotten under way, Uran said. A Tuesday teleconference with the consultants is planned.

C.P. OKs $25K for sportsplex

By Carrie Napoleon Post-Tribune correspondent Apr 12, 2011 02:01AM

CROWN POINT ­— The Redevelopment Commission Monday authorized a $25,000 disbursement to be used at the Sportsplex for façade improvements.

The disbursement, which must be approved by the Crown Point City Council at its first May meeting, will be placed in the development construction fund, according to David Nicholls, city attorney.

Nicholls asked the RDC to authorize the disbursement at the request of the mayor. The money will be paid back to the RDC with tax increment financing district funds at $5,000 a year.

“This will be used for architectural enhancements — that correspond to the overall vision and plan for the sportsplex,” Nicholls said. The money will be used solely for lot one of the complex.