CR, Linn Co. are learning to play ball

While there is no lack of conversation in and around the Corridor on collaborative opportunities and joint ventures, it's rare to find an example when governments, specifically, have offered dollars as well as words. And rarely has the potential return on investment been so high.

Prospect Meadows Ball Fields are expected to occupy a corner of the Hwy 13 and County Home Rd intersection near Marion. They will host ball tournaments for youths of all ages provide sport experiences for players with disabilities. As part of their seasonal activities, Prospect Meadows is expected to boost the local economy through $25 million in local, direct spending each year. Construction of the complex will temporarily provide local jobs, and ongoing commercial interests are expected to follow the new development. Ballplayers, coaches, parents and other visitors expect to fill 80,000 area hotel rooms each year.

The $11 million needed for Prospect Meadows is being raised through a mix of public and private dollars, with the City of Marion providing $1.25 million over the next 10 years and local businesses pledging nearly $3 million thus far.

Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids will vote next week on whether they also will provide monetary support. We hope they do. The buy-in of several local governments ensures this mutually beneficial project won't be an undue burden on any one entity.

Prospect Meadows will serve families throughout the county and boost quality of life for area residents. It will be another talking point for area businesses hoping to attract quality employees.

We are especially intrigued by the unique funding stream being considered by the City of Cedar Rapids. Under the proposal, hotel/motel taxes generated above the city's average occupancy of 70 percent between April and October would be split 50-50 between Prospect Meadows and the city until a cap of $100,000 is reached. The proposal would keep this agreement in place for a period of 10 years, which would provide up to $1 million for the project - all from new revenues and without increasing existing taxes.

A future that includes Prospect Meadows is not yet written in stone, but it's becoming more difficult to imagine one without it. If it can overcome the hurdle of civic apathy and persuade additional local governments to play ball, there isn't another significant challenge to hold it back.

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