Saving a Community Asset - ABC Supply Stadium

Saving a

The Development of ABC Supply Stadium Beloit, Wisconsin

Elkhart Office 574.293.7762

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

South Bend Office 574.232.4388

PROJECT OVERVIEW

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RE-IMAGINING DOWNTOWN

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BUILDING ON A POLLUTED PAST

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A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

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ABC SUPPLY STADIUM MASTER PLAN

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PROJECT AWARDS & NOTEWORTHY FACTS

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PROJECT OVERVIEW ABC Supply Stadium, a world-class minor league baseball stadium, houses 3,500 seats with a 360-degree concourse and multiple group entertainment venues. It also provides a home for yearround community events such as concerts and youth athletics including soccer, football and baseball, along with an ice skating rink in the winter.

However, ABC Supply Stadium is much more than just a stadium.

Not only did the development of ABC Supply Stadium save baseball in Beloit, but it also became a catalyst - working as the economic driver - in the implementation and revitalization of the downtown entertainment district. Located adjacent to the Rock River and within easy walking distance from downtown Beloit, ABC Supply Stadium provided a transformational step in revitalizing and reenergizing a community located directly on the Wisconsin and Illinois state line. On a granular level, it also formed a critical link between the cities of Beloit, Wisconsin, and South Beloit, Illinois.

BELOIT

ABC SUPPLY STADIUM

WISCONSIN ILLINOIS

SOUTH BELOIT

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RE-IMAGINING DOWNTOWN

In 1982 the Beloit Brewers (now the Be-

loit Sky Carp) joined the Midwest League as a baseball expansion farm team for the Milwaukee Brewers. Since their inception 40 years ago, the team has seen many changes including new Major League Affiliations, multiple owners and several team names. But, the one thing that has not changed for the team throughout those years is the city they call home – Beloit, Wisconsin.

The landscape of baseball began to look bleak for the minor league team in Beloit. The stadium, located outside of the downtown area, was in a state of disrepair. It lacked energy, and attendance was at an all-time low.

In 2018 Major League Baseball began reorganizing Minor League teams, with many teams being considered for elimination as part of the restructuring.

In 2020 Beloit was one of those teams.

Faced with a deteriorating stadium and the pressure of meeting new stadium standards, the Sky Carp were in dire need of a new field. Without which the team would almost certainly be eliminated from the league, and the community they called home would lose a valuable part of the City’s fabric...Baseball.

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Recognizing an opportunity to save the team and reinvigorate the downtown entertainment district, the River Bend Stadium Authority, a non-profit organization, was formed. Discussions were quickly started with both public and private stakeholders regarding the idea of building a new stadium to ultimately be a catalyst for economic growth and community placemaking. In order to garner support from the City of Beloit and ensure the viability of this new stadium, the need for a master plan of the downtown Beloit area and neighboring Illinois city of South Beloit became apparent.

This master plan was developed through a collaborative effort to establish critical linkages, identify economic revitalization opportunities, implement placemaking components, and establish a guide to address the growing needs of the entertainment district. While previous discussions about building the new stadium close to Interstate 90 to provide visitors easy access from the highway had taken place, it was ultimately determined that a successful revitalization of downtown Beloit and South Beloit would require the creation of an atmosphere that drew people closer to the downtown entertainment district. With this in mind, a 9-acre parcel along a bend of the Rock River became the focus for the new stadium.

Located adjacent to the Rock River, within downtown Beloit, Wisconsin, the stadium concept was positioned immediately north of South Beloit, Illinois. Many factors required consideration during the master These renderings, submitted during the master planning phase, planning process including parking studies, showcased how the stadium could become a destination spot and critical link to the Beloit and South Beloit communities. multi-modal transportation coordination and the planning and development of pedestrian corridors to encourage pedestrian movement between the stadium and downtown district.

Studying extensions of the current trail connections and pedestrian pathways that weaved along the state borders and Rock River were also an important factor. In addition, the celebration of historical, cultural and environmental features was paramount to the success of the project.

As these studies continued, the parcel of land owned by the City of Beloit, along the Rock River at the state line, became the clear choice as the future location for ABC Supply Stadium. www.jpr1source.com

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BUILDING ON A POLLUTED PAST Investigating the feasibility of this new property for ABC Supply Stadium would bring to light its storied past, along with potential problems that could quickly derail its construction...

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If the new stadium were to be built at this location, it would sit atop land formerly home to a manufactured gas plant that leaked carcinogenic pollutants into the surrounding soils.

Once that closed, the City constructed a wastewater treatment plant that was established in the latter half of the 20th century. After the wastewater treatment plant shut down, the lot languished until 2020 when the River Bend Stadium Authority and the master planning efforts saw the potential value the property had to offer.

The River Bend Stadium Authority and the design team worked with Beloit and South Beloit, along with various environmental agencies, to quickly develop a plan enabling the site to be selected and permitted as the future home of ABC Supply Stadium and the Beloit Sky Carp.

The design team then had to navigate several critical obstacles. To mitigate all future concerns of the site’s historical hazards, and to efficiently design and construct the new stadium, the team performed a meticulous evaluation of gas layers trapped within the polluted soils which contained several abandoned concrete foundations and a high-water table. Additional safety measures, including the installation of a specialized ventilation system, were implemented in the design of the ballpark.

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A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

The design of the stadium was inspired by Beloit’s rich industrial and railway heritage. Large brick archways and rustic industrial materials are utilized throughout the entire 3,500-seat capacity stadium. These archways – using over 250,000 bricks manufactured in Wisconsin – pay homage to the grand rail stations of the late 19th century.

While reminiscent of early American days, ABC Supply Stadium was designed with the modern visitor in mind. The stadium design incorporates a 360-degree concourse providing a full view of the field, connections to the Rock River, and family friendly features such as inflatables, playground areas, comfortable private suites, concessions, and individual event spaces. In addition to being the home of the Beloit Sky Carp, the stadium was specifically designed to host a number of yearround community destination events ranging from youth athletic competitions and concerts to banquets and movie nights. The flexibility of this venue makes it an economic driver of the community, and provides an anchor destination within the entertainment district in the heart of downtown Beloit.

In an effort to create the framework for a thriving downtown, the stadium’s main gate was intentionally oriented toward downtown Beloit, and the stadium is a mere 5-minute stroll to a variety of up-and-coming restaurants and businesses. A deliberate plan to construct a “Wrigleyville” like development – with a combination of aesthetic and energy at its core – infuses enthusiasm with eagerness to attract the community, as well as additional business and development.

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To promote this experience, and avoid large expanses of surface parking surrounding the stadium, 148-onsite parking spaces were strategically implemented after an extensive parking study confirmed the availability of over 900 parking spaces within a 10-minute walk of the stadium.

This 10-minute walk within the downtown entertainment district provides visitors the opportunity to check out local businesses and restaurants as they travel to and from the stadium.

Throughout the amenities of the stadium campus, and even in the functioning of their operations, the connection to the surrounding community is strong. The outfield concourse was designed to allow a rotation of local food vendors throughout the year, providing visitors with a wide variety and an ever-changing selection of fare. The stadium concessions serve locally brewed beer and is managed by a company that owns two successful restaurants within 10-minutes of the ballpark. In addition, a multi-use trail – constructed through the stadium campus and along the Rock River – connects downtown Beloit to South Beloit. In short, every detail of ABC Supply Stadium was carefully considered to drive home the fact that it was built for the community.

The Beloit community experienced hope and renewed energy with the start of the 2021 MiLB season. Commencing with the completion of ABC Supply Stadium, a new era of baseball was ushered in causing a resurgence of revitalization to be felt throughout downtown Beloit and its surrounding areas. The community now has a plan, and a foundation is in place for greater projects and developments to come.

Overall, the construction of ABC Supply Stadium was as much about keeping minor league baseball and the Sky Carps in Beloit, as it was for building a stronger quality of life for the community and the city’s residents.

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STADIUM MASTER PLAN

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PROJECT AWARDS ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS OF WISCONSIN: 2021 “PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD” ABC Supply Stadium was ranked highest by a panel of 22 judges. This award recognizes the innovation, quality, and superior performance of the project team.

ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS OF WISCONSIN: 2021 “PROJECTS OF DISTINCTION” GOLD AWARD This award recognizes construction projects that are built on merit and are judged by a panel of construction experts based on several criteria including quality, owner satisfaction, unusual challenges and safety.

THE DAILY REPORTER: 2021 “TOP PROJECT” AWARD Out of 100 submissions, 40 were chosen for this award - including ABC Supply Stadium.

WISCONSIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: “BEST DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECTS OF 2021” ABC Supply Stadium was awarded top honors in the “Best New Building Project” category.

NOTEWORTHY FACTS As of 2022, ABC Supply Stadium is recognized as the only stadium in the nation to meet all current Major League Baseball facility requirements.

Construction of the stadium was completed in 13 months.

The 67,000 square-foot stadium is comprised of three levels.

The high-definition video board stands at 40-feet tall by 60-feet wide.

The ballpark features a party deck and a picnic area which accommodate groups of 25+ people, along with an upper-level suite with space for up to 300 fans.

The Beloit Sky Carp, the High-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, hosted their first home game at the new stadium on April 12, 2022.

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EXPERIENCE DEDICATION PASSION A PARTNERSHIP THAT DELIVERS

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ELKHART OFFICE

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325 S. LAFAYETTE BLVD. SOUTH BEND, IN 46601 P: 574.232.4388

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