Public must have stake in 51s stadium

By now, Southern Nevadans are beyond weary of stadium proposals. And because state and local governments never stop imposing higher taxes, a lot of valley residents are especially put off by the idea of a publicly financed stadium.

Amid this climate, the new owners of the Las Vegas 51s, the valley’s Triple-A Pacific Coast League baseball team, are meeting with local government officials to ask for bonds to build a $65 million, 8,000- to 9,000-seat ballpark in Summerlin. The stadium would be built just southwest of Red Rock Resort, across from the under-construction Shops at Summerlin outdoor shopping center, off the Las Vegas Beltway between Sahara Avenue and Charleston Boulevard. The 16 to 20 acres needed for the stadium would be donated by Summerlin developer The Howard Hughes Corp., which bought a stake in the 51s this year with local investors Steve Mack, Bart Wear and Chris Kaempfer.

They’d like the city, the county and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to float bonds for the stadium, which would replace downtown’s 30-year-old Cashman Field. Cashman is so antiquated that a major renovation wouldn’t bring it up to current Triple-A standards. The new stadium would be surrounded by parks and playgrounds, and would feature modern fan and player amenities.

The mere suggestion of public financing for a stadium is a deal-breaker for plenty of public officials and taxpayers. It’s worth noting, however, that Cashman Field was built with public money, as was the Thomas & Mack Center, which soon will be renovated with more public money. The public owns these facilities.

Earlier this year, a public-private proposal to build a domed stadium on the UNLV campus flamed out during the legislative session because of gaming industry opposition. Lawmakers instead created a stadium authority, which includes gaming leaders, to come up with a new plan for the 2015 Legislature to consider. That plan is expected to involve a public financing component as well.

Within a few months, the 51s ownership group will roll out its campaign to build public support for the project. That campaign must answer the same question as the UNLV stadium authority: What stake will the public have in the stadium if taxpayers fund construction?

Las Vegas needs modern facilities to retain and attract the special events that bring visitors here. But the private sector has built arenas and convention centers to meet that demand without asking for public money. And MGM Resorts International plans to open a 20,000-seat, $350 million arena between New York-New York and the Monte Carlo in 2016.

A 51s move to Summerlin could make sense if it saves the LVCVA millions of dollars in Cashman Field maintenance costs; leads to the redevelopment of the entire Cashman Center site, benefiting the city; and the new stadium site significantly boosts tax collections for the county.

“We’re listening to a lot of ideas and opinions,” Mr. Mack said last week,

Here’s one more: Any deal that makes taxpayers assume all the financial risks for the baseball stadium’s construction but gives the 51s and its owners all the financial benefits is a nonstarter.