Minor league baseball in Clawson would be great. Troy blew it by turning down a proposal for a minor league park a couple of years ago. Now Troy is begging for revenue.

I think bringing a minor league team to Clawson would be such a great idea. I can't think of a better way to spend time with my son and daughter than walking down the street to watch some minor league ball! Great for me, great for Clawson, great idea!

This would be a great addition to the city of Clawson and to Oakland County. The team and other events this venture would bring to the area would help all local businesses and bring a local professional sports team to cheer on. Being a fan of minor league baseball and seeing what they do for a city, this is a no brainer. The show, the atmosphere, comradery it will bring will be amazing.

Thumbs up!

Didn't these guys ask for the same thing a few years back? Good idea.

Love the idea!

No, everyone is welcome to voice their opinions on this article. Thanks for the feedback, all.

The City Park should be and was at one time the Jewel of the City. The Park has been neglected over the years and needs major updating. This could be a great opportunity for the city to make the park a jewel again.

From what I took from the meeting this proposed park isn't supposed to be a giant minor league stadium like you'd see in Lansing or Grand Rapids but rather a unique, small nostalgic park with seating for 1500 or so. While I understand concerns about lighting and sound from near by residents I don't believe that they will present a problem at least not to the magnitude some are envisioning it to be. There's an opportunity here for Clawson to add yet another unique venue to it's identity and show the county just how special this city really is. I really hope this proposal goes forward and am looking forward to hearing more about the team!

I grew up a few blocks from the city park & we heard EVERY event, football games, band songs, & could even see the lights from our front porch. And our house wasn't even that close to the park! While I think it would be wonderful for the city to have something like this, I definitely understand the concerns of the residents that will actually have to deal with it. I also have concerns about traffic in that area as my children attend the elementary school across the street. That may not have any affect, but just a concern.
Also, as far as the park needing work....I think that the brand new bleachers, locker rooms, pavillion, concession stand and restrooms look great. With the exception of the track (I've heard that the high school can't even use it for meets? Is this true?), I think that the city & workers are doing a good job.

I wll bet that Micheal j doesnt even live next to the prosposed ball park, by he way he writes you can be sure he did not go to the Clawson schools

MJ stop complaining and lets hear what the plan is, your are assuming the worse, it is funny how all other neighbor ball parks for minor league baseball have welcomed the game to their city.

I would rather have baseball than non-residents pitching tents and littering in the city park on the week-ends.

City of Clawson Planning Commission will be holding a Public Hearing on Request for Special Land Use Approval for the proposed upgrades and changes to the existing ball field and recreation areas located at Clawson City Park on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 @ 7:30 p.m. 4th of July brings all kinds of problems for the people in the park area, and more of the same can be expected of this group and their BEER concessions.

I think Michael J and Denise live a little too close to the park. You can't compare a single A baseball crowd with the July 4th crowd and you can't assume beer will be served in a no-beer zone.I didn't see a single drunk at Mudhen stadium and there was beer served. I did see a lot of families with little kids having lots of fun.It's not everyone's fault that you possibly picked houses a little too close to the park. I'm within walking distance and I hope to see some baseball.

Folks I have read all your comments, live on Bywood will judge after the hearings, One question where on earth did Micheal J come from. I feel sorry for him He has nothing else to do. He could not be positive even if he won the lottery.

make this happen for the common good

Mike J,
I believe the last name calling war was started when you referred to me as a Republican!! That set off my verbal rant. I sure hope Baseball comes to the park so you can spend 48 hours a day ranting. Maybe I'll see you enjoying a beer and the game with the rest of us.

who said public $$$ would go into these upgrades and stop with the 300 ft country club mentality for in this country we have MAJORITY rule

my name is micheal j, and I approve the putting of a team in clawson, it will enchance the whole commuity. I have changed my mind and think this is a great idea. I am sorry for harrassing everyone

Micheal J what are the ordinaces you keep referring to? Do you have the numbers

I agree this Micheal j just complains and complains cant believe the patch allows him to stay on the patch. I am for this plan it is a great idea and this wll be a family affair. I would like to see the games start a little bit earlier than 7pm, like to see a 615 or 630 games start. I could get to the games with the family, have dinner at the park,watch the games, let the kids play in the playgrounds, and then get the kids home for bed
Clawson has a good thing going. It doesnt sound like the taxpayers are going to foot this bill.

I think minor league baseball is a great venue. parents take thier kids to the park, have food and beverage. I dont think the beer is a issue, some may think so. all this is a family affair most parents have control when their kids are with them.

Before rushing to judgment I would like to see everything fleshed out soup to nuts, because we as residents deserve due diligence, a complete investigation into the granular details. A study into the economic impact, financial viability of the team, traffic studies, ecological impact, use of city resources (police, fire & emergency services), and liability; so we as residents can be informed and to allow for a proper decision to be made. We on the other hand cannot rush to judgment as this is a major activity not only economically, but as well addressing quality of life with in our city, and possible ramifications to our long term value. Facts are that Clawson is completely developed corner to corner, without some type of growth or renewal any organism or enterprise may see its existence in doubt. It is only proper to collect all information, weigh the facts and go forward from that point. Regardless of the outcome, this to me speaks volumes to the future of Clawson and certainly reflects the city in a positive light.

MJ
you really have a problem I feel sorry for you.

go get him non solution

I tried but Big Brother is deleting my comments. You think Michael Big J is also in charge of the Patch? Anyhow-I sure hope Baseball comes to the park.

I did post the where to read the city ordinance, Why weren't you guys at the meeting ? Most little boys get past the bathroom jokes, but what is really funny, he knows That I have to wear a Colostomy bag so cvs does me little good., smile

I would love to see this happen in Clawson! It could be magical! http://www.theurbanelife.com/?p=7933

can the Board or Planning comm. even do this? My understanding is the property was giving to the city with the stipulation it be used for sports/athletic and local youth having priority. My kids participate in the rec. league but have never played on a city field. plenty of R.O. fields though. The schools do a poor job at best of maintaining their fields, so where do our kids play? If we are going to endear our youth to this great game we have to give them a place to emulate it. Where will that be? What about improvements to the football field and track? How much of the City Jewel will we lose to concessions,locker rooms,grand stands and parking? How about the surrounding residents, tolerant now but always?

MJ

you dont seem you understand, Traverse City park is a huge brick and mortar building.and it does resemble a race track, but If you were at the meeting which I think you were. I was not, I but I heard that the gentleman said to the commissoners and the crowd, this will not be a brick and mortar building, but will consist of improvements to the field, fences, seating around the ball park. Did you hear that statement?

I agree that judgement day will come on Aug 23, I hope you are there so non solution can listen you and complain and complain and complain.

My article was not so much about the "brick and mortar" or wood or any other building material for that matter....its about the magic and fun a minor league team can bring to a location...if managed right...

nosolution i am really sorry that you may know Micheal J. I hope you are at the meeting. Maybe you can control him. I am in favor of the ball park, I think it would be fun to have a minor league team in our city. Maybe some of the monies earrned can go to help some of the diamonds around the city get fixed instead of the kids going to Royal oak to play at their field.

nonsolution I really meant J Micheal, he probably logged in with that other name so he can cause more confusion and trouble

great idea, hope it becomes a reality

to the planning comission keep up the goodwork and new ideas for this community. there are some of us who appreciate your efforts.

To help educate those who don't know how the City Planning Board functions, This is in my words,(not their mission statement).To see or anticipate the future, as far as zoning, what can or can not be moved in or built, conforms or does not conform to those rules, and Reg's, that are already in place. What can go into an area, Some of these reg's are handed down by the State, a lot are, home grown, they are pretty much, to see that as an e.g. make sure some one does not build a highrise in the middle ot a residential sect. Although,thru cerebral wording can keep some less desireable stores etc, out of prime spots,put them in the least desireable realestate areas. A board that makes sure property owners are safe from blight, as much as possible.in charge of the foot print of The City, making sure it is Conforming or Non - Conforming, if Non - Conforming, what is being asked make it conform. I hope I did this justice. Their responcibillity is not to go out and Find an entity to come in an occupy or build, no more then any tax payer could say, hey there is this spot in my town, come ck it out. The Planning Board was totally in the dark on this Commercial venture. So who had first contact? A guess is the city atty. who runs this city quietly from behind the scenes, or the City eng. both are contracted out siders.
PS. one can not put an additiion on, or build a home, w/o presenting the plans to the Plan B. for approval, and accept what ever changes they recommand. as far as regs.

We don't need an education - we need some baseball !!!!!!!!!

In this case an education was needed, there were a couple of people who actually thought the Planning Board, went around getting businneses for different corners, now that wouldn't be fair for tree enterprize would it?
some 14,000 Tiger fans were in Baltimore last night, making more noise then the oriole's fans, I guess not all went

there will never be 14000 people at a Clawson minor league game, you are comparing apples to water melons

No-he's comparing water melons to trees. Haven't you heard of tree enterprise ? Bring on just 1500 of those tiger fans. We want some baseball !!!

I was not comparing, u needed a base ball fix, I suggested one could be with all the tiger fans in Balt. or wait till last night, with 36,000 one can always get a seat in the .......... sect. with seperate chairs.

first of all, this will be nothing like the 4th of july, that day brings 10s of thousand people to the city. these games would maybe bring on avg. about 1 thousand. that is about double a football game. to me that does not seem to bad. i think it would be great for all loacl business.

I'm a NIMBY and live in Clawson-bring on the baseball !!!!!

now that I have heard it great idea

what does th Dream Cruise have to do with baseball?

So on one hand I hear, "It's good for business and will bring in lots of people."
But the same people say, "Don't worry it's only a mere 43 days" if you are concerned about traffic, noise, crime, pollution, hidden costs or any nuisances at all. Which is it?
I just checked and Clawson is already on the map.
Why not renovate an area in the vacant business section off crooks that is empty and already zoned for such a venue. Then we can have "Baseball in Clawson" bring in business without compromising anything and without all of the residents valid unanswered concerns. It is because there would be a much higher cost to put their business anywhere else but the Clawson Park. But this cost is apparently offset by the sacrifice of the affected Clawson residents, they will pay. Many will pay and some will benefit. I agree, this needs to go to a vote so everyone hears about and everyone gets a voice in the decision. This is an unprecedented move of leasing a business in a taxpayer owned green grass park. If you pay taxes in Clawson YOU own this park. Love it, hate it. Good or bad for Clawson shouldn't you have some say in leasing land you own?

Shall we remind the planning commission;
Sec. 34-604 (d)
A major objective shall be to retain, enhance and protect the quality, value and privacy of residential land uses.

But its not just 43 days. Aren't there also plans for concerts & other events to take place as well? The people that are paying all of that money to renovate the area & going to get their money back & make money, and use the stadium as much as they possibly can.

I missed the meeting but heard that they are putting in new little league fields as well....just wondering where those are going to go.

I'm not against it, just not for it either. I don't feel like enough has been explained.

Ever get the feeling Clawson has turned into the City of the Evening, Beer and Cracker Jack's me, and I'm your's, This city use to care about it's residents, The Mayor would say, "All about the QUALITY of Life" Well just recently, Zonimg Change at Elmwood and Crooks, has eiminated 2 Homes, when they sell, can not be to a another person wanting to live there. the homes will come down, and go Commercial.
That is 4 to 6 less votes, now it is all about $$$$ and no "Quality of Life" I notice there are no plans to put Home Plate, at Hendricksen and High st.. that would wipe out Half the Boards............... plus a pass councilmen. amazing how the city Govn. can be Nimby's also.

One of the residents set up a site with information, thank you. Please share this information with anyone interested in our Park so we can all make an educated and informed decision. http://www.clawsonbaseballpark.com

sooo....do I get this right?...Martin and the rest of the investors (for profit) were ready to pay out nearly 9 million dollars in the Waterford plan are now offering Clawson a ONE million dollar "upgrade" to the city park? What? Why are they not willing to buy their OWN land and build their OWN stadiuim for their 'OWN' profit?
'Someone' (namely Mr. Martin, who USED TO live in Clawson) knows 'Someone' in Clawson who thinks they can make this plan happen quietly before the residents even know what hits them. They are just scratching each other's backs (or elsewhere..ahem, their pocketbooks) !!!! Mr. Martin, if you buy my home in Clawson near the park, and LIVE in it, please do!! That way your 'fondness' for Clawson would be seen in a different light...

There is a tie in! Don't you think Memorial Park at 13 w/parking etc. be better, R.O. off the record had death ears. Mr.smith, things are closer related, then just 5 generations. you are out of touch,Cityatty is Pres.of Roch hills plan'g brd, the city eng, is same out there, pres of one P Brd, while advising another. ours
Little Ceasers, softball, played in East Detroit, sold beer, it was great, 40 home runs per game,thats just for the home boys,a beer what a treat, in 3 yr's it dried up, and the nieghborhood went down with it trashed all the fields in this league are NOT IN A RESIDENTIAL. little bigger look what happen around Navin Field, Old Crk Twn, residents sold out to, to make parking money.. soon it was Tiger Stadium, bigger yes, but the area around it went. Last Night a girls soccer team practiced in the out field on the big diamond, they were locked out of the soccer field, that would NOT happen if the stadium was in place! They would of been locked out of there also.
Some one says we have use of the west end of park., Football,fld says keep off track says use at your own risk,The soccer field is locked, when not in use, to maintain integarty, The Ball field will also be locked if I was investing. so really what is open for residents,Don't think of just 48 more dates,185 days are unuseable,(winter) there are practices, tennis matches and practice, soccer for J V and HS, boys and girls, games and practice, foot ball, pract. and games, now add in rec usage.

ok Mr history buff, I guess you need to move, what a disgrace to the community

Enough of the name calling and rude comments already--on both sides. Emotions are running high on this. Tonight's meeting will be tense. And if the zoning board votes in favor of the baseball proposal, it will not be the end of it--expect residents to resort to other legal means. Tying up so much public land for a commercial venture is upsetting to many in this town who pay taxes to support a particular way of life.

Denise all this is the results of lies,false information that was put on the Patch. The park is a mess all they are trying to do is to put something nice and fun into the city. what is wrong with someone putting 1Mm into the city?
Legal means that is interesting thought, useing taxpayers dollars for the city to defend themselves I didnt start the name calling and the lies that weere put out there. By the way only the people that are objecting will be the loudest and most rude, you watch!

Then I guess the only winner in this will be the City Attorney.

I am proud of our community and our willingness to participate. I believe people can be for Clawson and love baseball BUT still have concerns or even be totally against this proposal. I may not agree what you say or how you say it but I will defend your right to say it. What a great time of communication we have, let's use it for sharing ideas and ideals positively. Thank you everyone for your comments. Denise is so right about the name calling, it's NOT about how you feel about certain people for the way they feel, it's about how you feel on the issue, which in this case is an extraordinary special use of a residential area.

Denise, Legal? I heard some will do what they do on the 4th. park all their vehicals and trailers on the street to leave their drive ways usable for visitors, or them selves. make all others walk further, I guess that means all the people who live around the park and use the spaces for their own use,? team count on them being usable for games?. That Is what I heard this week. Not a zoning meeting, it is a planning board, for non compliance, which tells you right there, some thing is amissed, unless they are including the ZBA, according to the last posted memo, they are off till later in the month or Sept................. you see it will be what it will be................... there are already 150 homes for sale, not counting the ones that are empty.......... just cause they don't have an orange sticker.
There is no problem with some one wanting to spend 1 mil. do it in compliance, and in the right area. as far as those who live around there knew, when they bought, what about the people in the DDA area, who are now being taxed a mil more, and can not make changes to their homes, or they have to be up dated, take the condoes, they are all paying one mil. more, and it is illeagal for them to be even be in the dda, which was by force. so an other lesson from Mr. History Buff.
there is no emotion here, it is amazing what smiles we have on our faces over here. that some one can't just debate with out slander, you see if you know the rules you can partake. w/o Blood Preasure pills.

People have the right to park on the streets, even if it means leaving their driveways empty. Houses are empty and foreclosures continue. My house is not worth what I have put into it. Taxes in Clawson are high, though the services over the years have been good. I have lived here 36 years, and yep, my blood pressure will probably be up tonight. I have listened to both sides, but I have my own opinion. But I want to hear facts, not just emotion, and I DON'T want to hear name calling. We will probably all still all be living in this community when the baseball issue is resolved, and I would like Clawson to remain a nice place!

MIKE j WHERE ARE YOU

Our asst city atty. has moved on to become the City Atty. of Traverse City, she now understands, there is no comparison, to where the White Caps play ,(wide open space) appx 9 miles out side of town. & Where the defunct team was trying to force their way into a neighborhood. she agrees it was not the same & should not of been used. I hear.

I after reading the blogs, which were not all of them, I decided to hunt down The Rippers, as in Jack the Ripper, seems they are more about beer then say base ball? trouble follows trouble, Macomb Co. welcomed them, yet in all the wide open spaces, they were forced to leave the Country, appears they alienated the people of London On. from the start. sharing one base line for their beer sales the other team gets the other base line (?). I am sure there will be more to follow. grin

http://londonprobaseball.com/news/headlines/index.html?article_id=93

Haulin

get your facts straight and read everything including all of the real facts I think a report to the Patch would be nice would like to hear what you have to say

Hauling
ask the former city attorney to blog her opinion of the baseball team in clawson, not your here say The team didnt try to force his way into the city, the team coming to Clawson is over. so what is your point??

Haulin

I agree get over it

no comment hauling?

Haulin where are you?

I think this sounds like an excellent opportunity for the City of Clawson and families to be able to enjoy some summer fun with their families without having to go to Detroit to watch a baseball game. Yes I live right across the street from the park and have concerns also, but it cannot be any worse than listening to the CHS football games and the music they are allowed to boardcast over their sound system which I personally find appaulling. I think this will also bring the values of our homes back up. Hopefully they will figure out the parking issues that obviously would occur before this is a done deal. Bring on the Baseball games All American Fun in Clawson what could be better than that!!!

The annual $250,000 plus addition to the local economy would have been a nice boost to Clawson, let alone the investment in our Park. This issue floated by "Haulin" is a red herring.

Joe & Terri: the Rippers went broke, caused embarrassment to the League, (league has placed Players who wanted to try and cont. on other teams, I hear. the city of London filed a law suit on the contracts the Martin guy never full filled, The league will not allow him or his backers back in. I just got back from T City, the team plays 9 miles out of town.

We dodged a mess and I would like to thank the sensible ones that saw right threw their "plan" for the damage that could have been and the ones that worked so hard.

And to the ones that wanted so desperately to believe this was a good thing for the city, you were so wrong and...YOU'RE WELCOME!

Cansee: This town is so filled with Dorthy's, when The Wizard of Clawson, hid behind the curtain of empty purses filled with Monopoly Million dollars of phony promises, using Carrots the size of the wizard of Oz's voice. He new it was getting to the point of no return, so he bailed, (he was smart, compared to his few supporters) he tried Macomb county, they smelled a story so he went to London, Ont. Can. where he met his Water Loo, the Walls of Jericho came tumbling down. Remember on his way out, he pointed out all the negatives, pretty shallow, now the league has banned him, they were not willing to give him the third strike after 3 foul Balls.
What is scary, some thought they saw Utopia, we don't have to pay higher Taxes, we have the River City Music Man as our savior. (which is the real reason they got ugly towards the ones who saw through this charade) I expect those people to now pay for the field upgrade, there looking for Donations, 7 so far, at 7,000 per, (LOL) a grass infield ? I played on a grass one in '57, '58,'59 @ derby Jr. high, B'ham.
what we dodge is huge atty fees, and court costs, one of his down falls, was his treatment of Londoner's after he was in, and "BEER" sales, seems over there they watch base ball, not drink, they do that at "hawkey" games, we did dodge a bullet, it was the City Atty, (still here) who tried to push this through, instead he sent his Female asst.where was he??. remember we are now the highest taxed city in Oakland County 31