By Katie Knapp
Papillion, NE – Sites in Bellevue, Papillion and La Vista are being considered as possible homes for the Omaha Royals' new ballpark.
The Sarpy County Board voted unanimously Tuesday to begin negotiations with owners of the three sites. One is at Highway 75 and Chandler Road in Bellevue, known as the Kennedy Town Center site. The Papillion site is currently farm land located at 120th Street and Highway 370. The third site is at 126th Street and Giles Road in La Vista, the site of Southport West. That's the home of Cabela's and Embassy Suites.
Kermit Brashear is leading the negotiations for Sarpy County. He says the owners of the Bellevue and Papillion sites are willing to donate their land for the new stadium. The owners of Southport West are willing to sell the land for a reduced price but could offer land for parking spaces. Brashear urged Commissioners to take many different factors in to account before choosing a site.
Negotiations with landowners will begin immediately. A site must be chosen by June first. Sarpy County Board Chairwoman Joni Jones hopes public hearings can happen before a final site is chosen.