Franklin sports complex seeks county lease

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Milwaukee County’s Economic and Community Development Committee approved an amended operating services agreement with The Rock Sports Complex LLC, Milwaukee, to let a local businessman create a sports complex at Crystal Ridge in Franklin.

The Rock Sports Complex, created by Mike Zimmerman, will rent the land for $25,000 a year from the county. The agreement, if approved by the full County Board at its July meeting, will last for 15 years with an extension option of another 10 years.

The complex would be required to maintain a $50,000 capital repairs budget, contribute at least $20,000 each year to increase access to league play for low-income children and pay a portion of its yearly net, pretax profits to the county. For the first five years, the complex would pay 5 percent of those earnings to the county. From years six to 15, it would pay 8 percent, and, if the lease is renewed, the complex would pay 10 percent of those earnings from years 16 to 25.

A map of the proposed complex shows 12 possible baseball diamonds, four possible soccer fields, a BMX track, biking trails and a 20,000-square-foot indoor-sports building.

The estimated $3 million first phase of the project includes the 12 baseball fields.

Joel Dietl, Franklin’s planning manager, said the city was working with the complex to fit the proposal into the city’s zoning code.

Midwest Development Corp., Greendale, has operated a ski hill at Crystal Ridge since 1983. The company was granted a 25-year lease in 1983 and now operates on a year-to-year lease that can be terminated by the county with 90 days’ notice. Midwest Development also operates a driving range at Crystal Ridge.

— Beth Kevit