“We have the top sports facility designers in the world vying for our ballpark project,” said Lucas County Commissioner Harry Barlos on December 30 at the Lucas County Ballpark Architectural & Engineering (A & E) Committee meeting.

The A & E Committee met to review responses to a request for qualifications from a nationwide search for an A & E team to design and build the new downtown ballpark.

Commissioner Barlos, who serves as chairman of the A & E Committee, announced today that 3 teams of national and local firms will be interviewed on Friday, January 14th, 2000. The A & E Committee will then meet after the interviews the same day to make a decision on which team to recommend to the full Board of Lucas County Commissioners.

The three teams of firms to be interviewed are:

• HOK Sports Facilities Group, of Kansas City, Missouri http://www.hok.com
  SSOE Studios, Toledo, Ohio
  Midwest Environmental Consultants, Toledo, Ohio
• Devine deFlon Yaeger Architects, of Kansas City, Missouri http://ddyarch.com
  Sasaki Associates, Watertown, Massachusetts
• HNTB Sports Architects, of Kansas City , Missouri http://www.hntb.com
  Finkbeiner, Pettis & Strout, of Toledo, Ohio
  The Collaborative, of Toledo, Ohio

According to Tom Chema, of Gateway Consulting, all the responding firms “did their homework, researched news and background on the project, and spoke to people in this area.” Mr. Chema, who has extensive experience in sports facility construction projects, including Jacobs Field in Cleveland, added, “We have the cream of the crop in ballpark design. Two of these firms have won recent design awards.”

Soon after the architect is selected Commissioner Barlos indicated he wants to conduct a public hearing to continue listening to “people in Lucas County” and “find out what they want to see in the new ballpark.” A working model of the ballpark is expected by late March. The Phase 2 environmental assessment, conducted by Midwest Environmental Consultants of Toledo, should be completed by February 21st.

Responding to a question on the cost of construction, Patrick Zohn, of Gateway Consulting, pointed out, “Our great advantage is the cooperative relationship between the Mud Hens and the county. There is no gruff private owner standing over our shoulders saying ‘Build it by next season or I’ll move the team.’ We have time to do this project the right way, on time, and on budget.”

The A & E Committee is comprised of local engineering, construction, and planning experts, as well as representatives from the arts, historical preservation and labor communities. Tom Chema and Patrick Zohn of Gateway Consulting are providing advice and guidance to the committee in addressing the various issues that will arise during the selection process. Mr. Barlos’ goal for the project is “a signature piece of urban architecture that will benefit all Lucas County and continue the impressive revitalization of downtown Toledo.”