No sooner was the artificial turf laid on the diamonds at Championship Park, hundreds of visitors descended upon the city of Kokomo every weekend. By any metric, the baseball complex was an instant success.
But the games are just half of the story. What comes next is economic development, and local leaders are excited about the growth potential.
Utility infrastructure is in the works for potential new development at Championship Park
“Championship Park has changed a lot of things for us,” said Kokomo Plan Commission Director Greg Sheline. “It’s going to be big for our community. There are nine lots out there, rezoned for commercial development. I know the developer (Henke Development) is also looking at possibly changing part of it to residential zoning. I would anticipate by spring we might be seeing some of those developments.”
There is no confirmed development that has come before the plan commission yet, though Sheline is confident that there are serious discussions being had. That sentiment was echoed by Kokomo Mayor Tyler Moore, who is open to commercial and residential development on the site.
“They indicated that an aspect of the development could be residential,” said Moore. “Having some back there – a little bit – it’s fine. It’s development and consistent because there is already residential in the area. But the most benefit would come commercially. Hopefully we will be able to encourage that type of development.
“They mentioned talking to hotels. Where they are on it, I don’t know. I’m sure they have feelers out for restaurants and other retail.”
Recently, the Kokomo Plan Commission approved two re-zonings for hotel developments on the city’s south side, and it was disclosed that a third hotel is in the works for that area. Given those projects, some might wonder if a hotel at the Championship Park site is necessary.
“I know there are questions about whether hotels are even needed,” said Moore. “There are already hotels in the works. I would assume they did the market analysis. There will be an uptick in weekend travel to Kokomo with Championship Park. An additional hotel would help spark that area which could spill over to retail and restaurants.”
As a member of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, Paul Wyman believes that an additional hotel at the site is appropriate.
“Our hotel occupancy rates are really strong right now,” said Wyman. “Having another hotel to support the venue where there is demand for rooms will be really huge. I think an additional hotel would absorb that demand really well.”
There also is a question about retail and restaurant development at Championship Park perhaps pulling commerce away from existing businesses along Ind. 931. Moore acknowledged that the new developments would have an advantage but is unconcerned about their impact.
“Everything we have along existing 931 should be able to accommodate (the visitors), but you know people,” said Moore. “If they can just walk to and from the park, that would be beneficial to them.
“As much as we already have to offer, do we need more restaurants and retail? As long as we are intentional about controlling development, I think that will alleviate concerns.”
A residential subdivision amid the Championship Park development may seem out of place, but Moore pointed out that the Darrough Chapel subdivision already borders the park to the south. Additional residential development borders it to the west. Sheline agreed such an investment wouldn’t be unusual.
“(Henke) did the same thing down in Westfield with the Grand Park development,” said Sheline. “We looked at it and thought it made a lot of sense.”
Regardless of what development ends up occurring, Wyman believes the community already has won.
“Championship Park has been a big home run for our area, no pun intended,” said Wyman. “It is attracting people from outside of our community. They come here and have a great experience at the ballpark. But they also are experiencing our community. They are eating at our restaurants and shopping at our stores and learning about Kokomo and Howard County and what a great place we really are.”