August 2007

Rosenblatt's future depends on the people taking action

by J.D. Sloane 

If you look back on recent history in Omaha, you may very well recall that in 2001, the Indian Hills Theatre, the largest and last remaining Cinerama wide-screen format movie theatre in the U.S. was demolished. For those who remember the Indian Hills Theatre, you know you will never enjoy a movie in that sense again. Today, the movie theater is gone, having been replaced with a parking lot. Joni Mitchell wrote about this kind of thing in her song “Big Yellow Taxi”. In case you don’t know the lyric from the song, it goes like this, “they paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” 
Another major Omaha landmark torn down in recent years was Ak-Sar-Ben Race Track and Coliseum. Ak-Sar-Ben brought many race fans to Omaha that spent their money in our shops, hotels and restaurants, but today Ak-Sar-Ben is gone and so are many of the surrounding businesses in that area. On August 7, 1995, Ak-Sar-Ben ran its last horserace. People are still in shock over the sudden demise of Ak-Sar-Ben. Was it politics? Could we have saved Ak-Sar-Ben or was it something that we could not change?  Is this what we want to see happen to the Rosenblatt Stadium in South Omaha? It could be a real possibility if we don’t all get together and stop the “powers that be” from removing it and building a new stadium on 16th and Cuming Streets to be an anchor for North Downtown.
In an interview with Jason Smith, Chairman of the Save Rosenblatt Committee, Smith made the statement that the committee supports a plan to improve the ballpark and they’ve gotten the attention of the Mayor with the campaign to save Rosenblatt from destruction. As of July 26th, the committee has received 8578 signatures, locally and nationally, on a petition to save Rosenblatt. Along with the signatures, they have also received over 850 direct comments from phone calls, letters and emails.
Smith and the Committee have set up a website, which has been flooded since its inception. Smith said, “There seems to be an endless amount of supporters who want to keep Rosenblatt where it is and also are willing to help with the Committee’s efforts.” Smith also announced that the Committee has purchased billboards in locations throughout Omaha, including 60th and Center Streets; 72nd  just south of Dodge Street; and one block south of the stadium. The committee is also selling t-shirts to help raise money to continue their endeavor to save the stadium. In whatever manner the committee can get the word spread, Smith and the Committee are putting the effort forth, searching out new avenues and endorsements from celebrities and sports figures.
On July 3rd, a rally was held at Rosenblatt with much success. The rally gathered signatures for the petition and three local television stations, KMTV 3, Fox 42 and KETV 7 were there to cover the event. Supporters from all around the area, including Crystal Rhoades, Metro Community College Board Member and Neighborhood Center Outreach Associate and Garry Gernandt, District 4 City Councilman educated the public about the importance of Rosenblatt and what significance it has on the city, especially in South Omaha.
Save Rosenblatt Committee is getting coverage all across the country with no less than 11 major newspapers reporting on the story, including the Miami Herald, the St. Petersburg Times, the Charlotte Observer and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Correspondence from Dennis Poppe, NCAA Director of Baseball and Football has also expressed his concerns for the importance of Rosenblatt. Steve Rosenblatt, son of Johnny Rosenblatt is in constant contact with the Committee lending support.
Years ago, I remember that Mayor Mike Boyle saved the city by doing what he had to do to save us from losing the College World Series. Maybe our current Mayor should take a page from his playbook and do the same. The famous “Road to Omaha” statue and plaques let those who visit Rosenblatt know that it isn’t just another baseball field, it’s the Mecca of college baseball, according to the Sports Illustrated web site. Sports Illustrated also list Rosenblatt as number five in the Top Ten of College Sports Venues.
People like Jason Smith and the Committee to Save Rosenblatt Stadium are a real inspiration when it concerns what is best for Omaha and what makes Omaha a great place to live and visit. Let’s not lose yet another city landmark. Let your voice be heard.
One last note, Happy Birthday Rosenblatt, you are still young at 60 years old.