Franklin rejects plan to repay millions borrowed for proposed baseball stadium

FRANKLIN (WITI) -- The Milwaukee Business Journal is reporting Franklin is asking The Rock's CEO, Mike Zimmerman, to commit to his $40 million retail, housing and hotel development before the city would borrow $10.5 million for a baseball stadium.

The proposed stadium would occupy a corner of the 120-acre The Rock property at 76th Street and West Rawson Avenue.

The Rock has secured the rights for a Frontier League baseball franchise, and now wants to build the stadium.

Zimmerman says the stadium is the catalyst for the $40 million project that he would develop after the stadium is built -- according to the Business Journal.

Zimmerman has asked Franklin to borrow the $10.5 million for the stadium -- and according to the Business Journal, has proposed a lease agreement that would generate enough money annually to pay off the city's debt.

However, Franklin officials have rejected that plan. Instead, they say they are considering borrowing the money -- and paying off the debt using property taxes generated by the $40 million development, according to the Business Journal.

This is something Zimmerman isn't happy about.

According to the Business Journal, Zimmerman is under a tight deadline -- as construction on a new stadium must begin in May in order to open in time for a 2015 baseball season.

The Business Journal says Zimmerman believes if the stadium isn't built, the $40 million project could be in jeopardy.

CLICK HERE for more on this story via the Milwaukee Business Journal.