Franklin's Ballpark Commons developer proposes a new project combining pickleball, beer and live music
Franklin residents may be able to play some pickleball and enjoy a pilsner while listening to live music if a new concept presented for Ballpark Commons materializes.
Mike Zimmerman, owner of of ROC Ventures, presented the concept for Rock N Pickle to Franklin’s common council on Jan. 18. While some may think the "rock" in the name references The Rock Sports Complex, also owned and operated by Zimmerman, he said it's more related to plans for live music at the venue.
Zimmerman said the name is just a working title but it was inspired by the Chicken N Pickle in Kansas City, Missouri which blends pickleball and food.
Pickleball is played on a badminton-size court with a modified tennis net, a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It can be played by people of all ages and skill levels, according to the USA Pickleball website.
The core of this very Wisconsin-esque take is a brewpub concept blending beer and pickleball, Zimmerman said. Bartenders will work in the center of a large rectangle serving drinks in all directions with a stage on one end.
Plans also showed a taproom with a “brewing component,” which Zimmerman said could become space breweries could lease.
Renderings only included outdoor pickleball courts, but Zimmerman said he hopes to have indoor courts, too. The goal is to have a total of eight courts — something Ald. Shari Hanneman said would be important for tournaments.
The outdoor area also has its own stage and green space. During winter, the green space could become a small ice rink, Zimmerman said.
While the project is still in a planning phase, Zimmerman said he hopes to break ground this summer northwest of Loomis Road and southeast of Franklin Field with adjacent access off Crystal Ridge Drive.
The council seemed keen on the concept. Ald. Kristen Wilhelm quipped Zimmerman still hadn’t presented a restaurant that caught her attention.
Zimmerman told her to “stay tuned” for a future announcement that may make her happy.
Ballpark Commons is anchored by the 4,000-seat Franklin Field, which is home to the Milwaukee Milkmen. The field is also home to University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball.
The development includes a sports performance center, a four-story hotel, Velo Village apartments, New Perspective Senior Living, Blend Coffee & Cocktails, Wheel and Sprocket and other retail space.
Contact Erik S. Hanley at (262) 875-9467 or erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter at @ES_Hanley.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pickleball, beer, live music could come to Franklin's Ballpark Commons
