March 28, 2024

Lawsuit over planned sports complex reaches trial

DUBUQUE — The trial over plans to develop a sports complex at the “Field of Dreams” movie site in eastern Iowa is underway. Neighboring landowners filed the lawsuit to challenge the way city officials decided to rezone the area around the site for commercial use. The trial began last Monday and was expected to last seven days. Opponents of the All-Star Ballpark Heaven project worry about the increased traffic and noise that would accompany the planned complex of youth sports fields.

Dyersville officials said there wasn’t anything wrong with their actions.

“They’re entitled to do what’s in the best interest of their constituents,” said Doug Henry, who represents Dyersville.

The opponents say the city of Dyersville failed to consider the project’s potential negative impact on neighbors and didn’t follow proper procedure for the 2012 zoning decision.

“I’ve waited a long time for this,” opponent Sharon Ameskamp said. Finally it’s time to “bring it home,” she said.

The lawsuit slowed progress on the project because organizers have had trouble raising money for it. But it’s not clear if the outcome of the lawsuit will decide the fate of the ballparks.

Dyersville Mayor Al Haas has said that if the city loses the case, the council would probably redo the annexation and rezoning of the field.

But the project is relying on $16.5 million of state tax credits that could be jeopardized if the city loses the lawsuit.