An informal poll of the Omaha City Council indicates that Mayor Mike Fahey has some hurdles to clear before a new downtown baseball stadium can win approval.

On Thursday, the mayor began meeting one-on-one with council members. He met with Dan Welch and Chuck Sigerson Thursday morning and the mayor has other meetings planned for early next week.

With seven council members, the mayor needs four on his side to land a ballpark in the parking lot of the Qwest Center.

Mayor Fahey says, "I'm confident we'll get there. I'm making sure we're not going to overlook any of the councilmen."

One of the first decisions on the way to a new venue could come in just a few weeks when the council is expected to vote on the old Swanson plant. That spot could become a parking lot for the Qwest Center at a cost of at least $1.5 million.

City Councilman Garry Gernandt says, "I still see the plan before us flawed in several arenas. I don't see any chance of changing my mind at this time."

Gernandt, who favors renovating Rosenblatt Stadium over building a new ballpark, says a vote on the whole project could come as early as June or July. He says if that vote came today he believes the downtown park would fail but he doesn't believe that seals the proposal's fate.

"People could change their mind," he says. "The way I see it the taxpayer down the road is going to suffer for this."

The mayor needs to have his final plan for the College World Series in place by the end of April.

Fahey says, "The NCAA has told us they would like to stay in Omaha. We like the Road to Omaha. We don't want to fumble this ball."

The mayor says negotiations also continue behind the scenes with Creighton, the Royals and the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority.

MECA is a big key with some of the council members. If they get behind the plan and the NCAA approves a long-term deal many insiders say it would be hard for a majority of council members to say no to a new stadium.