Washington County and the city of Hagerstown have pledged $16 million over 20 years for a new downtown ballpark for the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League), but other obstacles remain.
The downtown ballpark is expected to cost $30 million, so the combined city/county contribution accounts for over half of the funding. That leaves $14 million to raise from the team and the state. Some level of state funding is expected, with the Maryland Stadium Authority expected to announce its funding contribution in coming weeks, and another $6 million could come from the Suns in the form of $300,000 in annual rent. All in all, city and county officials are still looking for $188,000 annually from a private developer as part of the project.
The new ballpark would replace Municipal Stadium as the home of the Suns. The Suns are also being courted by Winchester (Va.) officials, a courting that’s seemed quiet as of late.
RELATED STORIES: Hagerstown citizens: Build downtown ballpark; Consultant: Downtown Hagerstown ballpark is viable project; Winchester ballpark back on city agenda; Work continues on Suns lease extension; Winchester rejects ballpark; Suns to discuss Municipal Stadium lease extension; Winchester seeks lease changes for proposed Suns ballpark; Hagerstown pitches downtown ballpark; Suns: Nationals forcing us from Hagerstown; Hagerstown Suns sign letter of intent for Winchester move; Hagerstown looking at new ballpark to keep Suns; Winchester preparing to offer $15 million ballpark to Suns; Hagerstown Suns in play
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