The Hagerstown City Council took a preliminary step toward a bonding proposal for a new downtown Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A: Sally League), with final approval set for this fall.
It’s not close to a done deal, as the city still needs to come to a lease agreement with the Suns, but the wheels are in motion for a $9.08 million bond issue that would include $4.42 million in bonds for a new downtown facility. Still, don’t celebrate this as meaning the ballpark is a go; it’s a necessary preliminary procedural step.
Until a lease is reached, work on the ballpark proposal will be done behind the scenes; the city will negotiate with the Suns (with a target date of mid-August to reach a deal) and the city will work on the language of the bond proposal.
The cost of a $30-million ballpark would be split among the city, county and state. The city and county funding is assured; all sides are waiting on whether Maryland can commit money to a new ballpark, a decision that won’t come until 2013. A new Hagerstown ballpark wouldn’t open until 2015.
RELATED STORIES: Hagerstown mayor: We’re close to long-term lease with Suns; Hagerstown: Let’s begin designing new downtown ballpark; County to help fund new Hagerstown ballpark; 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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