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Second ballpark site emerges in Wilmington

Carolina LeagueWilmington (N.C.) officials are exploring a second waterfront site for a new Class A Carolina League ballpark — one that would lower the cost to taxpayers.

The city had pretty much settled on an 8.5-acre site near PPD owned by developer Chuck Schoninger, which should cost around $6 million. But the availability of an 8-acre site housing the Sawmill Point Marina piqued the interest of the city, especially with the possibility it could be purchased for $4.5 million — and reducing the cost of the ballpark project from $37 million to $35.5 million can certainly be useful when selling the project to a very reluctant set of voters, as will be the case this fall. And, of course, having an alternative does make negotiating a little easier for the city.

The city is working on a proposal for a publicly funded new facility to be managed by Mandalay Baseball Properties and occupied by the relocating Lynchburg Hillcats (High Class A; Carolina League), a team to be owned by the Braves.

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