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Saints ballpark negotiations fall behind schedule

New St. Paul Saints ballpark

Negotiations between the city of St. Paul and Ryan Companies have fallen behind schedule, but no one seems to concerned that the opening of the new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) could be delayed.

Officials from both entities had expected to wrap up contract language by Jan. 26, but as of today the work is unfinished. As the ballpark is now expected to open in 2015, there’s not any huge pressure to wrap up talks, and no one is indicting whether there’s some big point of disagreement delaying things. Instead, the simplest argument seems to hold way: a $54-million contract is complex and takes time to complete. From FInance and Commerce:

The city declined to say specifically what’s holding up the process, which was expected to wrap up on Jan. 25. The total budget for the ballpark, which will be built in the Lowertown area, is $54 million.

“Contract negotiations sometimes take longer than expected, especially when dealing with a project and contract of this size,” Alex Dumke, public information officer for the city’s Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity, said in an email Thursday….

“Everything seems like it is on track,” [said Saints executive vice president Tom Whaley]. “It doesn’t seem like there’s anything out of the ordinary going on.”

The budget on the project, according to bid RFPs: $25 million for the ballpark and finishes; $9 million for demolition, site work, utilities and remediation; $6 million for land acquisition; $6 million for design and other soft costs; $3 million for furniture, fixtures and equipment; $3 million for financing; and $2 million for contingencies.

Image courtesy St. Paul Saints.

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