The design of a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark has been criticized by some public officials for not being retro enough, as a debate rages over its impact on the historic Lowertown neighborhood. For those of you unfamiliar with St. Paul geography, here’s a short lesson. The Lowertown district, part of downtown, […]
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Saints, St. Paul reach initial agreement on ballpark lease
A new-ballpark lease between the city of St. Paul and the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) calls for an expected rent of $600,000 annually, with profit-sharing in the mix. Though the final details still need to be ironed out, there is a framework in place to be presented to the St. Paul City Council […]
Ryan awarded Saints ballpark design/build contract
Not a surprise: the Ryan Companies/AECOM/Julie Snow Architects bid was approved by St. Paul officials for the design/build contract for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark. The group received initial approval for the contract before a public outcry and pressure from Gov. Mark Dayton forced city officials to put the project out […]
Saints ballpark design/construction reward under review
Though St. Paul officials say nothing is amiss, Minnesota officials are viewing whether the decision to award the design/construction contracts for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark with no competitive bidding violates state guidelines. The issue: usually government contracts are awarded after some kind of competitive bidding, but after the Minnesota Department […]
St. Paul: We’ll request economic-development funds for new Saints ballpark
It’s more than a little premature, but St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman has informed the state his city will request $27 million for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark. Why premature? The state hasn’t even put together the criteria for how the money will be allocated. The Minnesota Legislature, in making the […]
Affiliated ball in St. Paul? Don’t hold your breath
A hot rumor in Twin Cities baseball circles has the St. Paul Saints possibly going affiliated if a new downtown ballpark opens. Forget it: the chances that happens are slim and none. Not that there’s no precedence for a market switching from indy to affiliated in the wake of a new facility: it’s happened in […]
Saints ballpark bill suffers setback in Senate
Proposed state funding for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark suffered a setback in a Minnesota Senate bonding proposal, where the project was totally zeroed out. The Senate Republicans unveiled a $496-million bonding bill today, and the proposal was pretty naked in its politics: the mostly rural caucus failed to include funding […]
St. Paul close to acquiring land for new Saints ballpark
The city of St. Paul is on the verge of buying the land for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark in Lowertown, removing one big roadblock to obtaining state funding. The Saints and the city have proposed a $54-million, 7,000-seat ballpark in downtown St. Paul at the Diamond Products site, off Broadway […]
Saints ballpark funding passes hurdle — kinda
A funding plan for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark squeaked by a huge hurdle, with Republican lawmakers including design money as part of their Minnesota legislative bonding proposal. Gov. Mark Dayton had recommended $27 million in state funding for a new downtown St. Paul ballpark in his bonding request to begin […]