Archives: Jan. 15-21, 2007
Developer: Sounds ballpark plan in no jeopardy
Posted Jan. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and their partners in a proposed downtown ballpark are divided over when construction could begin, with the Sounds reiterating that unless work starts in February, the project might not make enough money to repay lenders. But Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, the Baltimore firm that has teamed with the Sounds to build a ballpark and mixed-use neighborhood on First Avenue South, said it was spending thousands of dollars a day to make the ballpark happen. Representatives of the developer said they expected to wrap up financing and designs for the project no later than April 15. But Glenn Yaeger, the Sounds’ general manager, reiterated that the team wants construction to begin no later than next month. That would allow the team to begin play at the start of the 2008 Class AAA baseball season. More from Nashville City Paper.
Richmond officials to discuss new ballpark today
Posted Jan. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Richmond-area officials are meeting today to develop a game plan for a new home for the Richmond Braves (Class AAA: International League). They are to look at options to satisfy the Braves’ desire for a new home within what Richmond officials envision as a vibrant sports and entertainment district on land the city owns along North Boulevard at Hermitage Road. The meeting will include representatives from Hanover County, as well as from the city and counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, which operate The Diamond through the Richmond Metropolitan Authority.
Legion plans to negotiate with Wendts
Posted Jan. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Members of the local chapter of the American Legion voted last night to begin formal negotiations with the Mid-Missouri Mavericks (independent; Frontier League) on a $10-million ballpark complex in east Columbia. The move is a small step in a process that likely will involve months of detailed discussions among Legion officials, team owners and Columbia leaders. However, the vote also is the first tangible step taken by any of the groups since the Columbia City Council approved general plans for the park in June. Mavs owners Brad and Gary Wendt have proposed building the ballpark at city-owned American Legion Park, off Broadway and east of Rustic Road. The Legion donated the land to the city in 2000 with the stipulation that the 16 acres be kept as a park.
A’s owner raises more questions than answers
Posted Jan. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
One of the largest audiences to attend a Fremont City Council meeting crowded the city chambers Tuesday night to hear what Oakland Athletics’ owner Lew Wolff would pitch. Many thought Wolff would give a presentation for his proposed ballpark village in Warm Springs. However, the baseball executive revealed little more than what was announced at Cisco Systems’ headquarters last November. What Wolff did present was a series of "What if" questions that he hopes he can answer in coming months. When asked what his village might look like, Wolff explained he had experts who might be able to answer that better, and that this was not the time to do so.
Uneasy at first, Mets embrace their New Orleans connection
Posted Jan. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
An affiliation with the New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) wasn’t the first choice of the New York Mets front office, but it’s beginning to look like things will work out well for both teams. New Orleans plays in the Pacific Coast League, famous for its far-flung cities and brutal road trips. Many big-league teams considering New Orleans for minor-league operations were concerned about the travel, the temptations on Bourbon Street and the post-Katrina logistics. But the Mets are embracing the new relationship in unexpected ways. They have donated $650,000 to causes in New Orleans since the hurricane. They wrote a check last week for $20,000 to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation for Little League fields. They are planning for Zephyrs players to work regularly with Habitat for Humanity.
Mitchell warns owners to cooperate with drug probe
Posted Jan. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell warned baseball owners that a lack of cooperation with his investigation into steroid use will "significantly increase" the chances of government involvement. Speaking to owners at baseball’s quarterly meetings, Mitchell said he intends to interview active players and raised the possibility that Congress or other government authorities could compel testimony. Mitchell cannot compel testimony. He warned the clubs that Congress or other federal or state authorities which do have subpoena power could get involved.
Wolff seeks tax rebate for new ballpark village
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Oakland A’s owner Lew Wolff this week dropped the first hint of the type of public financial aid he’ll be seeking to move the team to Fremont: a rebate of some of the new taxes his ballpark village would produce. Wolff told the Fremont City Council on Tuesday night that financial assistance would be limited to "county and city revenues generated by the ballpark village and our other development." The A’s owner gave no details on the mechanism for getting back his taxes or the amounts of money he’s seeking, but the implication is clear: the team will be asking for the equivalent of tax-increment financing for the project. It’s also clear he’s seeing some sort of TIF for the entire project, not just the ballpark; that would run into some serious money for Fremont. More from the San Jose Mercury News. Meanwhile, Wolff is looking to purchase 25 additional acres near the Oakland A’s planned Fremont ballpark site, a move that would give him control of nearly 200 acres on which to build his ballpark village concept, he said Wednesday. The possible land purchase was one piece of new information the A’s co-owner told reporters in a conference call a day after his first appearance at a Fremont City Council meeting. The A’s were given a mostly positive reception from council members and residents at Tuesday’s meeting, when dual themes emerged: There was excitement and optimism that the ballclub’s possible move to Fremont will benefit the city, followed by clear acknowledgment that many details on several fronts still need to be fleshed out. To help address those concerns, the A’s have hired consultants, Economic Research Associates, to deliver an economic study illustrating how the ballpark village will add millions in tax revenue to city coffers.
Ballpark financing lag worries Sounds
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Unless builders get shovels into the ground in a few weeks, the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) say a new downtown ballpark won’t be ready for the 2008 season as originally projected. "We are on a tight construction schedule, but we can do it if we get in the ground in early February," the team’s general manager, Glenn Yaeger, said Wednesday. "There is very little room for error." The Sounds recently finalized a $23 million loan from multiple banks as part of the team’s responsibility in the Memorandum of Understanding signed last February between the city, the Sounds and the Sounds’ private development partner, Baltimore-based Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse. The remaining piece of the financial puzzle is the $20 million of the construction fund for which Struever Bros. must secure financing.
Goodyear inks deal on spring-training facility
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
City leaders and top brass from the Cleveland Indians celebrated finalizing details that finance a new spring-training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. With the smell of hot dogs wafting through the air, the City Council unanimously approved on Wednesday an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority that will pay for half of the $75 million-spring training facility. The 10,000-seat stadium and spring training fields will be part of a mixed-use development called Ballpark Village. The stadium is planned for the southeast corner of the future Goodyear City Center at Estrella Parkway and Yuma Road, and is slated to open in 2009.
Winston-Salem approves new Warthogs ballpark; county is next
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Winston-Salem City Council voted 8-0 last night to approve spending $29 million over 25 years to help pay for a downtown ballpark for the Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League), spur urban redevelopment and remove urban blight. The vote marked approval of the city’s largest incentive package to date and came after residents expressed opposing views for nearly an hour. Developer Billy Prim — an owner of the Warthogs — said previously that he can’t move the project ahead without financial help from Forsyth County. But he may have to lower his request for $14 million from the county because officials said that they are not prepared to give him what he has asked for. Scott Sexton comments on the challenges facing city officials and developers. More from the Triad Business Journal.
Allentown ballpark begins to take shape
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Lehigh County’s Glenn Solt didn’t let the soggy, still-unfrozen mud caking his shoes Wednesday spoil his vision of opening day at the city’s new ballpark, slated to open in 2008 as the home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League). "Right here you can set your blankets and sandwiches up," the county’s capital projects manager said of what will be a grassy slope for seating past the centerfield and left-center walls. The $48.4 million project mostly resembled an earthen depression covered in spots with icy ponds during a Wednesday tour of the ballpark construction site. But out past the leftfield area, two concrete walls rose to form an entrance for concerts and other on-field activities. Along the planned third-base line, another concrete wall is in place as part of the home-team dugout. Site topography allows for better, roomier team facilities along third base than the usual home-team side. More from the Allentown Morning Call. Nick Fierro weighs in. Video from WFMZ.
Agency head says city hasn’t sought permission for ballpark deal
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Despite reports that Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Miami-Dade County officials are close to a deal to partially fund construction of a downtown ballpark for the Florida Marlins with Community Redevelopment Agency money, the agency’s director and chairman say the mayor has not contacted them. The mayor’s plan involves expanding the Overtown Community Redevelopment Agency’s boundaries to include the 9 acres next to the Stephen P. Clark Center targeted for a ballpark. But the agency would need to approve such a move, and Executive Director James Villacorta said he has not heard from Diaz about the possibility. The first step toward expanding the Community Redevelopment Agency boundary would be a study of the site to prove it fits the agency’s criteria for blighted conditions, Villacorta said. After subsequent public hearings, the agency board, which is composed of city commissioners, must approve the expansion before county commissioners vote.
Springdale City Council approves ballpark design
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Springdale (Ark.) City Council approved the design of a new ballpark for the relocated Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) while meeting as the finance committee Wednesday night. The ballpark, designed by HOK Sport, uses native stone and wood to give it a natural feel. Two members asked for the architects to give the council an option to use brick instead of stone for the facade, believing brick to be more traditional and durable. HOK is determining the probable cost of the ballpark, which has to come in below the $33 million approved by the voters in a July election. A 1 percent sales tax backed a bond sale to finance the facility. If the estimate comes in too high, the architects would have to change plans to lower expenses. HOK plans to deliver a budget for the project to the council next week.
City Council OKs Petco Park refinancing
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The San Diego City Council on Jan. 16 approved a refinancing of the city’s high-interest bonds for Petco Park through a private placement arranged with Bank of America. The city had planned to refinance the 2002 bonds, which carry a 7.66 percent rate, since 2004. But revelations about non-disclosures of expenses related to its employee pension plan triggered federal investigations and delayed annual financial audits that prevented the city from tapping into the public bond markets. Mayor Jerry Sanders said the proposed alternative to the public market refinancing will save the city about $3.7 million annually, or $93 million during the 25-year term. More from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Good riddance to the House Ruth Didn’t Build
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
This opinion piece follows what we’ve been saying all along about the plan to replace the current Yankee Stadium with a new ballpark: the current ballpark is not the same as the original Yankee Stadium — the House That Ruth Built — and should not be venerated as such. There are some hardcore Yankee fans who oppose the new ballpark because they view the current facility as being one and the same as the old one. The fact these opponents haven’t gained any traction suggests the New York sporting public — a very educated one, we think — knows better than to buy into the false nostalgia.
Hoppers eye home as a potential buy
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
By nearly every account, the move of the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low Class A; Sally League) move to First Horizon Park two years ago has been a financial hit. But the sweetest deal — one that benefits the minor-league baseball team and the city — may still be in the works: The Grasshoppers’ contract to lease First Horizon Park allows the team’s owners to buy the ballpark within the next 18 years for the original construction price of $23.5 million. The team’s lease agreement for First Horizon, which received scant attention when a downtown ballpark’s merit was being debated, might offer an upside to the team and the city. Team officials said this week that they likely will exercise that option within the next decade, meaning they will buy the ballpark for a steal if development around the ballpark continues as planned and the facility’s value increases.
Some on council aren’t buying Fort Wayne ballpark plan
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Five million dollars is a lot of money. But to City Councilman Tom Smith, it’s not enough to justify the city’s plan to spend $25 million more on a new downtown ballpark for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League). "If building stadiums downtown is a trend, the funding pattern should be a trend, too," said the First District Republican, noting that Atlanta-based Hardball Capital’s proposed contribution represents a considerably lower percentage of the total cost than private investors have contributed to other minor-league ballparks built in recent years. "The city should ask for more money [from Hardball], and if we don’t see it, I’ll have a problem [voting for the project]."
Fenty joins D.C. ballpark’s fans
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The District of Columbia’s $611 million ballpark for the Washington Nationals might be the most politically contentious project in recent memory, but as the ballpark’s opening in early 2008 approaches, more and more city officials seem to be coming on board. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty was front and center Tuesday as city leaders and Nationals officials broke ground on an expansion of the Navy Yard Metro Station to handle game crowds. So were D.C. Council members Phil Mendelson and Jim Graham. All three had voted against the ballpark funding package several times, with Fenty among the fiercest opponents during his tenure on the council.
GreenJackets ticket sales up again
Posted Jan. 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Season ticket sales for the Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) upcoming season are on pace to exceed last season’s record-setting numbers, assistant general manager Tom D’Abruzzo said Wednesday. Last season, the GreenJackets, low Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, tripled their season ticket-holding base at Lake Olmstead Stadium from less than 400 to about 1,200. D’Abruzzo said the team, which is owned by Cal Ripken Jr. and the Ripken Baseball Group, offers a variety of ticket plans. GreenJackets general manager Nick Brown said the team is optimistic it will surpass last year’s total by the