The Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League) negotiated a new lease for Alliance Bank Stadium that gives them an option to buy for $3.05 million — a deal that seems destined to happen.
Onondaga County had put management of the ballpark, as well as its downtown arena, up for bid and attracted five offers. At the end of the day, the Chiefs ended up winning the right to manage the ballpark as well as gaining an option to buy the ballpark for $3.05 million. And while some county commissioners thought the sale price low — the ballpark cost $28 million to build — it does take half a million or so annually off the county books permanently.
The lease calls for the Chiefs to assume the half-million annually in maintenance costs while paying $126,000 annually. That price goes up 2 percent annually — until the Chiefs buy the ballpark, which seems to be an inevitability, according to comments made by Onondaga County officials.
With the new lease, the Chiefs plan on changes to the ballpark, including a new scoreboard and arranging new food concessions.
RELATED STORIES: Five bidders emerge for Alliance Bank Stadium lease; For sale: Alliance Bank Stadium; Alliance Bank Stadium
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