The El Paso City Council moved forward on a new-ballpark plan for a Class AAA Pacific Coast League team, signing a term sheet with MountainStar Sports Group LLC.
With the passage, the council directed the city manager to move forward on a term sheet, detailing the ballpark construction and funding plan. With that term sheet in hand, MountainStar Sports Group LLC will then move forward in discussions with the Pacific Coast League on a purchase of a team. The ballpark will sit between 7,000 and 9,000 and the total cost of the project, which will include the demolition of City Hall, will be $50 million.
The proposed financing plan: a 2 percentage point increase in the city’s hotel tax, which will rise to 17.5 percent. While some local hoteliers have spoken out against the hike, it’s not clear whether any organized opposition will arise against the referendum item.
Ballpark planning could begin next month and demolition of City Hall, where the ballpark will sit, would begin next year. The goal: a 2014 opening.
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