The sale of Cooper Stadium, the former home of the Columbus Clippers (Class AAA; International League), to a developer seeking to convert it to a racetrack/car complex is expected to close next week.
Cooper Stadium, which opened in 1932, has sat empty since the Clippers move to a new downtown ballpark, Huntington Park, in 2009. Even before the Clippers moved there was a proposal from William Schottenstein and his development firm to buy the property and convert it to a racetrack and car-research facility.
After hearing input from residents concerned about noise and other impacts, the plan was changed to everyone’s satisfaction. Part of the ballpark grandstand will remain intact, but the rest of the grounds will change to accommodate the automotive racing.
The $3.9 million sale is expected to be approved by Franklin County Commissioners next Tuesday.
Photo by Jim Robins.
RELATED STORIES: Racing OK’d for former Clippers home; Racing proposal at Cooper Stadium draws opposition; Cooper Stadium renovation moves forward; Columbus grapples with future of Cooper Stadium
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