Wilmington (N.C.) officials say they’re dedicated to a new-ballpark budget under $40 million, but talks between the city and Mandalay Baseball Properties continue over the parameters of a deal.
The two sides are working on a proposal for a public funded new facility to be managed by Mandalay and occupied by the relocating Lynchburg Hillcats (High Class A; Carolina League), a team to be owned by the Atlanta Braves. The city has taken first steps toward a $42-million bond issue, but city leaders want to see the total cost of the project come in below $40 million — and it will take at least $6 million for the waterfront site under consideration.
Last week’s negotiations failed to yield a deal, but talks are still ongoing. “There’s a lot of details to be worked out,” said Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo. “We’ve come to agreement on some terms and we want to make sure that their lawyers see it, our lawyers approve of it, so there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
The latest move: the City Council moved forward with steps needed to put a referendum on the fall ballot for voter approval of a new facility. The city has until Aug. 8 to come up with the actual ballot language, and an Aug. 7 meeting of the City Council is set to approve a total amount to bonded.
RELATED STORIES: Negotiations fail to yield agreement on Wilmington ballpark; Wilmington ballpark to go before voters this fall; New Wilmington ballpark: uncertainty reigns; Wilmington officials: Proposed ballpark lease won’t happen; Wilmington to ask voters to approve new-ballpark bonding; NSS: New ballpark would generate $172 million in new spending; Third time’s the charm: petition opposing Wilmington ballpark funding succeeds; More signatures tossed in Wilmington anti-ballpark petition drive;Opponents of Wilmington ballpark fail in petition drive; No ballpark money in upcoming Wilmington budget; “Free” land not so free in Wilmington; Referendum on horizon for new Wilmington ballpark; Wilmington ballpark sites down to three; poll indicates support; Mayor slams Wilmington ballpark financing proposal; Preferred site emerging for Wilmington ballpark?; Mandalay, Braves to update Wilmington on ballpark; Five potential ballpark sites under discussion in Wilmington; The race is on: NSS given marching orders in Wilmington; Wilmington bypasses Ripken Design as ballpark project manager; NSS is hired; Ripken Design chosen to oversee Wilmington ballpark planning; controversy ensues; Mandalay, Braves to pursue private financing for new Wilmington ballpark; Business leaders to push for new Wilmington ballpark; What should Wilmington expect for new-ballpark attendance?; Poll: Wilmington residents overwhelmingly oppose public financing of new ballpark; Proposed Wilmington lease: Mandalay would pay 12 percent of debt service; Atlanta Braves have tentative deal to buy Lynchburg Hillcats; New Wilmington ballpark would be part of hotel, marina complex; Wilmington to move forward with ballpark talks; Wilmington to discuss new Braves ballpark tomorrow night; Wilmington looks at development deal with Mandalay, Braves; Wilmington ballpark dead on arrival?; Another new effort for Wilmington minor-league baseball?
—-
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Are you a subscriber to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter? You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!
Follow Ballpark Digest on Google + and add us to your circles!