The construction of Regions Field continues, reports the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League), with today’s highlight the beginning of construction of the ballpark’s new high-def videoboard.
We’re looking forward to seeing the new ballpark this coming season. So are the local citizens, apparently, as the ballpark is already attracting lots of attention from both fans and investors. The Birmingham News recently reported on the increased level of financial investments being made in the ballpark area — investments that would not have happened without the new ballpark. From Stan Diel:
Duffy’s Garage, a high-end auto shop near Pepper Place, has bought a warehouse near the ballpark and is renovating it. Developer John Lauriello is fielding calls from people interested in a First Avenue South lot he and other investors recently bought. And practically everyone is eyeing the Merita bakery at the west end of the park.
Lauriello, who invested in a 28,000 square-foot lot and a building at the intersection of First Avenue South and 14th Street South, initially floated the idea of a restaurant. But a hotel developer from Atlanta has expressed interest, and there are plenty of other options.
“We just think that’s a great corner. A home run corner,” he said. “It could be built to suit.”
The new ballpark is slated to open April 2013.
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