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West Virginia Legislature approves Morgantown TIF funding

New West Virginia University ballpark

As expected, the West Virginia Legislature approved a $96-million TIF district for Morgantown, paving the way for a new ballpark for West Virginia University and a short-season NY-Penn League team.

The proposed TIF district legislation died when the Legislature adjourned Saturday night. But with other important pieces of legislation still on the table as well, it was expected that the Legislature would meet this week for a special session — which happened yesterday. In the end, both chambers of the Legislature voted unanimously to approve the TIF district and a new highway interchange to serve the ballpark and other development in the area.

The bill authorized $96 million in TIF financing for a Morgantown development that would include a $16.2-million ballpark for the West Virginia Mountaineers baseball team and a short-season-A NY-Penn League team. There has not been a firm announcement as to when the new ballpark will open; given that TIF funding is only approved now and no site work has been done on the facility, we’ve expect a 2014 opening. The NY-Penn League has announced a team will be moving there in 2015 once the ballpark is done.

Rendering courtesy West Virginia University.

RELATED STORIES: Morgantown ballpark bill dies in leg; hopes of revival this week; NY-Penn League announces franchise shift to Morgantown; New Morgantown ballpark advances; TIF district approved for Morgantown ballpark; First TIF approved for new Morgantown ballpark; New West Virginia ballpark greenlighted by Monogalia CountyWest Virginia ballpark renderings releasedMorgantown emerging as potential Bucs farm-team home?Monongalia County approves WVU ballparkWork continues on new WVU ballparkWVU: We want new ballpark for us, NY-Penn League team

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