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Mud Hens unveil ballpark expansion plans, neighborhood investment

Toledo Mud HensThe Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League) are working on an expansion of Fifth Third Field that would also invest in the revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood.

The total cost of the project would be between $10 million and $15 million. Within the ballpark, the Swamp Shop store could be expanded, and both a rooftop patio and restaurant could be added. In addition, long-vacant buildings next to the ballpark would be torn down to make way for new development. From the Toledo Blade:

The proposal includes restoring a pair of three-story buildings on St. Clair adjacent to the stadium as well as the old Spangler Candy Co. building across the street.

So far, the project participants are the Mud Hens, Lathrop Co., and Tom Porter Architects, and the plan involves more than $1 million in buildings and other property the Mud Hens acquired two years ago, Mr. Napoli said during the monthly meeting of the Toledo Warehouse District Association….

“We have watched as the Warehouse District has flourished all around us,” Joe Napoli said later in an interview with The Blade. “Unfortunately two buildings adjacent to Fifth Third Field have just never been developed. So out of a sense of community, we asked ourselves who is going to develop these buildings. The more we thought about it, the more we felt we are probably the most likely candidate to develop these buildings successfully.”

Right now the development plans are in the early stages of development; the team is working with its development partners to identify additional funding sources (including federal tax credits), finalize plans and apply for demolition permits.

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