Ground for a new Malden ballpark could be broken later this year, allowing the facility to open in 2019, according to developer Alexander Bok.
Late last year, Bok made it known that he was shifting gears on his proposal for a ballpark in Malden, MA. While the developer had previously pitched the facility for the independent Atlantic League, he revealed that a Minor League Baseball franchise could be in play.
Bringing an affiliated team to Malden will require Bok to clear some hurdles, including approval from MiLB and the Boston Red Sox. That is aside from some of the work that must be on the development, including a new terms with the city council and Malden Redevelopment Authority, as well as a property acquisition agreement National Grid.
If all of those steps could be completed over the coming months, work on the project could begin later this year, thus allowing for a 2019 opening. On Tuesday, Bok confirmed to the Malden City Council that some in MiLB are interested in the proposal, but declined to offer specifics. More from Wicked Local:
Bok said he could not disclose the details of those talks due to Minor League rules, but he did say that several owners in the New England region are interested in selling a club to him.
“We’re where we need to be with relation to that,” Bok said. “We are now in the process of securing a team and aiming to break ground later this year.”
It remains to be seen what options could be available to Bok, but it is worth noting that multiple short-season New York-Penn League teams are on the market. The total project pitched by Bok is expected to cost $80 million, with the funding proposal including $60 million in private funds and the State of Massachusetts providing the remaining $20 million.
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