A series of tweaks to the design of a new Fayetteville ballpark have been proposed, as Populous and Barton Malow work to bring the project in on budget.
Fayetteville has set a $33 million budget for the construction of its new downtown ballpark, which is slated to open in 2019 for the Buies Creek Astros (High A; Carolina League). After an initial estimate of $39 million, design firm Populous and construction manager Barton Malow made a series of changes to lower that figure to $34.7 million.
Another round of changes has produced another reduction in the estimate. As unveiled Thursday, the ballpark’s concourse would be lowered, while the Ray Avenue gate would be used only as an exit, and the proposal also calls for a more efficient design of the building behind the home dugout.
In making these adjustments, officials believe that the ballpark is not only projected to come in on budget, but will preserve some of its key amenities. Fayetteville has desired a 4,600-seat facility with several other features–including a 360-degree concourse–and the Houston Astros have sought to ensure that some key player development amenities are included.
A more detailed overview of the project is expected to be presented next month, but with the cost estimate now at $33.3 million, officials believe that the ballpark will come in on budget. More from The Fayetteville Observer:
David Bower, a Populous senior project manager, said he liked having a Ray Avenue entrance. But most operators, including those at the stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, which the city wants to model, rely on only one entrance.
“It’s a cost-cutting thing,” Bower said.
Bower said the current design calls for about 4,600 fixed stadium seats.
Both firms will continue to refine the preliminary costs and plans for the stadium to the full council during a special meeting June 19.
The Buies Creek Astros are slated to play the next two seasons at Campbell University’s Jim Perry Stadium. The team is expected to rebrand before moving to the new ballpark in Fayetteville.
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