This week brought more signs of progress for an upcoming High Point, NC ballpark, as the city approved some key agreements relating to the facility.
The planning process continues for the new High Point ballpark, which is currently expected to open in 2019 for a franchise in the independent Atlantic League. The ballpark is envisioned as an anchor of a larger downtown redevelopment concept that could include an event center, children’s museum, hotels, apartments, and more.
Demolition of existing buildings on the project site began in December, and the city took additional steps forward on Thursday. While the city’s borrowed bonds for the project went on sale, officials also approved a lease and an operational agreement. More from Fox 8:
”This is it. We are off and running. The train has left the station,” High Point University President Dr. Nido Qubein said.
On Thursday, the city’s borrowed bonds went on sale, putting $36 million in High Point’s bank to fund the stadium. The city also signed a 10-year lease and 20-year operational agreement with the incoming baseball team and stadium operator. It guarantees the city annual income, allowing High Point to pay off the project.
The buildings that once stood at the construction site of the stadium are now leveled.
“To me, I drive by it quite a bit, and I just see the opportunity that our city has to improve our city, improve our downtown, bring life back to our downtown,” Mayor Jay Wagner said.
For the larger redevelopment plan, a group led by High Point University president Nido Qubein has raised $50 million, with some of those funds going toward the construction of various amenities. The ballpark is expected to be completed in 2019, with other components of the larger redevelopment project opening over subsequent years.
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