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Frontier Field Lease Extension Finalized

Rochester Red Wings

After announcing an agreement last month, the Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League) and Monroe County revealed Wednesday the completion of a Frontier Field lease extension. 

Prior to last month’s announcement, the Red Wings and Monroe County experienced difficulties in completing a 10-year lease extension for Frontier Field that would include the 2018 season. That effectively put the team in a position where it was occupying the ballpark on a month-to-month basis, and International League president Randy Mobley threatened to move the team this season if a new lease was not in place by March 1.

In the middle of last month, the team and the county announced that they had come to terms on a 10-year lease extension that included a mutual option for another 10 years. That agreement had to go through various channels before being finalized, but on Wednesday the Red Wings and Monroe County took part in a news conference to announce the lease extension. More from The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle:

“Today marks the end of a long road, one that ultimately resulted in a great new lease with the Rochester Red Wings,” said County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo. “It will help keep the team here for decades to come while protecting the team and certainly protecting our county taxpayers as well.”

The new agreement carries a term of 10 years with a mutual option for an additional 10 years. As part of the lease, the Red Wings will pay $100,000 per year in rent on the now 22-year-old venue, while the county has agreed to make any stadium upgrades required by the International League.

“I want to thank the county executive and the County Legislature on both sides of the aisle for their support in approving this lease for Frontier Field,” said Naomi Silver, chief operating officer of Rochester Community Baseball Inc. “We were able to agree that the upgrades that the facility needs will be undertaken by the county, and Frontier Field will again become the jewel of the International League.”

The lease was announced Feb. 12, but there were still several boxes that needed to be checked off leading to Wednesday’s official rollout. On Feb. 13, the agreement had to be approved by the County Legislature, which it was by unanimous vote. A local measure authorizing the lease was thereafter subject to a public hearing which was held on Feb. 23, and that law was filed with the New York secretary of State, in accordance with local law standards. Finally, on Feb. 28, all the t’s were crossed and i’s were dotted.

The new agreement will take effect on April 1. Frontier Field has been the team’s home since 1997.

RELATED STORIES: Red Wings: 10 More Years at Frontier Field After Signing New LeaseMarch 1 Deadline Set For Frontier League Lease NegotiationsInternational League Could Find New Home for Red Wings in 2018Could Rochester Red Wings Relocate in 2018?Red Wings, Monroe County Still Working on Frontier Field LeaseRed Wings Agree to New Frontier Field LeaseRochester Red Wings Locked in Lease Dispute

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