Redevelopment of the Capital City Stadium site could begin later this year, with Columbia, SC officials anticipating a mixed-use project that includes apartments and other features.
Capital City Stadium is a former affiliated Minor League Baseball and summer-collegiate ballpark with a unique history. The former home of the Columbia Mets/Capital City Bombers (Low A; Sally League) and Columbia Blowfish (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League), Capital City Stadium was originally built by Hall of Famer and Pittsburgh Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss in 1927. It went on to host numerous teams over its decades of use, with the last affiliated minor league franchise to play there being the Mets/Bombers, who called the ballpark home from 1983-2004 before relocating to Greenville, SC. They were followed by the Blowfish from 2006-2014.
Various redevelopment proposals for the site have been pitched over the years, and a current plan appears poised to move forward. According to Columbia City councilman Will Brennan, the mixed-use project could include apartments, along with retail space and an outdoor plaza. More from WLTX.com:
“Lots of developers have come to town. There is one currently that we feel confident that they will close on a wonderful development,” Brennan said. “Currently looking at over 250 market rate apartments…. One, two and three bedroom units.”…
“There’s going to be a retail component as well, we’re being told, 20,000 sq. ft. and some outdoor shared use in the plaza, so a nice public component to it as well,” Brennan said.
Construction on the new facility could begin as early as this summer.
Plenty of notable players passed through Capital City Stadium over its history. Frank Robinson suited up for the Columbia Reds in 1954 and 1955, while Hank Aaron appeared at Capital City Stadium in 1953 as a member of the Jacksonville Braves in what would be in his final minor league game. In the ballpark’s later years of hosting affiliated baseball, Jose Reyes and David Wright were among the future stars that suited up for the Bombers. Capital City Stadium is currently on our Endangered Ballparks list.
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