A new downtown ballpark may be in the cards for the Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally League), as city officials debate the pros and cons during a planning retreat today. It’s no secret downtown Kannapolis could use a boost, and some city officials say a new Intimidators ballpark could substantially increase foot traffic and […]
Tag Archives | downtown
Downtown tax for new Rays ballpark looking iffy
If a new downtown Tampa ballpark is to happen, it probably won’t happen with the help of downtown property taxes, as politicos eye alternative uses of the proceeds of a TIF district. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and his staff have held out the possibility of using the proceeds of a downtown TIF, Downtown Tampa Community Redevelopment […]
Construction begins on new El Paso ballpark
With City Hall imploded and its debris almost gone, construction has begun on a new downtown El Paso ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). Debris from City Hall is still being removed (that chore should be completed by the end of the week), but in the meantime crews are installing […]
New downtown ballpark under consideration in Colorado Springs
Business and political leaders are growing more enamored of the idea of a new downtown ballpark for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), to the point of seeking public input on the issue. The Sky Sox currently play at Security Service Field, where the team has made plenty of investments in […]
Former Hagerstown mayor joins Suns front office
Former Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II, who led the effort for a new Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) downtown ballpark, has joined the team’s front office as Director of Sales, Marketing and Community Affairs. Bruchey’s background is in sales, so the hiring isn’t a huge stretch. And given that some people in […]
El Paso ballpark debate enters final stretch
The debate over public funding of a new downtown El Paso ballpark enters the final stretch, with both sides making a push to convince voters to support them in the upcoming elections. The immediate issue: whether or not to approve a 2 percentage point hike in the city’s hotel/motel tax to mostly fund a $50-million […]
More land assembled for new Rays ballpark?
The sale of a half-dozen contiguous parcels in downtown Tampa could foreshadow yet another proposal for a Tampa Bay Rays ballpark site, this time from Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik. The land, close to the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Channelside Drive, was purchased for $9.5 million by a corporation that involves Vinik and […]
El Paso ballpark foes file suit in federal court to shut down project
Opponents of a new downtown El Paso ballpark for a Class AAA franchise have filed suit in U.S. District Court and invoked the Voting Rights Act, saying the siting of the facility was racially motivated. We’re not so sure we see the logic of the lawsuit, but it makes some serious allegation against City Manager […]
El Paso mayor: I can still scuttle ballpark deal
El Paso Mayor John Cook says he may veto a proposed deal for a new Triple-A downtown ballpark, and there’s a chance the City Council may lack the votes to override it. Cook, an opponent of building a new ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), has the power to veto […]
Anonymous donor pledges $15M for new Hagerstown ballpark
The financing of a new downtown Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) ballpark got a little easier after an anonymous donor pledged $15 million toward the project. The donor, a former resident of Hagerstown now living as a retiree in Pennsylvania, asked for two things: naming rights for the facility and a statue. The […]
Residents seek more input in new Hagerstown ballpark
A group seeking public input into the decision to build a new downtown ballpark for the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) presented 910 signatures to the city council last night. The group opposes a new downtown ballpark for two reasons: taking on new debt during lean times makes little financial sense, and it […]
Hagerstown: Construction of new ballpark could begin next spring
Construction on a new downtown ballpark for the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) could begin as early as spring 2013 if things come together, according to a progress report issued by Hagerstown. Here’s the fuil press release: The City of Hagerstown is continuing its efforts to create a significant downtown revitalization project featuring […]
Hagerstown takes first steps toward ballpark bonding
The Hagerstown City Council took a preliminary step toward a bonding proposal for a new downtown Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A: Sally League), with final approval set for this fall. It’s not close to a done deal, as the city still needs to come to a lease agreement with the Suns, but the wheels are […]