It looks like one rationale for a new downtown Birmingham ballpark — attracting economic development — is already coming to fruition, as several developers negotiate land deals in the immediate area. The new home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) has already attracted one sale of land to a developer, with several other […]
Tag Archives | downtown
Hagerstown pitches downtown ballpark
Facing the potential loss of the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League), Hagerstown officials are pitching a new downtown ballpark as a way to keep baseball in town. The Suns are negotiating with Winchester (Va.) officials for a new ballpark in that city, though no final agreement on a lease or funding plan has […]
Saints ballpark funding part of state bonding bill
Another year, another run at the new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark funding plan — and the news this year is the most positive ever for a new downtown facility. January is usually the time when the annual drive for a new ballpark begins. The month sees the beginning of the State Legislature […]
Sounds: We prefer East Bank for new-ballpark site
Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ownership has settled on the city’s East Bank area as the site of a new ballpark, a week after a consultant identified three possible facility locations. Populous identified three potential sites for a ballpark: the East Bank of the Cumberland River, Sulphur Dell located near Germantown and the […]
Missoula closes on purchase of Osprey home
The Missoula City Council is buying Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, the home of the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League) for $3.55 million, bailing out the nonprofit Play Ball Missoula and providing a solid base for the ballpark’s future. The city is using $2 million in city redevelopment funds and issuing $1.55 million in new […]
Boise ballpark search to focus on downtown site
The search for a new Boise Hawks (short season A; Northwest League) ballpark site by local business leaders will focus on downtown Boise, as a third feasibility study will compare potential sites for review by the city and the team. The group of local business leaders, Better Boise Coalition, unveiled their plan yesterday. It’s pretty […]
Poppe: New College World Series ballpark just dandy
Dennis Poppe, the NCAA vice president for football and baseball, says TD Ameritrade Park is working out well as the new home of the College World Series. Of course, what else is he gonna say? His statements come at the first week of games at the new $131-million downtown Omaha ballpark. There have been a […]
Voters to decide Augusta ballpark fate
Voters will decide whether to move ahead on a new Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) ballpark, as the issue will be on the 2012 general-election ballot. The proposal is for a $38.7-million downtown ballpark/entertainment/retail complex on 12 acres of vacant land. It’s not set yet exactly what will be asked of voters. There […]
Augusta ballpark back in play?
Despite an overwhelming lack of enthusiasm among city voters for financing a new Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) ballpark, the issue will once again be discussed at an Augusta Commission meeting Tuesday. There’s not been much traction on a proposal to build a new downtown ballpark on a 17-acre parcel to replace Lake […]
Birmingham reviewing alternate ballpark sites
Though Mayor William Bell says a proposed downtown Birmingham ballpark site is still in Railroad Park, city officials will begin reviewing other potential ballpark sites, including some city-owned parcels that could bring down the cost of the project. One such parcel is land near the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. Indeed, city officials have already asked […]
Birmingham ballpark situation more complicated than anticipated
The Birmingham City Council has agreed on a funding plan for a new downtown ballpark to house the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League), but they can’t agree on the location — a situation complicated by balky ballpark-area landowners. Mayor William Bell has been upfront about where he wanted to see a new downtown ballpark: […]
Birmingham: We want Hoover to keep SEC tourney
Birmingham (Al.) officials say they will support nearby Hoover’s bid to keep the Southeastern Conference baseball tourney in Regions Park, avoiding an intraregional spat for the rights to the well-attended event. Things are already tense between Birmingham and Hoover officials over Birmingham’s plans to build a new downtown ballpark and the subsequent agreement by the […]
Barons reach deal to play at new ballpark
The last piece in a new downtown Birmingham ballpark is in place, as the owners of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) confirm they’ve reached initial agreement with the city on a lease, clearing the way for construction to begin. A letter of intent was signed yesterday. The participation of the Barons was key: […]