A vote by the Birmingham City Council approving a new downtown ballpark may have been an important step in the process, but the real work is just beginning: finalizing the financials and coming to a lease agreement with the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League). The Barons are key to the ballpark actually being built; […]
Tag Archives | downtown
Amarillo can support downtown ballpark: CSL
A new downtown Amarillo ballpark is financially feasible and capable of hosting events other than professional baseball throughout the year, according to a study presented to the City Council by Conventions Sports & Leisure. The report estimated that a market the size of Amarillo could support an independent-league team and draw between 3,700 and 4,200 […]
Birmingham approves new downtown ballpark, but second vote needed
The Birmingham City Council gave preliminary approval to a proposed downtown ballpark funded by a hike in hotel taxes, but because the vote was not unanimous, the measure must again be approved by the council next week. The plan calls for the city to raise the hotel tax rate by 3.5 percentage points, with the […]
New Birmingham ballpark could create $3.8 billion in economic activity: study
A new downtown Birmingham ballpark could generate $3.8 billion in direct and indirect spending, according to a study created by a research professional and local economics professor, presented to the Birmingham City Council yesterday. The study, created by Conventions Sports & Leisure and economist Keivan Deravi of Auburn University at Montgomery, concluded that the city […]
Amarillo mulls downtown ballpark
Amarillo (Texas) is laying the groundwork for a new ballpark, as a downtown organization is working with the city on generating proposals for a private/public partnership on a new baseball facility; meanwhile, Potter County is still seeking a tenant for its ballpark. The organization, Downtown Amarillo, recently presented the city with a game plan to […]
Birmingham City Council to vote on new ballpark next week
The Birmingham City Council is expected to vote on a proposed new downtown ballpark next week, but before then the city will hear a report on the potential economic impact of a new facility. As city approval comes closer, we’re receiving further specifics about the project. First, the ballpark would actually be built by a […]
Birmingham City Council: We support ballpark tax, but we want team first
The Birmingham City Council today passed a resolution expressing support for a doubling of the city’s hotel tax rate to pay for a new downtown ballpark — but in the process added a crucial condition to the deal. The condition: that the hotel tax wouldn’t kick in and construction wouldn’t begin on the ballpark unless […]
Report: Petco Park providing 7.6% return on city investment
So much for the malarkey that a new ballpark can never provide a financial return to a public investment: San Diego’s $301 million investment in Petco Park will net the city $355 million in new tax revenue — a ROI of 7.6 percent. Critics, of course, scoff at the numbers, saying downtown San Diego would […]
Victory Field / Indianapolis Indians
Victory Field is one of the most lauded ballparks built in the last 20 years; go to the Indy Indians’ Web site and you’ll see kudos from the likes of Bob Costas, who hails the minor-league ballpark as one of the best ever built. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 14,200 Largest crowd: 16,168 (July 22, […]