After much rancor, a federal lawsuit and assertions that voters were being ignored, those same voters roared back with a vengeance, overwhelmingly approving a rise in the hotel/motel tax to fund a new downtown ballpark for a Triple-A Pacific Coast League team. Proposition 3, which raised the hotel/motel tax by two percentage points, with the […]
Tag Archives | el paso
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 […]
El Paso: ballpark will happen with or without hotel tax
A new downtown El Paso ballpark will happen with or without voter approval of a hotel/motel tax hike, according to city officials, as opponents argue that voting down the tax will be the same as voting down the ballpark. Proposition 3 on the Nov. 6 bond ballot designates the ballpark as a sports venue — […]
El Paso: No federal issues at play in ballpark lawsuit
A lawsuit filed to halt a new El Paso ballpark on the grounds city officials violated the Voting Rights Act is being challenged by city attorneys as not being within the legal purview of the federal government. The lawsuit says ballpark planning should be shut down because city officials — including city manager Linda Wilson […]
MountainStar Sports takes control of Tucson Padres
With all the requisite paperwork and permissions complete, MountainStar Sports Group has taken control of the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), paving the way for a move to El Paso in 2014. Realistically, the sale of the team was close to final when MountainStar Sports Group signed a Franchise Purchase Agreement on Sept. […]
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 […]
MountainStar Sports buys Tucson Padres
MountainStar Sports Group, which has a deal to bring affiliated baseball to a new downtown El Paso ballpark, says it has signed a Franchise Purchase Agreement for the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). It’s been a hectic few weeks for the four investors comprising MountainStar: the El Paso City Council narrowly passed a downtown-ballpark […]
No reason to worry about gap in Saints ballpark financing — yet
City officials are nervous about a $2-million “shortfall” in funding for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark, but such hand-wringing is just silly, silly talks from folks inexperienced in building ballparks. The issue: only $52 million has been allocated by the state, city and the Saints for the ballpark, demolition work on […]
Opponents: El Paso ballpark debate not over
Though the fat lady is warming up her vocal cords off to the side, opponents of a new El Paso ballpark say they’ll make one last effort at a petition drive to kill the deal approved this week. The El Paso City Council approved a lease this week for a new $50-million ballpark with MountainStar […]
For Tucson, El Paso ballpark deal is bad news
While ballpark developments this week have pleased El Paso baseball fans, they represent bad news for Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) fans, who once again must deal with the loss of affiliated ball. It’s been no secret that the T-Padres were a short-term play at Kino Stadium; Jeff Moorad and crew were working […]
Mayor won’t veto ballpark lease; PCL to El Paso in 2014
El Paso Mayor John Cook says he won’t veto a lease for a new downtown ballpark, clearing the way for the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) to move there in 2014. MountainStar Sports has a deal to buy the Padres and move the team to El Paso, contingent on the city approving a ballpark […]
El Paso mayor: I’ll announce ballpark decision today
The fate of a new $50-million ballpark in downtown El Paso now lies in the hands of a single man — Mayor John Cook — and he’ll announce his decision today. The El Paso City Council approved a lease for a new downtown ballpark for the Tucson Padre (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) Tuesday by […]
El Paso ballpark approval squeaks through
By a narrow 4-3 margin, the El Paso City Council approved a proposed lease with MountainStar Sports for a new $50 million downtown ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), but don’t assume the issue is settled — yet. After hours and hours of public input on the new ballpark, the […]