Ocala (Fl.) officials performed a postmortem on its proposal for a new Tampa Yankees (High Class A; Florida State League) ballpark and figured out why it failed: Not every major stakeholder was committed. The Ocala City Council discussed the project at recent strategic planning meetings. The proposal was pretty clear: proceeds from a half-cent sales-tax […]
Tag Archives | marion county
Yankees suspend efforts on new Ocala ballpark UPDATED!
Efforts to fund a proposed Tampa Yankees (High Class A; Midwest League) ballpark in Ocala are being suspended at the request of parent New York Yankees, with Marion County concurring in the matter. No details have been released about the request from the Yankees; presumably some will be released at Monday’s noon meeting. From Ocala.com: […]
County vote on new Yankees ballpark delayed
A decision on a sales tax to fund a new Tampa Yankees (High Class A; Florida State League) ballpark has been delayed as Marion County searches for an alternative funding source. The proposal would put the issue of a half-cent sales-tax hike to referendum by Marion County voters; the proceeds would be used for a […]
Marion County delays decision on ballpark sales-tax referendum
A decision on a public referendum covering a sales-tax hike for a new Tampa Yankees (High Class A; Florida State League) ballpark in Ocala has been delayed by Marion County commissioners until later in December. Really, the decision has little to do with the merits of a sales-tax hike and more to do with whether […]
Marion County to take up Yankees ballpark funding Tuesday
Marion County Commissioners will decide tomorrow whether to spend $175,000 toward a referendum on whether county residents should pay a half-cent sales tax for a new Tampa Yankees (High Class A; Florida State League) ballpark. The issue: whether to hold the referendum at the polls or use a mail-in ballot. It looked like the referendum […]
Next step for new Ocala ballpark: sales-tax approval
The next hurdle for a proposed Tampa Yankees (High Class A; Florida State League) ballpark in Ocala: a sales tax to fund the facility, which much be approved by Marion County. Ocala officials want to institute a half-cent sales tax to fund the ballark and development in the surrounding area. The ballpark would cost $38 […]
Pro ball in Ocala? Not likely, per the numbers
Though there’s some public enthusiasm to bring a Florida State League team to Ocala, the chances of it happening are very slim, say owners who know the circuit well. The topic of pro baseball in central Florida came up at the Winter Meetings with several owners; it’s an area we know well after spending a […]