Wilmington City Council members said they wanted to make sure they covered all bases before considering an agreement toward a taxpayer funded ballpark that would host an Atlanta Braves Class-A team. After months of rough drafts, tweaks and counters, council on Tuesday will consider a 12-page memorandum to firm the deal’s major points.
Details about the proposed 20-year agreement with the Braves and sports entertainment group Mandalay Baseball Properties are here; background on the city’s work and investments so far is here.
The basics of the proposal include:
- a 6,200-seat, city-owned stadium to be built beside the Cape Fear River downtown;
- at a cost not to exceed $31 million for the stadium’s construction and $6 million for the land;
- with the Braves-Mandalay bound to pay $500,000 annually for management and rent fees;
- and construction by April 2014 or April 2015, depending on the design process;
- all contingent on Wilmington voters approving a $37 million bond referendum on November 6.
City Council’s meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, will include a number of other considerations as well, including a request to staff four Wilmington police officers at New Hanover County schools to ensure safety and reduce crime. The city and school district have had such agreements in place since 2008.
“In past years, the Council has expressed strong support for the partnership and the additional effectiveness this partnership can have on safety within our schools and neighborhoods,” City Manager Sterling Cheatham explained in a memo. The arrangement costs the city $210,000 annually, with the county school system reimbursing about a third of the price, or just less than $70,000.
A news release from the city also noted that the school district receives more than $750,000 a year from funds raised from SafeLight citations. The program catches red-light runners with mounted cameras.
In another request, council will consider assigning police officers to the Wilmington Housing Authority’s facilities. For the service, the Authority would reimburse the city an annual amount not to exceed $158,000.
“In past years, the Council has expressed strong support of this agreement,” Cheatham wrote. “It will continue to promote positive steps to ensure safety in our neighborhoods.”
The full agenda is viewable here.
