The architect and project manager who have been working on the proposed downtown baseball stadium updated City Councilmembers on the status of the project this morning, and one thing was clear: Getting construction underway is important in order to meet the beginning of the 2015 baseball season.
“Let’s get out of the dugout,” Councilmember Kenny Glavan said during the meeting. Other councilmembers stressed that only $36 million would be available for the project. The figure includes a $15 million grant from BP restoration funds.
Councilmembers have not set a date for their voting on borrowing $21 million for the city’s share of the project, but architect Doug Dale and construction manager Chet Nadolski of Yates Construction presented them a timeline that suggested a vote on Jan. 28, with the stadium being substantially completed in May 2015, the month after the 2015 Double-A season begins.
Meantime, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and Mayor A.J. Holloway are expected to join other baseball and community leaders for a ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday afternoon at 2 at the site, which is at the foot of Caillavet Street at U.S. 90. The event is being coordinated by Overtime Sports and the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. Overtime Sports is the firm the city hired to help lure professional baseball to Biloxi, and Beau Rivage owns the proposed site for the 5,000-seat stadium, which could also host entertainment events year ’round.
The affair, being billed as “Jeans & Jerseys,” will be held at the southern end of the stadium site near the intersection of U.S. 90 and Caillavet Street, with attendees encouraged to wear their favorite team jersey from any sport.
A drawing for two free season tickets to the team’s inaugural season will be held, and two more season tickets will be awarded for the best sign at the event. Registration tables will be set up for those interested in receiving season ticket information and entering the drawing. Others may visit the team’s website at www.baseballbiloxi.com to enter the drawing, but must be present to win.
The details: To see a presentation made to the City Council this morning, compiled by the architectural firm Dale Partners, click here.
Groundbreaking invitation: To see an invitation for the ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday, as supplied by Overtime Sports, click here.
The photos: To see photos from the council’s baseball meeting this morning, click here.
