Major League Baseball's deadline for Asheville to have financing in place for a potential $30 million McCormick Field overhaul is now two months away. On Monday, Buncombe County commissioners revealed a financing plan that includes state legislators approving a bill that would create a stadium improvement grant fund.
"We are hoping the state will play a role," Buncombe County Commission Chairman Brownie Newman said. "It will require the legislature to pass a bill to appropriate funds for this purpose."
Newman said the fund would come from the Department of Commerce and allow cities like Asheville to apply for money to pay for ballfield improvements. Newman said other cities with minor league ballparks and teams could also apply for grants.
"What we’ve heard in terms of the proposal is that it would be four to six stadiums competing for $20-$30 million per year," said Whitney Christensen, a lobbyist contracted by Buncombe County to help advocate a plan. "The awards would be in the $4-$6 million range."
Christensen said the fund could be set up so communities could apply for consecutive annual grants.
The Tourists are a privately-owned Minor League Baseball franchise, so the owners would also have to invest, Newman said.
Newman said it's likely millions from hotel tax revenues will go into the pot, along with millions from the city of Asheville and Buncombe County coffers.
The Tourist's owners have previously reported McCormick Field, which is owned by the city, ranks in the league's 10% least upgraded ballparks.
County commissioners, along with city council members, said they have received hundreds of emails from the community voicing support for using public dollars to finance mandated improvements from improved stadium lights, to a new scoreboard, to an improved equipment room.
"There's definitely a lot of interest in keeping this going for the community," District 1 Buncombe County Commissioner Terri Wells said.
It's unclear exactly what percentage the franchise owners will have to invest as negotiations continue.