The Spotsylvania County Baseball Committee voted 7 to 2 on July 7, 2015, to move forward with a nonbinding memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a publicly financed minor league baseball stadium. Jim Joyce and Garrett Garner voted no.
Spotsylvania would borrow up to $25 million for the project, according to the MOU drafted for the county by an outside attorney. The Hagerstown Suns, a Washington Nationals Class A affiliate, have said they would pay $8 million toward the design and construction of the stadium. Committee members Tuesday agreed to ask the Suns to raise their contribution from $8 million to $12 million.
The nonbinding MOU states the Spotsylvania County Economic Development Authority “design, develop, construct and furnish a first class, Class A standard, multi purpose minor league baseball stadium holding at least 5,000 occupants for minor league baseball games with on site surface parking for at least 300 vehicles.” A second parking lot with up to 1,200 spaces would be built nearby.
Two potential sites have been discussed. They are a 25-acre parcel at the site of the planned Jackson Village mixed-use residential development off U.S. 1 near Massaponax, south of Cosner’s Corner. International Development of VA, LLC, agreed to donate the land in exchange for approval of their project. The Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors approved the controversial development of up to 2,270 homes at their June 23, 2015, meeting.
A nine-acre parcel at the Southpoint II shopping center off U.S. 1 is also being considered.
The Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors has one meeting this month — on July 14, 2015. It is not known yet if the baseball MOU will be on the agenda.
Minor League Baseball has given the Suns until July 31 to discuss a potential deal with the county. “If they want to come here, they will extend their deadline,” said Baseball Committee Member Jim Joyce.
Spotsylvania Baseball Committee Members
The nine-member committee includes seven Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors members or designates and two Economic Development Authority members.
Battlefield District
Supervisor Chris Yakabouski
540-424-1440
[email protected]
Berkeley District
J. Todd Martinsen
540-388-8520
[email protected]
Chancellor District
Jim Joyce
540-424-6682
[email protected]
Courtland District
Garrett Garner
540-785-0280 home
540-735-5300 cell
[email protected]
Lee Hill District
Alan Merriman 540-604-0282 cell
[email protected]
Livingston District
Supervisor Ann Heidig
540-850-9078
[email protected]
Salem District
Donn Hart
540-538-1275 cell
540-785-9090 office [email protected]
Economic Development Authority (EDA)
Bruce Davis (EDA)
540-891-6367 home
540-295-5421 cell
[email protected]
Ron Owens (EDA) 540-850-1102 [email protected]
Marc Smith (EDA alternate) 540-907-9747 [email protected]
Previous Stories
Spotsylvania Baseball Committee Meeting June 11 (June 7, 2015)
Spotsylvania Forming Nine Member Baseball Committee (May 30, 2015)
Spotsylvania Delays Vote on $25M for Baseball Stadium (May 6, 2015)
Spotsylvania to Consider $33 Million to Build Minor League Stadium (April 29, 2015)
Baseball in the Burg Becomes Rappahannock Baseball Initiative (2-9-15)
City Pledges Additional $2M, Accepts Diamond Nation Offer (9-24-14)
Councilman Kelly to Recommend City Continue Baseball Negotiations (9-22-14)
City Council Votes to Continue Baseball Stadium Negotiations (8-26-14)
Photos: City Council Hears from Diamond Nation, Citizens (8-26-14)
Do Not Jeopardize Fredericksburg’s Future Financial Capabilities. Say No to Baseball. (8-24-14)
City Considers Real Estate Tax Exemption for Diamond Nation Stadium Complex (8-22-14)
Diamond Nation Asks City for $18 Million More Towards Stadium (8-12-14)
Suns Staying Longer in Hagerstown (5-22-14)
Follow Fredericksburg.Today on Facebook, and on Twitter at @Fxbg2day
