Lou DiBella led a group that purchased the Double-A Norwich Navigators in 2005 for about $10 million. During DiBella's five seasons as managing partner of the club renamed the Connecticut Defenders, there were only a handful of sellouts at 6,695-seat Dodd Stadium.
That's one reason DiBella said he looks forward to being at The Diamond tonight. Richmond's new Double-A franchise, relocated from Norwich and still owned by DiBella's group, will play its first home game in front of a sellout crowd. Reading, the Philadelphia Phillies' Double-A team, is the opponent of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
"This is going to be a highlight of my years in minor-league baseball," said DiBella, a resident of New York City. "I'm thrilled. I'm pumped up. I can't wait to get there."
Bill Papierniak, the Squirrels' general manager, said that ticket sales for the remainder of the seven-game home-stand have been strong, with a sellout possible for Sunday's 2:05 matinee. DiBella referred to the franchise's general reception as "enthusiasm unmatched compared to anything I've ever seen in minor-league baseball."
Connecticut finished last, or next to last, among Eastern League clubs in home attendance each year that DiBella's group owned the franchise, and in 2009 was last (2,859) despite an 83-59 record.
Bleacher banners -- advertisements that cover the top nine rows of the upper deck -- and new box seats on the lower level have reduced The Diamond's capacity from 12,134 to 9,560. But the Squirrels sold out their first home game about a week after single-game tickets became available on March 15. That's a very encouraging sign of support for the new franchise, according to club management and Joe McEacharn, the Eastern League president.
Tonight's game represents the return of professional baseball to Richmond, which was without a team last year. The Richmond Braves, Atlanta's Triple-A club, played here 1966-2008, then moved to Gwinnett County, Ga., due to dissatisfaction with The Diamond.
New ownership and the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns the facility, during the off-season invested about $2 million in stadium upgrades. While the Flying Squirrels opened their season on the road with four games at Bowie and three at Altoona, work at The Diamond continued, and club operators maintained their marketing push that began Sept. 23, the day the franchise officially transferred to Richmond.
"If I had to give them a grade, it's a flat-out 'A'," McEacharn said. "They've absolutely met my expectations and probably even exceeded them."
Other members of the Squirrels' ownership group will be in attendance tonight, as will McEacharn and Tim Purpura, the executive vice president of Minor League Baseball. The Squirrels are affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, who will be represented by Bobby Evans, vice president of baseball operations.
Clear skies and temperatures in the low 70s are expected. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with a 7:05 first pitch.
Showing posts with label Richmond Metropolitan Authority. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richmond Metropolitan Authority. Show all posts
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Friday, December 25, 2009
the Diamond is beginning to look, well, Squirrelly
Banners unfurled. Signs were replaced. The first of several thousand box seats were fastened to their lower-level aisle positions.
Those were improvements made yesterday at The Diamond, with more to come. The Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Double-A team of the San Francisco Giants, originally pledged $1.5 million to facility upgrades. Chuck Domino, the franchise's chief executive manager, yesterday said the team's commitment has increased to about $1.65 million.
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns The Diamond, committed $75,500 toward upgrades. Domino said his club's increased commitment will result in a new scoreboard. The Flying Squirrels initially planned to use $25,000 from the RMA to repair the existing scoreboard.
"But after learning more about the problems with the board, we decided that we would put the $25,000 of the RMA's money, instead of toward repairs, toward a new $150,000 board," Domino said.
Green plastic box seats replace the aluminum benches in the lower deck. Luxury boxes and clubhouses are being renovated, among other improvements. Domino said one of his proudest days will occur when the refurbished concession stands open for the Flying Squirrels' April 15 home-opener.
"Those concession stands alone were almost enough to make me run back to Pennsylvania and put my head under the covers and never return to Richmond, Virginia, again," said Domino, who is also chief executive manager of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
Domino was aware of some objections to the unorthodox name of the team when "Flying Squirrels" was announced in mid-October. He said he believes the Richmond community has generally embraced the name since then. The logo was revealed on Dec. 1, also the day the team store The Squirrels Nest opened at The Diamond in the down-the-first-base-line space where the stadium's restaurant used to be.
"If people are voting on the logo with their pocketbooks in the team store, then it looks like it's been well-received," Domino said. "I can't imagine too many teams this time of year doing the business we're doing."
According to Domino, a hat and apparel vendor who thought the club was too ambitious on sales projections recommended that the Flying Squirrels reduce by half the volume of their first order for team gear.
After the first day [the store opened], we called and doubled the order," Domino said.
The Richmond Braves played at Parker Field or The Diamond from 1966-2008, and the Braves' dissatisfaction with the stadium caused the Atlanta organization to relocate its Triple-A franchise to Gwinnett County, Ga.
Still undetermined is a long-term ballpark solution for Richmond. The options appear to be a major renovation of The Diamond, a new ballpark on the Boulevard, or a new ballpark elsewhere in the area.
James L. Jenkins, chairman of the RMA board of directors, said informal discussions continue about a long-term plan for new or renovated stadium. More serious discussions could begin next year, he suggested.
"It's still too soon, in my opinion, with the economy being as it is and with the jurisdictions struggling with their budgets for 2010 and looking at a continuing struggle for 2011," Jenkins said. "I don't know that anybody is ready to whip out a checkbook and make a commitment at this point."
Domino said the RMA is working on finding a new home for The Diamond's most conspicuous resident: the sculpture of Connecticut, the Native American brave who peers onto the Boulevard from the stadium's superstructure. It now appears possible, however, that Connecticut could remain on the perch he has occupied since 1985.
Those were improvements made yesterday at The Diamond, with more to come. The Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Double-A team of the San Francisco Giants, originally pledged $1.5 million to facility upgrades. Chuck Domino, the franchise's chief executive manager, yesterday said the team's commitment has increased to about $1.65 million.
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns The Diamond, committed $75,500 toward upgrades. Domino said his club's increased commitment will result in a new scoreboard. The Flying Squirrels initially planned to use $25,000 from the RMA to repair the existing scoreboard.
"But after learning more about the problems with the board, we decided that we would put the $25,000 of the RMA's money, instead of toward repairs, toward a new $150,000 board," Domino said.
Green plastic box seats replace the aluminum benches in the lower deck. Luxury boxes and clubhouses are being renovated, among other improvements. Domino said one of his proudest days will occur when the refurbished concession stands open for the Flying Squirrels' April 15 home-opener.
"Those concession stands alone were almost enough to make me run back to Pennsylvania and put my head under the covers and never return to Richmond, Virginia, again," said Domino, who is also chief executive manager of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
Domino was aware of some objections to the unorthodox name of the team when "Flying Squirrels" was announced in mid-October. He said he believes the Richmond community has generally embraced the name since then. The logo was revealed on Dec. 1, also the day the team store The Squirrels Nest opened at The Diamond in the down-the-first-base-line space where the stadium's restaurant used to be.
"If people are voting on the logo with their pocketbooks in the team store, then it looks like it's been well-received," Domino said. "I can't imagine too many teams this time of year doing the business we're doing."
According to Domino, a hat and apparel vendor who thought the club was too ambitious on sales projections recommended that the Flying Squirrels reduce by half the volume of their first order for team gear.
After the first day [the store opened], we called and doubled the order," Domino said.
The Richmond Braves played at Parker Field or The Diamond from 1966-2008, and the Braves' dissatisfaction with the stadium caused the Atlanta organization to relocate its Triple-A franchise to Gwinnett County, Ga.
Still undetermined is a long-term ballpark solution for Richmond. The options appear to be a major renovation of The Diamond, a new ballpark on the Boulevard, or a new ballpark elsewhere in the area.
James L. Jenkins, chairman of the RMA board of directors, said informal discussions continue about a long-term plan for new or renovated stadium. More serious discussions could begin next year, he suggested.
"It's still too soon, in my opinion, with the economy being as it is and with the jurisdictions struggling with their budgets for 2010 and looking at a continuing struggle for 2011," Jenkins said. "I don't know that anybody is ready to whip out a checkbook and make a commitment at this point."
Domino said the RMA is working on finding a new home for The Diamond's most conspicuous resident: the sculpture of Connecticut, the Native American brave who peers onto the Boulevard from the stadium's superstructure. It now appears possible, however, that Connecticut could remain on the perch he has occupied since 1985.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Upgrades under way at The Diamond
Lower-deck benches are gone. Concession stands have been gutted. A former restaurant is being transformed into a merchandise store.
The Diamond is undergoing unprecedented renovation.
Before the Class AA Richmond Flying Squirrels open their home schedule April 15, 3,200 dark green box seats will be fitted into the lower bowl, which had aluminum benches and backrests. The concession operation will be reinvented. Flying Squirrels gear will be sold from one of the largest souvenir shops in the minor leagues.
"In terms of the [fans'] experience, being able to sit in a new, individual plastic seat with a cup-holder is going to be probably the first thing that makes the most lasting impression," said Mike Berry, general manager of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond.
Franchise owners committed $1.5 million to renovation. The RMA contributed $75,500.
"The team with new ownership is looking to do whatever they can to make [fans] feel that this is going to be a fun place," Berry said. "There's going to be a lot of stuff going on, and they want to make this the best family experience they can make it."
No comparable upgrade took place at the 12,134-seat facility while Atlanta's Triple-A team, owned by the Atlanta Braves, played there from the ballpark's opening day in 1985 through the 2008 season. There also are improvements fans won't see. The front office has been remodeled. The home clubhouse was gutted and expanded. It will include a weight room. The press box is getting new windows.
More comfortable seats and better concessions were priorities, according to Todd Parnell, the Flying Squirrels' vice president and COO.
"People are really going to be able to have a full food and beverage experience here at The Diamond," he said. "They'll be able to see the food being prepared. They'll be able to smell it. They'll be able to enjoy the taste of it.
"There's a lot, in my opinion, that goes on with food and beverage as part of the experience a family has wherever they go. It's our plan to make sure the food and beverage experience here is a big part of coming to the game."
There is no resolution concerning Connecticut, the sculpture of the American Indian that peers out over The Boulevard, Berry said. His staff is exploring options apart from the ballpark perch for Connecticut because "I don't know that the team necessarily feels like he really fits into what they're doing," said Berry. He chose not to elaborate on what options are being considered.
The RMA and the franchise agreed to a two-year lease for use of The Diamond, with three one-year renewals possible. During the period to which the lease applies, the RMA and the franchise will explore the possibilities of a major renovation of The Diamond and a new ballpark, at that site or elsewhere.
The Diamond is undergoing unprecedented renovation.
Before the Class AA Richmond Flying Squirrels open their home schedule April 15, 3,200 dark green box seats will be fitted into the lower bowl, which had aluminum benches and backrests. The concession operation will be reinvented. Flying Squirrels gear will be sold from one of the largest souvenir shops in the minor leagues.
"In terms of the [fans'] experience, being able to sit in a new, individual plastic seat with a cup-holder is going to be probably the first thing that makes the most lasting impression," said Mike Berry, general manager of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond.
Franchise owners committed $1.5 million to renovation. The RMA contributed $75,500.
"The team with new ownership is looking to do whatever they can to make [fans] feel that this is going to be a fun place," Berry said. "There's going to be a lot of stuff going on, and they want to make this the best family experience they can make it."
No comparable upgrade took place at the 12,134-seat facility while Atlanta's Triple-A team, owned by the Atlanta Braves, played there from the ballpark's opening day in 1985 through the 2008 season. There also are improvements fans won't see. The front office has been remodeled. The home clubhouse was gutted and expanded. It will include a weight room. The press box is getting new windows.
More comfortable seats and better concessions were priorities, according to Todd Parnell, the Flying Squirrels' vice president and COO.
"People are really going to be able to have a full food and beverage experience here at The Diamond," he said. "They'll be able to see the food being prepared. They'll be able to smell it. They'll be able to enjoy the taste of it.
"There's a lot, in my opinion, that goes on with food and beverage as part of the experience a family has wherever they go. It's our plan to make sure the food and beverage experience here is a big part of coming to the game."
There is no resolution concerning Connecticut, the sculpture of the American Indian that peers out over The Boulevard, Berry said. His staff is exploring options apart from the ballpark perch for Connecticut because "I don't know that the team necessarily feels like he really fits into what they're doing," said Berry. He chose not to elaborate on what options are being considered.
The RMA and the franchise agreed to a two-year lease for use of The Diamond, with three one-year renewals possible. During the period to which the lease applies, the RMA and the franchise will explore the possibilities of a major renovation of The Diamond and a new ballpark, at that site or elsewhere.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sources say Eastern League will announce that Defenders are Richmond-bound
An announcement of which Class AA Eastern League franchise is relocating to Richmond for next season will be made a week from today, sources said. Industry insiders identified Connecticut as the franchise on the move.
Richmond's new club will play at The Diamond for a minimum of two years while team owners and officials from the city and neighboring counties discuss a new ballpark. The franchise now in Connecticut is contractually bound to the San Francisco Giants through 2010.
Eastern League President Joe McEacharn yesterday chose not to reveal which franchise is moving. He also did not confirm the date of an announcement. McEacharn previously stated that one of the league's franchises would be based in Richmond starting next season. Yesterday, he said an announcement regarding Richmond's franchise would be made by the end of the month.
Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League have asked involved parties not to publicly discuss the relocation until the announcement is made.
The Connecticut franchise is owned by a partnership led by Lou DiBella. He is expected to be the Richmond franchise's managing partner. An industry veteran, believed to be Chuck Domino, will supervise the team's operations. This season, Domino was president of two franchises, Class AAA Lehigh Valley and Class AA Reading.
The Connecticut franchise was identified by Minor League Baseball as a candidate for relocation to Richmond soon after the Atlanta Braves announced in January of 2008 that their Class AAA franchise was headed to Gwinnett County, Ga., where the club played this season.
A potential local ownership group, Richmond Baseball Club LC, failed in its bid to purchase the Connecticut franchise due to lack of funds.
To Minor League Baseball, ownership groups of several Eastern League franchises expressed interest in relocating to Richmond. Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League selected Connecticut. That franchise in recent years has been at or near the bottom of the Eastern League in home attendance.
The new franchise will spend a minimum of $1 million to upgrade The Diamond for short-term use, according to McEacharn. The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond, also is expected to invest in the facility on the Boulevard.
This year was Richmond's first without professional baseball since 1965. The Braves' move was caused primarily by that organization's dissatisfaction with The Diamond, which opened in 1985, and the lack of a firm plan for a new ballpark.
The Connecticut Defenders are involved in the Eastern League's best-of-five championship series, against Akron. Connecticut made the playoffs for the first time since 2002, when it was an affiliate of the New York Yankees and called the Norwich Navigators.
McEacharn said the timing of an announcement regarding Richmond is unrelated to the Eastern League playoffs
Richmond's new club will play at The Diamond for a minimum of two years while team owners and officials from the city and neighboring counties discuss a new ballpark. The franchise now in Connecticut is contractually bound to the San Francisco Giants through 2010.
Eastern League President Joe McEacharn yesterday chose not to reveal which franchise is moving. He also did not confirm the date of an announcement. McEacharn previously stated that one of the league's franchises would be based in Richmond starting next season. Yesterday, he said an announcement regarding Richmond's franchise would be made by the end of the month.
Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League have asked involved parties not to publicly discuss the relocation until the announcement is made.
The Connecticut franchise is owned by a partnership led by Lou DiBella. He is expected to be the Richmond franchise's managing partner. An industry veteran, believed to be Chuck Domino, will supervise the team's operations. This season, Domino was president of two franchises, Class AAA Lehigh Valley and Class AA Reading.
The Connecticut franchise was identified by Minor League Baseball as a candidate for relocation to Richmond soon after the Atlanta Braves announced in January of 2008 that their Class AAA franchise was headed to Gwinnett County, Ga., where the club played this season.
A potential local ownership group, Richmond Baseball Club LC, failed in its bid to purchase the Connecticut franchise due to lack of funds.
To Minor League Baseball, ownership groups of several Eastern League franchises expressed interest in relocating to Richmond. Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League selected Connecticut. That franchise in recent years has been at or near the bottom of the Eastern League in home attendance.
The new franchise will spend a minimum of $1 million to upgrade The Diamond for short-term use, according to McEacharn. The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond, also is expected to invest in the facility on the Boulevard.
This year was Richmond's first without professional baseball since 1965. The Braves' move was caused primarily by that organization's dissatisfaction with The Diamond, which opened in 1985, and the lack of a firm plan for a new ballpark.
The Connecticut Defenders are involved in the Eastern League's best-of-five championship series, against Akron. Connecticut made the playoffs for the first time since 2002, when it was an affiliate of the New York Yankees and called the Norwich Navigators.
McEacharn said the timing of an announcement regarding Richmond is unrelated to the Eastern League playoffs
Saturday, August 15, 2009
New team for Richmond still in works
A Class AA franchise has been designated for relocation to Richmond in 2010. But the Eastern League still is not ready to identify that franchise despite the league's goal of an announcement by Aug. 1.
The modified timetable should not be interpreted as a sign of a problem with baseball's return to Richmond next season, according to Joe McEacharn, the Eastern League president.
"We are still in the day-to-day process of trying to finalize our agreements and get everything in place," McEacharn said yesterday. "There are always a lot of unique circumstances to any relocation. It starts with ownership and investment, and the more moving parts you have . . . baseball is a heavily regulated business for the protection of all.
"We've gotten through almost all of this. We're finding there's a little more to it than what would typically be the case. We're spending that time to make sure we get everything completed."
Several sources said the Connecticut franchise, contractually bound to the San Francisco Giants through next season, will relocate to Richmond with Chuck Domino supervising the management team. Domino is the president of the Class AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Class AA Reading Phillies.
McEacharn said he would not identify the franchise that will relocate or the management team "until we have it signed, sealed and delivered."
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, owner and operator of The Diamond, continues to negotiate lease terms with the franchise, according to Mike Berry, the RMA's general manager.
"I think we certainly have it in pretty good shape, but nothing definite at this point. Nothing signed, nothing planned to be signed," Berry said of a lease agreement.
The Diamond will be home to the new franchise for at least two years, with Richmond's long-term ballpark situation still unresolved.
"We anticipate starting that process as soon as we get there and are up and running," McEacharn said.
The modified timetable should not be interpreted as a sign of a problem with baseball's return to Richmond next season, according to Joe McEacharn, the Eastern League president.
"We are still in the day-to-day process of trying to finalize our agreements and get everything in place," McEacharn said yesterday. "There are always a lot of unique circumstances to any relocation. It starts with ownership and investment, and the more moving parts you have . . . baseball is a heavily regulated business for the protection of all.
"We've gotten through almost all of this. We're finding there's a little more to it than what would typically be the case. We're spending that time to make sure we get everything completed."
Several sources said the Connecticut franchise, contractually bound to the San Francisco Giants through next season, will relocate to Richmond with Chuck Domino supervising the management team. Domino is the president of the Class AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Class AA Reading Phillies.
McEacharn said he would not identify the franchise that will relocate or the management team "until we have it signed, sealed and delivered."
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, owner and operator of The Diamond, continues to negotiate lease terms with the franchise, according to Mike Berry, the RMA's general manager.
"I think we certainly have it in pretty good shape, but nothing definite at this point. Nothing signed, nothing planned to be signed," Berry said of a lease agreement.
The Diamond will be home to the new franchise for at least two years, with Richmond's long-term ballpark situation still unresolved.
"We anticipate starting that process as soon as we get there and are up and running," McEacharn said.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Unanswered Questions about Baseball
Pitchmen Paul Kreckman and Bryan Bostic said they would answer all questions. Then they didn’t do it.
The men who would build a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom made a presentation in Albert Hill Middle School’s auditorium on Apr. 22. The early-evening meeting was advertised as open to the public. Maybe 70 or 75 people showed up to listen to Kreckman, of Highwoods Properties, and Bostic, of Richmond Baseball Club.
The crowd was told to hold questions until the presentation was done. The audience complied and sat politely through the structured part of the night.
Kreckman spoke mostly about money aspects of the developments his outfit has designed for the Boulevard and Shockoe Bottom.
Bostic spoke mostly about the baseball stadium he wants to see built, to be the home field for a minor league franchise his group is in the process of buying. With his intensity ratcheted up, Bostic said, “There’s a game out there ... it’s called baseball.”
Kreckman was folksy and well-modulated. But his take-it-or-leave-it threat was clear -- if the stadium component of the plans doesn’t fall into place, Highwoods will walk away from the whole shebang.
Later Bostic said, “It’s not about wins and losses, it’s about the experience.”
By that Bostic was talking about how the fans coming to see his team play will be more interested in the stadium’s festive atmosphere -- the view of the skyline, the bells and whistles, which will appeal to folks who don’t care about actually watching baseball.
Kreckman said, “I’m not a baseball fan.”
Bostic said, “It’s not about the game ... it’s about sunsets.”
Of course, they both said a lot of other things, too. Neither man was particularly convincing. What happened during the Q&A session was more telling than the spinning numbers and blue sky projections had been.
Among the initial half-dozen questions, some were challenging. Obviously, there were some citizens in the room with a bone to pick. So, a new rule was laid down -- only one question per citizen.
Tougher questions were asked. A man brought up Bostic’s history with Richmond Baseball Initiative, the group that effectively put the kibosh on the plan to renovate The Diamond, with its push for a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom five years ago.
Bostic bristled. He labeled the question, “unfair!” Then he blustered about The Diamond’s $18.5 million renovation plan. He cracked that the figure would have turned out to be “$30 million.”
In other words, we should not have bought what the Richmond Metropolitan Authority said, but Highwoods’ estimates are as good as gold. Bostic mocked the RMA, while he wants to create a new “authority” like it to own the new stadium and issue the bonds.
Shortly afterward, with hands aplenty raised to ask questions, the meeting was declared over. It was frustrating to leave the room with a head full of questions. Questions like:
The Diamond is almost 24 years old. Is it common to issue 30-year bonds on a building that has a 20-to-25-year life?
For the first two years, Bostic’s new team will apparently play at The Diamond. If the deal for Shockoe Bottom doesn’t happen, how willing is Bostic to talk about staying at The Diamond?
Minor league baseball is no sure thing. Say Bostic has to sell the team in five years, what would happen if the new owner wants to move it to another city?
If the revenue from the taxes earmarked to service the bonds isn’t there, the bondholders can then seize the stadium, according to Highwoods. So, what would that do to Richmond’s credit rating? And, who would buy such a facility?
What will leaving the two surrounding counties out of the new stadium deal do for the spirit of regional cooperation?
In 2005 City Council agreed to hold a referendum, to ask the voters where they wanted professional baseball to be played. Then the worthy idea was cast aside. Why?
Isn’t such a hot potato referendum, something that would get the politicians off the hook -- Boulevard or Shockoe Bottom? -- the best way to judge the righteousness of the Highwoods vision for Richmond?
The men who would build a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom made a presentation in Albert Hill Middle School’s auditorium on Apr. 22. The early-evening meeting was advertised as open to the public. Maybe 70 or 75 people showed up to listen to Kreckman, of Highwoods Properties, and Bostic, of Richmond Baseball Club.
The crowd was told to hold questions until the presentation was done. The audience complied and sat politely through the structured part of the night.
Kreckman spoke mostly about money aspects of the developments his outfit has designed for the Boulevard and Shockoe Bottom.
Bostic spoke mostly about the baseball stadium he wants to see built, to be the home field for a minor league franchise his group is in the process of buying. With his intensity ratcheted up, Bostic said, “There’s a game out there ... it’s called baseball.”
Kreckman was folksy and well-modulated. But his take-it-or-leave-it threat was clear -- if the stadium component of the plans doesn’t fall into place, Highwoods will walk away from the whole shebang.
Later Bostic said, “It’s not about wins and losses, it’s about the experience.”
By that Bostic was talking about how the fans coming to see his team play will be more interested in the stadium’s festive atmosphere -- the view of the skyline, the bells and whistles, which will appeal to folks who don’t care about actually watching baseball.
Kreckman said, “I’m not a baseball fan.”
Bostic said, “It’s not about the game ... it’s about sunsets.”
Of course, they both said a lot of other things, too. Neither man was particularly convincing. What happened during the Q&A session was more telling than the spinning numbers and blue sky projections had been.
Among the initial half-dozen questions, some were challenging. Obviously, there were some citizens in the room with a bone to pick. So, a new rule was laid down -- only one question per citizen.
Tougher questions were asked. A man brought up Bostic’s history with Richmond Baseball Initiative, the group that effectively put the kibosh on the plan to renovate The Diamond, with its push for a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom five years ago.
Bostic bristled. He labeled the question, “unfair!” Then he blustered about The Diamond’s $18.5 million renovation plan. He cracked that the figure would have turned out to be “$30 million.”
In other words, we should not have bought what the Richmond Metropolitan Authority said, but Highwoods’ estimates are as good as gold. Bostic mocked the RMA, while he wants to create a new “authority” like it to own the new stadium and issue the bonds.
Shortly afterward, with hands aplenty raised to ask questions, the meeting was declared over. It was frustrating to leave the room with a head full of questions. Questions like:
The Diamond is almost 24 years old. Is it common to issue 30-year bonds on a building that has a 20-to-25-year life?
For the first two years, Bostic’s new team will apparently play at The Diamond. If the deal for Shockoe Bottom doesn’t happen, how willing is Bostic to talk about staying at The Diamond?
Minor league baseball is no sure thing. Say Bostic has to sell the team in five years, what would happen if the new owner wants to move it to another city?
If the revenue from the taxes earmarked to service the bonds isn’t there, the bondholders can then seize the stadium, according to Highwoods. So, what would that do to Richmond’s credit rating? And, who would buy such a facility?
What will leaving the two surrounding counties out of the new stadium deal do for the spirit of regional cooperation?
In 2005 City Council agreed to hold a referendum, to ask the voters where they wanted professional baseball to be played. Then the worthy idea was cast aside. Why?
Isn’t such a hot potato referendum, something that would get the politicians off the hook -- Boulevard or Shockoe Bottom? -- the best way to judge the righteousness of the Highwoods vision for Richmond?
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