WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Wilmington City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday night to spend $123,500 this year to see what it will take to build a baseball stadium and field.
The money would be mostly used for a feasibility study, legal fees and financial consulting costs.
If talks between baseball officials and council are positive, those costs could rise to $500,000 over the next two years.
Council member Laura Padgett expressed concerns about the project being solely funded by Wilmington taxpayers. She brought up the idea of putting it up to a vote as a referendum on the May ballot. However, that didn't seem to gain much support from her fellow council members.
She also stated that she thinks a dollar should be added to the price of tickets at the proposed ballpark, so those using the facility can help pay for it.
Two council members, Kevin O'Grady and Neil Anderson, called the $123,500 "money well spent" because they will be able to determine how to best proceed by moving forward in this manner.
"I think we owe it to the community to investigate it and see where it goes," said Mayor Bill Saffo.
Council members say projects of this magnitude require a lot of work and the city is currently limited with the amount of time their attorneys can spend on these issues.
Additionally, council voted to authorize the development of a possible purchase and proposed agreement regarding city-owned land, which could house a private convention center.
Negotiations related to such preparations are estimated to be $30,000.
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If talks between the groups are positive, those costs could rise to $500,000 over the next two years.
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