Thursday, May 1, 2008

TASK FORCE AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL PUTTING OUT FEELERS FOR POSSIBLE RECREATIONAL VENUE IN CHESTER COUNTY

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Posted on Tue, Apr 29, 2008

"Since putting the word out that sites are being sought, Yoder said he’d heard from a councilman in Phoenixville, a developer in Downingtown and an official from West Chester University."

Groups seek sites for proposed stadium

TASK FORCE AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL PUTTING OUT FEELERS FOR POSSIBLE RECREATIONAL VENUE IN CHESTER COUNTY

By BRIAN McCULLOUGH, Staff Writer

The Chester County Economic Development Council and the Chester County Stadium Project Task Force are seeking nominations for sites for a proposed stadium.

The task force is exploring the possibility of constructing a regional 4,000 to 5,000 seat, multi-purpose, family-oriented recreational venue that would be the home of a minor league baseball team.

In a statement Tuesday, the task force said it is soliciting input from the entire Chester County community in identifying prospective stadium sites. A minimum of 13 to 16 acres of gross, useable land is required.

Private land owners, developers or municipalities with available acreage interested in the project should go to the stadium site nominations link on the Web site of the Chester County Economic Development Council at www.cceconomicdevelopment.com/stadium-nomination.html.

Mike Grigalonis, chief operating officer of the economic development council, said the stadium proposal raises the same concerns as any other development, most notably traffic. Nighttime outdoor lighting would also be a consideration for a stadium site.

The stadium task force has been meeting since the start of the year to turn the idea into a reality. West Chester Mayor Dick Yoder leads the task force and first proposed a stadium go on the 32-acre Wyeth-Ayerst site in the borough’s southeastern end.

PREIT, or Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, has an option to buy the property no longer being used by Wyeth and doesn’t believe a baseball stadium would work with what it would like to do, Yoder said.

“They’ve been very honest and upfront in telling us they wanted a mix of retail, rental housing and rental offices,” Yoder said. “But that property needs a zoning change for that and that can be a long road.

“We can’t wait to see what’s going to happen to that property,” he said, adding that he continues to believe it would be a good site for a stadium. “I’m delighted this is being moved out of the mayor’s office. I’ve wanted that for some time. It should be a countywide effort because it’s a Chester County team that we’re talking about.”

The call for stadium-site candidates comes at the same time the group is trying to raise $75,000 for a feasibility study.

Since putting the word out that sites are being sought, Yoder said he’d heard from a councilman in Phoenixville, a developer in Downingtown and an official from West Chester University.

“We’re not closing the door (on any site),” Yoder said, adding that typically, stadium deals are done through public/private partnerships.

The development council Web site contains preliminary criteria that will be used to evaluate potential sites. All nominations are due on or before 4 p.m. May 27.

The potential stadium could also be used for other sports, such as soccer and football, when the minor league team isn’t playing.

The group estimates the stadium would cost $20 million to $35 million.

“That’s the next big question, how do we pay for it?” Grigalonis asked.

http://www.dailylocal.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily;!-986604735?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDLN%2FBusiness&r21.content=%2FDLN%2FBusiness%2FTopStoryList_Story_1973743

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sure. Phoenixville can handle the extra 2500 cars travelling through town every weekend! Lets put it right here in town, LOLOL! Maybe we can use the parking lots on the days the stadium isn't full. Melchiorre Park would be a great site. Traffic could flow from 202 AND 422 right into our little town. Sorry people. We can't handle the current traffic situation...and that is only one issue in bringing a STADIUM into the borough. LOLOLOL

Anonymous said...

What a winner or winer or wino.A team would be one of the best tings that could happen in town . Its not another bar at least

Anonymous said...

Yes, a team would be fantastic! Look what it does for Reading, LOL

Anonymous said...

Reading Phils, now that a great event to go to . Now we could only hope that we would get something along them lines!That would be really the best thing that happen to Pvile , if it happens. AND ITS NOT ANOTHER BAR.I see there are some more bars opening soon. Yea Pville like it was, the most bars in a small boro, The most in the whole state.