Minor league baseball could be set to return to North Alabama after Madison City Council approved plans to fund a US$46m stadium that could be the future home of the Mobile BayBears.
The proposal was led by BallCorps, who purchased the BayBears, and struck a deal with the council for a lease, licence and management. BallCorps has hired architecture firm Populous to design a 7000-seat venue that would also be able to host football and soccer games, as well as community events.
Construction of the new stadium is expected to be located in Huntsville at the Town Madison development south of Interstate 565 with the plans also expected to provide residential, retail, entertainment and office space.
Despite the city funding the stadium, the majority of this would come from the organizations renting retail space. Council president Tommy Overcash said, “I’m extremely confident this is just a good deal for Madison.”
It is reported that the city of Madison will receive no less than US$1m annually from revenue produced at the stadium as well as income from license fees and money from selling its naming rights.
Work still remains to be done on the proposal with planning approval still required to advance, however Madison Mayor Paul Finley has said he hopes to see a team playing in the new venue by 2020.
January 31, 2018
