The St. Lucie (Fla.) County Commission yesterday "approved an agreement" with the Mets that "would keep baseball" in the area for another 25 years, according to Keona Gardner of TCPALM.com. The county would borrow $55M to "renovate the 28-year-old Tradition Field to keep it competitive" with other ballparks in the Spring Training Grapefruit League. Under the new facilities-use contract, the Mets -- who already contribute toward ballpark operations -- would "increase that contribution from parking, ticket sales and concessions" from about $761,130 paid in '15 to $2M. The team would "refinance and pay" the county's remaining $5.4M debt. The Mets also "would spend $400,000 annually to promote St. Lucie County tourism" to the N.Y. market. The club would pay ballpark construction costs over $55M and operation and maintenance costs of a "new 50-room players academy dormitory." St. Lucie County Administrator Howard Tipton said that construction is "expected to start next fall and last about two years." He added that work "would not interrupt spring training, but he couldn’t say the same" for the Single-A Florida State League St. Lucie Mets. Gardner noted the agreement "hinges on the county securing" a $20M grant from the state of Florida (TCPALM.com, 11/15).
