St. Paul Saints Begin Building Demolition To Make Way For New Ballpark

The independent St. Paul Saints and city of St. Paul yesterday held a ceremony that "marked the start of exterior demolition of the Gillette/Diamond Products building" to make way for the new Lowertown Ballpark. The new 7,000-seat venue is "expected to host more than 100 youth, amateur and college events in addition to 50 Saints games." Officials said that it will "draw 400,000 visitors per year" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/14).

St. Paul Parks & Recreation Dir Michael Hahm said the ballpark when completed will be "one of the finest in all of minor league baseball." The project's price tag has "grown to $63 million, including costs to clean up environmental problems." Saints fans said that they are "excited for the ballpark to open in June 2015" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/14).