The Indians "recently notified season-ticket holders in the 200 level at Progressive Field -- the 13 sections of seats under the overhang that stretch from home plate down the third-base line -- that they are removing those seats to open up the main concourse," according to Kevin Kleps of CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS. The work "would be part of the second phase of renovations" at the 21-year-old ballpark, which underwent a $26M "privately funded facelift" prior to the '15 season. The Indians are "being much more cautious when it comes to discussing specifics for the next stage of Progressive Field enhancements, which are expected to include a new scoreboard and sound system." Indians Senior Dir of Communications Curtis Danburg "would only say that the Indians have notified a 'targeted' group of season-ticket holders that they might need to be relocated next season." Season-ticket holder Jeff Thomas said, “They basically told me that they are removing all of the seats under the overhang. I think they're all gone.” Cleveland-based ticket broker Amazing Tickets Owner Mark Klang said that the next phase of renovations "is expected to include a club behind home plate that will be exclusively for season-ticket holders -- possibly just for those in the box seats adjacent to the concourse." Thomas added that he has also "heard of plans for a new bar or 'eating and drinking area.'" Kleps noted Progressive Field "doesn't currently have a dedicated space specifically for season-ticket holders." Danburg said that plans for the next phase of renovations, which "could come from a 'mixture' of team financing and dollars" from Cuyahoga County's sin tax on alcohol and cigarettes, "are still being finalized." He said that the club "hopes to make an announcement" by the end of the '15 season (CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS, 7/27 issue).
