In Tampa, Christopher O'Donnell notes Oldsmar (Fla.) Mayor Doug Bevis "plans to unveil a conceptual masterplan with renderings" of a new Rays ballpark at a media event on Oct. 27. Bevis will be joined by FSA Architecture/Construction President Francisco Semsch. The presentation "will detail why city officials think Oldsmar is the right location" for a ballpark. Those reasons include "regional connectivity, available land, development readiness and financial feasibility." Bevis and Oldsmar City Manager Bruce Haddock earlier this year met with Rays President Brian Auld and Senior VP/Strategy & Development Melanie Lenz (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/18).
TAKING THE NEXT STEP: VCU and the Double-A Eastern League Richmond Flying Squirrels yesterday announced that they will be "'major contributors' toward the construction" of a roughly $55M ballpark. In Richmond, Ned Oliver in a front-page piece notes the announcement "does not identify a site." Officials said that the Flying Squirrels "would pay an annual lease" of approximately $1M, which is "roughly four times the rent the team pays" at its current ballpark (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 10/18).
DOG POUND: Sports venue design and development firm AECOM "has been chosen" by Fresno State as architect for the renovation of Bulldog Stadium. AECOM over the next two to three months "will produce schematic drawings, with the cost covered by an anonymous donor." Those plans "will go" to the California State Univ. BOT for approval in the spring. The scope of the work "includes utility infrastructure and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades, new concession and restroom facilities, new premium seating and club lounge areas, and improved spectator access to seating" (FRESNO BEE, 10/15).
GREEN MEANS GO: In California, Amy Wu noted the Monterey County Board of Supervisors has "given the county staff the greenlight to negotiate a concession agreement with the Friends of Laguna Seca" for the Laguna Seca track's recreational area. Two other organizations "had been vying for the agreement," including ISC and Long Beach Grand Prix Founder Chris Pook (THECALIFORNIAN.com, 10/15).
