Tiger Stadium News

More wasted taxpayer money!

seems to be the trend!

You got that right

bobrob2004 wrote:

More wasted taxpayer money!

Nothing compared to all the taxpayer money that will be wasted the next 8 years

02/26/09 8:29 PM EST
Tiger Stadium earmark passes House
Senate expected to consider the spending plan next week

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

The Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy cleared one hurdle towards getting a Federal earmark for its plan to preserve and redevelop what's left of the old ballpark. Now a U.S. Senate vote and a Detroit city deadline await.

The House of Representatives has approved a spending bill that includes $3.8 million in funding for the project, viewed as historic preservation. Michigan Democratic Senator Carl Levin, a supporter of the conservancy's plan, included the earmark in the bill.

The Senate is expected to consider the $410 billion Federal omnibus appropriations bill next week.

"We are hopeful and guardedly optimistic that it will pass the Senate," conservancy board member Gary Gillette said Thursday evening. "If we get the earmark, we think this is going to trigger a series of positive events."

The conservancy has been counting on the earmark as part of its plan to fund the project. Estimated have tabbed the cost as high as $27 million. The conservancy faces a March 1 deadline to present details on how to fund the project to the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, a private-public partnership between area business leaders and the Detroit City Council.

Additional money is expected to come through tax credits and grants, including state historic tax credits that are tied to the earmark, as well as possible stimulus funding through the state. The conservancy has also done fundraising efforts since being granted non-profit status last year.

The DEGC has already reviewed and approved the designs of the redevelopment, which would preserve the playing field and lower-deck seating of the stadium between the dugouts while creating commercial and retail space along the concourses as well as a historic exhibit. If they approve of the financing plan, no further vote from Detroit City Council is necessary, and the project can proceed.

Originally called Briggs Stadium, the ballpark served as the home of the Detroit Tigers from 1912 through 1999, after which the team moved into Comerica Park. It also hosted the NFL's Detroit Lions until 1974. The stadium remained vacant after the Tigers moved out, while the city and various groups debated on what to do with the facility.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Are there any current pics on the Freep, say, within the last 2 months? I tried to find some but everyone here may know of some other site to find them....

from http://www.tigerstadiumdetroit.com/

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