Hagerstown, Washington Co. Agree To Fund Stadium
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- Washington County is agreeing to help fund construction of a minor-league baseball stadium in downtown Hagerstown.
The Herald-Mail reports that county commissioners and the city council agreed Tuesday on a plan involving local public expenditures of up to $16 million over 20 years.
The $30 million project also would require state and private funding. Gov. Martin O'Malley and state Comptroller Peter Franchot have both expressed support.
Hagerstown Mayor Robert Bruchey proposed the project in March to replace 80-year-old Municipal Stadium, home of the Hagerstown Suns.
The Suns say Municipal Stadium has a sub-standard playing surface and antiquated clubhouse facilities.
Winchester, Va., is also courting the Suns, a Class-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
Bruchey says baseball games could be played at a new stadium as soon as 2014.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
