ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — McCormick Field is about to get a $38.5 million makeover. That project and a lease agreement with the Asheville Tourists baseball team are on Tuesday’s Asheville City Council agenda.

The restoration project will bring the facility up to Major League Baseball Player Development League (minor leagues) Standards and allow it to host non-baseball events.

Asheville Capital Projects Director Jade Dundas said Thursday that not all bid packages had been opened. Some, he said were opened Friday, July 12. Others will be opened Tuesday, July 23, during the city council meeting.

During that meeting, council members are expected to vote on an authorization of the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) amendment with Blum/WC construction team, the authorization of a special inspections contract with Terracon, the authorization of a single source agreement for door hardware and an extension of the McCormick Field lease with the Tourists.

The DeWine family purchased the Asheville Tourists in January 2010 and took control of the franchise on April 1, 2010, operating the team under the name DeWine Seeds Silver Dollar Baseball, LLC.

The lease extension would run through the 2025 baseball season, Brian DeWine said.

“The most recent lease, which is being extended, was valid from Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2023. That lease had a provision to revert to a month-to-month status, under which we are currently operating,” Asheville Department of Community and Regional Entertainment Facilities Director Chris Corl said. “The proposed lease extension, which council will be voting on, will be valid retroactively to Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2025. A long-term 20-year lease to be effective Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2046, will be brought to council for their review and approval in early fall 2024.”

Corl said the lease requires a once-annual payment from the team to the city — the fee will be $100,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025.

“The lower fee in 2025 is reflective of the anticipated stadium capacity during the 2025 season due to construction,” Corl said.

The lease is for the annual operation of McCormick Field as a Minor League Baseball stadium, Corl said.

According to the city’s website, officials hope to have a groundbreaking ceremony for the McCormick Field project in August with construction to begin in September.

Timeline of the project, according to the city’s website:

2023

  • March 14: City Council adopted a resolution at their regular meeting to commit to bringing McCormick Field into compliance with Major League Baseball facility standards
  • Oct. 10: Traffic & Parking Plan feedback survey closed
  • Oct. 24: Conditional zoning and contract with selected Construction Manager at Risk both approved by Asheville City Council at their regular meeting

2024

  • May 21 & June 13: Public meetings with surrounding neighbors to present the final design and provide updates
  • Summer: City Council will consider the construction contract at a regular meeting
  • September: Construction kick off

2025

  • The Tourists’ baseball season will occur alongside construction

2026

  • Spring: Project completion before the baseball season begins

The Asheville City Council will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the banquet hall of Harrah’s Cherokee Center — Asheville. CLICK HERE to see the agenda.