Utica To Play Ball With New Minor League Stadium
By Edward Cardenas
UTICA (CBS Detroit) - Officials unveiled plans for a 2,500-seat minor league baseball stadium just west of the downtown Utica in central Macomb County.
The multi-million dollar ballpark, which is being developed by Rochester-based General Sports, will host independent league games.
"This ballpark is a welcomed development in Macomb County," said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. "This minor league stadium is a great economic advantage for the city of Utica. It is also a major
league quality-of-life opportunity for the region."
The ballpark and 500-spot parking structure, which is the first phase of the development, will host approximately 80 independent league games in addition to other family-friendly events. The second phase will include a mixed-use retail and condominium project, according to officials.
"We are thrilled that General Sports selected Utica for this exciting project," said Utica Mayor Jacqueline Noonan. "Our businesses will surely be positively impacted by the visitors that it will attract. We have worked for decades to get our downtown to a vibrant state and now the work of our office and the Downtown Development Authority is coming to fruition. We are enormously proud and excited."
The ballpark will be located on vacant land just off of Moscone Drive, north of Auburn Road, on land valued at $600,000. It was donated by Utica's Downtown Development Authority to General Sports.
Officials expect the stadium to open in May 15, 2015.