Rangers & Hicks Reach Temporary Parking Deal
ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) - In the ongoing game of parking, the Texas Rangers appear to be headed to the bottom of the 9th inning.
The Rangers and former owner Tom Hicks' Ballpark Real Estate group have reached an agreement on operation of the parking lots at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for the 2011 season.
In a court filing Wednesday, Hicks' group and the Rangers ownership group, Rangers Baseball Express, presented their agreement for the remaining home games of the 2011 season and for postseason games held at the Ballpark.
>>Click here to read Wednesday's agreement<<
The agreement comes two weeks after Rangers Baseball Express filed a lawsuit against BRE, citing a breach of contract over the use agreement of the parking lots. A judge later issued a restraining order instructing Hicks' BRE not to change any parking. That restraining order would have expired Thursday.
In a release Wednesday, Ballpark Real Estate says the two groups "have not yet negotiated the financial terms for the use of the property, but the agreed order effectively gives them additional time to accomplish that goal."
The release goes on to state that if an agreement cannot be met that the issue could wind up back in court.
In a statement, the Rangers said Wednesday's agreement "allows the Rangers to maintain the status quo with the operation and pricing of the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington parking lots for the remainder of the 2011 season."
Despite the ongoing battle, through the first month of the season Rangers fans have not noticed any parking issues, and the price for parking has remained at $10 for games.
The parking situation is a loose end left from the auction of the team last August 4. Hours before the auction began, Ballpark Real Estate removed the 154 acres of land surrounding the ballpark from the sale of the team, calling it a 'good faith effort' to equalize the auction process.
The land was set to be sold in a separate sale for $75 Million. But as the 2011 season began, discussions turned into fair usage of the lots for the 81 baseball games at Rangers Ballpark.
Both sides say they hope a long-term agreement can be reached.
