This snapshot from a drone video shows Columbus, Georgia’s famous Golden Park, which is located on the Chattahoochee River. The RedStixx and Mudcats are two minor league baseball teams that have called the facility home. The 1996 Olympic Softball Games were also held there.
Following around ninety minutes of secret meetings, the Columbus Council decided to approve a lease with Diamond Baseball Holdings in order to bring a Minor League team back to Golden Park.
This implies that in order to bring the 1920s ballpark up to Minor League standards, the city will issue bonds for up to $50 million.
The 20-year lease with five-year options for renewal was authorized by the lease council.
Later on Tuesday, Mayor Skip Henderson announced that the Double-A Braves, who are headquartered in Pearl, Mississippi, which is outside of Jackson, will be the team. Following his remarks, Diamond Baseball Holdings released a press release announcing that the Double-A team of the Atlanta Braves will play in Pearl, Mississippi as the Mississippi Braves until the 2024 season.
“This is a thrilling day for Columbus and the outcome of many people who care about our community’s future working together,” Henderson remarked. “The return of professional, affiliated baseball to Columbus is the cornerstone of this project, which will have a revolutionary effect on not only our downtown area but also the lives of our residents.”
The leasing agreement was given to councilors during an executive session. Prior to the meeting, the municipal attorney had distributed the deal in secret among the delegates.
The Minor League project, according to its supporters, may bring in $350 million from the private sector for mixed-use real estate near the ballpark, including apartments, hotels, offices, and retail stores.
Opponents claim it’s a risk that might never pay off because a Minor League team is unlikely to remain in the area and the city might not receive much in return for its outlays.
According to Henderson, the stadium needs to be prepared for the 2025 season’s opening pitch.