In March 2016, High Point city council members set a goal to create a downtown catalyst that would produce 500 private-sector jobs, 15-20 new restaurants and shops, 250 residential housing units, and a centralized gathering space. What kind of development could spur this type of growth and help expand the city’s tax base? In a word…baseball!
The city has devoted 11.5 acres of downtown acreage for a 3,800-seat stadium that will serve as home base for an Atlantic League baseball team. This catalyst project includes much more than baseball, though. The urban redevelopment project will also feature a park, event center, children’s museum and education cinema. Development plans for the surrounding area include a hotel, 120,000 SF of restaurants and shopping, and 200+ residential units.
As part of a design-build team, McKim & Creed provided plumbing and fire protection design services for the ~$30-million, 71,331-SF stadium, which includes 6,899 SF of restrooms, team showers, 5,966 SF of concession / kitchen areas, team facilities, a team lounge and private suites.
A minor league baseball team is relocating from Connecticut to High Point, and is scheduled to begin playing in the new stadium in the spring of 2019. City officials estimate that the stadium and surrounding development will bring 200,000 people to downtown High Point to attend games and events.
Renderings courtesy of Odell Associates, Inc.