A consultant hired by the city of Nashville to choose a preferred site for a new minor league baseball stadium instead returned with three. However a riverfront ballpark is generating the most buzz.
The options include the old Sulfur Dell location near the Farmers Market and an area just down the hill from the state capitol on Charlotte Avenue. But a site on the East Bank of the Cumberland River next to LP Field is the one consultant Bruce Miller calls “very interesting.”
“We think the most dramatic impact would be the East Bank just because of the sheer size of the development parcels it would open up.”
The owners of the Sounds love the idea of having a ballpark within walking distance of Lower Broadway. At least one landowner on the East Bank of the Cumberland River says he welcomes a stadium. Adam Liff’s property is leased by PSC Metals. Relocating them would be the big hold up. He says the company should take any help it can get from the city to move.
“It would be in PSC’s interest to take advantage of the enthusiasm and leave the party before the punchbowl is empty, so to speak.”
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean says building on the East Bank is an opportunity to remove what he calls an “eyesore” from the entrance to the city. Of the three potential sites for a ballpark, though, he says it has the most moving pieces.
“It’s a fairly complicated legal situation. That being said, this is a discussion worth having.”
The next step is looking at the financial feasibility. Unlike LP Field and Bridgestone Arena, which were publicly financed, Dean says a minor league field will have to include private investment. He has not set a timeline for building a new stadium. In fact, Dean says it’s not “a necessity” for the city.
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