The 2013 season is off to a great start! We’ve made ESPN’s SportsCenter twice - for a triple
play and a no-hitter.
I’m equally excited about a business development. Monday
night the Durham City Council approved a new 20-year ballpark lease and
committed $12 million to repairs and improvements. The team is kicking in an additional $2 million
as we work with the City to upgrade the DBAP for a new generation of Bulls fans.
Forgive the cliché, but this is truly win-win. Our landlord approved
needed repairs/improvements, and we agreed to assume the operational
responsibilities and expenses of Durham’s major public facility. The City will
save $7.4 million. Our patrons and players will enjoy major enhancements next
season as we host the Triple-A All-Star Game.
We’ve been negotiating the new lease for sixteen months with
City Manager Tom Bonfield and his senior staff. That’s heavy lifting, but it
has been done in a spirit of collaboration.
The City’s media release explains how Council OK’d new
leases for the ballpark and the adjacent Durham Performing Arts Center on the
same night. Baseball and Broadway have a home in the Bull City for decades
to come!
