Construction of Cardinals’ Ballpark Village finally beginning
Emily Basler , News/Feature Writer
February 6, 2013 • 1,162 views
Filed under News
Nearly seven years after the new Busch Stadium opened, a date has finally been set to start construction on the empty lot next door to become Ballpark Village. On Jan. 30 the team announced that they will hold a formal ground-breaking ceremony on Friday Feb. 8 for the $100-million first phase of the long-awaited project.
“I’m surprised it’s finally going up, all they’ve done is talk about it for years,” English teacher Dan Barnes said. “I think it will be a success and people will, ready for the bird pun? flock there.”
Due to a weak economy, the construction of Ballpark Village has been put off and subsequently redesigned multiple times through the last seven years. After the many delays, the project was revived last summer when a scaled down first phase was presented by the team and its development partner, Maryland-based Cordish Co. This first phase covers two of Ballpark Village’s seven city blocks. The rest will be set aside for parking until more tenants can be signed on.
“At least they’re finally moving forward, but I’ll be more excited when they actually start building something,” junior Chris Smith said.
The project is set to begin with a two-block entertainment complex and new street grid on the 10-acre site of the old Busch Stadium, which is much smaller than its initial proposed scale. This first phase starts with the building of a pair of adjacent buildings that will contain a Cardinals’ Hall of Fame and team themed restaurant, Budweiser Brew House and an outdoor entertainments plaza.
“I’m excited for the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame because the Cardinals have had so many great players who have been forgotten and overshadowed by other famous players. I think they deserve just as much recognition as Ozzie Smith and Stan Musial,” senior Alex Ripper said.
Starting work now should enable the Cardinals to open Ballpark Village in time for Opening Day 2014.
