VERO BEACH – Major League Baseball and Indian River County have reached an agreement that calls for MLB to take over Historic Dodgertown, though the Council will still be on the hook for some major upgrades and updates.
“We thank the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners for passing the Facility Lease Agreement that will allow us to move forward with our plans to operate and build upon the great legacy of Historic Dodgertown,” said Executive Vice President of Baseball & Softball Development – Major League Baseball Tony Reagins in a prepared statement following the Commission’s 4-1 vote.
Commissioner Bob Solari was the lone nay vote.
“Additional details will be announced at a later date, but our expectations remain high as we look to provide opportunities and experiences for youth and amateur players that they will never forget,” Reagins said.
“I am pleased that Indian River County and Major League Baseball have reached an agreement on the future of Historic Dodgertown” said Historic Dodgertown Chairman Peter O’Malley in a press release issued Friday ahead of the Commission’s vote.
Major League Baseball plans to continue year-round activity at the complex and will develop and invest in the property.
“The future of Historic Dodgertown is a key component of our overall strategy, particularly as we look to bridge this location’s special history to the future of our game,” Reagins said.
The existing agreement between the County and Historic Dodgertown’s operators, which is under the name Verotown, is due to expire on April 30, 2019.
The proposed initial term of this agreement is 10 years and eight months with three successive renewal options of five years each, according to County records. The agreement represents a partnership where the County and MLB, operating as Verotown, share in the cost of facility improvements.
Per the terms of the proposed deal, the County would be responsible for initial repairs on items consisting mostly of roof replacements and concession stand replacements/repairs where maintenance had been deferred during the economic downturn.
Verotown – Major League Baseball – will be responsible to make some initial facility improvements such as an indoor training facility. Additionally, Verotown will make some facility repairs such as replacing the entire Holman Stadium seating bowl.
The County would reimburse Verotown for 50 percent of these costs within the limits of the Capital Reserve Account per the lease agreement. Other than the County-funded initial improvements, the County’s annual contribution would be its only obligation for facility improvements and maintenance.
Verotown will be responsible for all other capital improvements and maintenance for the duration of the initial term and any renewal term, the County records show.
“MLB has the vision and the resources to make great things happen, and they recognize the rich tradition and history of the facility, what it has meant to the game of baseball,” reads the summary materials under County Adminstrator Jason Brown’s pen. “Their plans will honor, respect, and elevate the history of Dodgertown. Staff believes that MLB is the best partner to ensure that the next chapter of Historic Dodgertown is a success.”
O’Malley, in his press release concurred.
“This long-term partnership is good news for the County and Vero Beach,” he wrote. “Historic Dodgertown will become [an] internationally known tourist destination.”
This article was originally published Friday, Dec. 14, and has since been updated to reflect the action taken at the Dec. 18 Board of County Commissioners meeting on Dec. 18.
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