State report prices four designs for Hagerstown multiuse stadium

The Maryland Stadium Authority on Tuesday released its 237-page concept design report for Hagerstown’s future multipurpose sports facility.

Al Tyler, a vice president in the Capital Projects Development Group at the Maryland Stadium Authority, told the Hagerstown City Council and mayor that the report outlined four different concept designs for a 5,000-seat facility with a primary use as a minor league ballpark and the ability to host other sports and activities.

The estimated costs ranged from around $62.6 million to just under $69 million.

The concept design report includes design and engineering services including geotechnical, environmental and utility location and capacity analysis, real estate/land acquisition analysis and cost-estimating services.

Tyler said the report followed up on the project’s Phase I study, which came out in May 2019. The study identified the 5.5-acre site at West Baltimore Street and Summit Avenue as the project’s preferred location. The site includes much of what currently is the Herald-Mail Media parking lot.

Most of the design differences involve rock removal and accommodating amenities, such as parking, a concession stand and locker rooms, according to Tyler.

He said things like using artificial turf or real grass would be determined by working with the project’s stakeholders.

The report was embargoed until 4 p.m. Tuesday when the council meeting began, so neither the mayor nor any council member had been able to review the document.

Since signing a memorandum of understanding with the Maryland Stadium Authority for the report in October 2019, the city’s role in the project has changed. Hagerstown will not partially fund the project, unlike in previous proposals.

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Larry Hogan signed legislation authorizing the Maryland Stadium Authority to serve as project manager for the new facility. The authority can issue up to $59.5 million in bonds to finance the acquisition, design, construction and related construction expenses.

Hogan put $8.5 million toward the effort in the most recent supplemental budget, and the General Assembly has earmarked an additional $1.5 million in the recently passed capital budget. 

Once the Maryland Stadium Authority has completed the design and construction process, the Hagerstown-Washington County Industrial Foundation, also known as CHIEF, will manage and maintain the facility.

The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball announced earlier this year that it had granted conditional approval for a new member team in Hagerstown, subject to several terms, including constructing a facility that meets or exceeds the league's standards and with the capability to host other sports and entertainment events.

Howard "Blackie" Bowen, CEO and chairman of the board of Ewing Oil Co., would lead the team's ownership group.

Tyler said he and other representatives from the Maryland Stadium Authority could meet with the mayor and council again in a few weeks after the body has been able to review the report.

The full Maryland Stadium Authority report is available at mdstad.com.