Happening Now
In partnership with the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, Buncombe County Government and the Asheville Tourists Baseball Club, the City of Asheville is spearheading a significant renovation project of McCormick Field. The results of the restoration project will include bringing the facility up to current Major League Baseball Player Development League (minor leagues) Standards. Additionally the improvements will allow the facility to host non-baseball events, with flexible space to host events 12 months a year allowing greater access to all members of our community.
The project as currently scoped requires a conditional zoning approval by Asheville City Council, the conditions which need to be ‘cured’ include: height restrictions, landscaping and parking capacity. Current draft site plans outline the intended future footprint of the facility. For comparison please see the existing site plan and currently proposed future site plan.
Through neighborhood feedback, the City understands that traffic and parking around events at both McCormick Field and Memorial Stadium are the greatest concern moving forward with this project. As part of the conditional zoning approval, a traffic and parking plan must be created and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. City and Asheville Tourists staff have met with neighborhood groups and hosted public meetings to receive feedback. The result is this current Draft Traffic & Parking Plan.
Feedback is being accepted related to the traffic & parking plan until 5:00 p.m. October 10, 2023. To provide feedback, please clink on this link to the survey.
Upcoming Key Dates
- October 10, 2023: Traffic & Parking Plan feedback survey closes
- October 16, 2023: Project presented to Technical Review Committee
- October 18, 2023: Project presented to Planning & Zoning Committee
- October 24, 2023: Conditional zoning approval requested of Asheville City Council at their regular business meeting
- October 24, 2023: Contract with selected Construction Manager at Risk approval requested of Asheville City Council at their regular business meeting
Funding Sources
In total, the project is estimated to cost $37.5 Million, with a total expense over the life of the debt service of $55.6 Million. The City of Asheville’s share of this expense is $18.5M over 20 years.
Funding for this project from each of the partner organizations is utilized via a Debt Service Model and detailed below.
| Partner | Amount |
| Team | $468,750/year, 20 years (average) |
| County | $250,000/year, 20 years |
| TDA | $1.95 million Upfront Grant |
| $1.4 million/year, 15 years | |
| City |
$1 million Fund Balance Allocation $875,000/year, 20 years |
Supporting Documents
Contact Information
Chris Corl, General Manager
8285-259-5452
ccorl@ashevillenc.gov