On Thursday the Lubbock City Council will consider a proposal “for the planning, acquisition, establishment, development and construction of a Sports and Community Venue Project.”
City staff refused to answer questions and instead referred the news media to former City Councilman David Nelson. Nelson then issued a statement entitled “Authorized Statement of David Nelson to News Media.”
It said, “Due to our agreement with Minor League Baseball, I cannot make any comment about the possibility of relocating a minor league baseball club to Lubbock at this point in time. Thank you for your patience and understanding in this endeavor.”
The City Council agenda said the city must submit documents to Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for permission to ultimately put the issue up for election for Lubbock voters.
A reporter with EverythingLubbock.com contacted Mayor Dan Pope who expressed concern about the item and said he wasn’t ready to support it yet.
“I have had no meetings with representatives from Minor League Baseball teams,” Pope said.
Pope said a 2 percent increase in the hotel/motel tax would be a possible funding source.
But what’s the cost? The Mayor did not know and public records did not provide an answer.
It just so happens, Amarillo is competing for a minor league team.
In April, myhighplains.com reported, “The President of the Missions, Burl Yarbrough, confirmed that Amarillo is one of three cities they’re looking at for possible relocation.”
Last year, Amarillo voters approved $32 million for a MPEV or Multipurpose Event Venue.
No team is specifically associated with the Lubbock proposal in any public statement or public records.
