Thursday, September 13 2012 6:00 PM EDT2012-09-13 22:00:05 GMT
The St. Paul Saints were the big winners of Thursday's capital grants announced by Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton. The city of St. Paul was awarded $25 million of the $27 million it requested.
The St. Paul Saints were the big winners of Thursday's capital grants announced by Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton. The city of St. Paul was awarded $25 million of the $27 million it requested for a new Saints ballpark.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) -
Both fans and those who work to make money in the area say the new stadium for the St. Paul Saints will be a grand slam for businesses in Lowertown.
The area is best known for the farmer's market found there, but there will soon be construction just across the street inside the old factory. Crews are already building a light rail stop there -- and fans say the new stadium will mean even more people will be hopping aboard the train.
"Down here what will happen -- very similar to what's happened at Target Field -- is: People come early and stay late," predicted Matt Kramer, of the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. "That's the economic multiplier."
Once the light rail is running, it'll connect baseball fans to both ballparks -- but that's only one part of the new vision for the Lowertown location.
It's estimated that the ballpark will bring in $10 million each year and create 500 jobs. Business owners told FOX 9 News that's a home run for them -- and they're already looking for ways to get involved.
"We want to have an opportunity to take part inside the baseball park as well as outside," said Lenny Russo, owner of Heartland Restaurant and Market. "We are looking forward to that."
Russo said his restaurant, which is supplied by local farmers, is eager to make food for the masses.
The Saints had hoped for $27 million in funding for the stadium, but they only received $25. Don't expect that to slow them down, though. The Saints say they will make up the difference and plan to begin construction in a matter of weeks.
