VESTAL, NY (WSKG) — The City of Binghamton will move forward with the design phase of its $2.75 million phase two renovation to Mirabito Stadium over the coming months.
Addressing city council last week, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said architecture firms will finalize designs and prepare materials to advertise construction bids over the summer.
"While baseball is being played this year, we want to do all of the work ahead of time to ensure that the designs are done, the bids are out and that we have contractors awarded so that the day after the season ends, these contractors can work quickly to complete the upgrades under the advisement of Major League Baseball," Kraham said.
Binghamton Rumble Ponies owner David Sobotka, also speaking to city council, said the timing is crucial to keep the team in good favor with the league.
"Timing is really important here,” Sobotka said. “Our intent is to have all of the substantive work completed by opening day of 2023, thus avoiding any penalties by Major League Baseball or any stigma by them as it regards the Binghamton franchise in terms of compliance."
The renovations include upgrades to locker rooms, dining areas and training facilities as dictated by standards assembled by Major League Baseball.
City Council is currently considering legislation awarding the design contract to Chianis + Anderson Architects as well as bringing back Ohio-based engineer Peter Popovic to oversee the pre-construction phase.*
This upgrade to the stadium follows a $5 million renovation completed in 2019.
*Chianis + Anderson Architects is a WSKG underwriter.