Big changes are coming to NBT Bank Stadium as part of a new agreement with the New York Mets…
"I'm proud to announce that the county is investing $12.5 million in partnership with the state to undertake major renovations at NBT Bank Stadium, and we're doing this in preparation for the arrival of the New York Mets minor franchise."
Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney says the state is matching the county’s investment for $26 million worth of improvements.
"You will see upgrades to the clubhouse. We're going to replace the seats in the lower and upper bowls. Improve the entryway. Upgrade the lighting and audio systems, and reconfigure the concourse and the concession stands.”
Mahoney’s excitement was matched by Mets’ Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon, who was on hand for Tuesday’s announcement at the stadium. He says the team is proud to be part of Syracuse for the long haul.
"With the new state, county, and city investments in NBT Bank Stadium, the Syracuse Mets will be here in Syracuse...as promised when we bought the club...until at least 2043."
That’s a 25-year deal, which was contingent upon improvements to the stadium. The Mets originally bought the franchise rights to the Chiefs last November for $18 million. The team will now be called the Syracuse Mets. Governor Cuomo says this is another indicator that Central New York’s economy is up and running.
"You invest in the state fair, and that raiseses tourism. Now that toursim is up, the businesses start doing better. We opened the Expo Center, so more people are using that facility. That stimulates the economy. This is the new Syracuse and the new Central New York, and the investment in this stadium is part of that.”
Cuomo says this type of investment would not have happened in Syracuse just a few years ago. Renovations will begin this fall and take 18 months to complete.
