ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Asheville Tourists fans are thrilled city councilmembers unanimously approved millions to upgrade McCormick Field. But it's the field's neighbors who will feel the impacts from any upcoming concerts and increased congestion once upgrades are completed.
"We're right across the street," said Vista Crow. She's lived in her home for eight years. "We've had growing pains through the years."
Still, Crow said she's happy McCormick Field will get the $37.5 million upgrade. "The city's been great with neighborhood outreach. We're all very supportive."
The city plans to add concerts in 24 months when upgrades are done.
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"It sounds like everything will go by the noise ordinance regulations," said Crow. The ordinance requires music end by 10 p.m.
Residents in the adjacent Oakhurst and East End neighborhoods around the ballpark met with city staff two weeks ago.
"We were heard," said Patrick O'Cain, who's owned a home for more than a decade near the ballpark. There are two big concerns, he said.
"Fireworks and parking. It's all on-street parking. They're talking about doing events with 6,000 people."
One idea is to issue parking tags so local residents will have a guaranteed spot. Neighbors tell News 13 a pitch to do additional nights of fireworks is off the table after pushback from residents who opposed the noise.
While O’Cain and Crowe support the millions going to the ballfield upgrades, not all residents around the ballpark support it.
"Our reaction to the vote was, it wasn't a huge surprise but a lot of disappointment," said Melissa Hoagland.
Hoagland and her husband moved from San Diego to Asheville a year ago. They were well aware they were moving into a home near the ballpark. They had no idea, at the time, that the city would choose to approve millions of taxpayer dollars for upgrades.
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"I don't think it's going to be a winning situation for them," said Hoagland. "In the end, I think the city's going to lose money, which is unfortunate because there are lots of other projects that could be undertaken that would be beneficial for more people."
One project expected to go on hold is a pedestrian forward transformation of Coxe Avenue. The $2 million slated for that project is expected to now go towards the tab for McCormick Field upgrades. The Coxe Avenue project included more pedestrian-friendly features, including wider sidewalks and other upgrades to make the South Slope more inviting for pedestrian traffic.
While McCormick Field is historic, dating back to the 1920s, the stadium was last renovated in 1992. The $37.5 million will include upgrades such as a new entrance to the stadium. The city will receive design proposals in the coming months. Then in the fall, contractors will bid on the jobs and then by the end of 2024 the upgrades are expected to be complete.