Janet Marie Smith and the Baltimore Orioles unveiled their vision of a renovated Ed Smith Stadium, provided the plan clears legal hurdles. On the table: a second-level concourse, new entryway, extended canopy and 1,500 more seats, all built in what's known locally as the Sarasota style of architecture.
The $31-million makeover of the former spring home of the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds was expected to begin in April, but a legal challenge to the way Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota deliberated bond funding for the project is expected to delay construction; the renovated facility is now expected to open in Spring Training 2012, should the legal issues be worked out.
The plan, overseen by Smith and formalized by Sarasota-based Hoyt Architects and Washington-based architect David Schwarz (who worked on Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, among other facilities), calls for Ed Smith Stadium to be renovated, rather than torn down and rebuilt from scratch. No surprise: though officials had talked about a new ballpark and the Orioles pushed for enough money for a new facility, a budget of $31 million just wasn't going to be enough, especially when the team was looking at expanding clubhouses at the training complex and Twin Lakes Park, where the team's minor leaguers train.
Currently, the renovation includes a new main entrance rebuilt in the Sarasota style: lots of light stucco and decorative clay elements. A second-level concourse will be added, while the canopy will be extended to provide more shade to perhaps the sunniest facility in the Grapefruit League. More than 1,500 new seats will be added, giving the place a total capacity of around 9,000.
In addition, berm seating and a picnic area will be added.