The Hagerstown City Council coted to further explore a new-ballpark study with the Maryland Stadium Authority, but stopped short of endorsing the idea of a new venue for the Hagerstown Suns (Low A; Sally League).

A state grant of $300,000 is earmarked for an in-depth study of a new downtown ballpark, to be performed by the Maryland Stadium Authority. The authority, working with a consultant, identified a site at West Baltimore Street and Summit Avenue in downtown Hagerstown as the best site for a multiuse facility in terms of potential economic impact, which would be designed to host other events like concerts and meetings, as well as a potential USL League One team.

As noted, there is state money for a study, but council members want to expand the parameters of the study to include other venue options, including a purely live-music facility, as well as include a second potential site near the current Municipal Stadium location outside downtown Hagerstown, which would present very limited economic-development options. From the Herald-Mail:

After an hour-plus-long discussion, a majority of the Hagerstown City Council agreed to have city staff members contact the Maryland Stadium Authority. They will learn more about a phase-two study into a downtown multiuse ballpark at West Baltimore Street and Summit Avenue.

City Administrator Scott Nicewarner intends to discuss numerous “deliverables” that council members want out of the study and how another site off East Baltimore Street, near the existing Municipal Stadium, could be factored in.

“These guys want to see something happen,” Nicewarner said. “The amount of interest in this city … as far as commercial interest is higher than it has been in a very, very, very long time. That momentum needs to keep going. I think we’ve got a great start to it.”

Once a list of deliverables is worked out by the city staff, the Hagerstown City Council will review and decide whether to move forward.

Editor’s note: Ballpark Digest managing editor Zach Spedden is the son of Dan Spedden, the local tourism official involved in this effort. Zach Spedden was not involved in the preparation of this article.

RELATED STORIES: Scope of Downtown Hagerstown Ballpark Project Up in the Air; Downtown Investment Possible With New Hagerstown Suns Ballpark: Developer; Downtown Site Revived as Hagerstown Suns New Ballpark Location; Report Due on Potential New Hagerstown Suns Ballpark; Hagerstown Could Make Another Run at New Suns Ballpark; New Hagerstown Suns Ballpark Discussions Renewed