Lansing council approves park renovation

LANSING, Mich. -- On Monday night, the Lansing City Council officially approved a plan for Cooley Law School Stadium to receive a fully modernizing $10.5 million renovation as part of a larger project to incorporate a private mixed-use development into the ballpark outfield.

The innovative project is the result of a year-long collaborative effort between the Lugnuts, the City of Lansing, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), the Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA), and the Gillespie Group.

"We enter the Lugnuts' 20th season next year with an eye toward building Lansing for 20 more years," said Lansing Lugnuts team owner Tom Dickson. "Nothing continues without sustainable action, and this significant renovation in combination with a one-of-a-kind residential development will accelerate the revitalization of downtown Lansing all over again."

The Outfield, a privately funded residential and commercial development, will cost in excess of $12 million. In addition, a state-of-the-art HD video board will be paid for by the Lugnuts at a cost of $1 million.

Cooley Law School Stadium renovations will include key updates to the facility as well as several new ballpark amenities that continue to foster the family friendly entertainment environment the Lugnuts have created since their inception: the HD video board, 360° walk-around concourse, re-imagined and enhanced picnic venues, a new kids playground area, team clubhouse upgrades, refurbished seating (replacing all aluminum benches), a new playing surface, renovated annual suites, installation of energy-efficient lighting and windows, and a new special event facility to allow for all-season use of the ballpark.

The Lugnuts will next work closely with the City of Lansing and lead architecture firm Jones Petrie Rafinski to finalize designs. The majority of the stadium renovations are scheduled for completion during the upcoming offseason, with The Outfield development expected to be ready by Opening Day 2016. Renderings of the renovations and development are available at lansinglugnuts.com.