Council supports Rickwood proposal, but not funding

04.14.2009 by Andre Natta · View Comments

The Birmingham City Council just voted on items pertaining to a potential restoration project for America’s oldest ballpark, Rickwood Field.

The ballpark is located on Birmingham’s West Side and will turn 100 years old next spring. The following was taken verbatim from the City’s Facebook group, as sent by Alicia Brown:

“Mayor Langford has proposed the formation of the Baseball Museum that will honor both the Negro Baseball League and the Southern League. Some Council members expressed concern about the “change in scope” by including the white leagues, but Mayor Langford explained that Birmingham has matured and is ready to recognize all of its history. Council voted a resolution to support the museum, but did not approve funding, delaying the project.“

Filed under: On the agenda · Sports

Hope

I don't think this action is any real delay. Renovating Rickwood before next spring can be done after the new fiscal year budget discussions, which start shortly, and by law must be in place long before July 1. It appeats that an architect has already been appointed and at least schematic design has been started. So - if the City doesn't drag its feet and overly talk and complicate (or politicize) the work already done by the Friends of Rickwood, the field can be completely renovated and ground can be broken and progress made on a really good, structurally sound, informative and historically important museum.