*Photo from Covering the Corner*
With relocation rumors swirling around a few baseball teams in particular, you can leave the Cleveland Guardians off this list. The Guardians have signed a lease with the group that owns Progressive Field through the 2036 season, with options for another 10 years after 2036, according to an announcement made on Thursday.
The lease agreement and bond financing for improvements to Progressive Field, originally announced in August, are now finally official, as the Cleveland City council and Cuyahoga county council have approved the plan. This includes not just a lease, but improvements will be made to Progressive Field to improve fan experience at the ballpark, which will start at the end of the 2022 season.
Guardians chairman and CEO Peter Dolan said of the news that "Today heralds a new era of professional baseball in Cleveland, and on behalf of the Dolan family and the Guardians organization, I want to express my deepest appreciation for all of our supporters who helped ensure the continued success of baseball in Cleveland."
Now that the plans have been approved and finalized, the Guardians can immediately start planning, in greater detail, the improvements that will be made to Progressive Field. These renovations include transforming the left-field experience inclusive of the Terrace Club, re-doing the upper deck concourse, and creating a larger and more engaging social space in the seating area behind home plate. The clubhouses and front office will also see renovations.
Dolan continued on in his statement, saying that "We feel very fortunate to live in a community that is unified in maintaining momentum in Northeast Ohio and building for a better tomorrow. We take very seriously the role we can play in maximizing the potential of this great city, and we are confident that this agreement will create a more compelling fan experience and keep this facility modern and relevant for many more years to come."
The improvements being made will be funded through the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, the state of Ohio, and the Guardians themselves, with no increases to taxes on residents. Cleveland and Cuyahoga county will spend a combined $17 million a year on these renovations, with the state pitching in $2 million, and $10 million coming from the Guardians.
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