State Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle has written to Rochester Community Baseball and to Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo, asking what’s up with a lease agreement for Frontier Field?
Morelle’s letter to Dinolfo and RCB head Naomi Silver asks for an update on their talks and suggests that his support for state funding to the stadium depends on their successful outcome.
The Rochester Red Wings submitted a request for $6 million in state capital funding in July for maintenance and upgrades to Frontier Field. Morelle supports the request, but says his support depends on the county granting the team a long-term lease. Morelle says it’s unsettling that just over a month before spring training begins, there’s still no deal.
The full text of the letter:
Dear County Executive Dinolfo and Ms. Silver,
In July of 2017, Rochester Community Baseball Inc. (Rochester Red Wings) submitted an application through the Finger Lakes Economic Development Council’s Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process seeking $6 million in state funding for the purposes of making necessary capital improvements to Frontier Field. It is understood that these improvements will support much-needed facility maintenance and upgrades that will enable Frontier Field to remain viable for years to come.
At the time, I indicated my support of this request (please see attached letter dated July 28, 2017). However, as previously stipulated, my support of this request and any future requests remain contingent upon the successful execution of a long-term lease agreement between Monroe County and the Red Wings. The long-term operation of a Triple-A baseball franchise at Frontier Field is essential to ensuring the financial viability and successful operation of this facility and most importantly safeguarding county taxpayers.
On August 29, 2017, it was announced by your respective offices that a 10-year lease had been agreed to “in concept.” Our community, myself included, was led to believe that the finalizing of this long-term lease was merely a formality and that Rochester could look forward to enjoying our nation’s greatest pastime for many years to come. It is unsettling that five months later, and only 33 days (March 4) until players report to spring training, no long-term lease has been signed.
There are only 30 Triple-A baseball franchises in the United States – each representing the gateway to the Major Leagues. These are highly sought-after franchises. The failure to arrive at a plan to keep the Red Wings in Rochester will compel them to seek a home elsewhere. It is safe to assume that other communities are watching what is unfolding here in Rochester and anxiously awaiting the opportunity to lure the Red Wings away with promises of financial security and state-of-the-art facilities. It is incumbent upon all involved in this process to advance a plan that ensures the Red Wings continue to call Rochester home, and without question, this plan must necessarily begin with a long-term lease at Frontier Field.
As state legislators now deliberate over the Governor’s 2018-2019 Executive Budget submission, opportunities for capital project funding may become available. In this context, I write to you regarding the capital improvements you identified for Frontier Field in the 2017 CFA application and I request that your respective offices provide my office with an update regarding the status of lease negotiations.
In addition, I offer my services, should they be required, to help facilitate a long-term lease agreement between both parties. I look forward to your prompt reply.
Warmest personal regards,
Joseph D. Morelle