South Broad Stadium still on track a year for opening day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We got another update on the construction progress of the South Broad Stadium.

While Chattanooga Lookouts fans take in one last season on Hawk Hill at AT&T Field, developers say we are just a year away from the completion of the South Broad Stadium.

The project broke ground last July, and is slated to be completed at a $125 million cost.

The third base dugout structure, which has gone up over the last month.

We got to tour the stadium in March, and a lot of has been completed in just the past month.

Andy Stone, a partner with Perimeter Properties that owns the Wheland Foundry site, said, “If you look behind me here, and on part of the tour, the outfield walls are now 90 percent complete. The concourse for the upper outfield wall here, has built up here to its final elevation.”

One of the main additions here at the stadium since the last time we visited is the third base dugout structure here

Stone: said, “So the cranes here erected the concourse level and the two levels above that, and the suite above it are complete.”

At a meeting of the Sports Authority Board Thursday, developers said that $15 million of the $76 million dollar bond has been paid, and most of the work is being done by local firms.

City engineer Billy Payne said, “$60 million dollars of the $76 million which is 79 percent is local, so there is a very significant amount. There’s also, 42 percent of the entire contract is within 15 miles.”

Additionally, progress has been made on restoring the former Wheland Foundry site, as all structures still standing will be incorporated in some form on the project.

These will serve varying functions from Lookouts offices, a food hall, and multi-purpose meeting spaces.

Additionally, as they look to build up the tax-increment financing district around the stadium, developers say those talks are ongoing.

Stone said, “We’ve been talking to everything from music venues to hotels, to mixed-use retail. Our property here will incorporate everything from living to office and housing.”

Developers say first pitch is still on track for April 20-26.