Fate of Greer Stadium remains unclear
WKRN - Joseph Pleasant, Aug. 26, 2014
The future of Greer Stadium remains unclear as the Nashville Sounds prepare to play their last home game at the ballpark.
The baseball team has called the stadium home since 1978.
Construction on the new home of the Nashville Sounds is moving along on a tight schedule, according to the construction company leading the project.
It is scheduled to be ready in time for the Sounds 2015 home opener April 15.
“The Ballpark Project Team is well under way in constructing First Tennessee Park and is tracking along on the very tight schedule,” associate project manager Michelle Barbero said in an email. “Construction is proceeding and the structural steel is being erected.”
She continued, “Over the next three or four months, you will begin to see the building take shape along Jackson Street. You will start to see the layout of the building, the concourse and suite areas, as well as the stadium seating.”
Meanwhile, the fate of Greer Stadium is still unclear.
“There are no plans made,” Mayor Karl Dean said. “I think what needs to happen is a community process with input from the community about what people want.”
The ballpark sits next to Fort Negley, a historic site that is also owned by the Metro Nashville parks department.
“We will listen to the ideas, listen to the community,” Mayor Dean said. “Nothing has been decided.”
The mayor did hint the stadium could transition to a community sporting complex or possibly a city park.
“I think a park of some sort,” he said. “Soccer is interesting and tennis is interesting. There are a lot of different things that could occur there. I think something the whole community could use is the best thing.”
In addition to a ballpark, the Sulphur Dell development will have residential and commercial space.
The Sounds are already accepting deposits for 2015 season tickets.
The team has two regular season home games left. They play the Sacramento River Cats on Tuesday night at 7:05 and again Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m.