Why build a new ballpark ?
Upon the completion of the preliminary design and analysis, it became clear that the costs would be extremely high to meet the new MLB standards by upgrading the existing facility.
What will the new ballpark project bring to the community?
Constructing a new ballpark that meets MLB Professional Development League (PDL) requirements will enable the Hops to continue to provide an affordable venue for community to gather and recreate. The new ballpark will also bring in additional tourism via concert events and provide economic opportunity for local vendors.
The design incorporates enhanced facilities to create a more attractive venue and better experience for the community. This project also aligns with and complements the Parks & Recreation goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
Who is paying for the new ballpark project and the loss of use mitigation?
The project cost is currently estimated to be up to $120M not including the cost of loss of use mitigation. The City is contributing $18 million, Washington County is contributing $8 million, Explore Tualatin Valley . is contributing $2 million and Hops is contributing $82 million in private funds. The cost associated with the building of new softball fields is being finalized and the City is negotiating with Hops regarding breakdown of how that will be funded.
How will the new ballpark be built?
The City regularly utilizes a construction delivery method called Design-Build when building facilities such as police stations, fire stations, and now the new ballpark. The Design-Build process streamlines the design and construction processes, resulting in greater flexibility and efficiencies that can save time and resources. The Design-builder selected to work on the project is Mortenson, along with SRG Partnership and Populous.
What will happen to the field Hops no longer plays at?
The City will gain exclusive use of the facility formerly used by Hops, increasing opportunities for recreation programs and community events there.
Where will the new ballpark be located?
The location for the new ballpark is within the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex (GFRC). The ballpark will be in the area currently occupied by fields four, five, and six.
Will new sports fields be added to GFRC?
City staff carefully evaluated several on-site and off-site options to replace the lost use from fields four, five, and six. Currently, we are planning to build new multiuse sports fields within the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex.
Who will own/manage the new ballpark?
The Hops will have full operational control over the ballpark under a licensing agreement with the City, and the Hops will be responsible for all ballpark expenses, including utilities and maintenance.
What is the size of the project and other planned improvements?
The project area is approximately 230,000 square feet which is just under 5 acres. The project includes a regulation-sized turf baseball diamond, seating bowl, score board, lighting, and buildings which contain concessions, restrooms, a team store, premium club space, ticket offices, a kitchen, team spaces (locker rooms, training rooms, batting tunnels, team offices), event support spaces, and maintenance equipment storage. The site will have adequate public facilities and services available for the planned stadium use. Offsite improvements will include a regional public sanitary sewer line extension as well as stormwater treatment and detention to meet local jurisdictional permit requirements.
How is the current site managed and how will it be managed in the future?
The Hillsboro Hops and the Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department have successfully coordinated site usage for the last ten years. The Hops and Parks & Recreation teams hold annual coordination meetings to review the Hops baseball schedule with the intent of deconflicting dates between planned City events and adjust as needed.
There are times when concurrent events exist, or the Hops have night games following a youth tournament, but they coordinate schedules appropriately to accommodate and allow traffic to egress and ingress. The intent is to continue this same coordination with the new ballpark.
As it does today, the site will continue to follow established parameters memorialized in operations agreements and conditions of approval. Similarly, the new ballpark will include established parameters in the form of development conditions of approval as well as a development and lease agreement. Some events may be required to establish off-site parking as appropriate, which would be captured in a traffic management plan via a special event permit process.
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