PLAY BALL.

• Author: Mildenberg, David
• Position: STATEWIDE: Triad

Pepping up downtown High Point in the 48 weeks a year that the furniture market isn't revving has challenged city leaders for decades. A $140 million plan for minor-league baseball, a children's museum and an events center could finally move the needle. The project's catalyst is Nido Qubein, who has overseen more than $1 billion in development at High Point University over the last decade. During that same period, he says the city's property values have declined by more than $250 million.

"This town was once a thriving center. It ain't no more," he told city leaders in September. In recent months, Qubein raised $50 million pledged from nine families, two banks and his university to help pay for the project. (He asked 12 parties for money; only one said no.) He recruited High Point-based Blue Ridge Cos. to develop at least 200 apartments, Greensboro-based Carroll Cos. to build a 100-room hotel and convinced minor-league baseball's Atlantic League to move a franchise to High Point.

The plan hinges on city-county approval of $30 million in bonds to build a stadium, a tough move given...