What's on deck for Wilmington?

• Position: Eastern

A bid to bring minor-league baseball to the banks of the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington struck out with voters in November, when they rejected the use of public money to build a $37 million stadium for an Atlanta Braves affiliate. Business groups such as Wilmington Downtown Inc. and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce supported the stadium, saying it would help bring restaurants, hotels, retail stores and other businesses to the northern riverfront. The outcome sends city officials and business leaders to the bullpen for this stretch of the city, which has seen sparse development in recent years.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"There is no plan B."

-- Rich Neumann, president of operations for Mandalay Baseball, which would have co-owned the minor-league team

Source: Wilmington StarNews

2.5 cents Tax increase per $100 of property value required to build stadium $112,000 Amount raised through late October by Wilmington Family Entertainment and Baseball Coalition in support of stadium $38,000 Amount raised by Vote No Stadium Tax Committee 70% Ballots cast rejecting the use of taxpayer money for the stadium Floating the boating industry

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