SYRACUSE — The New York Mets’ decision to move their Triple-A affiliate and the upcoming renovation work at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse requires “a big investment.” Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Oct. 16 made the comment during his remarks at a ceremony inside the stadium, noting that the state and Onondaga County are each contributing […]
SYRACUSE — The New York Mets’ decision to move their Triple-A affiliate and the upcoming renovation work at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse requires “a big investment.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Oct. 16 made the comment during his remarks at a ceremony inside the stadium, noting that the state and Onondaga County are each contributing $12.5 million and the City of Syracuse is adding $1.25 million to the stadium-renovation effort.
The New York Mets made their own big investment by buying the Syracuse Chiefs, which they will be renaming the Syracuse Mets.
“Big investment by the Mets. They bought the team, roughly $20 million to buy the team,” said Cuomo.
The governor spoke wearing a Mets jacket with the name “Cuomo” on the back, noting that it belonged to his late father.
“This jacket belonged to the 52nd governor of the state of New York, Gov. Mario Cuomo. And he kept this jacket for many, many years and he was very proud of it. And he gave me this jacket,” said Andrew Cuomo.
In his remarks, the governor announced that the Chiefs will become the Syracuse Mets when they begin play as the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets in 2019.
The Syracuse Mets are also committing to sign a lease extension to call Syracuse home for at least 25 years, Cuomo noted in his remarks before a seated audience inside the baseball stadium.
Just over a year ago, Cuomo had announced that the New York Mets had closed on a deal to purchase the Syracuse Chiefs.
The minor-league baseball team on Nov. 17, 2017 announced that its shareholders had approved the sale to the major league Mets.
Stadium project
The $26.25 million renovation project at NBT Bank Stadium will “result in an improved experience for dedicated baseball fans and visitors while ensuring the Mets’ farm-team will stay in Syracuse until at least 2043,” Cuomo’s office said in an Oct. 16 news release.
The renovation project will happen “in preparation for the arrival” of the New York Mets Triple-A affiliate, Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said in her remarks at the Oct. 16 ceremony. Mahoney will soon be leaving her position to become COO of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
The renovations will involve upgrading the clubhouse, lighting, and audio systems, replacing seats, improving the entry way, and reconfiguring the concourse and concession stands, according to Mahoney.
“This stadium is a county facility and it’s one of the jewels of our county parks system,” Mahoney said.
In his remarks, Jeff Wilpon, COO of the New York Mets, called it “a really exciting day for our franchise.”
“I can’t tell you how much we appreciate everything that’s being done here for the Mets and for us here in Syracuse,” said Wilpon.