Baseball Stadium Update
posted by Scott Hood, Tuesday, June 19, 2007
According to the FPC, the architectural plans for the new ballpark are still being reviewed by the State of South Carolina's Engineering Office and that process could take another few weeks. Since this is technically a government project, approval by the Engineering Office is required.
Unfortunately, state law prohibits USC from advertising for bids from general contractors until the State's engineering office has approved the plans. Since that hasn't happened, there has been no advertising.
USC is expected to receive approval of the plans in early to mid July. Typically, bids are advertised and accepted for 30 days. Accordingly, bids probably won't be opened until mid-to-late August. Consequently, construction of the new ballpark is not expected to begin until late August or early September, at the earliest.
In the meantime, excavation work at the site of the new ballpark continues. Ray Tanner was pleased by what he saw when he visited the site about a week ago.
Since actual construction of the stadium will likely not begin for another two to three months, it's doubtful the new ballpark will be ready for the 2008 season opener in late February.
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I spoke Tuesday afternoon with USC's Facility Planning and Construction office (FPC), the one in charge of overseeing construction of USC's new $28 million ballpark along the Congaree River near the Olympia Neighborhood.
According to the FPC, the architectural plans for the new ballpark are still being reviewed by the State of South Carolina's Engineering Office and that process could take another few weeks. Since this is technically a government project, approval by the Engineering Office is required.
Unfortunately, state law prohibits USC from advertising for bids from general contractors until the State's engineering office has approved the plans. Since that hasn't happened, there has been no advertising.
USC is expected to receive approval of the plans in early to mid July. Typically, bids are advertised and accepted for 30 days. Accordingly, bids probably won't be opened until mid-to-late August. Consequently, construction of the new ballpark is not expected to begin until late August or early September, at the earliest.
In the meantime, excavation work at the site of the new ballpark continues. Ray Tanner was pleased by what he saw when he visited the site about a week ago.
Since actual construction of the stadium will likely not begin for another two to three months, it's doubtful the new ballpark will be ready for the 2008 season opener in late February.
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.