Guilford County residents are preparing for a groundbreaking ceremony for a new baseball stadium in High Point on Friday.
City officials still need to ask the state's local government commission if they can borrow up to $38 million without raising taxes to pay for the stadium — a move that has come with some controversy.
High Point Assistant City Manager Randy Heman said the stadium will complement other upcoming projects in the city like library redevelopment, a new farmer's market, and parking lot renovations.
“This is just the beginning for us and it's part of a much larger effort for us to create a downtown that has activities 365 days a year,” he said.
The overall project includes the stadium, residential units, hotels, a children's museum, and office space.
Heman said residents should be ready to see changes immediately.
“It will have a huge economic impact not just for the next few years but in perpetuity because I think everybody understands that once you get a project like this started, it gains momentum,” he said.
The groundbreaking ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m. on the corner of Pine Street and Church Avenue.
The stadium is expected to be completed by spring 2019.
