News Summary
The Myrtle Beach City Council approved a second reading of an ordinance securing a 30-year lease for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans baseball team at Pelicans Ballpark. With a joint ownership structure, Myrtle Beach will have a 70% ownership stake, while Horry County will own 30%. The Pelicans will be responsible for maintaining the stadium and cover upgrades exceeding $20 million. The lease will include increased annual payments and provisions for special ticket fees to support local economies. Concerns were raised by dissenting council members regarding financial obligations.
Myrtle Beach – The Myrtle Beach City Council has voted to approve the second reading of an ordinance that secures a 30-year lease to keep the Myrtle Beach Pelicans baseball team at Pelicans Ballpark. This decision was made during a council meeting held on Tuesday. The lease agreement is now pending official approval from the Horry County Council after a required public hearing and an upcoming third reading, which is expected to appear on the council agenda by the end of the month.
The new terms of the lease dictate a joint ownership structure for Pelicans Ballpark, with Myrtle Beach holding a 70% ownership stake and Horry County owning the remaining 30%. As part of the lease agreement, the Pelicans will be responsible for the aesthetic maintenance of the stadium, which includes upkeep of the field and lighting fixtures.
Under the lease, any costs that exceed $20 million for upgrades to meet current Major League Baseball (MLB) standards will be the responsibility of the Pelicans. The estimated cost for necessary improvements is approximately $20 million. The financial arrangement includes annual lease payments that start at $750,000 for the first 10 years, increasing to $850,000 during years 11-20, and reaching $950,000 for the last 10 years.
Mayor Brenda Bethune has shown enthusiasm for the approval, pointing out that retaining the Pelicans goes beyond baseball; it plays a significant role in supporting local jobs and preserving family traditions within the Myrtle Beach community. The Pelicans have had a long-standing relationship with the city, having played there since 1998. Their initial lease expired in 2018, and since then, the team has operated on a series of extensions.
In a bid to maximize the utility of the stadium, council members have encouraged the Pelicans to host more events, such as concerts and festivals, during the off-season. While acknowledging the substantial investment required for the new lease, the council affirmed that this new agreement offers a fairer deal compared to previous contracts.
The existing lease required an annual payment of only $150,000, which highlights the considerable increase proposed in the new agreement. A reimbursement plan included in the lease allows Myrtle Beach and Horry County to collect a per-ticket fee from home games and other events, providing additional financial support for the entities involved. For non-tenant events, the reimbursement plan establishes a fee of $2 per ticket during the first five years—this will increase to $3 in years 11-30. For home games, the plan outlines a $1 fee during years 6-10, escalating to $1.50 for years 11-15, and $2 for years 16-30.
The council also faced dissent, with members Mike Lowder and Jackie Hatley voting against the lease. Hatley voiced concerns over the financial obligations to the city. The city has committed to a $20 million allowance for improvements, which will partially be financed through bonds issued by the city.
In addition to the lease negotiations, the council’s agreement includes the creation of industrial parks and plans to restore funding to the Myrtle Beach International Airport as part of the overall strategy to benefit the local economy.
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Additional Resources
- WMBF News: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Lease
- My Horry News: Pelicans Lease Approval
- WPDE: Myrtle Beach Council Approves Lease
- WBTW: Myrtle Beach City Council Votes to Extend Pelicans Stay
- MiLB: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Recap
- Wikipedia: Myrtle Beach
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Google Scholar: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Myrtle Beach
- Google News: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
