Jun 18, 2007 7:59 pm US/Central
Game Over For Ford Field After Plant Closes?
by Amelia Santaniello
St. Paul (WCCO) ―
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Paul Nelson said with the support of the neighborhood and local businesses, more than 700 kids call the field home each summer.
CBS
The Twin Cities Ford Assembly Plant in St. Paul, Minn. will close next year so officials are discussing several options for the property. Different ideas will be studied to see what their impact would be on traffic, the environment and the neighborhood.
Since 1954, Ford Field has been located just behind the auto plant, a place for Little Leaguers to play and parents to cheer. It was a gift from the automaker to the neighborhood.
However, parents and players wondering what the fate of these games will be when the plant closes next year.
"We lease the land from Ford for a dollar that of course is never actually paid," said Paul Nelson of the Highland Park Little League Association.
Nelson said with the support of the neighborhood and local businesses, more than 700 kids call the field home each summer.
"This place has some charm -- our woods, our hill over there, our little swamp over there," said Nelson. "We fear the fields might be moved, that our organization might lose control of the fields."
"So in all five scenarios the ball fields are still there and they will be there going forward," said Cecile Bedor who heads up the St. Paul Planning and Economic Development.
She said a developer would be required to include green space in any plan and the city has made it clear they want ball fields.
"I feel confident that wherever those ball fields end up that will work really well for those folks who use the ball fields," said Bedor.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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