Camden Yards Orioles long-term home

Article posted by Coliseum, January 19^th, 2024

Image: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Englishgroup2016, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recently, the Governor of Maryland (US) Wes Moore announced that the Board of Public Works unanimously approved a long-term agreement between the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) and the Major League Baseball (MLB) team Baltimore Orioles.

‘Governors Office of the State of Maryland’ stated that the agreement – which keeps the Orioles at the Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland (US) for the next 30 years – represents the fruition of countless hours of work from the Moore-Miller Administration and the Maryland Stadium Authority to deliver a deal that benefits all the Maryland taxpayers, keeps the Orioles in Baltimore well into the future and spurs economic growth – through a lens of diversity and inclusion – in the entire City of Baltimore.

The Board of Public Works is a three-member body consisting of the Governor, the Comptroller and the Treasurer of the State of Maryland in the United States. It oversees many aspects of the State’s finances.

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Baltimore (US)-based the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) is a State Government office that plans, finances, builds, and manages sports facilities, convention centers, entertainment venues, and other projects in Maryland. The MSA was established in 1986 by the General Assembly. Its original mission was to build, manage and maintain the quality facilities to retain the Major League Baseball (MLB) and return the National Football League (NFL) football to Maryland.

Jeffrey Provenzano, Vice-President, Facilities, Maryland Stadium Authority, US, is a Member of Coliseum – Global Sports Venue Alliance.

The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland (US). The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League East division.

The 45,971-capacity Oriole Park at Camden Yards, commonly known as the Camden Yards, is a baseball stadium in Baltimore, Maryland (US). It is the home ballpark of the Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles, and the first of the ‘retro’ major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Here is what Marylanders, business professionals, elected officials, and community leaders are saying about the agreement:

Maintained Brandon M. Scott, City of Baltimore Mayor, “The Orioles are a team not just in Baltimore, but of Baltimore, and I could not be more thrilled that they’ll continue to call the Oriole Park at Camden Yards their home. In the ballpark that forever changed baseball, the Orioles will continue to make their mark on our City, while the City shows them our love right back. I want to extend my thanks and congratulations to Governor Moore, the Maryland Stadium Authority Chair Craig Thompson, John Angelos and the entire Orioles organization, and everyone involved in getting this deal across the finish line under sometimes difficult circumstances and lots of attention. I said from the beginning that if I had 99 problems, the Orioles staying in Baltimore weren’t one – and, as a lifelong fan, I knew that faith was warranted. I look forward to working with all of our partners as we embrace this next era for the Orioles in Baltimore and take the next steps to modernize the Camden Yards to ensure the park and the surrounding area remains a fixture of our downtown for generations to come.”

Added Johnny Olszewski, Baltimore County Executive, “An agreement that provides a pathway for the Orioles to remain in Baltimore for years to come is incredible news for our region. The Orioles are a significant source of pride for the families throughout Baltimore County and we are excited to continue celebrating this historic team. We are grateful to Governor Moore and partners with the Orioles organization who recognize the potential of our region -understanding that a vibrant Baltimore creates economic opportunities for our residents, communities and businesses across the State.”

Stated Steuart Pittman, Anne Arundel County Executive, “Keeping the Orioles in Baltimore is an incredible win for the State of Maryland. Thank you to Governor Moore for getting this deal done right. I look forward to seeing many more years of playoff baseball here in Baltimore.”

Commented Julian Jones, Baltimore City Councilman, “I applaud the partnership and leadership of everyone involved in this process – from the Maryland Stadium Authority to the Baltimore Orioles to leaders in the Moore-Miller Administration and beyond. This final deal puts the Marylanders first and delivers for Baltimore.”

‘Governors Office of the State of Maryland’ quoted Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive, as stating, “Our Baltimore Orioles are the pride and joy of Baltimore City, our region and our State. This agreement will help unlock the full potential of our region – giving the baseball fans a renewed sense of optimism and positivity that the best is yet to come. I greatly appreciate the partnership of the Moore-Miller Administration, Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, and others in securing this critical deal. I look forward to our continued progress in creating economic opportunities that benefit every resident, business and visitor across our great State.”

Observed Mark Edelson, Maryland State Delegate, “Keeping the Orioles in Baltimore is about more than baseball. This deal will leave an enduring legacy on the trajectory of downtown Baltimore and the communities that benefit from its economic vitality. Baltimore was just ranked one of the fastest growing economies in the United States and this deal will play a pivotal role in accelerating that progress. This is a win for the ballpark, a win for the 46th District and the City and a win for the State. I am thrilled to see playoff baseball at the Yard for many years to come.”

Said Shelonda Stokes, President of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, “The new long-term lease agreement between the Baltimore Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority is an exciting milestone in continuing this remarkable Baltimore legacy for generations to come. The new agreement holds immense potential to fuel a transformative wave of economic growth throughout the Downtown corridor, marking a significant moment for our entire region, with Downtown Baltimore at its heart. We look forward to continuing to be a reliable partner to both our major league teams and commend Governor Wes Moore, the Maryland Stadium Authority and our winning Baltimore Orioles for their dedication in advancing this promising new era and getting us all across home plate. Let’s Go ‘O’s’!”

Shared Mark Anthony Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee, “The GBC celebrates the Moore Administration and the Orioles for reaching this momentous agreement, ensuring they’ll remain our hometown baseball team for up to 30 years. The Orioles are an important franchise in American sports, and there’s no better place for the team than in the heart of our region. We take no long-term investment for granted and commend Governor Wes Moore and the many partners who worked to secure and deliver this milestone for our City, our region and our State. We look forward to GBC’s continued partnership with the Orioles to advance the Baltimore area and anchor the future of our downtown.”

Observed Bill Ferguson, Senate President, “It’s been a hard-fought few months to get this point. Just like the 1983 World Series, a talented and dedicated team of individual leaders came together to negotiate the new Camden Yards lease. This lease will move the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland forward under terms that are fair to the Marylanders and the Orioles, sparking a renaissance for downtown Baltimore.”

Concluded Brooke E. Lierman, Maryland Comptroller, “The State assets and resources must always be used in ways that maximize the benefit to the Maryland taxpayers. This new lease between the Orioles and the State ensures that the Stadium Authority and the Board of Public Works continue to have rigorous oversight over how the State tax dollars are spent – and recourse if needed – while also prompting the Orioles to make their share of investments over the next 30 years. The certainty that comes from knowing fans will be able to enjoy Orioles baseball for decades to come and will help bolster the confidence of the local businesses and attract new investment to Downtown Baltimore which will help spur continued economic growth.”

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