The Kannapolis City Council approved three items which are the first steps in the process for the construction of a new sports and entertainment venue in downtown Kannapolis.
Architects Populous and Creech and Associates, Inc. were approved as the designers of the Sports and Entertainment Venue. The City Council also approved establishing a capital project ordinance which is the financial mechanism to pay for the items needed for the preliminary design of the venue. City Council also approved a preliminary schematic plan which will focus on the orientation of the field on the site, current trends for the architecture of a baseball stadium such as various dining options, seating arrangements, technology, event space, and children’s spaces which create more entertainment and social experiences for baseball patrons and the community at large. A preliminary estimate for the facility is $37 million with the City partnering with the Kannapolis Intimidators and other entities to cover the costs.
“We are excited to work with an architect firm of this caliber. Their expertise will help us build a venue where people will have the ultimate visitor experience,” commented Kannapolis City Manager Mike Legg.
The venue will be constructed at the former K-Town Furniture site located at Oak and West Avenues and will be the home of the Kannapolis Intimidators. It is expected to have an intimate atmosphere for small and large groups with numerous seating options to enjoy baseball, concerts, festivals, and other events. The City intends to have the facility open for the start of the 2019 baseball season.
Populous has a portfolio of work which includes designing 48 minor league ballparks across the U.S. including Columbia, SC; Pensacola FL; El Paso, TX and Fort Wayne, IN.
Populous designs can also be seen in the arena, aviation, collegiate, convention center, and major league baseball markets, most recently through new ballparks for the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins. The firm’s major and minor league designs have won ballpark of the year 16 times by SportsBusiness Journal, Ballpark Digest, and Baseballparks.com.
Creech and Associates, Inc. designed the Kannapolis City Hall & Police Headquarters, the North Carolina Research Campus, the Huntersville Town Center & Discovery Place Kids, Mint Hill Town Hall, Indian Trail Town Hall, and the UNCC Epic Building.
Collectively, the architects have completed facilities at a number of universities including Western Carolina University, Coastal Carolina University, University of Utah, University of Miami, Louisiana State University and the University of Alabama.
