BRIDGEPORT, CT (CelebrityAccess) — Mayor Joe Ganim announced that the city is changing directions at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard, turning the stadium from a minor league ballpark into a live music venue.
According to the Connecticut Post, Harbor Yard developer Howard Saffan on Monday night said that the city had accepted a joint proposal with Live Nation to turn the 20-year-old Harbor Yard ballpark into a warm-weather amphitheater.
The deal would mean the stadium's current tenant, The Bridgeport Bluefish, would be forced to seek a new home. The Bluefish, who are part of the Atlantic League, are not affiliated with a major league team.
"We are proud of the 20-year run the Bridgeport Bluefish have had," said Bluefish principal owner Frank Boulton in a statement following the announcement of the deal. "While we are disappointed the City decided to turn the ballpark into a 29-date concert venue, we wish them the best of luck, and we hope that all Bluefish fans will come out to support their first-place team as they drive towards a championship."
The details of the partnership between Saffan and Live Nation have yet to be explained, but Saffan said he and Live Nation will pay for $15 million worth of renovations to the 5,000-seat ballpark, and expects some financing from the public sector, the Connecticut Post said.
The amphitheater will open in spring 2019, Saffan added. However, the deal is still pending approval from the Bridgeport City Council as Mayor Ganim gears up for a 2018 re-election campaign.
