As previously reported on MMN, the St. Lucie city council had approved a $55 million renovation to First Data Field to incorporate a 360 degree view of the action as well as improvements to the clubhouse and other fan amenities. The hope was to make the Spring Training home of the Mets and the ballpark for the St. Lucie Mets a much improved facility which would be more player and fan friendly.

After repeated delays, work on the ballpark was supposed to being after this Spring Training, but according to yesterday’s report from the TC Palm, the talks regarded renovating the ballpark have now turned contentious with the Mets contemplating scrapping the project and pursuing a new facility for Spring Training and their Florida State League affiliate.

At this point, the sticking point is money. Costs for the project have been escalating, and the original $55 million project is now projected to cost $80 million. According to County Administrator Howard Tipton, the rising costs are the direct result of recent natural disaster. Specifically, he said, “We really want to be under construction this April. But rising construction costs from an improved economy and rebuilding from hurricanes Michael and Irma are driving up costs for materials.”

Due to the terms of the agreement between the Mets and the city, the team can either request the city to make cuts. If not, the Mets are responsible for any cost overruns. With County Commissioners Cathy Townsend and Linda Bartz being staunchly against the city going beyond their initial $55 million contribution to the project, the city has requested the Mets to increase their contribution from $2 million to $2.4 million.

If the Mets balk and walk away from the project, the City of St. Lucie would lose a $20 million grant it received from the State of Florida for the project. The city will also be out of the over costs it has already sunk into getting this project off the ground. More than that, they could soon have a vacant ballpark instead of having the Mets leasing it out through the 2042 season.

At this moment, talks are still progressing with both sides being frustrated. As noted by County spokesman Erick Gill, “We understand (the Mets’) frustration, but we are equally frustrated. We hope to continue to work with the New York Mets. We have to make a compromise that benefits everyone — not just the Mets, but the residents of St. Lucie County.”