Here is a timeline of events involving construction of the downtown baseball stadium:
2012 β Gov. Bryant works with baseball ownership group to identify suitable site and potential financing for baseball stadium in Biloxi.
May 30, 2013 β Gov. Bryant announces $15 million BP grant to the city for construction of a minor league stadium downtown.
June 4, 2013 β City elections. Five new councilmembers elected to seven-member council; take office a month later.
Aug. 6, 2013 β Council commissions economic impact analysis of stadium.
Aug. 21, 2013 β Consultant Charles Johnston says stadium would draw half-million people to downtown area annually (280,000 baseball; 62,000 other baseball events, 71,000 concerts, 32,000 festivals), representing an impact of $25.4 million in annual direct spending.
May 2013 β City Council votes to issue up to $21 million in bonds to construct stadium.
Oct. 8, 2013 β City Council adopts financing of and process of constructing stadium, parking garage and related facility.
Dec. 8, 2013 β Gov. Bryant, Biloxi CAO David Nichols, attorney Ron Peresich and team owner Tim Bennett attend Major League Baseball Winter Meetings to seek MLB approval of team relocating to Biloxi.
Dec. 19, 2013 — Minor League Baseball approves sale and relocation of team. Next daym, on Dec. 20, 2013, MLB approves.
Jan. 10, 2014 β Southern League approves sale of Huntsville Stars to ownership group led by Ken Young.
Jan. 23, 2014 β City, county and state leaders gather for ceremonial ground breaking at site.
Feb. 11, 2014 β Contract awarded to Dale Partners Architects for design of Caillavet Park Baseball Stadium. (Architectural and engineering fees expected to total about $3 million.)
March 18, 2014 β Contracts totaling more than $4 million awarded to L.J. Construction, W.C. Fore Trucking and Warren Paving for initial site work, to include federally-funded infrastructure work. Mississippi Power begins relocating power poles near site.
March 18, 2014 β Yates Construction awarded contract to serve as project/construction manager, overseeing aspects of construction of stadium.
March 18, 2014 β City Council approves stadium lease and ground lease between city, Biloxi Baseball, Beau Rivage and Overtime Sports.
May 9, 2014 β After bids for aspects of stadium come in over budget, City Council votes to abandon construction manager route in favor of hiring general contractor to construct stadium.
July 22, 2014 β City Council approves 12-month, $32.3 million contract with Yates Construction for stadium construction, reduced to $29.1 million by reducing number of seats, and eliminating signage, sound system and scoreboard from contract.
Aug. 4, 2014 β After notices of insurance and other documents have been filed, Yates is given a Notice to Proceed on construction, with Aug. 4, 2015 deadline.
Nov. 25, 2014 β Biloxi Shuckers announced as name for team.
Feb. 24, 2015 β Dale Partners contract amended to include design of structure and foundation for scoreboard/video board.
March 31, 2015 β City Council approves resolution amending lease. Baseball owners would provide $925,000 to complete audio visual system, entrance upgrades, suite completion, signage and video upgrades with June 1 and July 1 deadlines; city would forgo $2 surcharge for years 2015 and 2016 on first 231,250 tickets.
May 11, 2015 β Shuckers announce tickets to go on sale for June 6 home game.
May 12, 2015 β Andrew “FoFo” Gilich elected mayor of Biloxi.
May 27, 2015 β Mayor Gilich declines to pay $380,000 incentive for possibility of MGM Park opening June 6, opts to work with contractor toward opening earlier than Aug. 4 deadline.
May 28, 2015 β Mayor Gilich announces a deal has been struck where the city would pay no additional money other than what is already obligated and the stadium can host its first game on June 6.
Compiled May 28, 2015 from public documents
