Charlotte Knights fans may see a little less of the skyline from their seats starting next season. The city's minor league team plans to construct a building on part of the grassy hill beyond the outfield of BB&T Ballpark.
There soon could be a different backdrop for home runs to left field. A ninety foot wide grassy area runs along the ballpark and West Fourth Street.
The plan has always been to develop that in some way, but the team wanted to get the ballpark up and running before it decided how to use the space.
“We now have a little better feel for what’s the need in this area and what’s the need for the Knights. And so we’ve begun the process of analyzing, looking at it and getting some different designs as to how this best benefits the Knights and the community,” says Knights Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski.
The plan is to construct a building that includes additional seating, concession areas, restrooms, a year-round restaurant and office space to rent. Rajkowski does not expect it to be higher than six stories.
“The design is still in the works, but let me emphasize this, that the center field view will not be that high. We’re not going to disrupt the view of the skyline. That’s one of the great benefits of this ballpark,” says Rajkowski.
The team hopes to finalize plans for the addition over the next 45 days before getting the blessing of its landlord, Mecklenburg County. Construction could start this fall.