Foul bawl: Councilwoman strikes out in quest for proof of ballpark funding

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CHARLOTTE — Groundbreaking is set to begin this month on a new, uptown ballpark for the Charlotte Knights, but Claire Fallon could care less.

Instead, Fallon, a member of the City Council, is among those wanting to see proof that the Knights have financing to fund construction.

So far, she hasn’t gotten her way.

“I don’t think they have it,” Fallon said.

Oh, but they do, others say.

Mecklenburg County General Manager Bobbie Shields said he doesn’t doubt that the Knights have the funding. He added that the minor-league team isn’t required to disclose its sources of financing. But, he said, he hopes the team makes that information public once stadium construction begins.

On June 11, the City Council agreed to give the Knights $8 million in taxpayer money to help build a $54 million ballpark so the team can relocate from Fort Mill, S.C. The Knights have to come up with the remaining $46 million.

Moira Quinn, chief operating office for Charlotte Center City Partners, which is providing $750,000 for the stadium project, said the private funding for the ballpark is just that — private — and not a matter of public record. Therefore, it isn’t necessary for the Knights to disclose it to anyone but Mecklenburg County, she said.

The county owns the nearly eight acres, in Charlotte’s 3rd Ward, where the stadium will be built. That’s why the Knights have to provide proof of financing to the county instead of the city.

“The Knights had to show the county that they were able to provide financing or they would be in violation of their lease,” Quinn said. “Mecklenburg County was satisfied with the financing.”

Fallon is not satisfied, and she balks at the notion of keeping the funding sources private.

“I don’t care if the money is coming from private investments,” she said. “It should be revealed. I get very suspicious when people aren’t transparent.”

Shields said there’s been a misunderstanding about the deadlines set for the team. June 30 was the deadline for the Knights to prove the team had financial commitments, not lock in financing, he said, adding that the team has until Sept. 30 to finalize its funding so construction can begin by the Oct. 1 deadline.

“On Sept. 30, there is no obligation that they show (the county) they have gotten all the money,” Shields said. “But I fully expect they will give the county some indication.”

Groundbreaking for the stadium is supposed to take place today. Quinn said that actual construction is expected to begin in October. Opening day is still set for April 2014, she said.

Fallon, meanwhile, doesn’t share the enthusiasm of city boosters who see the project as a homerun.

“And I’m not giving them another dime. Not on my watch.”

The Knights couldn’t be reached for comment for this story. But the team has sent invitations for the groundbreaking to the media and government leaders.

Count Fallon out.

“I got my invitation,” she said. “But I won’t be there. I still think it’s going to be a disaster.”

Payton Guion can be reached at [email protected], (704) 817-1344 or on Twitter at @paytonguion.