PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — St. Lucie County and the New York Mets have reached an agreement that would keep the ball club in Port St. Lucie for another 20-plus years.
The commission Tuesday morning OK'd a $57 million project to make renovations to First Data Field, the Mets spring training home since 1988.
An initial agreement had been signed two years ago, but work had yet to begin partly due to budgeting concerns.
The two sides worked to keep the plan at the original county funding amount, with the Mets now contributing an additional $2 million to the project.
Construction should start in April.
Below is a statement from the Mets organization regarding Tuesday's vote:
“We’re pleased with today’s outcome. Thanks to the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners and the county legal team that worked with our team over the holiday. We are thankful for the continued support of our fans and the local businesses.”
RE-MEET @mets! @StLucieGOV approves $57M renovation project at First Data Field to keep team on TC until 2042. @WPTV pic.twitter.com/g1xMr2FW5y
— Jon Shainman (@JonShainman) February 19, 2019