New questions over $500 million repair bill for D-backs’ stadium

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — There’s a bill moving through the state Legislature that would upgrade the Arizona Diamondbacks’ stadium and keep the baseball team playing at Chase Field for the next 30 years. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego told Arizona’s Family she has not seen documented evidence to justify the $500 million price tag.

Maricopa County owns Chase Field, which is one of the oldest stadiums in Major League Baseball. Diamondbacks executives say they need $500 million to fix the retractable roof, air conditioning, plumbing and other parts of the 30-year-old facility.

House Bill 2704 redirects tax dollars spent at the stadium to pay for the upgrades and maintenance that the Diamondbacks say are needed.

Gallego has raised red flags about the finances. She claims the deal will rob the city of vital tax revenues needed to pay for fire, police, and other city services. She said she and other county leaders have never seen an engineering report or assessment that justifies the amount of money the team claims they need for repairs.

“Maricopa County does not have an engineering report on Chase. To me, that’s basic. What are we going to spend the money on before we spend it? If you go grocery shopping you don’t pay for the groceries and come back in a month and decide what groceries you’re getting,” Gallego said.

The county confirmed the mayor’s claims, releasing a statement that reads in part, “We’re not aware of a recent, comprehensive assessment of stadium needs.”

The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee before going to the full Senate and back to the House with amendments. The Diamondbacks’ current lease runs through the 2027 season.

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