This historic agreement is the culmination of several years of work, according to Regina Morales, director of economic development for the City of Sugar Land. In 2007, the City created a plan that outlined five different entertainment components, one of which was a baseball team and stadium.

Morales tells GlobeSt. that the City initially pursued a Triple A affiliate team with the Houston Astros. When that didn't work out, the City found an independent operator to bring America's pastime to Sugar Land.

Lancaster, PA-based Opening Day Partners will own an Atlantic League expansion team that is committed to play in Sugar Land with a 20-year lease and a renewal option for an additional 10 years. The firm, which has designed, constructed and operated 14 ballparks since 1982, will also contribute $3 million in revenue sharing from the venture and $5 million to the construction of the stadium, which it will operate, Morales says.

The facility – built to MLB's Triple A standards with family oriented amenities – will be designed as a flexible multi-use facility supporting year-round community events, college and high school baseball tournaments, concerts and other uses. It has the potential of attracting more than 300,000 annually, and a cost-benefit analysis shows it will provide an annual benefit to the community of $7.7 million or a return of $169 million over 30 years.

Currently, the City is evaluating four potential stadium sites ranging from 25 acres to 150 acres. Two sites are located near U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard including land the City leases from University of Houston System at Sugar Land, and two other sites are located near Highways 6 and 90.

All of the sites except the University of Houston site would include a mixed-use development anchored by the baseball stadium, Morales says. The City expects to make the site selection in the next 90 days.

The $30-million stadium will be funded with a portion of sales tax revenues that may only be used for economic development purposes; hotel occupancy taxes; venue-specific taxes, including ticket and parking revenues; and $5 million from ODP. Voters approved the funding tools during a special election on Nov. 4, 2008.

Morales says the City has reached out to the landowners/developers of the potential sites and requested proposals for site plans and land usage. It expects to receive those proposals in July. In the meantime, the City is beginning the architect selection process, she adds.

The City plans to break ground on the new stadium in March 2011, and the new baseball team is expected to take the field in April 2012. A "name-the-team" contest will be announced soon with the winner to be awarded lifetime season tickets.