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Ramapo ballpark moves forward; lawsuit threatened

Proposed Ramapo ballpark

A proposed new ballpark for the Rockland Boulders in Ramapo, N.Y., is moving forward after its site was transferred to a quasi-public development agency, but opponents of the facility are threatening a lawsuit in an attempt to detail the project.

The city had bought the ballpark site in anticipation of building the ballpark using Ramapo-backed bonds, but that proposal was shot down by voters in a fall referendum. City officials then decided to use a quasi-public development agency, the Ramapo Local Development Corp., to back and build the ballpark. Under the new plan, the land will be used as collateral for loans on ballpark construction costs.

To get the ball rolling on this new plan, the Ramapo Town Board approved the transfer of 61 acres to the Ramapo Local Development Corp. Last night’s board meeting was an event, to say the last; a standing-room-only crowd was on hand, and opponents of the ballpark project said the move subverted the will of the people (expressed in the referendum) and would be subject to a lawsuit.

“If this goes through, there will be a lawsuit,” said opponent Bruce Levine before the hearing. “This is not going to go through without a fight.”

The current plan calls for the Rockland Boulders to join the Can-Am League for the 2011 season.

RELATED STORIES: Meanwhile, in the Can-Am League….; After voter rebuke of public funding, Ramapo looks to private sector; Consultant: New Ramapo ballpark has good chance of turning profit; Ownership emerges for Ramapo Can-Am team; Citizens seek public vote on new Ramapo ballpark; Miles Wolff: Can-Am Association eager for Ramapo team; New ballpark pitched in Ramapo for Can-Am team

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