Smithfield council authorizes staff to negotiate with top-ranked design–build team for proposed baseball stadium

The Town of Smithfield Town Council authorized staff on Oct. 8 to enter negotiations with the selection committee’s top-ranked design–build team to prepare plans for a proposed baseball stadium at Smithfield Community Park.

Parks staff said the town issued a request for qualifications after the Coastal Plains team expressed interest in a Smithfield venue. Twelve statements of qualifications were received, and four teams were interviewed. The selection committee reported a unanimous recommendation for Muirder Construction as the top-ranked design–build firm.

Council’s action authorized staff to begin negotiations; the vote did not commit the town to a construction contract or to a particular price. Council members discussed the project’s siting and potential impacts; one councilor said he preferred additional study of site alternatives and raised concerns about displacing existing uses at Community Park. Parks staff said the current step is to secure a design partner and that final construction contracts and any property impacts would return to council for approval.

The authorization follows a competitive qualifications process; staff said any negotiated design contract would be subject to subsequent review and a formal council vote before the town would sign a construction agreement.