Modesto council approves five-year lease of John Thurman Field to Main Street Modesto LLC

The Modesto City Council unanimously approved a resolution at a special meeting to authorize the city manager to finalize a five-year lease with Main Street Modesto LLC for John Thurman Field beginning Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2030, with an option for a three-year extension.

Jessica Hill, director of community and economic development, told the council the proposed tenant is affiliated with a prospective Pioneer League baseball franchise and that the city has negotiated key business terms to bring the independent professional team to Modesto.

Under the agreement described by Hill, annual base rent will be $120,000 with a 4% yearly increase. The tenant will be responsible for maintenance of the baseball field, cleaning the ballpark, clubhouses and parking lots. The city will reimburse tenant improvements up to $950,000 over the lease term and will pay utilities and structural maintenance. The lease gives the city the right to use the facility for up to five city events, and the school district would have use for high school baseball games pending a separate agreement.

Hill noted a clerical error in the draft lease attached to staff materials that listed an incorrect start date; she confirmed the lease start is Oct. 1, 2025 (the attached draft mistakenly said Oct. 1, 2026).

The lease also includes naming-rights revenue sharing: if naming-rights revenue is under $150,000, the tenant pays the city 15%; if $150,000 or more, the tenant pays 20%.

Council members and members of the public framed the lease as a step toward restoring professional baseball to Modesto and as complementary to other stadium and redevelopment plans the city has been pursuing. Council member Wright thanked staff and said the deal will help make Modesto “a better entertainment city” and produce spending at local restaurants, hotels and shops. A resident who spoke in support urged the council to consider a team name other than the city’s former “Nuts,” suggesting names such as “Modesto Rockets.”

Council members asked staff to clarify the scope of other events and uses. Hill said events beyond baseball would be coordinated through the tenant and the city’s normal permitting process, and that youth or other non-school uses would be at the lessee’s discretion unless otherwise negotiated.

Motion and vote: Council member Wright moved the resolution and Council member Alvarez seconded. The roll call produced unanimous approval: Council member Williams — aye; Council member Wright — aye; Council member (recorded) Scootier Briggs — aye; Council member Alvarez — aye; Council member Rickey — aye; Vice Mayor Bavaro — aye; Mayor Zwolan — aye. The clerk announced the motion carried unanimously.

Next steps: If the council’s authorization stands, the city manager or his designee may finalize and execute the lease consistent with the negotiated terms; staff said final lease details were still being completed and the proposed Pioneer League season is expected to begin in late May 2026.

This item was the sole substantive item at the special meeting; no formal public-record opposition to the lease was recorded in the meeting transcript.