Council accepts sole bidder for Hillcats stadium franchise; public hearing scheduled

Lynchburg City Council accepted the single bid submitted by Hillcats Baseball LLC for an exclusive franchise to use Bank of the James Stadium and scheduled a public hearing on the ordinance.

Miss Finney, the city clerk, read the Hillcats Baseball LLC letter of commitment on May 13: the bid was submitted pursuant to the advertised invitation for bids and sought an exclusive franchise to use the city-owned stadium at 3180 Fort Avenue for baseball games, events and related uses. An executed acceptance of franchise and a stadium franchise agreement dated April 1, 2025, accompanied the letter of commitment, the clerk said.

Council members asked questions about successor/assignability language and whether the franchise document required council approval for assignment. City staff confirmed the franchise contains assignability language requiring council approval of any assignment; in the meantime, the former assignor remains liable unless released. Counsel said material amendments would come back to council for approval.

A motion to accept the sole bid was moved and seconded, and the council cast roll-call votes recorded by the clerk (affirmative votes by Councilor Ferraldi, Councilor Missions, Councilor Reed, Councilor Timmer, Councilor Wilder, Vice Mayor Deemer and Mayor Taylor). The motion passed 7-0. The clerk said a public hearing on the ordinance granting the franchise would be held that evening at 7 p.m.

No ordinance adoption occurred during the work session; the item was set for the public hearing and possible action at the evening meeting.