Town hears vision for Church Street Park cricket redevelopment; consultants estimate ~$117 million build-out and jobs boost

Consultants presented a finalized visioning study and economic-impact analysis for redeveloping Church Street Park as a cricket venue and creating a companion facility at Shiloh Park, outlining a phased approach and a broad cost estimate that would require outside partners and further analysis.

John Scott Foley of EDP, appearing by video, told the council the plan aims to “build America’s favorite cricket ground,” with a players’ pavilion, a spectator pavilion with hospitality space, upgraded field lighting and parkland improvements. The consultants proposed phasing work to prioritize field upgrades, lighting and a players’ pavilion first, then spectator amenities and broader park enhancements, with Shiloh Park as a later, complementary site.

The consultants estimated the combined full build-out for Church Street and Shiloh at about $117,000,000 and recommended breaking the program into smaller, fundable phases. Penny White Hart, who presented the economic analysis, said the model (ImPlan-based and limited to nonlocal visitor spending) projects roughly 150 ongoing jobs and about $23 million in annual economic output for a Church Street–only redevelopment; adding Shiloh would raise those figures to about 181 jobs and $28 million annually. Including one-time construction impacts, the consultants said option 1 could support about 728 jobs in a year and option 2 about 801 total jobs, with most of the single-year increase attributable to construction activity.

Councilmembers pressed consultants and staff on several practical issues. Councilmember Rao asked for a status update on Airport Boulevard Phase 1 (a separate project) and several council members pushed for more information on likely funding partners. "A $117,000,000 is a lot of money," Councilmember Rao said, noting that projects of this scale will need partnerships and identified revenue sources. Councilmember Fender raised concerns about integrating a gravel access used by Duke Energy into park parking and the safety implications of large trucks operating near areas where children will walk; consultants said preliminary discussions with Duke Energy had occurred and that access could be managed by agreement and operational controls.

Consultants said RDU had reviewed early sketches and raised no insurmountable red flags, though airport approvals would be required for lighting and height clearance. On park amenities, the team proposed retaining and reconfiguring the Shiloh Greenway connection, using a raised bank with a pathway to preserve a circular walking experience while protecting the playing surface, and considering relocation options for existing tennis courts to other town-owned sites such as a Watkins Road Park concept.

The presentation emphasized the conceptual nature of the plan. "This is just to give you a flavor of what could be here," John Scott Foley said; the consultants recommended advancing detailed design, phasing and partnership work before committing to construction. The consultants and staff said the vision report will feed into the town’s parks master plan and that next steps include deeper feasibility work and outreach to potential public and private partners.

The council did not vote on the plan; staff said the report will support future master-plan work and further implementation discussions.