Greenville Drive leaders highlight community programs, affordability and stadium upgrades ahead of opening day

Craig Brown and Jeff Brown of the Greenville Drive updated the council on the ballclub’s community role, recent recognitions and planned facility upgrades ahead of opening day, saying the presentation was informational and did not include a formal request.

"We're not in the business of baseball. I mean, we're in the business of making memories," Craig Brown said, describing the ballpark as "the front porch of the community" and a long‑term catalyst for West End revitalization.

Brown cited a Visit Greenville economic-development study and said "for the last 10 years, not 20, but the last 10 years, the direct economic impact was $300 million." He also said about 450 new business permits had been issued within roughly a half‑mile of the ballpark since its construction. Those figures were presented as the Drive’s summary of the study and the team's view of the park’s role in local economic growth.

Jeff Brown summarized recent recognitions and attendance trends. He said the Drive had led its league in attendance for seven consecutive years, earned the Johnson Award for community impact, and ranked highly in national fan surveys. He also noted a nationwide affordability index that, according to the team, named the Drive the most affordable club to bring a family to a minor‑league game.

The presenters described several recurring programs and events tied to the ballpark. Brown highlighted an 18‑year reading incentive program that he said has produced about 1.4 million "reading allstars," youth baseball clinics that will be tied to the team’s season, a career‑focused "Drive Business Downtown" day game and expanded Jackie Robinson Day activities on April 19 that include an HBCU college fair and scholarship awards.

On facilities, the team said the city suite has been substantially renovated and the concession concourse will add a grab‑and‑go concept called "Shortstop," including new self‑checkout scanners. Brown said the organization also invested in stadium network coverage and bandwidth to bring connectivity to a Major League Baseball–quality standard.

Looking beyond the park, the Drive outlined a retail component of a nearby Suncap development at Markley and Main (described as roughly 3,500 square feet) and said the city has invested about $5 million to enable approximately 140 public parking spaces in an adjacent parking structure. The team noted the construction will affect walkability and pedestrian connections and acknowledged closed sidewalks at the Suncap site; council members asked staff to explore reopening or mitigating sidewalk closures ahead of opening day.

Brown also discussed industry changes: the Player Development League (PDL) partnership with Major League Baseball that launched in 2021, a contraction in affiliated teams (from 160 to 120 when the PDL launched), rising facility standards and associated capital pressures. He said closer MLB alignment has increased standards for player facilities and contributed to higher capital costs for clubs.

Council members asked questions during the presentation about walkability, trolley stop routing and parking logistics. Staff responded that trolley stops will include Riverplace and that the city and partners continue to refine parking and circulation plans for game days.

The presentation closed with the mayor and council expressing thanks; the work session moved to an executive session afterward. Opening day was noted as about a week away in the presentation.