Gastonia unveils ballpark, breaks ground on 2 projects

The centerpiece jewel of a revitalized downtown Gastonia entertainment district was unveiled Friday, while ground was broken on two nearby business ventures whose investors hope will flourish in the shadow of a new ballpark.

While construction continues toward opening day in April 2021, city and business leaders were invited to set foot on the all-turf field and sit in one of the approximate 1,300 seats that ring Gastonia’s new ballpark in the Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment District.

Prior to and following tours of the ballpark, guests were invited to groundbreakings for the renovation of a 123-year-old former textile mill into loft apartments that will house 84 units and the debut of a new brewery that will sit across the street.

Prepping for opening day

Brandon Bellamy, owner of the new Atlantic League pro baseball franchise that will occupy Gastonia’s new ballpark, said the excitement generated from Friday’s event “helps me believe that we’re moving in the right direction and that we made a good business decision to come in and invest.”

Bellamy’s company, Velocity Capital, will serve as managers for the new FUSE ballpark as well as three parcels that are part of the property. Velocity will pay an annual $80,000 lease for the next 20 years to the city, who will also receive $1 from each ticket sold once the team reaches a break-even point of roughly $145,000 in ticket sales

While there is still uncertainty in regard to Covid-19, Bellamy say they have begun selling season tickets, are in the final stages of picking a team name and awaiting a schedule for the season opener in April.

“We’re moving forward full speed ahead,” Bellamy said. “From our perspective, we’ll be prepared to play in 2021.”

Good news for west Gastonia

Gastonia Mayor Walker Reid was from a family of nine children and grew up five blocks from where the ballpark sits. He can remember buying Husky jeans from the Sears store that once stood where home plate now occupies.

“I grew up in west Gastonia so I’ve always been an advocate for west Gastonia and this is one of the best things that could possibly happen,” Reid said. “Hopefully this can generate more business west of this area and bring economic development opportunities.”

He said he believes the missing element to bring success to downtown Gastonia has simply been people. Reid believes the redevelopment of the old Trenton Mill into The Trenton Mill Lofts will accomplish that.

Trenton Mills Lofts

The Trenton Mill dates back to 1897 and was known as one of the premier places in the country to get yarn until it closed in 1972. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2021, the new Trenton Mill Lofts at 612 W. Main Ave. will comprise 82,000 square feet with 84 residential units and surface parking.

“We’re looking at a legacy that we’re here to protect, we’re here to enhance and we’re here to give living opportunities for workers in this community just like this building has served workers for a long, long time,” said Peter Flotz, managing member of the Lansing Melbourne Group, a development company based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Kaufman Lynn Construction will serve as the contractor. Company president Frank White said his employees “will take great care to expose, repair and protect the unique architectural features” of the building.

Durty Bull Brewing

Jordan Doctor grew up in Gastonia and went to Forestview High School. He said he didn’t fully appreciate what his hometown offers. He’s now part of a group that plans to open Durty Bull Brewing Company on a parcel on Trenton Street across from the ballpark.

Matt Pennisi, co-owner of Durty Bull Brewing, said they plan to offer an expanded tap room in Gastonia with 5,000 square feet of space inside and 6,000 square feet outside. They’ll also have a kitchen and experimental brews. Some of their more well-known beers are Durty Bull Lager and their IPA, North of Broadway. Their products can be found statewide in specialty grocers such as Whole Foods, smaller independent restaurants and in bottle shops.

They estimate eventually hiring 18 to 20 part-time employees when they open in the first quarter of 2021.

Doctor believes Gastonia can mirror what’s taken place in Durham, where Durty Bull built its first brewery four years ago.

“Fifteen years ago, there were a lot of parts of downtown Durham that you never wanted to go, especially after dark,” Doctor said. “But they put a ballpark downtown, they built some restaurants around it in some old tobacco warehouses and that’s brought the city to where it is now.

“I’m looking forward to seeing that same kind of growth and that same kind of community here in Gastonia and this is going to be the heart of it, right here.”

Zachary Boshamer, president of North of Fifth Investors, said he is excited to partner with Durty Bull and be a part of the FUSE District.

“We’ve all bought into this idea of what this area can be,” said Boshamer, who lives nearby in Gastonia. “They say, ‘It takes a village.’ And whether you’re talking about raising a child or revitalizing a community, the saying holds true.”

You can reach Michael Banks at 704-869-1842, email mbanks@gastongazette.com and follow on Twitter @MichaelBanksNC.