The Sports Pavilion & Automotive Research Center (SPARC) will be taking one step closer to reality next week as the Franklin County Commissioners will vote on Tuesday to finalize the sale of the old Cooper Stadium baseball park. The property will be sold for $3.4 million to King Holding Corporation and developer Arshot Investment Corporation who will develop the land into a mixed-use sports and entertainment venue.
“The sale of Cooper Stadium will bring jobs, renewed economic opportunity, and neighborhood excitement back to this historic Franklinton location,” said County Commissioner President Paula Brooks. “Cooper Stadium was a valued County asset for more than three decades, and now is the right time to see it redeveloped for our region’s future, with cutting-edge research and electric-powered vehicles in the bustling city center of our County.”
The SPARC (formerly known as the Cooper Park Race Track) is a proposed $40 million project that includes a multi-sport racetrack with 8,000 grandstand seats, a research and development center, a restaurant, hotel and other exhibition and event space.
“The 80-year history of this stadium is far from over. When we set out to redevelop the Cooper Stadium site, we dedicated ourselves to finding a developer with a concept that would benefit all of Franklin County, particularly those in the nearby neighborhood,” said County Commissioner Marilyn Brown. “One which held the promise of putting Cooper Stadium back into an active, vibrant, job-generating use for both residents and businesses.”
More information can be found online at www.sparcohio.com.