Cleveland Guardians

Gateway approves Indians' $16 million request for new scoreboard at Progressive Field

Published Aug. 13, 2015 1:12 p.m. ET

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The scoreboard at Progressive Field could be getting an extreme -- and expensive -- makeover.

The Cleveland Indians' $16 million request for a new scoreboard system has been approved by Gateway, the non-profit landlord for Progressive Field. If approved, the project could be financed by taxpayers, according to Cleveland.com:

"The system could include a main center-field display measuring 60 feet tall and 237 feet wide -- nearly three times the square-footage of the current display, which was installed in 2003. Those dimensions were included in information provided to the Gateway Economic Development Corporation, which approved the scoreboard overhaul as part of a larger $27 million project, but a team spokesman said the specific size has not yet been finalized.

"The proposal, which also includes a replacement of the facility's heating and cooling system among other work, now is headed to Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, which will consider whether to pay for the project. A possible funding source could be the county's 'sin tax' on alcohol and cigarettes, a 20-year extension of which was approved by voters in May 2014 to pay for sports facilities."

According to the terms of the lease, the public is responsible for any maintenance projects at Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena that cost more than $500,000. Gateway officials told Cleveland.com that an adequate scoreboard falls under that category. Progressive Field's scoreboard is expected to be comparable to 75 percent of other scoreboards in Major League Baseball stadiums, according to terms of the lease.

The Indians announced plans for the second phase of stadium renovations on Wednesday, which they expect to be completed by the start of the 2016 season.

(h/t Cleveland.com)