Rte. 33 could one day host baseball stadium Mayor supportive of possible stadium for minor leagues BY TARA PETERSEN Staff Writer Monroe may one day score big as the home to a minor league baseball stadium, Mayor Richard Pucci said this week. The Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA) is expected to issue a report within the next several weeks that would begin the process of allowing a stadium or entertainment complex somewhere in the county, said Pucci, who is also the MCIA’s executive director. He said the section of Route 33 that is within Monroe Township is considered among the more favorable sites. "It looks more than 50 percent positive that we should be able to finalize putting a stadium somewhere in the county," the mayor said. "Everyone seems to agree that Route 33 is an ideal location." Pucci said the stadium would be a great asset for the township, and would be popular among the growing number of families and retirees. "It would be great for the community. Our residents are quite active and involved in recreation," he said. "No one today can afford to take a family more than once a year to Yankee Stadium. With this, you could literally take a family and have a great time for less than $50." Pucci said that over the last few years, the MCIA has been working in conjunction with Middlesex County Freeholders Director David B. Crabiel to consider an arena or ballfield somewhere in the county. At that time, the owner of the Somerset Patriots minor league baseball team in Somerset County approached county officials about building a stadium in Middlesex County. The success of the independent minor league team since that time has been encouraging, he said. "The Patriots have been a huge success. They sell out most of their games," Pucci said. "The people in the business have looked at other locations, and if they had a choice, the southern part of the county seems to be ideal." Pucci said the MCIA has been studying the possibility and is expected to release its findings in the next several weeks. "The study was made considering Middlesex County and was done strictly with the Independent League. The initial reaction is very positive. The county has real potential," Pucci said. "The Monroe area is an ideal location for a similar set-up to the Patriots." The Independent League is not affiliated with major league baseball teams, he said, adding that the Patriots play around 70 games per season and have average crowds of about 6,000 to 7,000. "It’s a wonderful thing to have and is not a huge generator of traffic," he said. Pucci noted that the stadium could easily be used for other events and shows, and that the township would not subsidize the operation of the stadium. "We’d love to bring something to the area, but we don’t want taxpayers to have to pay for it. It would have to be self-sufficient," he said. There is no estimate on the amount of money the township could gain with the stadium as a tax ratable, but Pucci said it could encourage more commercial development along the Route 33 corridor. "It will attract more of the commercial building — move it along more quickly. There is a need for large types of establishments along Route 33. It would not be as much of a ratable as [it will create] the surrounding interest," Pucci said. "Route 33 has always been our bonanza for the future in terms of a ratable base." An exact location has not been determined, but if Monroe is pursued as a site it would likely be within a few miles of the Perrineville Road area. The site would require about 25 acres of land. Pucci estimated that decisions will be made concerning location and financing within about six to 12 months. The build-out may be done within two to three years.