The plans to demolish and relocate Tinker Field have been put on hold.
On Monday, Jan. 27, the city of Orlando announced the field would be demolished and moved to where McCracken Field sits now, after a proposal from City Commissioner Daisy Lynum.
However, on Tuesday, Orange County’s mayor and commissioners said they only recently discovered renovations to the Citrus Bowl would mean demolishing the historic field.
At Tuesday's County Commission meeting, leaders said they don’t have the power to stop the project, but want to work with the city to find a solution.
“I can promise you this, there is absolutely no language in there that says anything about the demolition of Tinker Field. Absolutely none, and we scoured those documents,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs.
But, Citrus Bowl renovations will expand the stadium into the outfield of Tinker Field.
Tuesday, Orange County Commissioners heard from people who are angry about the historic field being demolished.
“They share responsibility between the city and county," said resident Mike Cantone. "And we’re hoping our leaders will step up to the plate and save Tinker Field.”
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has already taken a step in that direction, temporarily stopping demolition.
“We want to preserve the history of Tinker Field," Dyer said. "So, I just decided, you know what, we don’t have to do it right now. Let’s just slow it down, build the new stadium, see what that ends up looking like.”
Although nothing is certain, Vice Mayor Pete Clarke said Tinker’s demolition is new to them.
“We heard those presentations last winter, I believe many, many months ago when we approved the venues package,” Clarke said.
Jacobs said while the county can’t stop the demolition, commissioners can pledge money to preserve the field.