Madison City Council approves final plans for Toyota Field expansion

MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) — The Madison City Council approved the final numbers for a Toyota Field expansion Monday.

In a 6-1 vote, the Madison City Council approved the $7,575,283 plan to build a one-story addition in the left field. While the resolutions were approved, Councilman Teddy Powell was the lone “nay” voter, saying he wouldn’t take the second-best option.

“I think we’re passing up a great option to do better. And to me, it’s a lack of courage and leadership,” Powell said.

Councilman Greg Shaw also voiced his disapproval of the project, saying it was like throwing money away.

“I agree with Teddy 100%. [We’re] missing a huge opportunity with this. I know it’s got to be done, but throwing money down a sinkhole in my opinion,” Shaw said.

Below is a list of resolutions approved by the city council:

Resolution No. 2025-233-R: Awarding Bid No. 2025-013-ITB for Toyota Field Outfield Building
Construction to Caliber 1 Construction, Inc. ($7,575,283 to be paid from Venue Maintenance Fund, with applicable transfers coming if needed from a combination of Fund 71, Fund 38, and/or Fund 39).

Resolution No. 2025-249-R: Authorizing an Amended Professional Services Agreement with Gilbert, McLaughlin, Casella Architects for the Toyota Field One-story Outfield Building: Amendment No.4A for Construction Administration and Project Closeout Phases ($123,500, plus reimbursable expenses of $50,000 to be paid from the Multi-Use Venue Maintenance Fund).

Resolution No. 2025-250-R: Authorizing a Professional Services Agreement with Amiri Engineering Corporation to provide special inspections and construction materials testing services for the Toyota Field one-story outfield building construction project ($48,000 to be paid from Multi-Use Venue Maintenance fund).

The reason for the expansion is to comply with Major League Baseball standards, which require separate locker rooms for female umpires and coaches for minor league teams.

The one-story addition was Option Two of three that the city council members had to pick from in January. You can view the breakdown of the three options here.

Madison City Council President John Seifert said the decision to go with Option Two was made in May.

“We decided to go forward with a one level base facility that had the ability to build more on in the future, and move forward with that and then maintain the status quo with the current multi-level story,” Seifert said.

He said this decision checks all those boxes, while also leaving room for future renovations.

“We’ll be able to be compliant, maintain relations with Ball Corps and with Major League Baseball and continue to see Toyota Field really be the engine for Town Madison and driving a lot of our tax revenues and things that we need that help that come in as part of that,” Seifert said.

Originally, in the cost breakdown, Option Two was said to cost $7,998,772. You can view that full breakdown linked below (Option Two is the middle column).

Construction is expected to start around October, with the hope of it being finished by April 2026.