Breese Stevens Field Improvements

October 22, 2026 Update

Public Feedback Opportunities

The Parks Division is continuing to collect public feedback regarding the proposed improvements to Breese Stevens Field. At the October 8, 2026 public information meeting, we shared a timeline that is now out of date. Please see the new expected timeline of public meetings. This is the current anticipated approval process and opportunities to provide feedback. While dates may change, we are sharing what we know now to help the community stay informed and involved. 

Second Amendment Financial Impact Memo

Summary of Proposed Changes to Use Agreement Memo

Timeline of Public MeetingsDate & TimeFormatNotes
Board of Park CommissionersWednesday, Nov. 4, 2026
6:30pm		VirtualThe improvement plans and the Second Amendment to the Use Agreement will be discussed as an informational item. If you would like to speak at the meeting, you will need to register in advance.
Common CouncilTuesday, Nov. 24, 2026
6:30pm		HybridThe Second Amendment to the Use Agreement will be introduced at Common Council to be referred to subcommittees. No discussion of the item will take place at this meeting.
Finance CommitteeMonday, Nov. 30, 2026
4:00pm		VirtualThe Second Amendment to the Use Agreement will be discussed. If you would like to speak at the meeting, you will need to register in advance.
Board of Park CommissionersWednesday, Dec. 2, 2026
6:30pm		VirtualThe proposed improvement plans and the Second Amendment to the Use Agreement will be discussed. If you would like to speak at the meeting, you will need to register in advance.
Common CouncilTuesday, Dec. 8, 2026
6:30pm		HybridThe Second Amendment to the Use Agreement will be discussed. If you would like to speak at the meeting, you will need to register in advance.

View all City meetings

If the improvement plans are approved by the Board of Park Commissioners on December 2, the plans will also need to go through the Landmarks Commission and Plan Commission in order to get all City permits.

View past project updates »

Project Details

Alder District

  • District 6

Project Information

Big Top Events, LLC, is proposing to make a sizable private investment at Breese Stevens Field. This privately funded investment would result in improvements that, upon completion, would be owned by the City. The proposal represents an opportunity to make significant improvements to one of the City's historically significant public assets while also supporting the continued use of the facility for athletics, concerts, and community events.

For the latest information, see Legistar File # 94638.

Proposed Improvements

  • A permanent stage to provide higher quality experience for concerts, sports, and community events.
  • Artists' green room and event support facilities constructed with modular buildings to provide preparation space for artists, performers, and their staff.
  • A permanent building for additional locker rooms and concession area, that can also be utilized as a hospitality space for events. 
  • Updating and expanding the stadium's stormwater management facilities. 
  • Remodeling the space on the east end of the stadium to park large vehicles, reducing the need to park buses and other large vehicles on E. Mifflin Street.

Changes to the Use Agreement

For Big Top Events to make this investment in the property, a change in the Use Agreement would be necessary to ensure both parties benefit from the privately funded capital improvements. 

  • A new, 21-year use agreement with an initial 11-year term and two five-year options to extend.
  • Establish per-ticket fees to provide funding to support future Breese Stevens Field stadium needs. 
  • The number of shows held at the stadium would increase to meet the needed return on investment, and to recognize the growing demand for culture and entertainment of our population. 
  • The contract would include strict limits on the number of shows that could be held on a school night across the term of the agreement. 
  • All shows would be subject to the same restrictions on sound levels and curfew that are in the current agreement. 
  • The City would provide $500,000 in capital improvements to the stadium over the next three years.
  • Big Top will have lease fees commensurate with the current lease fees and increasing annually at a similar rate to the current agreement.
  • Big Top would be eligible to receive $800,000 in capital improvement credits tied to the construction of the permanent locker room/concession building. 
  • Over the 21-year agreement, Big Top would be eligible to receive an additional $1.25 million in capital improvement credits for any additional capital improvements mutually agreed upon and approved by the Board of Park Commissioners.

Project Updates

October 22, 2026 Update

Public Feedback Opportunities

The Parks Division is continuing to collect public feedback regarding the proposed improvements to Breese Stevens Field. At the October 8, 2026 public information meeting, we shared a timeline that is now out of date. Please see the new expected timeline of public meetings. This is the current anticipated approval process and opportunities to provide feedback. While dates may change, we are sharing what we know now to help the community stay informed and involved. 

Second Amendment Financial Impact Memo

Summary of Proposed Changes to Use Agreement Memo

Timeline of Public MeetingsDate & TimeFormatNotes
Board of Park CommissionersWednesday, Nov. 4, 2026
6:30pm		VirtualThe improvement plans and the Second Amendment to the Use Agreement will be discussed as an informational item. If you would like to speak at the meeting, you will need to register in advance.
Common CouncilTuesday, Nov. 24, 2026
6:30pm		HybridThe Second Amendment to the Use Agreement will be introduced at Common Council to be referred to subcommittees. No discussion of the item will take place at this meeting.
Finance CommitteeMonday, Nov. 30, 2026
4:00pm		VirtualThe Second Amendment to the Use Agreement will be discussed. If you would like to speak at the meeting, you will need to register in advance.
Board of Park CommissionersWednesday, Dec. 2, 2026
6:30pm		VirtualThe proposed improvement plans and the Second Amendment to the Use Agreement will be discussed. If you would like to speak at the meeting, you will need to register in advance.
Common CouncilTuesday, Dec. 8, 2026
6:30pm		HybridThe Second Amendment to the Use Agreement will be discussed. If you would like to speak at the meeting, you will need to register in advance.

View all City meetings

If the improvement plans are approved by the Board of Park Commissioners on December 2, the plans will also need to go through the Landmarks Commission and Plan Commission in order to get all City permits.

October 5, 2026 Update

Neighborhood Meeting

Join Alder Davy Mayer Thursday, October 8 from 6:00 - 8:00pm at Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 E. Gorham St. to learn more about and discuss Big Top Events' renovation proposal of Breese Stevens Field. 

September 17, 2026 Update

A virtual public information meeting was held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. 

 View the Recorded Meeting 

September 10, 2026 Update

Big Top Events presented their proposal to the Board of Park Commissioners in September 2026.

Big Top's presentation

September 8, 2026 Update

Public Information Meeting 

Big Top and Parks staff are hosting a virtual Public Information Meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 6:00PM to share information about the project, including a preliminary concept layout and the proposed design and construction timeline.  This will be followed by an opportunity for public comments.

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