Councilman Calls For Pause On $6 Million Smithfield Stadium Work
SMITHFIELD, N.C. – Questions about transparency and the potential cost of relocating park amenities are resurfacing as Smithfield moves forward with plans to build a $6 million baseball stadium at Community Park.
On March 10, Councilman Travis Scott asked town leaders to pause demolition and other preliminary work connected to the project and hold a public hearing before additional steps are taken.
The stadium is intended to serve as the future home of the Smithfield Tobs, a collegiate summer baseball franchise relocating from Wilson. In November 2025, the Smithfield Town Council voted 5–1 to approve a 20-year agreement with the team and authorized construction of a 1,500-seat stadium at Community Park. Scott cast the lone dissenting vote.
Concerns about process and costs
Scott said he became concerned after noticing heavy equipment at the park and learning the former Disabled American Veterans house on the property was scheduled for demolition.
In an email to council members and the town attorney, Scott requested that all demolition, site work and related expenditures associated with the stadium project be paused until the project can be reviewed through a public hearing.
“This is not some minor park maintenance item,” Scott wrote. “A $6 million baseball stadium tied to a long-term agreement for a private baseball operation is not the same as the youth soccer field and the disabled veterans’ and children’s area that have historically existed at this site.”
Scott said the public deserves a full accounting of the potential costs tied to the project, including demolition of existing facilities and relocation of park amenities.
Community Park currently includes several improvements built with state grant funding, including the Miracle Inclusive Playground and the DAV Fitness Trail, which were funded through the Connect NC bond program.
Scott said the public should know whether relocating or altering those facilities could create additional obligations for the town, including repaying some of the grants.
“The public deserves a full accounting of the costs associated with demolition of existing improvements, relocation of park facilities and any potential grant obligations tied to those structures,” Scott wrote.
Scott also asked for a written report identifying any grant restrictions, repayment risks or maintenance commitments tied to park amenities at Community Park.
He also questioned whether the stadium agreement could set a precedent for alcohol sales on town property. “Are we going to allow alcohol to be consumed in all our parks?” Scott said in an email.
Town manager responds
Interim Town Manager Kimberly Pickett said the project has been discussed and approved in multiple public meetings and that town staff is continuing to carry out the council’s direction.
Pickett noted that on Oct. 7, 2025, the town council voted 6–1 to authorize staff to begin working with design-build firms to develop plans for a baseball stadium at Community Park after a selection committee reviewed proposals from 12 firms.
She said the council later voted 5–1 on Nov. 18, 2025, to approve a contract with Muter Construction Inc. for the design and construction of the stadium with a guaranteed maximum price of $6 million, along with a separate agreement with W.T.B.C., LLC, the ownership group behind the Tobs franchise.
According to Pickett, the stadium funding plan includes contributions from several sources, including $2 million from Johnston County, $2 million from the Town of Smithfield’s economic development funds, tourism funding, park funds and other capital budget allocations.
Pickett said the demolition of the DAV house had been discussed during early planning for the stadium and would not be paid for using the stadium construction budget.
She also said no public hearing has been required for any of the council’s actions so far because the project is considered a recreation facility and the property is already properly zoned.
Pickett said staff has been working with the contractor to finalize the design while keeping the project within the $6 million budget.
Permit applications are expected to be submitted to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality before the project proceeds through the town’s normal site plan review process, the interim town manager said.
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Next steps
Town officials say the stadium project is expected to bring new tourism and entertainment opportunities to Smithfield.
The Smithfield Tobs plan to relocate from Wilson and begin playing at the new stadium in 2027. The team will also play some games under an alternate identity, the JOCO TaterHogs, honoring Johnston County’s agricultural heritage.
Town staff is expected to present the proposed stadium design and updated budget information during the March 17 Smithfield Town Council meeting.
Scott said he believes the public should have the opportunity to weigh in before additional work is done at the park. He also disputed the town’s explanation of the process and said he will continue raising concerns about transparency.
“The citizens of Smithfield, especially those directly affected by this project, deserve a lawful and transparent process before any further damage is done to already developed public land,” Councilman Scott stated.
Other council members have not publicly commented on Councilman Scott’s request to pause work on the stadium or indicated whether they would support holding a public hearing.
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Too late. The horse is already out of the barn.
I think they should have a public. .meeting. I live near there i has not heard about til it was in the joco report. I was mad. I dont think k it should go there. I think it will bring too much traffic to the already traffic area. I dont think they should take away the park amenity. I agree with council .man Travis Scott.
Travis Scott seems to be a smart person.
Yes yes. Fresh face already making moves for the people, not the powerful
While I don’t like all the so called progress and construction going on in the Smithfield/Wilson’s Mills area I am perplexed as to why the town doesn’t invest in the youth more? There is very little for them to do here. You have to go to other towns for entertainment for them. We have no skate parks, roller skating rinks, or bowling alleys. A duck pin bowling alley would be different & fun. We have no places like Urban Air or other trampoline parks for them to go to. And we wonder why the youth are bored and getting into mischief or trouble! Wish we could get a vision for them and provide some good entertainment that they would enjoy! I’ve seen plenty of empty buildings and land that could be better used for our youth than building more housing! Why bring more when we can’t offer anything for them to do? Just a thought!
I’m sure these “issues” existed when you moved here. Nobody held a gun to your head and forced you to move here. And considering how you don’t like it here, nobody is stopping you from leaving via the same roads you used to get here. Not trying to sound mean, I just don’t understand why people like a place enough to move there, but then want to change said place? You are free to exit, stage left.
Please send pay checks and check books to me Marcus m Avent SSN ******** I have to have my cash so that I could make it to my beach house
If he said pause, you need to pause. Most honest man on that Smithfield Council. Wish he would run for County Commisioner.
Sounds like a smart councilman. It should have been brought before the public.
TaterHogs, Really????? Disgusting
The team should be called the subdivision-SUBS!
Some embarrassing name choices!
I wish that they would call them the SMITHFIELD PATRIOTS and honor Smithfield’s history to the Revolutionary War soldier and town founder, John Smith, Jr. I also said we need a mural on our history.
Exactly!!
“The team will also play some games under an alternate identity, the JOCO TaterHogs, honoring Johnston County’s agricultural heritage.”
Really- WTF??? So freaking PATRONIZING!!! Why not the Smithfield “Red Hots”, the Smithfield Hammy Yammies? Must be some Da*n “Naw’theners” consulting for this stupid Baseball Group! They sure found a bunch of idiots to buy their BS! This is just one example of how desperately delusional that Smithfield, and ALSO the County has become. So absolutely insane!
Thank you Mr Scott! You are completely right. If the “tobs” (stupid name!) want to come here, they should buy their own land and build a stadium at their own expense. Why should it be publicly funded? I’ll answer my own question, it SHOULD NOT be publicly funded. Just the idea of it is asinine. The “tobs” just want to spend other people’s money because they know that this stadium will be a colossal money pit. If they were profitable at all, Wilson would have kept them there.
I fully agree and willing to bet they are in no way helping fund moving and attaining another place for disabled vets. I never realized the crap show of publicly funding a private enterprise with none to zero hopes of financial recovery of our taxes went to so low on the totem. Yes the state does it (also wrongfully so) for the big guns, but da*n.
As a Disabled Veteran, I was very disappointed to hear the DAV Chapter #44 has to move for this ridiculous ball team. The DAV has been so helpful to me and hundreds if not thousands of Veterans get the help they need over the years. Neither the town nor county helped us find a place to relocate. Just gave us a date to vacate. We service many communities in the area and that location was central. Now we are having to meet in Selma at the old Harrison school building. There you go, Smithfield! Another organization that is so vital being forced to leave Smithfield because the leaders deem us less important than a boondoggle of a baseball team with an idiotic name that most will be ashamed to acknowledge! I love my hometown but sometimes I just hang my head!
I love the fact that no one in Smithfield or on the Council realizes there is no allure to come to this town. At least there is someone that’s trying to make Smithfield a better town and that’s appreciated. Quite honestly Smithfield money folks seems to constantly reject anything that could be a potential money maker to Smithfield. Great job! Downtown Smithfield will soon look just like West Smithfield! Thanks for driving all the money to Selma, I’m sure they appreciate the business.
Yes! 100% spot on!
Amen!!
Will all the new traffic affect you? It will affect me and im not looking forward to it.
Ummmmm, pretty sure the baseball team WILL NEVER BE A MONEY MAKER. To make money they would have to first cover the cost of building, upkeep and maintenance. It will never happen
Wow! Wilson didn’t keep them because the Warbirds moved to Wilson. Most(I am willing to bet all, but I can’t back that up) , but the vast majority of MLB and below stadiums are publicly owned by cities and towns! Change needs to happen! Keep doing what you have done for years and nothing will ever change. Change is never ment to be easy, but worth the trouble! You want your voice heard then run for office, become more involved, volunteer your time to the city. I can see the negatives, sure, but what I really see is progress, fun entertainment for families that is desperately needed in JoCo and people serving their community with heart.
“Keep doing what you have done for years and nothing will ever change.”
I have lived in JoCo my entire life, over 50 years and have always loved it here. I, like many JoCo lifetime residents, don’t like the “changes” you speak of. We were perfectly happy with our small towns. Each town had its own personality (and sometimes, quirks) and it always felt like home. I will never understand why people like a place enough to move there, but then try to change that place to resemble where they left. Why don’t they just stay where they were?
That’s why they have Raleigh and Charlotte. leave Smithfield alone and let it be
Yeah.
Why can’t Smithfield first invest in fixing the raggedy roads in down town before spending all that money on something we CAN live without? Third street is the worst and most traveled. Put our tax dollars to some good use for our citizens. We pay plenty and we deserve it!
It’s nice to ride down the streets and bump your way to the courthouse or the planning department to conduct business.
You go there to pay your taxes or purchase permits, plus the county makes 2% on sale tax.
As a lifetime resident in Johnston County,I would like to know the total amount of revenue that is brought in to this county per year and what percentage of surplus income is left over.
If anyone can find or get an itemized statement for each expenditure from the top to bottom.
I would like to know if this is public record for 2025 and on back to 2000.
I could write a whole lot but this sums it up. Thank you Mr. Scott!
Stay the same, get stagnant. Reach out, grow and prosper. I go to Wilson, Goldsboro, Selma, Clayton and Knightdale because Smithfield has nothing I want. Expand with more offerings and I’ll go with my family to enjoy it. Otherwise, decay in misery.
So in other words, “Crap Where You Sleep” and cover yourself in it is the new progress.
Why the h*ll would anyone desire to come to S#@& field, other than fugitives or illegals? With the homeless population exploding, the town a serious turn-off!!
“She also said no public hearing has been required for any of the council’s actions so far because the project is considered a recreation facility and the property is already properly zoned.” and town officials say the stadium project is expected to bring new tourism and entertainment opportunities to Smithfield. Quotes from above. Couple things regarding this…no public hearing from town manager is insane. A project that effects everyone and spends taxpayer money. Are you kidding me? Doesn’t the council want the resident blessing? Town officials, like the manager is saying there will be new tourism and entertainment opportunities? How can she quantify that? Give some real numbers of what the expectations are. Watch out Smithfield, your new interim manager needs to be under a microscope. Look what happened in Benson under her direction. (But to be fair, she wasn’t the only one). I don’t live in Smithfield but I certainly was not a fan of the county commissioners ante for 2million. Mr Scott is bold to demand a cease of project. Get some clarity.
Paying part from County Taxes is very pretentious! I live near Kenly, 1/4 mile from Wayne County. I’m retired and, at my age, I really don’t want my taxes to pay for this! We have many more obvious needs to be addressed first
Yes there needs to be a public hearing
The “Tobs” are owned by Richard Holland– and multimillionaire CPA from New Jersey. Why isn’t he paying for a stadium? If you look at the financial reports of the JoCo and Smithfield council members who approved this arrangement, you’ll know why?
The ultimate blame lies at the feet of the Smithfield citizens who elected (and re-elected) the council!!!
What’s the quickest way to become rich in America? Just get elected to public office. Looks like our local officials are learning from DC.
Stop voting like sheep!!!!!!!
How freaking nice! I figured that that this stupid @$$ baseball team– WERE A BUNCH OF NORTHERN , well YOU KNOW WHAT’s!! What a joke! Why can’t anyone @Smithfield council(other than Mr.Scott!!) stand up, and tell these condescending P*$$@*ts , that they WILL NOT MAKE Johnston Country OUT TO BE A BUNCH OF IDIOTS!
I will tell you why, NO FREAKING B***s!
Living a 1 1/2 miles away from DAV, i feel this is disrespectful to vets and will cause major traffic to a town that in the last 5 yrs has become very traffic problematic. The residents of Smithfield should definitely have a say so in this construction.
Tobs? Who is coming up with these names? Ridiculously stupid
Don t spend my tax money on this without a vote..u believable!!
Way to go Travis. I am glad you are standing up for what is right and taking a minute to see if this is a mistake. You always have tried to look after the best interests of all.
I am glad you are in public office.
I cant believe I am reading about the Town of Smithfield potentially spending $6 million on a baseball stadium, and I’m trying to understand the numbers behind this decision. Other concerns are– why the benefiting organization is not having to fund this project, why there has not been a public hearing for this but yet a public hearing is scheduled for someone wanting to have a foster child in their home.
From what has been shared publicly, it appears the town will be responsible for a large portion of the funding for the complex, along with providing water and sewer services going forward. My question is simple: How exactly does the town plan to recoup the $6 million investment and make this profitable for taxpayers? Aside from potential naming rights, I haven’t seen a clear explanation of what the revenue stream will be.
Another concern that hasn’t been discussed much is the existing infrastructure at the proposed location. The sidewalks and equipment currently in place at the park were installed with grant funding. If those improvements are removed to make way for the stadium, won’t the town either have to pay back the grant funds or pay to demolish and restore those features? That’s another cost that should be factored into the total.
I would really like to see detailed numbers showing:
The full projected cost of the project (including demolition and restoration if grant-funded items must be replaced)
How the town expects to generate revenue from the stadium
The timeline for taxpayers to see any return on the investment
Parking is another practical concern. On many evenings the community park is already full, with activities at both the park and SARC. Will the proposed stadium include enough parking to handle games and events without overflowing into the existing park and surrounding areas?
It’s also hard to understand why facilities that were installed only a few years ago and appear to be working just fine would need to be torn out and replaced.
I’m not against development or investing in our community, but major public projects should come with clear numbers and transparency so residents can understand the long-term impact. Right now, I’m just struggling to see how this makes financial sense for the Town of Smithfield.
Maybe I’m missing something, but I’d appreciate seeing the full breakdown before moving forward with something this costly.
Ya know what is nice? A councilman that stands up for the people and what is right because this seems to be another mess on so many levels. Thank you Mr. Scott.
Building a stadium for a college summer league team is stupid. The season is short, mostly minimum wage jobs, rainouts and cancellations reduce gate money. Just a stupid idea.
6 million for 1500 seats, seems like a huge waste.
One of the issues is, those who are in charge of Smithfield, like the council, manager, and others, want Smithfield to have the same atmosphere that Clayton has. Clayton’s downtown experience on any given night is wonderful. People walking up and down the sidewalks, enjoying the restaurants, having drinks, sitting outside and hanging out with friends. As a life-long resident of Smithfield, I can honestly say, Smithfield will never be Clayton. There are sections of Smithfield that look rundown, the downtown area can hardly ever keep a business. There is really no night life. This ridiculous project that is costing people like me double who have to pay town and county taxes, is simply dumb. Buffalo Rd already is busy. Putting this much money into a summer league who apparently is putting nothing in on it(correct me if I’m wrong), I’m sorry, but I can’t see the benefit of it.
So, I say all that to say this. I truly appreciate that Mr. Scott has the backbone to speak his mind, because he obviously is the only one on the council that gives a crap about the people that voted him in.
I was told there would be pie…