Taxpayers and ballparks

It seems Consol Energy Park won't be the only ballpark the taxpayers of Pennsylvania will be funding improvements to in the near future. Here's an Associated Press story about a makeover planned for FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, home of the Philadelphia Phillies' affiliate in the Class AA Eastern League. The cost to the taxpayers is $5 million:

$10M makeover planned for Reading Phillies park
READING, Pa. (AP) — The city of Reading and the Reading Phillies have announced plans for a $10 million makeover of FirstEnergy Stadium over the next two off-seasons.
The plan would move the entrance to a huge new concession plaza along the right-field side, add a 450-space parking lot and renovate the much-maligned team locker rooms.
The plan is contingent on getting a $5 million state grant, with the team and the city paying the rest of the project cost at the 60-year-old ball field.
The city had abandoned an earlier proposal to build a new stadium downtown.
Instead, the city plans to focus on renovating the existing stadium, especially since the R-Phils’ lease there runs through 2021 and the city is responsible for repairs and maintenance.