Winter Storm Jonas hit the East Coast more than three weeks ago, but its fury is still being felt in Baltimore. The storm dropped approximately 30 inches of snow on the city, and in an effort to clear the streets, much of that snow was relocated to the M&T Stadium parking lot.
As the Baltimore Sun‘s Tim Prudente reports, that presents a problem for the Baltimore Orioles, as those lots are used as parking for their home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. About 18,000 tons of snow, piled more than 50 feet high in some places, needs to be removed during the next two months leading up to the Orioles’ home opener on April 4.
Top priority for Orioles before Opening Day? Removing 18,000 tons of snow from parking lot. https://t.co/g5wj1DF8Eh pic.twitter.com/fOXHtBv0xt
— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) February 9, 2016
Why not just let the snow melt? The snow mountains are so large that they won’t melt on their own, according to the Maryland Stadium Authority. But apparently, dumping the snow in the harbor wasn’t considered a viable option.
This development may provide some insight into Yoenis Cespedes’ decision to re-sign with the Mets, rather than ink a deal with the Orioles. Was helping with snow removal going to be a provision in his contract. In Queens, he’ll just have to bat cleanup and play center field. We’ll see if plowing snow was part of Chris Davis’ seven-year, $161 million contract. A significant portion of that money will be deferred, but maybe Davis can negotiate some more cash up front if he helps clear a few parking lots.
(You think we’re kidding, but if Davis doesn’t report early to Sarasota, Fla., just check to see who’s driving a truck or shoveling in Baltimore. Put nothing past O’s owner Peter Angelos.)
Until opening day, city crews are tasked with melting and/or moving the snow out of those lots, making way for more than a thousand parking spaces. Some of the snow was moved to Pimlico Race Course (it should melt by the time the Preakness is run), while the majority of what is not melted by crews will be moved to a lot offered to the city by Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, who owns the property.
City officials hope to have the snow removed by March 1.
[Baltimore Sun]
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