ARLINGTON -- Jack Hill, who helped oversee the construction of the Globe Life Park and AT&T Stadium, is rejoining the Rangers to do the same for their new ballpark.
The Rangers announced on Thursday that Hill has been hired as senior vice president for project development to oversee construction management and development of the new ballpark scheduled to open in 2020. City funding for the $1 billion ballpark was approved last week.
"There is no one more qualified to manage the construction of our new ballpark than Jack Hill," said Rob Matwick, Rangers executive vice president, business operations. "Jack had a huge role in the construction of Globe Life Park in Arlington and has had a major impact in the building of many successful sports facilities projects over the last 25 years. The Rangers are very happy to have him on board."
The Rangers' current facility opened in 1994 as the Ballpark in Arlington, with club president Tom Schieffer as the driving force and Hill as his right-hand man. The ballpark opened on time and under budget. Hill went on to oversee the construction of the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Miller Park in Milwaukee, AT&T Park in San Francisco and Levi's Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers.
Hill will also work with The Cordish Companies as the Texas Live! development progresses and will be involved in other projects, including the repurposing of Globe Life Park.
The new ballpark will be built just south of Globe Life Park across from Randol Mill Road and will include a retractable roof for climate control. The plan is to spend 2017 designing the new ballpark and 2018-19 for the actual construction in anticipation of a 2020 opening. Some preliminary construction may begin next year before the design process has been completed.
Rangers have night opener
The Rangers' home opener will be a night game in 2017. The Rangers announced that their April 3 game against the Indians will have a 6:05 p.m. CT first pitch. The Rangers haven't had a home opener at night since 1990, but this one was moved because it will be broadcast nationally.