Amid criticism, Winston-Salem City Council to vote on Truist Stadium upgrade project budget overruns

The Winston-Salem City Council will vote tonight on whether to spend an additional $1.6 million to upgrade Truist Stadium. 

Council agreed last year to set aside $5 million to fund improvements to comply with new facility standards set by Major League Baseball. Since then, city staffers say estimated costs have risen due to inflation and design changes. 

At last week’s finance committee meeting, Mayor Allen Joines said the city was in a tough position. 

“We don’t have choices," said Joines. "If we’re going to keep the team, we’re going to have to make these improvements.” 

Tonight’s vote will follow a 5 p.m. press conference called by housing advocates to criticize the mayor for spending more money on the stadium project while repairs at public housing complex Crystal Towers remain unfinished.