For more than a year, the City of Durham has been working with Minor League Baseball to refurbish Durham's Athletic Park facility to make it a state-of-the art training ground for minor league baseball teams.

A closed meeting on Wednesday morning between Durham's city manager and Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Conner yielded positive results, according to a city spokesperson.

City spokeswoman Amy Blalock said that both parties worked to improve communication at the meeting, but she was not able to give details on the arrangement.

Blalock also said meeting attendees agreed to meet latest completion date for the project, which is set for May 2009.

At the meeting, city leaders determined they would turn over field maintenance to MLB sooner than already agreed upon. That means MLB will likely take over field maintenance within the next two months.

Summarizing the meeting, Blalock said, "...improved communications are going to be key."

Weeks ago, O'Conner questioned delays and the contractor chosen for the project in a letter to the city.

"I am writing to express our serious concerns with both the quality of the work and numerous delays that have been experienced to date," the MLB president said.

The City of Durham released a status report outlining the progress of improvements to the Durham Athletic Park.

Durham's city manager asked his staff to come up with an updated plan for the park about a week ago after O'Conner sent the city leaders the letter.

To access the report, click here.

Related Links:

1. Report Released On Progress Of DAP Renovations 

2. Durham Athletic Park Plans Delayed 

3. City Manager Calls For Improvements To Durham Athletic Park Plans

4. Read the Letter (from MLB)