While the Cardinals shop nationwide for private investors to build a new downtown stadium, team owners on Wednesday selected an Indianapolis firm as lead builder of the Busch Stadium replacement.

Hunt Construction Group Inc. was selected over three other contractors - none based in St. Louis. Cardinals President Mark Lamping said much of the work would be subcontracted, paving the way for St. Louis companies to participate in construction of the new stadium.

Lynn Wall, Hunt's executive vice president, said the company has been working with St. Louis subcontractors for the past two years in planning and budgeting. The company is committed to using St. Louis construction companies, Wall said.

The Cardinals selected Hunt because of the company's experience in ballpark construction, said John Loyd, whom the Cardinals hired to manage construction of the new stadium.

Loyd worked with Hunt Construction Group when he was overseeing construction of Jacobs Field in Cleveland.

Eight of the 11 newest major league ballparks have been built or are currently being constructed by Hunt, including open-air ballparks similar to the new design for the Cardinals.

Those include: Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati; Comerica Park in Detroit; the Philadelphia Phillies ballpark; Pacific Bell Ballpark in San Francisco; and Jacobs Field.

"It was a tough choice, but Hunt's depth of experience in ballpark construction, the individuals identified as Hunt's key staff assigned to our project, and their dedication to the challenge of building the best ballpark in America for the Cardinals led to our decision," Loyd said.

Jerry Feldhaus, executive secretary and treasurer of the St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council, said the unions look forward to working with Hunt Construction.

"We especially appreciate the fact that Hunt Construction recognizes the skill of our tradesmen - skills that are up to the task of meeting the challenges this project will present," Feldhaus said. "We welcome the challenge and welcome Hunt Construction to St. Louis."

The Cardinals are seeking $275 million to build a ballpark that will cost $402 million, including the cost of reconfiguring streets and building a new entrance ramp to Highway 40 (Interstate 64).

Lamping said the Cardinals want to break ground next summer and to have the new stadium open for the 2006 season. The Cardinals have hired a firm to find private investors for the new stadium. The team expects to close on the financing no later than mid-May.

The Cardinals are putting up $50 million for the project. Last week, the Missouri Development Finance Board agreed to give the team $29.45 million in tax credits. The Cardinals could sell the credits and use the proceeds on the stadium project.

The Cardinals also are seeking $12 million from the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and $45 million in hotel taxes from St. Louis County.

Reporter Doug Moore: E-mail: dmoore@post-dispatch.com Phone: 314-622-3580