When Glendale (Az.) officials committed to funding Camelback Ranch-Glendale as a spring-training destination, economic development was a prime consideration. That long-awaited development could now be on the horizon. (more…)
Tag Archives | economic development
Planning for the Down Side of Ballpark Development
We’ve seen several high-profile ballpark projects launched with the goal of economic development in hand. The consistent criticism: what if the development goes bad? As we can see in Papillion, a properly structured ballpark financial plan will shield taxpayers and isolate risk even if the development fails to take off. (more…)
Regions Field spurring local development
When city businesspeople and Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) owners pitched a new ballpark, they estimated it would generate $500 million in new investment. A million fans later, and the economic plan is four years ahead of schedule with cranes dotting the skyline. (more…)
Barons begin construction of HD videoboard
The construction of Regions Field continues, reports the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League), with today’s highlight the beginning of construction of the ballpark’s new high-def videoboard. We’re looking forward to seeing the new ballpark this coming season. So are the local citizens, apparently, as the ballpark is already attracting lots of attention from both […]
New Nats ballpark a financial hit for District
After a contentious fight to bring in the Washington Nationals, it looks like Nationals Park advocates were right: the ballpark’s economic impact is generating a profit for the District of Columbia. Never mind the economic impact in the area around the ballpark — it’s been slow to come, but it is indeed coming. The bottom […]
Will Padres sale affect San Diego development?
John Moores did a lot more than just own the San Diego Padres: his leadership led both to Petco Park and an impressive economic renaissance of the ballpark area. Will he continue those efforts now that he’s selling the team? When it comes to tangible economic development relating to ballpark development, there’s no better success […]
Will El Paso ballpark spur downtown development? Insiders of mixed mind
One rationale for building a $50-million ballpark in downtown El Paso for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League): to spur economic development. Will it work? The city is moving ahead with a plan to build a new ballpark at the current City Hall location and finding a new home for local government […]
Parking huge issue for proposed Rays ballpark site
A proposed Tampa Bay Rays ballpark site in St. Petersburg’s Carillon Business Park may have one fatal flaw: the total lack of parking in the mostly developed 432-acre complex. On the plus side, the site sits near an exit from the Howard Frankland Bridge, the almost-five-mile bridge connecting St. Pete and Tampa and could provide a nice view […]
New Hanover County won’t assist new Wilmington ballpark — yet
Perhaps waiting to see if there’s political support for a new downtown Wilmington (N.C.) ballpark, New Hanover County commissioners decided to wait on any financial backing for the project — for now. The hotly contested issue will be before voters this fall, as the city and Mandalay Baseball Properties are negotiating a deal to bring […]
St. Paul council to vote on state ballpark-funding request
The St. Paul City Council is expected to unanimously approve a request of state funding for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark today. The city will put together a funding request for $27 million from a $47.5 million economic-development fund overseen by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). This would cover half […]
Ballparks and economic development: Still a contentious issue
Are we seeing more evidence that ballpark construction is indeed an economic catalyst? Two recent case studies in Toledo and Washington provide some compelling arguments for the proposition. Today The Atlantic looks at Fifth Third Field, the home of the Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League), and how it’s providing some $50 million in […]
Charlotte outlines ballpark funding plan
A Charlotte (N.C.) City Council committee will debate today a proposal to help fund a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) Uptown ballpark, contingent on the team arranging private financing. The plan, to be discussed today by the council’s economic development committee, calls for $9 million to be paid to the team after 2015, with half […]
Developers lining up to take advantage of new Barons ballpark
It looks like one rationale for a new downtown Birmingham ballpark — attracting economic development — is already coming to fruition, as several developers negotiate land deals in the immediate area. The new home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) has already attracted one sale of land to a developer, with several other […]