Minor league baseball and downtown redevelopment

Abstract

This paper examines minor league baseball parks constructed in or near the central business district. Some of the motivations for downtown ballpark construction are discussed with a focus on the relationship between these ballparks and downtown redevelopment efforts. In this paper, three cities that have built new minor league ballparks in or near downtown are used as case studies. Each case study consist of three aspects: background information about how the ballpark was financed and constructed, an assessment of the design of the ballpark and its role in the surrounding neighborhood, and an overall assessment of the success of the ballpark in relation to its district and to the city as a whole. Finally, a list of recommendations is assembled that is intended to be a guide for successful downtown baseball park development.