Minor league metropolis: Urban redevelopment surrounding minor league baseball stadiums

Abstract

Special Activity Generators have been a redevelopment tool utilized by governments in order to revitalize lethargic downtowns. For small and mid-sized cities, minor league baseball stadiums have become a popular anchor development as a type of Special Activity Generator; while sports facilities are well studied, minor league stadiums have not been the focus of significant research. My dissertation uses a sequential explanatory mixed methodology to answer whether minor league baseball stadiums are successful as Special Activity Generators. I first use a quantitative analysis of sixteen stadiums built around the year 2000 that shows a large effect for the areas around the stadium compared to the rest of the city. However, that growth is created by concentrating redevelopment, not creating new activity. Two case studies clarify that the stadiums were critical to the observed redevelopment efforts, but also highly the need for thorough planning and collocated amenities prior to construction in order to maximize the results from the public investment.