Stadiums, Ballparks, and Arenas: A forCatalyst Urban Renewal

In cities across the nation, sports facilities play a central role in energizing a district and creating a vibrant destination beyond game days. The nature of the facility type – which draws traffic year-round through sporting and community events – means that, with the right site and a pedestrian-centric design, stadiums, ballparks, and arenas can create catalytic development.

Look no further than cities like Columbus, Los Angeles, and right here in Kansas City to see how sports-anchored mixed-use districts and developments can transform a downtown. But when did this trend begin? And what’s the recipe for success?

An Expansive History

In AD 80, when the Roman Colosseum first opened its doors to spectators, the notion of an amphitheater in the heart of a city was unheard of. Prior, most entertainment spaces and amphitheaters were built outside of city centers. The Colosseum signified an important cultural shift.

However, as with most things, change takes time. Some of the most iconic downtown sports experiences – including Fenway Park and Wrigley Field – were designed more than 80 years before the next iconic downtown ballpark, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, came to be in 1992. In the interim, we saw stadiums and ballparks increasingly relocate to suburban locations, creating transportation challenges and, at times, detracting from downtowns.

In each exemplary case, site selection was critical to success. In addition, each of the facilities mentioned was designed to be pedestrian-friendly and reflective of the place, enticing fans and the passerby while complementing the scale and fabric of the city.

Recipe For Success

Many of the most successful downtown stadiums, ballparks, and arenas have been complemented with thoughtful mixed-use development that includes office, residential, retail and restaurants. It isn’t enough to abide by the old mantra “if you build it, they will come.” Today’s developers, sports teams, and designers often lock arms, committing to sensitively design and develop facilities in a way that positively impacts the community.

Power & Light District has been an excellent example. Even without an anchor tenant for T-Mobile Center, a 2018 New York Times article noted the project was a primary reason the downtown streetcar line came to fruition. In addition, the district has helped increase downtown population by more than 20,000 and increase city tax revenue. Nationwide Arena District in Columbus and Downtown Commons in Sacramento have similar success stories.

In each of these cases, there are commonalities that are worth examining. Principles of successful urban sports facilities include:

Location, Location, Location – Site selection is critical to success and should consider accessibility, property size, proximity to public transit, and other established infrastructure.

Visual and Physical Connections to the City – Thoughtful connections – either by design or organically – to the city itself from the venue help create iconic moments for fans and visitors. In addition, physical connections to the city – whether via pedestrian bridges or public plazas – can help make the building feel more integrated in the community.

Thoughtful Mixed-Use Development – As we’ve seen in Kansas City, mixed-use development can elevate a venue, help attract major events, and energize a downtown beyond games. When traveling or simply enjoying the city you call home, it’s impossible to deny that stadiums and significant infrastructure, like airports, museums, and theaters, play a role in shaping a city and its identity. Next time you’re visiting a new entertainment venue, take a moment to think about the ways the space connects to and embodies the city and the impact that has on your own experience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The author of Designed in Kansas City: How Kansas City Became the Sports Architecture Capital of the World, Tom Waggoner, AIA, is a sports architect, entrepreneur, and consultant. Over the course of his 40-year-career, he has led stadium, arena, and athletic facility projects across the nation as part of sports architecture practices based in Kansas City. More information on Tom’s book can be found at designedinkansascity.com.