A few of the influences for my project

By: Andy Cunningham

I’m back again, Hope your semester is going good. I’m going to write today, about a few of the influences for my project.

Ballpark Village is multi use entertainment development right next to Busch Stadium in St. Louis. It contains over 100,000 sqft of retail, dining, and entertainment. Ballpark village has multiple sit-down restaurants and take-out restaurants. Ballpark village in my opinion works so well, because it gives people another reason to go to the area other than going to a game, which brings in more money to the area. Its location next to Busch Stadium helps, because the cardinals have been doing so well there’s a lot of people there anyway, but I feel that even if they weren’t playing so well it would still get a lot of business.

Like the Cardinals, the Chicago Cubs are constructing their own entertainment plaza next to Wrigley Field. Like St. Louis, the plaza at Wrigley Field will include some retail and dining options, but also an outdoor space with large screens on the side so those who aren’t attending the game can still watch. Even with the area of Wrigleyville have a lot of bars and restaurants already, this brings in a new option for people to go where they don’t have to be inside a bar to watch the game, and enjoy the game while hearing the sounds of the stadium. http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/restore-wrigley/our-vision/ballpark-renderings/

The Detroit Redwings are taking their entertainment renovations around the Joe Louis arena to a different level. They are trying to do more than just build a stand-alone building with restaurants and bars, they are planning on building and entire district around the arena. “Our goal, since we’re building this district, is to get people to come down two to three hours in advance, have their choice of places to eat and when the game is over, stick around … to really enjoy what downtown Detroit [will] become. Tom Wilson, CEO Detroit Redwings” http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2015/06/29/Facilities/Detroit-Red-Wings.aspx

Entertainment plazas are starting to show up around the country at different stadiums, and for a stadium that doesn’t really have anything around it, building something that can bring people down earlier and have them staying later should bring in more money to the area.