During a recent Denver City Council meeting, Ryan Fleming and other business advocates took the stage to make a case for investing $70 million in a new women’s professional soccer stadium in the Baker neighborhood. They argued that this development would bring new life and customers to the area.
While some see the stadium project as a beacon of hope for the blighted lot that has been vacant for over a decade, others question the true economic benefits. Research indicates that cities often struggle to recoup the costs of building stadiums, with limited growth in the local economy. According to a recent analysis published in the Journal of Economic Surveys, these facilities tend to shift spending within different parts of a city rather than attracting new dollars.
Geoffrey Propheter, a professor at the University of Colorado Denver who studies sports facility economics, referred to stadiums as “money pits” that ultimately burden taxpayers. Despite these concerns, Mayor Mike Johnston and many supporters view the stadium as a transformational opportunity for the area.
The proposed stadium would be located on a portion of the former Gates Rubber factory site, nestled between the South Platte River, I-25, and the Broadway light rail station. The deal with the new team’s ownership group involves the city spending millions for property purchase and improvements, while the team is responsible for constructing the stadium.
Johnston, who described the project as a chance to activate an economic opportunity in the neighborhood, believes in the potential of the stadium to revitalize the area. However, the City Council faces a decision on whether to approve the investment plan, weighing the hopes for revitalization against the uncertain financial benefits for the city.
The city’s economic study projects a $2.2 billion economic impact over the next 30 years from the stadium and surrounding mixed-use development. While the analysis highlights community benefits and job creation, critics argue that the economic benefits may be overstated.
Despite the promise of job creation and economic impact, concerns remain about the cost-benefit analysis of the $70 million investment. The city has yet to fully assess the trade-offs and alternative uses of the funds.
If approved, the stadium project would not only bring a new sports facility to Denver but also potentially inspire the next generation, particularly women and girls in sports. The project aims to create a vibrant mixed-use development, including housing and restaurants, alongside the stadium.
Council members are faced with a decision that could shape the future of the neighborhood and the city as a whole. With a vote on the investment proposal approaching, the council must carefully consider the potential benefits and risks associated with the stadium project.
Ultimately, the fate of the NWSL stadium in Denver rests on the council’s decision, which will determine whether the city moves forward with this ambitious development plan.
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