This city shows S.A. could hit home run with stadium

In the classic movie “A League of Their Own,” one of the Rockford Peaches’ star players is quitting the team and tells manager Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) that “the game just got too hard.” Dugan responds, “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.”

Certainly, the task of building a new minor league baseball stadium in the heart of San Antonio poses its challenges, as does the potential for a new Spurs arena. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile.

Let’s consider the tremendous benefits that could ensue from either one or both ventures. Picture the vibrant transformation awaiting our city center, as residents, students and tourists attend games, explore eateries and bars, and depart with wonderful memories of a vibrant urban experience.

At a recent International Downtown Association conference in Chicago, stats were released that indicate San Antonio’s downtown has had a stronger back-to-work rebound than many other major cities due in large part to our hospitality industry. The only city outpacing us in this regard was Nashville, Tenn., another hospitality stronghold.

American cities are struggling with declining central business districts. A recent

Wall Street Journal article titled “America’s Downtowns Are Empty. Fixing Them Will Be Expensive.” demonstrates this concern. Considering the workfrom-home dynamic created during the pandemic, downtowns may become less about work and more about destination.

This is precisely why a proposed sports-entertainment district should be explored and aggressively pursued. Since the departure of AT&T from its Houston Street headquarters 15 years ago, San Antonio’s downtown has transformed into more of a central hotel district than a central business district. We are unlikely to have corporate titans in the urban core like Dallas, Houston or Austin. We should lean into what has made downtown great for years as a top tourist destination.

Downtown San Antonio is experiencing the transformative effects of catalytic projects, with Civic Park at Hemisfair leading the way. Moreover, the University of Texas at San Antonio’s groundbreaking for its Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Careers building represents a $300 million investment in the downtown area.

When the redesigned Alamo Museum and visitor experience is unveiled in 2024, we can expect a downtown that’s humming with action. Weston Urban’s $600 million investment with Frost Tower and 300 Main ushers in a new era of live, work, play.

During a recent trip to First Horizon Park, the Nashville Sounds Minor League Baseball stadium, I witnessed a remarkable transformation of a previously underdeveloped area of the city. The renewal was evident in midrise housing developments, live concerts, carnivals and a seventh- inning stretch that energized the crowd.

What was most striking, however, was the sense of enjoyment and merriment that engulfed the stadium from the moment visitors entered until long after the game ended.

The stadium, with its seating capacity of about 10,000, underscores the significance of social spaces and the events they host in generating revenue. A similar scenario could be envisioned for San Antonio, where a downtown location for the Missions stadium presents a compelling alternative.

In fact, the general manager of the Nashville Sounds expressed unwavering confidence that, given a more central locale for the Missions, combined with the affordability and the enduring passion for baseball in South Texas, it has potential to become the premier franchise.

No question, it will be hard, but “hard is what makes it great.” We deserve leadership that will deliver that kind of home run downtown.

Trish DeBerry is president and CEO Centro San Antonio.

Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson is on vacation.

NANCY M. PREYOR-JOHNSON