Why did the City of Worcester, Massachusetts agree to build Polar Park? Many political scientists and economists agree that building sports stadiums is not economically beneficial for cities, at the same time, sociologists warn that redevelopment projects and gentrification lead to exclusion and underrepresentation in cities, yet local decision makers continue to use public funding to create these stadiums to fulfill personal political and economic incentives. These results contrast with the claims advertised by politicians and stadium promoters that these projects spur the local economy, become self-sustaining, and induce civic pride.
The purpose of evaluating the case study is to determine the economic, political, and social incentives and processes behind building Polar Park, and understand, in the short term, the impact of Polar Park and the WooSox on the city of Worcester. The project consists of a series of interviews with Worcester politicians, and Polar Park developers. Additionally, I analyzed a series of government documents and news articles on the stadium and greater Canal District Ballpark project. The findings of my research will further explore if there is any promise in building politically, economically, and socially sustainable sports stadiums in urban areas. Existing literature covering minor league teams, stadiums, in non-metropolitan areas is limited. Therefore, assessing the city of Worcester, Massachusetts and the Woo Sox will lend an alternative perspective for the future of sport stadium redevelopment projects for affiliate teams of professional organizations in smaller cities.