October 18, 2007

Pave Paradise? – Not in Durham

MiLB understands “unique sense of place”

What is a common characteristic for communities attractive to visitors, newcomers and the creative class?  “A unique and genuine sense of place.”  A 1970’s song by Joni Mitchell (reincarnated by the Counting Crows) summed it up…“You don’t know what you got till it’s gone.  They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”

So what would most communities do with an old ballpark once a new one is successful?  You guessed it.  But, not in Durham.  Teaming with Minor League Baseball, Durham is breathing new life into the Historic Durham Athletic Park.  Renovations by Streuver Bros., Eccles & Rouse, specialists with historic structures, is underway this fall and winter with a City contract imminent with MiLB to operate the ‘ole DAP as a training center for its 242 teams.

The 70-year-old structure is dear to Durham and emblematic of its unique sense of place.  Durham also has an indigenous relationship with Minor League Baseball going back more than 100 years and symbolized by one of the best sports movies of all time, Bull Durham, whose 20^th anniversary will be celebrated April 30, 2008 at the Annual Tribute Luncheon. 

MiLB will bring umpires, grounds crews, front offices, and concessions staff to its training facility at the DAP, incorporating Festivals and NCCU Eagles Baseball as a “living laboratory” to train teams on how to turn facilities around quickly for other uses.   Its 20 leagues have a larger fan base than any other pro league, save Major League Baseball.  More than the NHL, NFL or NBA.

But that’s just the beginning.  MiLB wants to create and operate a new Museum and fan experience around Minor League Baseball adjacent to or near the DAP.  History museums outdraw all other types of museums and rival that of other cultural facilities.  The new museum will also give a huge boost to the Durham Bulls. 

In a golden public/private partnership for the Museum, MiLB is assuming all of the risk with Durham only providing the real estate, etc.  Experts project the Museum can host nearly 200,000 attendees annually.

RELATED ARTICLES & INFORMATION:

April 30 Luncheon to Honor Bull Durham [July 27, 2007]
Popular Luncheon will Celebrate Bull Durham at Cameron Indoor Stadium

Published by the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau. Copyright 2007 Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau,
All rights reserved. Images used by the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau are for promotional use only.