This is a shared message from a group of partners: The Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association, Greater Phoenix Chamber, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Greater Phoenix Leadership, and Phoenix Community Alliance.
The continued and accelerated growth of Phoenix and Arizona alike demands that our
community leaders work together to fulfill our greatest potential. This is perfectly exemplified by
the opportunity for bold leadership and collaboration that ensures the Arizona Diamondbacks
stay in Arizona and continue to call Chase Field home. As organizations invested in our collective
future, we strongly support all interested parties in seeking a solution that ensures that outcome.
Since Chase Field opened in 1998, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chase Field have been an
essential part of our community. Chase Field’s downtown location provides the greatest
economic and cultural impact for our community.
The exponential growth of Downtown Phoenix in recent years has revitalized an important part of
our city and state. This growth would not have been possible without the anchor developments
of Chase Field, the Footprint Center, and the Phoenix Convention Center, each of which have
brought many people downtown for the first time in years.
Over 25 years, the ballpark has generated $5.4 billion in GDP to the state of Arizona and brought
major events to the Valley like the World Series, MLB All-Star Game, College Football Bowl
Games, multiple large concerts annually, and the World Baseball Classic. These large events have
had an incalculable impact in establishing Arizona as a worldwide destination for tourism and
businesses looking to expand or relocate. And this says nothing of the community investment
made by the Diamondbacks; over $85 million given to local charities over the years, more than all
other local sports teams combined.
Decades have passed since Chase Field was built, without a significant refurbishment. Chase
Field is in need of repairs to critical building infrastructure like plumbing and electrical as well as
essential cosmetic updates to ensure a premium experience for fans and event-goers alike that is
befitting of a cutting-edge city like Phoenix. In order to continue attracting large events to the
Valley and to keep Chase Field a major-league quality ballpark, Chase Field needs significant
investment.
The Diamondbacks’ leadership and our community leaders have a tremendous opportunity to
seek a collective, collaborative solution that not only keeps the team at Chase Field, but also
positions the facility to continue to operate as an essential part of the fabric of our downtown
community as well as the city and state at large.
We urge all parties to come to the table to make the investments needed to ensure Chase Field
is a world class facility, home to our Major League Baseball team, and an essential economic and
community asset for generations to come.
It’s central to realizing the yet unwritten story of our city and state.
The post Joint Letter of Support: The importance of Chase Field and the Arizona Diamondbacks on the Greater Phoenix economy appeared first on Greater Phoenix Chamber.
