• One of the oldest areas in the city

• Estimated to be 86 acres in size

• Spans from Dr. MLK Street (9th Street South) to 16th Street an First Avenue South to Fifth Avenue

• In its prime was home to an estimated 800 people

• The majority were African-American 

• Home to hundreds of structures that were in need of repairs

• 69% of residents had an annual income of $4,000

• 16% of residents were unemployed

• Renters were offered on average $4,000 to relocate

• Businesses were offered $2,500 - $10,000 in moving costs

• Homeowners were offered $15,000 over the assessed value of their property

• Rents in the area-averaged $67 a month

• Home to three of the city’s four oldest black churches 

• Home of the first school for black children

• Home of the first public library

• Only 45 homes were occupied by the owner

• City acquired 185 parcels of property

• Demolished 262 Structures

• Relocated 27 businesses

• Relocated 45owner-occupants and 281 renters

• The original plan was for business and housing

• It later changed to bring baseball to the area

• The city did not include residents in planning because they thought it was what that wanted

• Improvements to the area included rerouting traffic ways

• The estimated cost to prepare for redevelopment was $9.5 million dollars

• The process was to be carried out in four phases

• The city anticipated an $11 million increase to the tax base

• Promised an increase of up to 688 new jobs

• Hoped to generate $90 million in sales

• Add $5.6 million annually into the local economy

• The initial cost to taxpayers was $110 million

• It took 20 years before the first pitch was thrown

• Twenty years later the team looks to relocate

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