If you build it, they will come.

When the Center City Development Corp. in San Diego pushed the idea of relocating the Padres to East Village, in Downtown San Diego, they knew that if we build it, they will come.  When I say “they” I’m referring to thousands of patrons who flock to the heart of the city night after night to witness the excitement.  With the continuous building of residential units surrounding the ballpark, you can literally sit at your seat at the game and count numerous cranes diligently working everyday to build-up what was recently considered unmentionable and unapproachable.   

Just 5 years ago, East Village had the horrible reputation of housing transients, it was the home to the cities “drunk tank”, and on ever corner stood a run down warehouse of some sort.  After CCDC and local political figures convinced voters to vote yes on the building of a new ballpark, we almost immediately witnessed an instant transformation of East Village.  If you build it, they will come.  And sure enough, when you visit Petco Park for a ball game, you’ll notice the seats in the stadium remain empty until the 3^rd of 4^th inning due to fans hanging out at the near by restaurants or bars that too just recently opened their doors to the growing population.