Can a Sports Stadium Ruin a Neighborhood? Holy Cross Economics Professor Opines for The Guardian

Victor Matheson, professor of economics. Photo by Tom Rettig

The Guardian

Detroit's billionaire Ilitch family has come under fire as their ambitious plans to create an expansive entertainment district in downtown Detroit are not coming to fruition, despite the newly opened Little Caesars Arena.

The Guardian recently examined the issue, and called upon College of the Holy Cross economics professor Victor Matheson for expertise. Matheson says the deal was bad for Detroit from the outset.

Matheson also refers to the situation in Detroit as unique. "It's not rare at all that new development does not materialize or takes very long to materialize – that's very common," Matheson says. "It is extremely rare to see a stadium cause a neighborhood to go backwards – that is very rare."

To read the full article, go to TheGuardian.com.