The Construction of Durham Bulls Athletic Park and its effect on the Revitalization of

Downtown Durham

By Ross Sylvester

The Durham Bulls: A Quick History

•Durham Tobacconists•Name change•Durham Athletic Park

1902 – 1939•Joined Carolina League•Merged with Raleigh club•Eventual folded

1945 – 1971

•Restarted by Miles Wolff for $2,500•Bull Durham•Sale to Capitol Broadcasting

1980 – 1992

A New Ballpark

• Wanted new park immediately– Capitalize on popularity– Draw a Triple-A club

• Proposed RTP Sports Complex

• 2nd chance subsequent approval

• Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Durham Bulls Athletic Park

West Village

• Previous attempts

• Blue Devil Ventures

• Set two major precedents

Triple-A & Diamond View

• Renovations

• Diamond View I

• Diamond View II

American Tobacco Complex• Literal “elephant-in-the-room”

since its closure in 1987

• Various attempts to purchase failed in the ‘90’s

• Capitol Broadcasting

• Present Day

• DPAC

Influence

Influence

Future

• Downtown Durham Master Plan

• Private – Public partnerships

• Desire for residential growth

• ATC Renovations, Chesterfield Building, etc.