Downtown = great idea.
Alamodome parking lot = horrible.
1. You can't build a field facing NW because of the sun, so you won't be able to see downtown unless you're playing center field (highly unlikely). Isn't one reason for having a downtown stadium for the view?
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/...9b040cfc68.jpg
Memphis = awesome.
Ex: San Diego, Minnesota, Detroit, St Louis, Baltimore. And SA's would be what? Bill Millers? Durango/ Cesar Chaves train bridge? That area isn't even "downtown."
2. Building there will not result in residential and commercial development. And if it did where would they go?
3. If you're going to build a downtown ballpark do it the right way
so we don't have a Wolff Stadiun #2 that we regret a decage later. Put it on a city block surrounded by some decent density buildings. Make it walking distance from most of the hotels and offices so people can walk to the game and grab a bite to eat after. Make it to where you can sit anywhere in the stadium and be able to feel like you're actually downtown, not on the east side of 37. Sure it's a better location but being surrounded by 37, the alamodome, train tracks and a low income neighborhood makes for a pretty crappy atmosphere. And I'm going to there to see Hamilton and Jeter play, 90% of the people going through the gates won't know who's on the mound for the Missions that night, that is why atmosphere is so important in MinorLB and you've got to do it the right way of else that new statium mood will die as soon as you know it. It needs to be unique... in a good way.
4. Just do it the right way SA, I know we like to be different and do everything differently than the rest of the world but if this happens please don't screw this up.