The rise of entertainment districts
Designing and building the ultimate intersection of life, work, and play.
In communities throughout the 7 Rivers Region, including Rochester, MN, La Crosse, WI, and beyond, developers are innovating approaches to design and build the ultimate intersection of live, work, and play. The rise of entertainment districts represents a powerful shift in the design and build landscape and an opportunity to help cities evolve into unique, magnetic destinations. While some emerging entertainment districts encompass only a handful of blocks, others are ambitious projects that makeover city centers and broaden the definition of what an entertainment district can become.
Entertainment districts: who pays the bill?
Entertainment districts remain a strong contender in the effort to revitalize urban spaces. They generate tax revenue, they transform spaces and draw visitors, and they can improve the quality of life for individuals and families by creating jobs and economic opportunities and expanding housing located in the center of things, potentially reducing commute time. For local businesses, entertainment districts can even help attract and retain a new labor pool. Moreover, entertainment districts often inspire revitalization and commercial construction far beyond their borders for years to come.
In tandem with the obvious advantages demonstrated by full-scale entertainment districts, the question of financing frequently becomes a sticking point, and voter support for tax incentives is sometimes in question, as was the case recently in Tempe, Arizona, where developers had hoped to build an entertainment district with an arena for the Arizona Coyotes NHL franchise. Yet many options exist, and as with all commercial construction projects — the solutions can be multifaceted. In some cases, as in the proposed Miami Freedom Park, private funding is the answer. For others, tax credits and tax increment financing help the dream become a reality. Even bonds can sometimes help alleviate the cost burden, as in Anaheim, California’s ocV!BE district.
Forging a year-round, round-the-clock destination is key
For entertainment districts to succeed — especially those that include or are anchored by a sports venue — it’s essential they remain vibrant during off-hours and the off-season. That’s why many developers integrate residential housing, office space, and cultural amenities into their plans. By layering in attractions such as hotels, dining, museums, co-working spaces, performance venues, and even theme parks, districts can sustain activity well beyond game days and draw millions of visitors throughout the year.
The next entertainment district development is within reach
As entertainment districts demonstrate the benefits of creating mixed-use, year-round destinations, the opportunity to revitalize and grow city centers in the 7 Rivers Region becomes clear. For communities like Rochester, MN, and La Crosse, WI, design-build offers a pathway to optimize project ambitions and budgets while creating places that can serve as magnetic centers of city life. Connect with us today to begin envisioning what an entertainment district could mean for your community.
This article was updated in September 2025 to clarify that its focus is on mixed-use entertainment districts — including housing, dining, retail, cultural attractions, and office space — rather than stadium or arena economics alone.