The downside of the PPL Park is its location; the stadium sits in economically-depressed Chester, an area known for high crime and unemployment rates. Chester's population has decreased by half since the 1960's, and the State of Pennsylvania has taken extreme steps to revitalize the area. It will be interesting to see if PPL Park, which is part of a larger project that will include town houses, apartments, office space, and a convention center, affects the greater prosperity of the community. Will it benefit the current residents or is a simple case of gentrification?
I'm not informed enough to make a judgment. But after coming across the news that the City of Chester has declared a state of emergency due to a recent rash of homicides, I'm keenly interested in how the the now-operational stadium changes the community in which it exists.
The simple fact that Union president Tom Veit is forced to comment on security for Sunday should be a jarring reminder that the soccer celebration in Chester stands in stark contrast to the condition of the community.
Beyond soccer, Chester is also of interest to me because it's the hometown of my paternal grandfather. I don't know the last time he was there (quick guess: 50 years at least), and I don't know that any visit I would make would mean anything beyond soccer; it may actually take the trip for me to find out.
If nothing else, Chester is a troubled community that at the very least could benefit from the spotlight provided by the Union and PPL Park.
