City of Phoenix hopes for big economic boost from All-Star Game

PHOENIX - Some businesses in downtown Phoenix say they're hoping All-Star week will boost consumer spending during the summer slowdown. 

"It's an incredible opportunity for us to shine," smiled Arrogant Butcher General Manager Peter Hearn.

Hearn's restaurant is within walking distance of Chase Field and he's firing up his staff to appeal to the tens of thousands of visitors and locals alike. "For the first time in a very long time, there's so many opportunities for people to come down and enjoy downtown and really treat it as a destination spot not just for one event, one game, one concert."

Estimates show the festivities will pump millions of dollars into the local economy.

Jenny Phan started her pho restaurant, Viet Kitchen, in downtown Phoenix roughly six months ago and says she's already feeling the heat.

"Especially summer. [There's] nothing down here. No tourists, no nothing," she said.

Like almost every other business on her street, there's a sign on the door welcoming baseball fans during All-Star week.

All-Star FanFest, touted as the world's largest interactive baseball theme park, is taking place at the Phoenix Convention Center down the street from Phan's restaurant. 

According to the city, more than 100,000 people are expected to attend the five-day event. 

Many of them are visitors and that means more tax revenue. The city told ABC15 roughly 12,000 people book hotel rooms during All-Star week.

Direct spending will likely reach $67 million, according to the city. That's equivalent to a company hiring 600 to 700 workers for a full year. But even that isn't enough to dig our city out of financial trouble.

"It sounds like a big number," explained economist Jim Rounds. "You have to put it in context of our entire economy; we have a $250 billion economy so it's a nice impact but it's not really a game changer as far as turning our economy around."

Here's a breakdown of the economic impact in past host cities. Last year, Anaheim earned $85 million. In 2009, St. Louis brought in $60 million and the 2008 All-Star Game in New York City saw the biggest impact, drawing $148 million.

But Mayor Phil Gordon said the benefits are far greater and the trickle effect can't be equated into dollars. 

"How do you translate people coming here who will buy a home because they like it, will start a business here, will expand their business here?" he asked.

Baseball fan David Taylor said downtown improvements, like a new Phoenix Convention Center, new Cityscape development and Metro Light Rail running through the heart of the city, have also got him excited about the event making its home in Phoenix.

"I cannot wait," said Taylor, who has seats behind home plate for Tuesday's game. "It's such a great thing because I actually live down here. I live at The Summit so I live right across from the ball park so it's even better."

For Phan, whether it's one more customer or a stream of them, she's crossing her fingers that All-Star week will have baseball fans sliding through the door.

"[It's] better than nothing," she said with a laugh.