"Hinnant said the ballpark is an investment that citizens should think about."

Would the citizens get to share in the profits? My guess is "no". So it is an unwise "investment" if you can even call it that.

If it's going to "allow our restaurants to have a better chance at success" then maybe the restaurants should put up the money.

The ones who stand to gain from the stadium should be the ones to front the money.