Quote:
Originally Posted by Roughneck
The claim has always been that arenas (and stadiums) "create" business when the reality is that they just direct business [...] So it all comes to how valuable is directed spending to a city.
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Directing development towards the inner city and away from the surburbs has monetary value to the city of Calgary, because inner city developments are more fiscally lucrative than suburban ones. Having said that, I'm not convinced the arena would spur development in the West Village (at least not better than an East Village-style plan). It may simply displace the development that would otherwise take place on its footprint, and also it may split focus between the East Village and West Village (whereas I'd rather saturate the East Village, then move on to the West Village).
I like the North Victoria Park area for the arena. No LRT transfers for anyone and it's not using prime riverfront real estate. The closer it is to the CP tracks, the better.