Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
Come on man, your knowledge of Phoenix is almost non-existent. You've got the tourist perspective and know nothing about the metro area itself. Just admit it. You had no idea where Tempe or Mesa were, and dismissed them accordingly. You tossed out the "Phoenix university" area, completely unaware that ASU is in Tempe and butts up against Mesa. Tempe also butts up against Scottsdale, but the lowest rent area of Scottsdale imaginable. I guess in your extensive travels around the valley it never dawned on you there were reasons for the vast expanses of empty land? The Salt River and Gila River reservations weren't obvious? The network of protected lands in National Forests and Regional Preserves prevents a lot of the other lands being developed.
Back on where a new arena stands a chance, the Suns and Coyotes should be talking with ASU. They are going to be burying ASU Karsten in the next few years and that land is prime. The parcel where the 11th through 17th holes is the perfect size for a new arena. It is also across from Tempe Marketplace where there is plenty of restaurants and shopping. This would leave the rest of the course lands, on the south side of Rio Salado, for ASU development of new buildings, housing, and an entertainment district. This would make the most sense. The biggest challenge would be getting the state to agree to a change to 202 to facilitate on/off ramps at McLintock.
The next logical, but most problematic location, would be on the parcel on the north west side of 101/202. This is Salt River tribal lands, but there have been rumblings about them developing it to draw more traffic to Casino Arizona. I'm not sure how this would go over with any of the municipalities or with the league, but it would be a great location. The sovereignty issues make this location a real nightmare to consider.
Based on the options, I think the Coyotes are screwed. I just can't see any location being ready quick enough to save the team. I think a new arena in Seattle is more likely than another arena in Phoenix right now. Unless ASU bites the bullet and builds something for their team, with the idea of using the Coyotes as a revenue stream, I don't see a local government stepping up at the moment.
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I've actually been in both Tempe and Mesa. I've got quite a few friends with places in Mesa (though more in Scottsdale and one in Paradise Valley). They both seemed more industrial or low rent to me. The flea market was especially nice.
The university area is, to me, just that - the uni district, which is very nice, and, to me, it's own area, even if it is within the Tempe borders. When I said Tempe and Mesa, I was meaning the south (just like when I say Scottsdale I am usually talking about the north). As I have said, I've been in both and didn't really like them.
As for the rest of the condescending post, I said already I wasn't commenting on availability - I was commenting on preferred location in my opinion. I have no knowledge of land availability or prices or development issues. I admit it - I was putting pins in the map according only to what I could see when I've visited and have driven around. But I never mentioned the Gila Valley or Salt River reservations - what I said was I was unsure about the border.
And yes, it's a tourists perspective.