Quote:
Originally Posted by Zarley
Not sure what you are looking at, but the existing plan includes various infrastructure changes including a traffic circle at 14th Street, new roads to provide access to development areas, and the implied public realm upgrades to make development palatable. The only road remaining the same is the Bow Trail alignment, which I'd argue needs to be be fixed regardless of what happens to the WV lands. According to the CalgaryNext website, the development of remaining lands in the WV is included as part of the overall project, which to me implies that the costs of this are included in the quoted figures.
How exactly is the argument a red herring? Given the inclusion of a CRL, the private development of remaining lands seems to be an integral component of the CalgaryNext plan. |
The Flames have only proposed the arena/stadium. The other developments are a rendering to imply future development in the area. Like I said, facts can change, but looking at the funding model, there is no indication that any money is going towards the new roads suggested in the rendering (why would the Flames pay for something the city/residential developer should bear?)
Like i said above, the plan calls for "future development" but the Flames don't suggest they are the ones to do it. It's all a "look what can be built around it" and I doubt they want to put a rendering out with the sites around looking like what they do now.
The increased development arguments is a red herring in that it adds no value to the proposal itself. It has been discussed before that new development in the area just saps development for other areas of the city. It provides no benefit to the tax base, and would actually take away from the city coffers because the new development would be under a CRL as opposed to a new development in the beltline etc.
While city growth isn't a zero sum game, it's hard to support the idea that the proposal will create more growth and revenue that wouldn't have been coming to the city in the first place. No one is moving to this city or opening a restaurant in the city because the Flames have a new rink.
While the argument could be made that the rink would allow for growth in an area of the city that is blighted, the West Village hardly falls under that camp. It simply doesn't need a catalyst as it is a desirable area of land once the city decides its time to develop.
EDIT:
After seeing your above post I can see where some confusion lies. I, however, still think the vast majority of the 240 will be spent on the building and not surrounding improvements.