Quote:
Originally Posted by Cappy
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.
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Agreed that the $240mm is likely for the building only, given the preliminary numbers. I believe CalgaryNEXT did not include money for Bow realignment or environmental remediation, as it isn't
required for the arena/fieldhouse, given the initial plan, and for the latter, should be the responsibility of the city or province, given how that liability was assumed in the first place.
I do take issue with the "blight" of WV. Serious contamination of a site that would prevent any development of the site, except maintaining the current car dealerships and bus station, is pretty awful for a location with such an otherwise prime location.
Hopefully come April, the city can properly assess the environmental cleanup cost, the math surrounding the CRL and determine whether they even see it feasible to place this sort of project in WV. Have all of the costs factored in, and then see how much the Flames are willing/required to contribute.