Quote:
Originally Posted by GirlySports
hmmm from what I've read Indianapolis has really has become a sports town, despite lack of an MLB or NHL team here and far beyond the Colts and Pacers. The drawing of the NCAA Final Four, a few great minor league teams, a world class tennis center--all of these have made the city both a destination and vibrant again. You and I may question the 1:? ratio of taxpayer money in to taxpayer benefit out, but I think in a city like that it is pretty clear Indianapolis would be a much different city without the Fieldhouse, LOS, Victory Field, and the Fairgrounds Coliseum.
I do agree with you that the Indy proposal is too much. 86% city paid for LOS. This is where the CalgaryNEXT project starts and as you say it's gross. So it can only get better than Indianapolis. KK has to bring something else to the table.
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And that is great that Indianapolis has attracted many great sporting activities. I am sure the draw has contributed some uptick in tourism and spending (even though some draws have cost money to the venue itself:
http://www.ibj.com/articles/31969-ci...ing-super-bowl)
But, lets not forget that Indianapolis is one of the many cities in the US struggling to run a positive operating budget.
Despite the fieldhouse, the City still pays the Pacers to play there:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...ORTS04/7120329
And despite the sports image you project, the state is still loaning money to the venue owners because their operating budget runs deficits forcing budget cuts to police and arts:
http://www.indystar.com/article/2009.../1088/SPORTS04
http://www.theindychannel.com/money/...sn-t-reached#-
And don't forget all the hidden costs that are not included in your cost analysis:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...d-s-long-finds
Don't get me wrong, I am not disagreeing with you that Indianapolis has in some way benefited from their stadium mega-complex (I haven't been to Indianapolis, but honestly, the area around the stadium does not inspire an image of revitalization that can be directly attributed to the deal
https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Luc...3f09e1!6m1!1e1)
I am just trying to say that this doesnt appear to be the best way to revitalize a neighbourhood.
I still think the best way to revitalize an area is hipsters
