I've done a complete 180 on the location of this facility over the last year.
I used to think the West Village was a great idea. Figured it would kick off West Village development and Crowchild/Memorial/Bow/14th realignment.
But now, as a citizen of this city, I just simply don't want an arena on that piece of land. This has nothing to do with CRLs, arena design, ticket taxes, combined football/hockey venues, parking, or anything like that. I just straight up don't want a massive box structure occupying that much potentially prime downtown riverfront real estate. I want that land to be a fantastic commercial and residential area. There's just so much great potential for that area in a couple decades once the East Village fills out.
Put the arena on the railtown lands.
-It is on less prime residential area (railroad tracks)
-It is close to the existing festival land (Stampede Grounds)
-The Green Line will pretty much go right through it and the Red Line is 2 blocks away
-It is still close to downtown
-Assuming proper above ground connection is made to the East Village it would help promote the build out of the East Village (restaurants, bars, etc.).
It just makes so much more sense from a city planning perspective.
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