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Originally Posted by nik-
There are biases because the proposal was ####.
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The initial proposal had significant issues, but the most recent presentation shows indeed that things are evolving for the better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by powderjunkie
Do you think they are really jaded about being 'dictated to', or more interested in planning the best city they can and being careful stewards of public money?
I know it's fun to cast aspersions on public servants and gov't officials, but it's largely overblown IMO. They are no more/less incompetent or well-intentioned than any of the rest of us.
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If they were indeed interested in being careful stewards of public money, they wouldn't have released
this rubbish report which, given it's numerous errors in methodology, is clearly designed to sway the opinion of those who take things at face value rather than provide an objective analysis. If concern over spending public dollars was paramount, the City would take an in depth look at the economies of scale resulting from a combined facility rather than proposing a separate fieldhouse and an expensive renovation of McMahon stadium that will end up costing more than the public contribution to a CalgaryNext in the long run.
One of the major complaints coming from the City was that the proposal was "too corporate."
This article suggests there's bad blood towards ownership over this. I can tell you for a fact that this administration has a natural aversion to private sector encroachment on its territory. The West Village ARP was their baby and having a private sector organization suggest an alternative is not palatable to many of these people. I'm not saying they are incompetent, but like the rest of us, they are looking out for their own interests first.
In reality, the City should be doing everything they can to attract private investment in brownfield sites, however that's another discussion. While I agree that the CMLC has done fantastic work in the East Village, I do not think that its continued expansion is a good thing for the development industry in Calgary.