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Originally Posted by Tyler
Follow the money trail. Who stands to benefit more from building on the Stampede grounds?
The Stampede, or individual investors/speculators/Flames ownership?
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The Stampede, but above both by far it would be the current and future citizens of Calgary who would benefit the most. Dropping a massive box on prime river front real estate instead of on the already existing fairgrounds which will be there long term and near the already established entertainment district is bad city planning.
Fortunately, we the citizens have all of the leverage (other than relocation threat) because we control the land and the owners want our money. So I'm sure as hell going to argue for what I want.
If the owners want to finance the full billion and a half, then they can have at 'er. Who am I to get in the way of a free market transaction. I'd still prefer to not put a big box in the West Village but I'd have no right to meaningfully complain.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyler
The West Village will be a redevelopers dream. Cheap or free land with guaranteed government dollars for clean-up coming if we are to secure the Olympics (see Toronto Pan Am games as an example).
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It sure will be. And a big part of that is because it's a dream slice of land to develop.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyler
The Flames owners already hate that they have to play out of a stadium on land they don't own and give up revenue to the Stampede. That's one of the biggest drivers of them wanting to get off the grounds.
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The only revenue they give up on the grounds is parking revenue. So ya, there's certainly that. However I'd say the bigger reason the owners want the West Village is because its their best shot to get the most public money to build the largest money making facility possible.