Quote:
Originally Posted by GullFoss
Zomg guys. At the bottom of the arena debacle is the following:
1) it's not economic to build, or it would have already been built with private money. The gap between the cost (450-600m) and private benefit ($200-250m) is substantial
2) the flames are asking for public money to cover the difference between the private benefit and the cost. That isn't unreasonable.
3) it's not clear that the public benefit is as high as the subsidy the flames are asking for. If the public benefit doesn't exceed the public cost, the city can't agree to these terms. That also isn't unreasonable.
It's not personal and no one is being unreasonable. What's made it personal is Ken King and other staff taking shots at nenshi. And nenshi taking shots back.
It doesn't matter how good of people the flames owners are. If the public benefit doesn't meet or exceed the ask for public funds, we shouldn't use public funds to build it. If it does, then we should.
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All true, plus:
4) Public benefit is a nebulous concept involving tangible and intangible aspects.
5) If the City can't agree to terms and the present situation is uneconomical for the team, there's really only one solution.