Quote:
Originally Posted by -TC-
https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/co...rys-arena-deal
One opinion.. trust of Gondek a major factor in what's played out. Too much risk that the goalposts would be moved again..
My gut says Calgarians will rue the day Gondek became mayor. Her election could have long term negative implications to Calgary, much like electing Iveson has for Edmonton.
This is a very unfortunate situation, one that didn't have to happen, and I don't see a scenario whereby the CSEC comes back to the table. The one chance is if they can find someone to broker the deal and leave Gondek out of it, unfortunately her position of being against it entirely (she voted against it before) precludes that small chance and negates almost any opportunity for success.
Say what you will of the funding model for the Edmonton arena, it's proving to be a huge catalyst for growth and revitalization in dt Edmonton. That means, in the end, everyone gets paid, jobs are created, densification occurs, it means a more robust and sustainable city. Those are all good things.
Calgary could have had that too, if not for electing a zealot as mayor.
EDIT: Just a bit of context. I work with the public sector and contracts play a big part in what I do. I also work with the Edmonton Oilers (mods happy to inform, just not publicly) and have quite a bit of background in this area. The most important thing in a contract negotiation is the trust that all parties are acting in good faith. Without that, there can be no constructive negotiation. That's what failed here. The CSEC took a look at council and Gondek in particular and decided she posed a significant risk and couldn't be trusted to act in good faith.
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Bold 1: She also voted FOR it originally
Bold 2: Okay, it's awful...but it is fair to say that it has made a huge impact in redefining a derelict area.
Bold 3: Those conditions don't exist [anymore] in Calgary. We're talking about moving the arena two block north. The Stampede has already bought up the crackhouses and drove away the hookers. The city largely did the same on the north side of the tracks.
17th ave extension and BMO expansion are more significant changes than plopping a slightly nicer arena with better street level engagement two blocks north. No doubt the arena will help slightly accelerate development in the area, but 12th ave to the tracks is likely to remain fairly empty for some time to come either way (there are plenty of blocks to the north and west that are more ripe for development)