Quote:
Originally Posted by Scornfire
No you don't, you will be granted the option to pay (top dollar) to temporarily access the arena
YOU get sweet #### all
Unless the city gets revenue from concerts or at the VERY least from parking this is nothing but corporate welfare
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Don’t really agree with this line of thinking. If the expectation is one only ‘gets something’ when their dollars goes to an institution or public amenity that is free to use, how do you reconcile that with other aspects of commerce? Is there no enjoyable aspect whatsoever to be taken into account here? Absolutely nothing gained from the redevelopment of Victoria park and the entertainment district this will push forward? Do those potential hotel/multi-family/retail/hospitality developments that will follow not pay taxes as well?
When you purchase an airline ticket to go on a holiday, what tangible good do you receive? Nothing. Actually that’s not fair, you get a bag of pretzels and a nonalcoholic beverage. It’s about the experience of going somewhere enjoyable. What happens when airlines raise ticket prices? Do you write sharply worded letters to WestJet? What about tipping your server when you go out to a restaurant? What about paying for parking? People spend money every day, multiple times some days, that you can question whether there’s a tangible benefit or not. You pay for the experience.
I’ll acknowledge these things aren’t exactly the same but it strikes me as curious people get so bent out of shape about where their tax dollars go, especially when it’s a relative small amount. I think I saw a quick calculation earlier that said this deal effectively means each albertan will pay ~$7.78/year for 35 years. That’s about half the cost of a Bigmac Meal. What do we get for that? The community rink and infrastructure to help support revitalization of Victoria Park.
I attended a real estate conference earlier this year where Dashpreet Bahdi, who is leading the development of the Green Line spoke. Calgary’s population is now over 1.6 million and is forecasted to be 2.5 million in 10 years. This City is on an upward trajectory and, I don’t think I’m alone here, would like nice things to enjoy. I like things like the river walk, peace bridge, central library, east village, and many other things public money has contributed to. These things are necessary for the community. And I’m betting that once this project is complete, most will see this as a benefit to it.
We will get much more than ‘sweet #### all’.