[News] Tentative Agreement Reached! New Arena!

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Yeah, it's not without issues, but there should be something tangible provided to the people who are supporting the project. Maybe it could be something simpler, like a gift card valued at tax payer contribution / number of Calgary residents.

That approach aims to provide equal value to all Calgarians.
And that's just not how things work.
Rarely does any funding provide everyone with the same value.
The reality is that, for the most part, the people using this new venue will be the more wealthy - those that can afford to attend the events that are held there.
But i would suggest that having those events and a professional sports team does hold benefit for the entire city, even for those that can't attend.
What you are suggesting is noble - but not practical.

[Toonage]

This morning (I think it was John Bean on 960) suggested that even new arenas or ones having undergone extensive renovations still have line issues (I think he used concessions as the example).

Bottom line/my take? Prepare for washroom waiting disappointment.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Toonage

This morning (I think it was John Bean on 960) suggested that even new arenas or ones having undergone extensive renovations still have line issues (I think he used concessions as the example).

Bottom line/my take? Prepare for washroom waiting disappointment.

Because this thing is not being built for improved washroom or concession access...well, not for the plebs anyways. We all know it's about more luxury boxes and the VIP fan experience.

[Manhattanboy]

If any project needs to be reconsidered in this economy it’s the Green Line LRT.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Because this thing is not being built for improved washroom or concession access...well, not for the plebs anyways. We all know it's about more luxury boxes and the VIP fan experience.

I do look forward to the wall projections, reading tweets while I wait.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

If any project needs to be reconsidered in this economy it’s the Green Line LRT.

picard_facepalm-dot-jpeg

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

If any project needs to be reconsidered in this economy it’s the Green Line LRT.

The project that should have been reconsidered in any economy was the Ring Road.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

If any project needs to be reconsidered in this economy it’s the Green Line LRT.

Why? It will only escalate in cost if we wait any longer.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Given the exceptionally poor execution of transit planning in the past, I actually do expect them to delay the Green Line.

[stone hands]

who needs public transportation when theres revenue being left on the table for a professional sports franchise

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

I'd rather they just keep the Flames in the dome

You do know that buildings dont last forever right?

Commercial buildings that have ~20,000 people running through them and an ice plant as well as Natural Disaster damage and recovery, general wear and tear from use, etc, eventually you have to replace them.

And the Dome in particular, as much as we love its iconic shape in our skyline, that iconic shape presents a whole host of other problems structurally.

Its getting to the end of its practical lifetime.

[PsYcNeT]

Best delay the project that impacts the poors really. Non-car havers or hockey-seat buyers are like, the 5th tier of citizen.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

In fact, why do people shop for anything with sales tax on the Sask side?

They don't. Lloydminster has a special exemption from the Saskatchewan PST.

I don't know how they handle fuel taxes, but when I lived there (mid 90s, so not the most-current information), there were as many, if not more, gas stations on the Saskatchewan side than Alberta, so it must have been profitable for them, at least when they were built.

When you live there, you don't really think about which province you're in most of the time.

[getbak]

DCU has posted these FAQs on her website: http://councillordiane.ca/wp-content...tizen-FAQs.pdf

No really new information, but some extra context for things.

[Rando]

Originally Posted by Locke

You do know that buildings dont last forever right?

If our buildings are only lasting forty years we've got major issues.

[jaikorven]

Those that are speaking to the time frame of only 40 years, should realize that it is the oldest arena in the entire NHL.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

The real estate around the new arena proposal is significantly more valuable than the land around the toilet up in the Chuck.

This is a huge windfall for the flames and their cheerleading hangers on like Brett Wilson

The current value of the land per the Herald:

Enoch lands: 70,000 sq feet. $15 million
Bus barns: 500,000 sq feet. $85 million


The Flames can buy the Enoch Lands @ $15 million until the move in date of the new event centre. City is giving up the increase in land price that will occur and maybe more if there was to be a bidding war for that land.

The bus barns option states that the valuation of the land at the time of the option being exercised will be used and the option expires 10 years after the move in date IF the city decides to make that land available for development (there is no obligation to make the land available). So the value of the land increasing should be captured if the option is exercised, unless there would have been a bidding war.
The city can get out of this option by not making the land available for development until after the option expires which might be prudent if there are indications a bidding war might occur.


Does anyone have the data for the lands Katz got in the Edmonton deal?

[Madman]

So people get free tickets to the new centre because City funds are used?

Does that mean free C-Train rides on the green line? Free Lime scooters in the bike lanes? Free parking in City owned parking lots?

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Madman

So people get free tickets to the new centre because City funds are used?

Does that mean free C-Train rides on the green line? Free Lime scooters in the bike lanes? Free parking in City owned parking lots?

Wait.... are the user fees taxes!?!?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

This is generally a good letter, well done, although I can't say I agree with all of it.

Regarding reduced price tickets (or even free ones) for the less fortunate will never fly. The argument would be that those less fortunate aren't getting the benefit of the City spent money, but those people for the most part aren't paying property taxes anyway, and aren't contributing to the City money anyway.

Also, the less fortunate tend to be the primary beneficiaries of most publicly funded projects, buildings, and whatnot. That is their nature. And that is as it should be.

But not every single public dollar needs to go to the most unfortunate - it's okay to have some things that benefit everyone else too. It's okay to have some things that make your city better, and more enjoyable to live in. Those things benefit everyone, whether you participate personally or not.

Also, the net cost to the city, with this deal, is very close to zero (it will depend on revenues that will likely be better than the conservative projections used). A subsidy that is nothing, or close to nothing, for an event centre that improves the lives of all Calgarians, seems like money well spent to me.