tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344548830618247839.post6967824518394612014..comments2023-10-29T09:53:52.702-06:00Comments on The Earthly Paradise: Edmonton Arena DistrictUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344548830618247839.post-17725157193900162382010-04-19T22:24:59.942-06:002010-04-19T22:24:59.942-06:00Hi Mike,
There are many infrastructure projects ...Hi Mike, <br /><br />There are many infrastructure projects that need to be completed in order for the city to move forward. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm saying it's Katz' plan or nothing. <br /><br />I would like to see revitalization downtown and better architecture. And I think public funding will play an important role, whichever plan we choose.<br /><br />Right now, no-one is building anything downtown other than condos. In the absence of other concrete proposals to invigorate the downtown area, Katz' project offers some interesting alternatives.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07197591307149394913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344548830618247839.post-87494184138810647422010-04-19T17:10:37.502-06:002010-04-19T17:10:37.502-06:00It isn't a choice between Katz's all-risk ...It isn't a choice between Katz's all-risk plan and nothing. <br /><br />If the City is serious about revitalizing downtown, then they can surely be more imaginative than getting bilked on an arena. The relatively resurgent area of Oliver Square didn't need a sports rink to be built. Spend the money on a proper LRT to the suburbs -- if anything, that's the most embarrassing deficiency for a city of almost a million.mike whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12425527059185667388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344548830618247839.post-70538254389975227522010-04-18T19:20:26.166-06:002010-04-18T19:20:26.166-06:00Hi Mike,
Edmonton has few landmarks. Outside of ...Hi Mike, <br /><br />Edmonton has few landmarks. Outside of the city, we are really known for two things: the West Edmonton Mall and the Oilers. Hockey is important to the city, so it makes sense to me that a world-class stadium would be a priority. <br /><br />That said, I'm not particularly married to the notion of the stadium, though it seems like a way to get the ball rolling on urban development. I also definitely think the Katz Group (and other private investors) need to make a major investment in the project. <br /><br />At the same time, the people of Edmonton need to take an active role in the revitalization of downtown. And like it or not, that will mean spending some money.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07197591307149394913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344548830618247839.post-57542245973776055472010-04-18T09:12:14.760-06:002010-04-18T09:12:14.760-06:00but I disagree about how the economic benefit is c...<i> but I disagree about how the economic benefit is calculated.</i><br /><br />How do you disagree? What study proves an economic benefit from a tax-funded arena, especially to a city that already has one? <br /><br />You speak in generalities: Edmonton's downtown suffers from a lack of population density and decent transit to the suburbs, not a rink being built 2 miles away from the current one. It's a completely separate issue.<br /><br />It doesn't help that Daryl Katz is asking the cash-strapped city to absorb all the risk while the Oilers take all the profit. It's a bad deal, with little measurable benefit to the city.<br /><br />All that said, nothing is stopping Daryl Katz for paying for it himself...mike whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12425527059185667388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344548830618247839.post-68335501430530206782010-04-17T15:13:07.212-06:002010-04-17T15:13:07.212-06:00Hi Mike,
Thank you for your comment. I have seen...Hi Mike, <br /><br />Thank you for your comment. I have seen these studies, but I disagree about how the economic benefit is calculated. There are multiple uses for these spaces, but the greatest benefit is that when people come to the city, they can easily identify downtown as a cultural centre.<br /><br />Edmontonians already know we have a great city. We know where the great places to eat, shop and play are. But visitors don't. Hence the reputation as "Deadmonton". This city is very much alive for those who live here, but our rep outside the city is dismal. And that hurts us economically.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07197591307149394913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344548830618247839.post-67904434378966199672010-04-17T14:29:23.528-06:002010-04-17T14:29:23.528-06:00There has been no evidence that building a rink wi...There has been no evidence that building a rink will create any net economic benefit. Study after study has shown taxpayers getting bilked by publicly-financed sports facilities.<br /><br />The real question is, who gains from this? The city goes into debt and takes all the risk, while Katz gets all the profit. That is literally what has been proposed so far (it doesn't help that the mat behind the debt-financing doesn't hold up, either). <br /><br />It's a bad deal for tax payers.<br /><br /><br />http://oilersnation.com/2010/2/25/daryl-katz-thinks-you-wont-bother-checking-what-he-says<br /><br />http://battleofalberta.blogspot.com/2009/08/downtown-arena-primer.htmlmike whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12425527059185667388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344548830618247839.post-36719556833552244622010-04-17T11:53:49.871-06:002010-04-17T11:53:49.871-06:00Hi Helen!
I agree that it's very important to...Hi Helen!<br /><br />I agree that it's very important to ensure the finished project will be accessible to everyone. I really like that the plans include a junior hockey rink, as I think that is a service that a lot of Edmontonians will be able to take advantage of. The winter garden is not a bad idea either - especially with the weather we have here!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07197591307149394913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344548830618247839.post-89547849953815213022010-04-16T18:13:04.005-06:002010-04-16T18:13:04.005-06:00Edmonton, like every other major city, needs the C...Edmonton, like every other major city, needs the City Government to fund at least 51% of the new development. <br /><br />On behalf of the good citizens of Edmonton, the City Government must:<br />1.present a vision for the future<br />2.participate in every single planning decision along the way<br />3.listen seriously to all the citizens' comments and<br />4.guarantee that the new development, once it is completed, will be available to all citizens, not just the wealthy friends of Big Business.Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.com