Senator backs RSL beer sales as taxpayer-friendly funding

[RSLfrontrowfan]

Originally Posted by Aero

I don't remember all the details, but I do know that it did receive some public assistance. It wasn't much and maybe all it was was the land, but even that is some. My point is that no one harbors any bad feelings over the Delta Center or the Jazz. In fact, as we have shown, very few people actually even remember that public assistance was even used at all.

Ageed, I don't remember what public assistance was used either.

[Jose Luis Luviano]

Originally Posted by Aero

So, neither the Delta Center or the E-Center have been good for the growth of either surrounding area? I think that having the Jazz here in Utah has been great for the state and I have a hard time imagining anything but fields where all of those restaurants and hotels are out in West Valley without the E-Center. Maybe we just have different definitions of "positive long term financial impacts." What do you mean by it?

Before tax money was used for the Gateway, the only business nearby that prospered was the homeless shelters on 4th South.

The land near the 45th South & 21 South offramps off the 215 is zoned industrial, residential or retail. There are hotels & restaurants & the Hollywood Connection near the E Center because no place else within 5 miles is zoned for it.

[clarette]

Originally Posted by Jose Luis Luviano

Before tax money was used for the Gateway, the only business nearby that prospered was the homeless shelters on 4th South.

Was the Triad Center there before the Delta Center moved in, or was it built afterward? One could definitely make a case for KSL and DSW (before it got bought out) as being somewhat successful, I would think...

[Aero]

Originally Posted by Jose Luis Luviano

Before tax money was used for the Gateway, the only business nearby that prospered was the homeless shelters on 4th South.

You have to take a bigger view than simply a few blocks surrounding the stadium. Is Utah economy as a whole better off because the Jazz exist here in Utah? I think it is. Would the Jazz be here without the Delta Center? Probably not. Therefore, you have to take a much bigger view when actually looking at whether a stadium has helped financially or not.

The land near the 45th South & 21 South offramps off the 215 is zoned industrial, residential or retail. There are hotels & restaurants & the Hollywood Connection near the E Center because no place else within 5 miles is zoned for it.

Then how come none of that was there before the E Center was built. And I'm pretty sure that none of those would be there today if the E Center hadn't been built. Why would anyone want to go to that part of town if the E Center hadn't been there? All of those businesses never would have located themselves there without it.

Besides, since when does everything have to be about economic growth? What about quality of life? I don't believe that funding art programs really helps the state economically, but it certainly makes it a better place to live. As I've said before, there are plenty of things that my property tax money helps support that I have no interest in and probably wouldn't support if given the choice. I think that it is only fair that the people that do want those things now support me in something I want. It all evens out in the end.

[Section 37]

Originally Posted by clarette

One could definitely make a case for KSL and DSW (before it got bought out) as being somewhat successful, I would think...

Nice DSW reference. Where'd you come up with that?

I believe what the city and the team is talking about is partial financing with public money. This does not necessarily mean raising taxes. I think they would do some sort of IOU as has been done countless times in the past. I think it's a great use of public funds.
The problem with statewide politicians isn't using public money for new economic projects. I doubt if any really have a problem with that. This has been one big stick-it-to-SLC party from the start.
Look at the trouble we ran into getting money for the Salt Palace. If we had any other mayor, the Salt Palace extension would have sailed through and there would be a plan on the table for a stadium downtown. I'm convinced of that.

[clarette]

Originally Posted by Section 37

Nice DSW reference. Where'd you come up with that?

I used to be in advertising, in one of my former lives. :donatello

[RSL Punk]

The Triad Center was built in the 80's, by everybody's buddy, Adnan Khashoggi. The Delta Center was built in 1990-91. I'm not sure I'm remembering correctly, but it might have been land Khashoggi owned and the state or city took over that the Delta Center was built on.

But I agree with the point both Aero and clarette are making (and if I'm misrepresenting you, let me know): development downtown HAS been positively affected by the presence of the Delta Center, which was partially funded by the SL RDA. Let's think about what wouldn't be out on the west side of downtown without the Delta Center:

Gateway.
Caputo's and the Firestone building condos.
Every Gastronomy restaurant on Pierpont.
Squatter's, Red Rock, Buco di Beppo--let's just say every restaurant west of State between South Temple and 5th South.
The Broadway Lofts, those apartments on Broadway and 2nd/3rd West.
The Salt Palace expansion.

And I think you could make a convincing argument for saying that both the Farmer's Market and the Greek festival wouldn't draw the kinds of crowds they do if the Delta Center hadn't been successful. I personally think it's amazing, given the regular population, that any event in Pioneer Park does as well as the Market.

Fact is, while it's taken over a decade, the west side of downtown has expanded and thrived because someone had the foresight to let Larry (and let's not forget, Uncle Dave) build a basketball arena there. Now, if we could get Earl Holding to donate some land...you know, I might even be persuaded to swallow some bile every time I walked into the Grand Real Earl Holding Memorial Stadium. The tax money's going to get spent--I'd rather have a SSS than just about anything.