Anti-stadium bill passed

[Jose Luis Luviano]

Cleveland Rocks.....to the bottom of the poverty rate standings

Check out my link in my previous message and this link.

Pro sports stadiums have no effect on economic development. In fact, they might prevent economic development.

If pro sports stadiums cause economic development, Cleveland should be one of the richest cities in the US, right?

Indeed, the results of studies on changes in the economy resulting from the presence of stadiums, arenas, and sports teams show no positive economic impact from professional sports -- or a possible negative effect.

But you do make a good point about the legislation being too extreme, Bordeaux-Boy.

Ultimately, I do agree with George Will's attitude towards sports stadiums. (but don't tell Clarette). Any government is going to spend money on stupid Pork Barrel wastes of money (Franklin Covey Field, the Extra Virgin Porn Czarina). So it might as well be a stupid pork barrel waste of money for something I like.

[Aero]

Originally Posted by Jose Luis Luviano

If pro sports stadiums cause economic development, Cleveland should be one of the richest cities in the US, right?

This is Cleveland we are talking about. I don't think that they could ever do anything right even on accident. 😉

[Real Supporter]

...is pack RES every week, and show the soccer haters, that there are soccer fans here in Utah, and they don't all speak Spanish. People wonder why not RES for a permanent home. It would be like the Utah Jazz playing in an arena with a court like that church gym that is carpeted. You know the one, where the three point line ends even with free throw line. It will be great when sod it put down for a good portion of the season. To switch the phrase around: If we come, they'll build it!... or at least help fund it.

[Rover]

Originally Posted by Jose Luis Luviano

Pro sports stadiums have no effect on economic development. In fact, they might prevent economic development.

If pro sports stadiums cause economic development, Cleveland should be one of the richest cities in the US, right?

I disagree with you to some extent on the benefits of sports facilities. I've read the reports and studies, and I've yet to find one that isn't hopelessly skewed (either way) to back up a political point.

The results on the ground show that sports facilities, when built as part of a larger, comprehensive, and multi-use development/redevelopment, act as catalysts for economic growth. But it takes lots of money and a strong vision to make that happen, and as we know money and vision are always in short supply, especially in government.

Cleveland? The place is a basket case with or without stadium boondoggles. Stadium opponents have plenty of examples like Cleveland, but the problems usually have more to do with political hackery and corporate mismanagement than anything wrong with building sports facilities.

So I think a stadium deal could have been--and still can be--worked, but only if it's part of a bigger plan. There is not perfect example, but if you look at the HDC, Commerce City, and Frisco, it's clear that each has a unique approach and serves different needs. The HDC has a national training center focus, with tennis, track, and cycling facilities part of the deal. Frisco is building a pro/youth soccer park, and incorporating it into its new town center (Frisco is a suburban boom town that was tiny just a few years ago). And Commerce City is basing its Prairie Gateway development around the CRapids stadium to provide a focus for some seriously needed redevelopment.

So Round One is over, with no stadium deal. Get ready for Round Two. I hope we're on the Dallas track (three rounds to stadium deal) and not the New Jersey track (eight and counting).

[GoReal]

Originally Posted by WorldBall

I am hesitant to weigh in on this one, but there are a few points that need to be made.

1) I am a huge soccer fan and have front row seasons tickets for RSL and will have them again at the new stadium (whenever and wherever it gets built).

2) I am very disappointed that the RDA ban on sports facility passed. I am involved in politics and had been tracking the bills at the state Legislature and was not even aware of this bill until after the session was over. I wish that I had known about it as I would have made an effort to contact some of the key players.

3) There have been egregious abuses of RDA moneys in the past and this takes money away from and REALLY hurts education. If you have seen these abuses of our tax dollars, you would recognize that there needs to be better controls over how they are spent. I disagree with the RDA ban on sports facilities, but the other uses and abuses need to be reigned in. Try to understand the big picture of how RDAs work--there is no way that it can be treated with sufficient detail in this forum.

4) Senator Bramble has been an excellent senator and representative of his constituents of Utah County. He is not my senator, but I know him and respect him. He is very pro business and I would expect him to typically support RSL and sports venues because of the revenue and secondary business that would generated.

5) I believe this came down to a battle with SL Mayor Rocky Anderson. The last thing that we (RSL fans and soccer supporters) needed was to have Rocky carrying our banner at the state legislature. Rocky (the biggest liberal in the state) has burned every bridge possible with the Utah Legislature (the most conservative in the country) and it appears that this was pay back time for Rocky. I can't think of anything that he supported that was passed by the legislature.

6) It is too late this year, but this will undoubtedly be revisted in future years. Hopefully, it won't be too late. :o

Ugggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Hopefully it isn't too late. Is their hope out there for us soccer fans!?!?! 😕

I read that article and immediatly became depressed. Everything has been happening so fast that it seemed that nothing could stop RSL SC, but the legislature has thanks to the Provo Rep. At least for now. Hopefully only a small speed bump.

Hopefully Uncle Dave will come through for us and this personal project will become a success for him. I know it will! I know it will! I know it will!!!!! 🙂

[montgjules]

For someone who is trying to help RSL, these quotes sure don't prove it. I never liked Rocky.

[SoccerPrime]

For a non- "sky-is-falling" article, read the SL Trib one:
http://www.sltrib.com/realsaltlake/ci_2595705

[Czar Jake]

Originally Posted by clarette

Second-most. I may have him beat, heh... :D

Third-most. Compared to me Rocky is Ann Coulter (but without the idea that talking loudly makes her right)

[Czar Jake]

Okay, so what can we do? What if we got all the Loyalists together and went to Mr. Bramble's house, telling him how disappointed we are? How about a big banner "WE HATE BRAMBLE" at the first home game? How can we fight back?

[Rover]

Originally Posted by Czar Jake

Third-most. Compared to me Rocky is Ann Coulter (but without the idea that talking loudly makes her right)

Just when I was starting to like you guys.

Oh well.

But who cares. Soccer is the great forum, a place where all people, regardless of their politics, can assemble to cheer together for a common cause.

Well, it would be, if we could get a stadium built. 😠