[stucknutah]

A bit of an update from a well-placed source (who has threatened me with death/dismemberment/firing if too much information is disclosed)...

Murray City: the deal is supposedly on the table. Not much new over what we have heard. Land is owned by Murray. Not sure how much other $$ they can put on the table.

SLC: things are interesting. A Delta Center type deal is possible (city purchases the land and is responsible for infrastructure; owners pay for the building itself). Problems: regarding the possible sites...SLC does not own them yet. Additionally, Checketts and crew are asking for more than just a Delta Center deal. Also looking for $$ to offset some of the building costs. After Frisco (only $10 mil out of pocket for Hunt) and Bridgeview (city chose to take on all the costs) you can see why they are asking.

At this point, there is something we can do to help the process. Supposedly Rocky (the SLC mayor for those of you from out of state) is backing this project hard-core. He claims that the stadium will create revenue and add restaurants, etc. to downtown...helping it become more of a destination.

However, critics are pointing out that the Delta Center really has not done much for downtown re restaurants / shopping (Gateway would have gone to that location anyway...cheap rr land that needed to be upgraded eventually / rda $$) and Franklin Covey has done absolutely nothing to upgrade its neighborhood. The only success story that Rocky can point to would have to be the E-Center, around which there has been mucho development. However, as my wife pointed out, the area near the E-Center, on the west side of the valley, was relatively underdeveloped despite the population shift away from downtown. It could be argued that the restaurants / shopping in that area would have developed anyway.

So, I would like everyone's take regarding potential for development / increased tax revenues at the following locations:
1) Murray at I15 and 45th South
2) SLC downtown at Holding's property next to the Courthouse
3) SLC downtown on the West side of Gateway

For the SLC options, please explain why you think SLC taxpayers would be willing to spend $$ for bonding to support the stadium.

Thanks

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by stucknutah

So, I would like everyone's take regarding potential for development / increased tax revenues at the following locations:
1) Murray at I15 and 45th South
2) SLC downtown at Holding's property next to the Courthouse
3) SLC downtown on the West side of Gateway

For the SLC options, please explain why you think SLC taxpayers would be willing to spend $$ for bonding to support the stadium.

Thanks

Initially I can see the cost effectiveness in building a stadium in an area that has an infrastructure already in place, but is the cost of upgrading the infrastructure in a run down/urban strife area as feasible as developing in a rural area of the valley and building infrastructure to suit the site?

Drawbacks I see are;
The 45th south area is a bottle neck area. It is newly upgraded and still sorely inadequate in the race to meet demand. Although they can promote easy access to I-15, this may depend entirely on your definition of "easy access"

West side of the gateway? Have they addressed the growing homeless/vagrant/panhandling population in the area around the Gateway. most notably but not exclusively the homeless shelter half a block south of the Gateway. I was unaware of the homeless shelter and the seedier element in the area. My Gf and I were soundly harrassed walking through there going from the Gateway to that restaurant in the old Rio Grande Building. I left there with a bad impression. I feel the homeless/vagrant/panhandling population would be a huge turn off to visiting fans and families. It must be addressed before the stadium is built.

If I had to choose from your list: I like the Second Suggestion cos it is across the street from where I work and I get free parking.

As far as tax revenue I think any of the suggested areas would benefit from the stadium and I feel each area will mount a fight to home the stadium in their precinct.

[SoccerPrime]

Is #2 the land where SLC is fighting the Aquarium builders for the land?

[Deuce]

IMO the area in the South-West Salt Lake Valley (West Jordan Area) would be ideal.
It is a vibrant area that is growing in leaps and bounds. It also offers new, modern infrastructure, TRAX is planning an expansion line out through West Jordan.
Therefore "easy access" to light rail, Bangerter Highway and I-215.

It is somewhat rural with wide expansive areas begging for development

[Lizzie Bee]

I think all of the options sound great. I would be excited about any of them, so selfishishness would be my only motive for stating one over another.

My official vote is: go with whichever deal will be most substantially in favor of RSL (i.e., whoever is willing to help bankroll and make this project a success in other ways.)

[mls2atl]

congrats guys! checketts is the man! you havent even played a single game and you guys are close having a complete stadium plan in place. congrats again

[jfranz]

The Courthouse option is the most attractive, if it can be done. It would be the first "urban"/downtown stadium in the league. Plus, if the goal is to spur development, the Murray and Gateway locations are already developed/developing/beyond-hope. The area around the Courthouse, on the other hand, particularly to the Southwest and West, could really use the boost. It would also be in close proximity to the Pierpont area of downtown - bars, clubs and resturants.

Plus, come on. It would be literally across the street from a Trax stop. A stop called "The Courthouse." And suddenly, you have a built in nickname for your stadium - superior even to the Jamacian National Team's "Office."

A "royal" team and it's place of judgement.

How could this not be the favored location.

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by Deuce

If I had to choose from your list: I like the Second Suggestion cos it is across the street from where I work and I get free parking.

Originally Posted by jfranz

Plus, come on. It would be literally across the street from a Trax stop. A stop called "The Courthouse." And suddenly, you have a built in nickname for your stadium - superior even to the Jamacian National Team's "Office."

A "royal" team and it's place of judgement.

How could this not be the favored location.

I think I will add this to my list of selfish reasons
I want the stadium there!

Forget my West Jordan suggestion this is way too cool to not get behind it!

[stucknutah]

Originally Posted by jfranz

The Courthouse option is the most attractive, if it can be done. It would be the first "urban"/downtown stadium in the league. Plus, if the goal is to spur development, the Murray and Gateway locations are already developed/developing/beyond-hope. The area around the Courthouse, on the other hand, particularly to the Southwest and West, could really use the boost. It would also be in close proximity to the Pierpont area of downtown - bars, clubs and resturants.

Plus, come on. It would be literally across the street from a Trax stop. A stop called "The Courthouse." And suddenly, you have a built in nickname for your stadium - superior even to the Jamacian National Team's "Office."

A "royal" team and it's place of judgement.

How could this not be the favored location.

Because SLC does not own the land yet. Earl Holding has made some very good coin holding on to his properties for years/decades.

I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm, however, I'm still looking for commentary regarding what will be the SLC counsel's chief concern: that this stadium will encourage commercial growth in downtown. The Delta Center did not...Franklin Covey failed miserably in its neighborhood...E-Center did well. If the counsel is not convinced, no big money...

[okcomputer]

thats amazing. My team the metrostars have been around 9 years and we still dont have a stadium. You guys havent even played a game yet and you already have a stadium. Congratulations. I'll go off and drown in my misery.