New Arena for Downtown Edmonton - Page 287

Coldrsx · #**5721** Posted **Sep 17, 2013, 3:30 PM**

Does Diotte have a better plan for arena or not? He’s yet to announce one.

Mayoral candidate Kerry Diotte has come out with a provocative advertisement that highlights his opposition to the Edmonton arena deal.

In the ad spot, Diotte says: “The deal the city signed stinks,” Diotte says. “We will finance it, we will build it, we will own it and yet we won’t get one red cent of profit for it.”

It’s certainly a clear statement of disgust from Diotte but it’s hard to square how he dislikes the arena deal so much, yet in the press conference where he announced he was running for Mayor, Diotte made it clear that if elected he won’t work to kill the deal.

“There was a democratic vote,” he said. “I think we’re bound by it.”

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2013/09...but-he-wont-kill-it-if-hes-elected-what/

Coldrsx · #**5722** Posted **Sep 17, 2013, 9:17 PM**

Apparently CRL passed, 11-2, Sloan/Diotte

hilman · #**5723** Posted **Sep 17, 2013, 9:18 PM**

Good news, Sloan and Diotte are so predictable.

s211 · #**5724** Posted **Sep 17, 2013, 9:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

In the ad spot, Diotte says: “The deal the city signed stinks,” Diotte says. “We will finance it, we will build it, we will own it and yet we won’t get one red cent of profit for it.”

In theory, you could apply that same argument to roads and parks.

Clearshades · #**5725** Posted **Sep 17, 2013, 10:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

In theory, you could apply that same argument to roads and parks.

Atleast we know the rink will be used and attended. If one gets a chance, go by all those parks along Jasper and tell if people actually them at all. They stand near it only to wait for the bus.

Black Star · #**5726** Posted **Sep 17, 2013, 11:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilman

Good news, Sloan and Diotte are so predictable.

I would also use.

Simple.

Not engaged.

No vision.

Unaware.

Etc.

Shodan · #**5727** Posted **Sep 18, 2013, 12:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Apparently CRL passed, 11-2, Sloan/Diotte

Councillors bash critics as downtown levy passes

Gordon Kent
Edmonton Journal

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Edmonton's downtown arena crossed one of its final hurdles Tuesday, but not before council members took critics of the scheme into the boards.

Councillors complained opponents misrepresented details of a community revitalization levy (CRL) that will use provincial and civic property taxes on downtown growth to pay for the arena and a dozen other "catalyst" projects...

[email protected]
© Edmonton Journal 2013

Copyright © 2013 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.

http://www2.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=be18cd6d-d7af-4aa6-ae8d-b2adffca4afe&sponsor=

MrOilers · #**5728** Posted **Sep 18, 2013, 3:01 PM**

Quote:

Coun. Kerry Diotte, who along with Coun. Linda Sloan voted against the plan, said he isn't sold on the arena funding arrangement. "If you took a deal like this to a bank, they would laugh you out the door. ... I think it's the worst type of corporate welfare."

That drew a rebuke from Mayor Stephen Mandel, although he didn't name names. "If I could take it to any bank in the world, they would fund it. I don't know what (the speaker is) talking about," he said. "They should learn a little bit more about business when they're talking about things, to learn what can and can't be financed."

This cracked me up.

MalcolmTucker · #**5729** Posted **Sep 18, 2013, 3:15 PM**

It might not be the most transparent way to fund things, but it isn't fiscally unsound.

Calgarian · #**5730** Posted **Sep 18, 2013, 3:26 PM**

So any idea when shovels will be in the ground? what other hurdles have to be passed first?

Coldrsx · #**5731** Posted **Sep 18, 2013, 3:31 PM**

^Schematic and Construction documents to be completed, PCL to provide a Guaranteed Maximum Price, Province needs to sign off on CRL now that the bylaw is passed and then we should/hope to see shovels in March/April is my bet.

Calgarian · #**5732** Posted **Sep 18, 2013, 4:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

^Schematic and Construction documents to be completed, PCL to provide a Guaranteed Maximum Price, Province needs to sign off on CRL now that the bylaw is passed and then we should/hope to see shovels in March/April is my bet.

Yeah I figured the drawings were probably a long way off, though I bet they have a head start on that. Thanks Cold.

Coldrsx · #**5733** Posted **Sep 18, 2013, 4:25 PM**

^they are well into SD and will present it to Council late this year or early next, with CDs to immediately follow if approved by them.

Coldrsx · #**5734** Posted **Sep 19, 2013, 4:39 PM**

What I am hearing for 'phase 1' developments:

-arena obviously
-32 storey office
-250-300 room hotel, possibly with some residences on top
-175-200,000sqft of retail, not sure exactly how much/where each is allocated.
-45-50 storey condo with many smaller type units.
-Plaza

RicoLance21 · #**5735** Posted **Sep 19, 2013, 6:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

What I am hearing for 'phase 1' developments:

-arena obviously
-32 storey office
-250-300 room hotel, possibly with some residences on top
-175-200,000sqft of retail, not sure exactly how much/where each is allocated.
-45-50 storey condo with many smaller type units.
-Plaza

Looks like the Baccarat and the Greyhound bus depot will stick around for a while until phase 2 starts. I don't think phase 2 will commence until 2017 at the earliest.