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Post by mikecubs on Dec 7, 2018 1:26:34 GMT -6
Phoenix City Council to vote on $230 million Suns arena renovationThe Phoenix City Council will vote Wednesday, Dec. 12, on a $230 million arena renovation deal that could keep the Phoenix Suns in downtown until 2042. The National Basketball Association team has been asking the city for a new or significantly updated arena for years, but has been unable get the council to publicly consider a deal until now. Deal detailsPhoenix pays $150 million for arena renovations. Suns pay $80 million for renovations. After the renovation, Phoenix will pay $2 million annually for 12½ years into a new renewal and replacement fund, which will be used for future renovation needs. Suns will pay $1 million into the new fund for 12½ years. Suns will continue to operate and maintain the building, including booking concerts and other events. Suns will continue to pay rent to the city (calculated as a percentage of annual proceeds). Suns will build a new practice facility (estimated to cost $25-$50 million) somewhere in Phoenix.Suns commit to staying in downtown through 2037 with an option to extend the lease to 2042. If they leave before 2037, they will face up to a $200 million fine.Where is this money coming from? The Suns and Phoenix evenly split the nearly $100 million price on the arena when it was built in the early 1990s. The city still owes about $8 million on the building. “This is our building. It's our responsibility.” Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams If the council approves the deal, Phoenix will pay for its $150 million share of the renovations through its existingSports Facilities Fund, which consists of taxes levied primarily ontourists for things like hotel room and car rentals. The revenue from that tax was originally earmarked for the downtown arena and other tourism-related projects, but the council has discretion to allocate it to other purposes. According to the city, Phoenix's share of the renovation will cover necessary infrastructure repairs such as plumbing updates, electrical work and roofing repairs. "This is our building," Mayor Thelda Williams said. "It's our responsibility." The Suns will be responsible for providing other "luxury" enhancements, like suite upgrades, she said. Renovations would occur between 2019 and 2021.Suns could leave if deal not approved The Suns committed to a 40-year lease in 1992, but the agreement includes a provision for the Suns to opt out at 30 years if the building — one of the oldest in the NBA — is considered obsolete. That could allow the Suns to leave downtown Phoenix in 2022 if there's no new agreement. Suns owner Robert Sarver has hinted for years that he could move the team to another location in the Valley, or possibly out of state. It's unclear whether any other market has expressed serious interest in the team. If the Suns leave, Phoenix would have to take over operations and maintenance of the building, and would still have to invest in significant infrastructure repairs if it wants to attract concerts and other events, according to the city. City Manager Ed Zuercher said that because the city already owns the building, it has very limited options besides working with the team or letting the team leave and paying for needed repairs on its own. Otherwise, the building could deteriorate like the often-vacant Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the fairgrounds, where the Suns once played. "We can't let that happen in downtown Phoenix," he said. Public has one week to weigh in The details of the plan were released publicly Thursday night, less than a week before the council will vote on it. A new sports facility would require a public vote, but a renovation only requires council approval. Although the city has met with attorneys and consultants in executive session for more than three years to discuss the arena, it has rarely solicited public input on the potential investment. The last time the arena was publiclydiscussed at a City Council meeting was last December, when the council approved an additional $125,000 for its sports consultant. Why move so fast? Why are the Suns and Phoenix working so quickly to push through this deal? The answer is twofold. The city is running up against a July 1 deadline. Under its original lease with the Suns, the process to determine whether the arena is obsolete (which would allow the Suns to leave in 2022) will begin this summer, unless the city and team reach a deal. The Suns' motivation to move quickly after years of back-and-forth is likely political. The council now includes an interim mayor and two interim council members. Former Councilwoman Kate Gallego, who is running for mayor, had a strong showing in the November election and is the front-runner for the city's top spot going into the runoff election in March.
Gallego has said publicly that she will not support arena updates funded with taxpayer money. "We have a number of competing priorities and tough choices we have to make if we're going to fuel our growth and build on recent progress in Phoenix. While I intend to be a partner with the Suns on the many great things they do for the city, it is not in Phoenix's best interest to invest in an arena," she said in a statement in November 2017. With the uncertainty over who will be at the city's helm in a few months, now may be the best shot the Suns have at getting the city to foot at least part of the bill for arena upgrades. www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2018/12/06/phoenix-city-council-vote-230-million-suns-arena-renovation-basketball-stadium/2231614002/
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Post by mikecubs on Dec 7, 2018 1:29:41 GMT -6
This won't be hockey compatible. To be hockey compatible you'd need $700M to demolish almost the whole bowl and start over like Seattle.
I hope this passes. All the other NBA arenas of this time frame/era(90's) have undergone major renovations.
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Post by mikecubs on Dec 7, 2018 3:01:29 GMT -6
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Post by mikecubs on Dec 7, 2018 3:02:34 GMT -6
So they won't miss any seasons during the renovation just like Minnesota, Utah, Atlanta and Cleveland didn't during their renovations.
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Post by Guardian on Dec 10, 2018 15:02:55 GMT -6
So if this goes through, then do the Coyotes move to Houston?
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Post by mikecubs on Dec 10, 2018 16:13:17 GMT -6
So if this goes through, then do the Coyotes move to Houston? The odds greatly increase. I've read a couple articles that this is done/they have the votes and Wednesday is a formality. The Coyotes current arena isn't that busy with concerts. Despite being outdated the downtown arena gets most of the concerts over suburban Glendale. How is the area going to support yet another arena with the downtown one modernized when the current one in Glendale already has trouble with a downtown outdated arena? Who is willing to spend $700M to have arena number 3? Common sense says it would be the end of the Coyotes. You've got a much bigger/richer southern market with a properly located arena and a willing buyer. But this whole saga has never been guided by common sense. It wouldn't surprise me if the NHL/Bettman just let the Coyotes rot in Glendale and took a $20M to $50M loss each year just so they didn't have to admit the Coyotes failed.
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Post by mikecubs on Dec 14, 2018 8:29:37 GMT -6
Phoenix City Council delays $230M Suns arena renovation voteThe Phoenix City Council delayed a vote on a $230 million Talking Stick Resort Arena renovation following backlash from the community. The council was slated to vote Wednesday on the deal, which could keep the Phoenix Suns in downtown until 2042. But the council on Wednesday instead voted to hold its final vote Jan. 23. The council also committed to release documents about the financial details of the deal and host five community meetings across the city to solicit feedback before the final vote. In a statement, Suns President and CEO Jason Rowley said the team was aware of the request to delay the vote and will answer any questions the community has. “We very much look forward to publicly discussing the many ways in which Talking Stick Resort Arena benefits downtown Phoenix and our community at large, and answering any questions the council and their constituents have about the arena and the proposed renovation," he said. "Our priority remains being in downtown Phoenix long-term, and we’re excited about the opportunity that lies ahead." The Suns have been asking the city for a new or significantly updated arena for years, but have been unable to get the council to publicly consider a deal until now www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2018/12/12/phoenix-vote-230-million-suns-arena-renovation-talking-stick-resort-national-basketball-association/2276373002/
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Post by mikecubs on Dec 14, 2018 8:33:24 GMT -6
At least 3 of the 8 council members are against it with at least 1 other undecided. It takes 4 votes to kill it. $150M in public money is too much. They need to make the deal around 50-50%($115M) or this won't pass. The Suns owner is the worst owner in the NBA so who knows if he's smart enough to figure this out.
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Post by mikecubs on Dec 14, 2018 22:33:44 GMT -6
Phoenix councilman blasts mayor, staff for secretive Suns arena proposalPhoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio said Mayor Thelda Williams and city staffers mishandled the lead-up to the vote on a $230 million arena renovation deal that would keep the Phoenix Suns downtown. “The way this has been handled has been incredibly poor,” DiCiccio told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Thursday, the day after the council opted unanimously to delay the vote. “They’re not doing any communicating with the public. This is all public money; the government is the public,” DiCiccio said. The proposal the council had originally planned to vote on at Wednesday’s meeting would have had taxpayers pumping $150 million into renovating Talking Stick Resort Arena. The team would kick in $80 million. “ At the very least it’s got to be a fifty-fifty deal,” DiCiccio said, who added the city, as the landlord of the building, has spent about $80 million over the years on upgrades. A recent poll of likely voters showed that the majority said they wouldn’t support the proposal. “It’s the city staff, it’s the government staff, it’s Mayor Thelda Williams, that are pushing this bad deal on the public. It’s … unacceptable,” DiCiccio said. He called the deal “rushed” and said the council hadn’t received any information about it even as the vote date drew closer. DiCiccio said there wouldn’t have been enough votes to pass the proposal.The vote has been postponed until Jan 23. Before then, there will be five community meetings — dates haven’t been scheduled yet — to discuss the deal. Related paperwork will be posted on the city website. “It was not ever meant to be withheld from the public,” Williams said before the vote. “I’m a big believer in sharing this information.” Suns President Jason Rowley told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac & Gaydos, “This building is 26 years old. If you want to continue to have concerts and the other 200 community events that happen in the building, if you want to have a world-class town hall, if you will, those dollars have to be expended.” DiCiccio said, “You’re always going to be worried about losing the team, but the fact of the matter is I’m more worried about losing the money, at this point.” ktar.com/story/2354931/phoenix-councilman-blasts-mayor-staff-for-secretive-suns-arena-proposal/?show=comments#comments
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Post by mikecubs on Jan 18, 2019 21:46:16 GMT -6
A full-court press: Phoenix Suns, city go all out to push arena renovations To quote: "City Manager Ed Zuercher said he and his team have looked into a number of arena solutions during the past few years, considering every possibility, including building an entirely new venue. “We don’t have the money to do that,” Zuercher said. In his 2016 State of the City address, former Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said he wanted to bring the Arizona Coyotes NHL franchise back downtown, so hockey became part of the negotiations. But that option never materialized, mainly because of an additional $100 million price tag and the potential of having to close the arena for two to three years while the renovations were made, Zuercher said.“I think everyone would agree that in an ideal world, we’d be like Boston and Philadelphia where both [basketball and hockey] teams played in the same building,” Zuercher said." Source (Paywall): www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2019/01/18/afull-court-press-phoenix-suns-city-go-all-out-to.html
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Post by wolfmannick on Jan 19, 2019 1:03:33 GMT -6
A full-court press: Phoenix Suns, city go all out to push arena renovations To quote: "City Manager Ed Zuercher said he and his team have looked into a number of arena solutions during the past few years, considering every possibility, including building an entirely new venue. “We don’t have the money to do that,” Zuercher said. In his 2016 State of the City address, former Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said he wanted to bring the Arizona Coyotes NHL franchise back downtown, so hockey became part of the negotiations. But that option never materialized, mainly because of an additional $100 million price tag and the potential of having to close the arena for two to three years while the renovations were made, Zuercher said.“I think everyone would agree that in an ideal world, we’d be like Boston and Philadelphia where both [basketball and hockey] teams played in the same building,” Zuercher said." Source (Paywall): www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2019/01/18/afull-court-press-phoenix-suns-city-go-all-out-to.html^ so I'm confused are they going to make it hockey compatible or is it going to be basketball only when reno's are complete?
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Post by mikecubs on Jan 19, 2019 4:46:41 GMT -6
A full-court press: Phoenix Suns, city go all out to push arena renovations To quote: "City Manager Ed Zuercher said he and his team have looked into a number of arena solutions during the past few years, considering every possibility, including building an entirely new venue. “We don’t have the money to do that,” Zuercher said. In his 2016 State of the City address, former Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said he wanted to bring the Arizona Coyotes NHL franchise back downtown, so hockey became part of the negotiations. But that option never materialized, mainly because of an additional $100 million price tag and the potential of having to close the arena for two to three years while the renovations were made, Zuercher said.“I think everyone would agree that in an ideal world, we’d be like Boston and Philadelphia where both [basketball and hockey] teams played in the same building,” Zuercher said." Source (Paywall): www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2019/01/18/afull-court-press-phoenix-suns-city-go-all-out-to.html^ so I'm confused are they going to make it hockey compatible or is it going to be basketball only when reno's are complete? Basketball only. It was an extra $100M for hockey which was too rich for the city's blood.
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Post by mikecubs on Jan 24, 2019 3:54:04 GMT -6
Phoenix City Council approves $230 million for Talking Stick Resort Arena renovation It includes $150 million from the cityThe Phoenix City Council approved $230 million in spending for the renovation of Talking Stick Resort Arena -- home of the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Rattlers and numerous concerts and other live events -- in a scheduled meeting Wednesday. The arena will undergo renovations between 2019 and 2021. The City of Phoenix will contribute $150 million toward the renovation, and the Suns will contribute $80 million.The measure was approved by a 6-2 margin just before 6 p.m. Wednesday after over three hours of discussion by city council members, residents and business leaders who favored and opposed the renovations. Vice Mayor Jim Waring and Councilman Sal DiCiccio voted against the measure. The city will fund its portion of the renovations through its Sports Facilities Fund, generated by existing tourism-related excise taxes -- specifically, a 1 percent hotel tax and a 2 percent rental car tax. Any spending beyond $230 million will be funded by the Suns. Renovations will include repair and replacement of mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure for the arena, which the Suns have called home since the 1992-93 NBA season. Per the agreement, the Suns will build an off-site practice facility in Phoenix, at an estimated cost of $25-$50 million, in order to free up space at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns will be required to pay for that facility. The city council added an amendment introduced by Councilwoman Vania Guevara on Wednesday in which the Suns will commit at least $10 million toward community endeavors, including $2.6 toward the city's Head Start preschool program. Suns owner Robert Sarver, who attended Wednesday's meeting, expressed his support for the amendment. The Phoenix City Council was originally scheduled to vote on the renovation project Dec. 12, but the vote was pushed back amid growing concern about the cost and sources of funding for those renovations. The city held a series of open forums in the last month to allow citizens to discuss the project before it was put to a vote. Previously, the Suns' arena contract with the city ran through 2032, but the team could have opted out as soon as 2022 if certain criteria were met. With Wednesday's vote, that contract has been extended until 2037, with an option to extend it to 2042.The city anticipates collecting additional fees and rent from the Suns as a result of the proposed renovation -- an estimated $60 million over the term of the agreement. The Suns and the city will both make annual contributions to a Renewal and Replacement Account to ensure the arena's infrastructure remains intact throughout the lifetime of the contract. Phoenix will contribute $2 million annually (up to $25 million total) from its Sports Facilities Fund, and the Suns will contribute $1 million annually (up to $12.5 million total). The Phoenix Arena Development Limited Partnership will continue to pay all operations, event and maintenance expenses for the arena. The Suns agree to pay up to $200 million to the city if they relocate out of Phoenix before the end of the amended contract in 2037. Sarver has been adamant that Talking Stick Resort Arena is in dire need of renovations -- but in December, he assured fans that the Suns will not leave Phoenix, despite a report that he could seek to relocate the team if the renovation measure was rejected. Here's a breakdown of estimated renovation costs: (Go here for more details)$99.58 million: Maintenance for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and communication systems. This includes brand-new pipe, fittings, insulation, valves and instrumentation, upgraded digital control systems, a new LED lighting system, a replacement of outdated communication systems, new plumbing fixtures, new sewer lines and new rainwater drain systems. The city says it would fund the majority of these expenses. $26.37 million: Replacements for worn-out and non-working furniture, fixtures and equipment throughout the arena, along with new arena artwork, and repairs to food service areas and food service equipment for over 30 arena concession stands. $18.65 million: Technology and security upgrades, including CCTV security system upgrades and a new multi-function video board, ribbon board and digital control room. $17.63 million: Enhancements to the exterior wall and building envelope that will, in the city's words, "improve building efficiency and enhance the architecture and streetscape appeal of the facility." $14.81 million: Improvements to lower- and upper-level seating areas, including resurfacing and recoating of stairs and platforms, replacement of damaged seats, new hallways and entrances to seating sections, and a widening of the concourse in the corners of the arena in order to provide views of the event floor. $13.17 million: Improvements to locker rooms, VIP and premium spaces, and repurposing of the current practice courts in order to free up space for storage and circulation. $11.67 million: New and repaired elevators and escalators throughout the arena. $9.8 million: Main concourse improvements, including an expansion of the concourse to create more space, more concession stands, and improved circulation in order to make loading and unloading easier. $7.21 million: Improvements to Lower Suite Level A, which includes club upgrades, improved circulation and back-of-house spaces. The Suns would pay for these improvements. $5.01 million: Roof and structural upgrades. $4.88 million: Improvements to the upper concourse, including widening of the concourse in order to improve circulation, which will improve access to seating, concession stands and restrooms. Also, new concession stands and storage improvements in the upper concourse. $4.21 million: Improvements to Upper Suite Level B, including access, storage and circulation enhancements. The Suns would pay for these improvements. $1.91 million: New signage and graphics, including "enhanced wayfinding, advertising, and other patron communications improvements throughout the arena." www.abc15.com/sports/phoenix-city-council-approves-230-million-for-talking-stick-resort-arena-renovation
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Post by mikecubs on Jan 24, 2019 8:07:34 GMT -6
You think the old Glendale city council meetings were crazy? Check this out!!!! Arizona lawmaker and man who shot her cross paths again at Suns stadium debateAn Arizona politician crossed paths with the man who shot her 22 years ago during a debate over the Phoenix Suns arena Wednesday. Mary Rose Wilcox was shot by Larry Naman in 1997 after she supported a tax to fund Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Wilcox was hospitalized in fair condition after being shot in the pelvis. by Naman. He served nearly 12 years of his 15-year sentence, and was released from prison in 2010. On Wednesday, Naman showed up at a local city council meeting to object to stadium renovations on Talking Stick Resort Arena that would cost $230 million. Wilcox, who also spoke at the city council meeting, listened as Naman introduced himself, explained exactly who he was and used an uncomfortable phrase when speaking to the group of politicians. Jessica Boehm @jboehm_NEWS · 15h Replying to @jboehm_NEWS Resident: He doesn't want to see Suns leave, but would like to see the council stop with this deal and come back with a renegotiated deal that is fair for both #Phoenix and #Suns. (Current deal: PHX: $150 mil, Suns: $80 mil) Jessica Boehm @jboehm_NEWS Larry Naman (the man who shot Mary Rose Wilcox over her vote on Chase Field) is now speaking: He says the public must be allowed to vote on this matter, says if council approves the deal it's equivalent to an "act of violence against the public" #Phoenix #Suns 17 5:08 PM - Jan 23, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy 26 people are talking about this When Naman was arrested in 1997 for shooting Wilcox, he said he would apologize to Wilcox only when she admitted what she did was an “act of violence.” Naman stood by that notion Wednesday. Once he was done speaking, Councilman Michael Nowakowski apologized to Wilcox for having to listen to Naman speak. Naman reportedly responded by saying, “she deserved it.”Jessica Boehm @jboehm_NEWS Just a few minutes after Mary Rose Wilcox spoke, the man who shot her over her vote on Chase Field spakes... He just said "she deserved it" when @mrnowakowski apologized that Wilcox has to listen to him. Wow. … Jessica Boehm @jboehm_NEWS Replying to @jboehm_NEWS Larry Naman (the man who shot Mary Rose Wilcox over her vote on Chase Field) is now speaking: He says the public must be allowed to vote on this matter, says if council approves the deal it's equivalent to an "act of violence against the public" #Phoenix #Suns 36 5:09 PM - Jan 23, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy 45 people are talking about this The council was initially slated to vote on the renovations in December. After a lot of public outcry, the council postponed the vote to hear from residents before voting. After the public forum Wednesday, the council voted to approve the funding plan 6-2. sports.yahoo.com/arizona-lawmaker-man-shot-cross-paths-suns-stadium-debate-005715091.html
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Post by Bruinsfan on Jan 24, 2019 9:32:08 GMT -6
Love the Analysis Mike, I agree this is doom for the Coyotes, but Bettman hates quebec so it could just mean houston or KC if they can find a sucker to take them there.
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