192 replies to this topic

[Robert Giacometti]

Robert

As mentioned in my post, an airport employee said, "It's always like this after a Saints game". It wasn't just because it was a special game on MNF, as the Monday night games always sell out. Some argue that they sold more season tickets because of Reggie Bush. Some say it is because there is nothing else to do in New Orleans anymore. Some say it's because businesses are buying them. Some say locals are buying them to help out.

Whatever the reason, they can't buy any tickets to see the Saints at the Superdome if the Saints don't play there.

I also didn't mention raising taxes in New Orleans or Sacramento. I said, "Let's get this thing built"

It is obvious that a sports franchise draws visitors to a city, and New Orleans just proved it. Sports franchises bring money to a city.

That's what I am saying.

Steve,

We already have an arena and sports team!

You are still trying to compare apples to oranges.

NBA BB doesn't draw 68,000 to a game each night. Fans aren't going to fly in from around the country to watch the Kings play downtown Sacramento. Kings games are sold out now and I'm not aware of flights being oversold of fans from around the country flying into Sacto to see them play now!

When people go to football games its traditional to arrive hours before the game to have tail gate parties and then party afterwards. One of the reasons why this started was people wanted to arrive early to avoid the huge traffic problems associated with 68,000 fans. With only 18,000 fans for a NBA game people don't have to do this, they will drive in LATE, park in the garage, walk into the Arena, leave early and get on the freeway and go home and never see downtown!

Fans who now stop before/after a Kings game who eat/drink at what ever establishments will simply shift establishments NOT do it twice....so there will be no net gain for the region.

Lets not forget, the Maloofs don't want anything else around the Arena so they can maximize their revenues. If you support this plan....you'll never see what you saw in "Naworlans"

So the question is do you and others want to get "this thing built the right way or the wrong way right?" I'm against doing this the wrong way and I'm NOT going to raise my taxes to support doing something the wrong way.

Maybe this will be the catalyst to wake up the people who keep voting in the same incompetent politicians in and around Sacto....to finally make a change to get some progressive thinking politicians who will do what really needs to be done! When this happens THEN and ONLY then will you see the downtown developed!

[Steve Heard]

We already have an arena and sports team!

Yes, and they need a new place to play, whether it is here in Sacramento, or in a city that wants them.

NBA BB doesn't draw 68,000 to a game each night. Fans aren't going to fly in from around the country to watch the Kings play downtown Sacramento. Kings games are sold out now and I'm not aware of flights being oversold of fans from around the country flying into Sacto to see them play now!

When people go to football games its traditional to arrive hours before the game to have tail gate parties and then party afterwards. One of the reasons why this started was people wanted to arrive early to avoid the huge traffic problems associated with 68,000 fans. With only 18,000 fans for a NBA game people don't have to do this, they will drive in LATE, park in the garage, walk into the Arena, leave early and get on the freeway and go home and never see downtown!

Fans who now stop before/after a Kings game who eat/drink at what ever establishments will simply shift establishments NOT do it twice....so there will be no net gain for the region.

No, it's much better than that! While the football team draws 68,000 a game for 10 games (680,000 total), the Kings draw 18,000 a game for 41 games. That 738,000. Yes, they sell out now. That's 738,000 fewer money-spenders if the Kings leave.

I don't have any stats on it, but have observed many supporters of visiting teams at Kings games. You're right, fans won't fly in. They won't drive in either, because there won't be a game to go to.

When people go to football games its traditional to arrive hours before the game to have tail gate parties and then party afterwards. One of the reasons why this started was people wanted to arrive early to avoid the huge traffic problems associated with 68,000 fans. With only 18,000 fans for a NBA game people don't have to do this, they will drive in LATE, park in the garage, walk into the Arena, leave early and get on the freeway and go home and never see downtown!

Fans who now stop before/after a Kings game who eat/drink at what ever establishments will simply shift establishments NOT do it twice....so there will be no net gain for the region.

Lets not forget, the Maloofs don't want anything else around the Arena so they can maximize their revenues. If you support this plan....you'll never see what you saw in "Naworlans"

Is that why they party before the game, to avoid the crowds? I've never heard that one before. I always thought it was a fun tradition that people look forward to.

Very few fans stop by the Natomas businesses before or after games now, because the location of ARCO and proximity to the freeway makes it a get-in get-out destination. In fact In and Out Burger and the other fast food joints seem to be the only establishments that do well after a game.

I've never heard the Maloof's say they don't want any other businesses located near the proposed arena, but that's too bad. There are some already and will be more.

A better comparison than football might be hockey. They play about 60 games at home, and while there isn't much tailgaiting, the San Jose businesses that thrive near HP Pavillion can tell you that they do land-office business when the Sharks play.

[camay2327]

RE: tessieca,

It's a campaign, Cal. Any proponent or opponent has the right to use the communications systems available to them to promote their side of the picture. Don't you get tons of stuff with which you disagree?

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I am retired and have time to communicate... I normally put, return to sender, or if there is an envelope inside, with postage paid, I put all the crap mail inside and send it back to them, along with any other crap mail I have laying around.... I forgot to do it this time...

[benning]

Honestly, all you "go write personal checks to the Maloofs" people are so sad. It's that attitude that is one of this country's biggest problems - the idea that, hey, if I don't benefit directly, then I don't want it. The shortsighted, pessimistic and downright selfishness of such attitudes is truly difficult to stomach. Plus, you out yourselves as people who truly don't even understand what you're opposing.

We are a community. Investing literally a few pennies to help our entire region prosper should be a no-brainer, but stodgy, "me first" attitudes sadly seem to be winning the day.

How does someone who thinks the deal is unacceptably weighted toward the Maloofs morph into a person who is selfish?
Many of us have said time and time again that we're OK with paying taxes on things that don't directly benefit us.

Whatever...you win. I've grown old trying to keep this focused on the actual deal and away from character assasinations

[MikeinFolsom]

I've never heard the Maloof's say they don't want any other businesses located near the proposed arena, but that's too bad. There are some already and will be more.

Actually, that has been well documented all along. The Maloofs want exclusive rights as to what type of businesses are located in the area of the new arena. They want complete control to dictate how the businesses tie into the arena. They most certainly wouldn't want a business outside of the arena selling goods and services for less than what they sell them for in the arena.

Build the arena? Sure, but not on my dollar. Like I said, I could care less whether the Kings play in Sacramento, or Little Rock, Arkansas, for that matter. Many, many, many taxpayer dollars have been spent on trying to "revitalize" downtown Sacramento in the past decade or so, only to have it fall flat on their faces. Look at the Downtown Plaza for example.

If the Maloofs want to have control over the arena and surrounding areas, then put up the casino money, and they can own the property and say what goes. To suggest using taxpayers money for this is absurd.

[benning]

Hey Crazy Person

Businessmen and women are in business to make money, not to give it away. I think expecting him to pay $180 million to rebuild is asking too much.

How about 10 million,5 million, even 1.8 million? That is a lot of money and can make a huge difference in rebuilding the city and is only 1% of the cost.

Good business practice isn't about screwing people as deeply as you can get away with. It's about making a fair profit and accomplishing something along the way.

Cheers,
Crazy and naive and unreasonably idealistic.

[Al Waysrite]

It's simple: NO NEW TAXES FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER!

[Robert Giacometti]

Honestly, all you "go write personal checks to the Maloofs" people are so sad. It's that attitude that is one of this country's biggest problems - the idea that, hey, if I don't benefit directly, then I don't want it. The shortsighted, pessimistic and downright selfishness of such attitudes is truly difficult to stomach. Plus, you out yourselves as people who truly don't even understand what you're opposing.

We are a community. Investing literally a few pennies to help our entire region prosper should be a no-brainer, but stodgy, "me first" attitudes sadly seem to be winning the day.

Cv,

Is this your best arguement to support a bad plan...call every who thinks this is a bad plan a name? Sadly, this is an act of desperation.

Maybe if the plan had merit more people would support it?

If I was a supporter of the plan and I found out even the politicians are working on PLan B before the vote....there is no way in h..l, I'd be willing to give away my tax dollars to a plan they, the politicians, know is flawed!

Seriously, save yourself some grief and anxiety and let this go and let the voters put this idea out of its misery!

[Chad Vander Veen]

Build the arena? Sure, but not on my dollar. Like I said, I could care less whether the Kings play in Sacramento, or Little Rock, Arkansas, for that matter.

So if you could care less, that means you do, in fact, care. Good news!

[Duke]

Yes yes you're absolutely right! Look at the great job the public entities have done in other arenas! I mean just LOOK at the California penal system and how well run that is. Social Security has done a banner job and...well...we know how efficient the IRS, DMV FEMA and the rest of those publicly run entities are doing. Why NOT take the running of such a facility out of the hands of the people who actually know how to do it, and drop it in the lap of the politicians?

I'm still at a loss as to how this is a bad deal for the county? THe rail yard gets cleaned up and developed AND the county gets to own the property? THe tennants have to maintain it in the meantime? THis seems like a good plan.

That's a stretch...
Perhaps the Maloofs could be persuaded into operating the state Corrections system.

[Chad Vander Veen]

Cv,

Is this your best arguement to support a bad plan...call every who thinks this is a bad plan a name? Sadly, this is an act of desperation.

Maybe if the plan had merit more people would support it?

If I was a supporter of the plan and I found out even the politicians are working on PLan B before the vote....there is no way in h..l, I'd be willing to give away my tax dollars to a plan they, the politicians, know is flawed!

Seriously, save yourself some grief and anxiety and let this go and let the voters put this idea out of its misery!

Are you voting yes on 86?

[Steve Heard]

Actually, that has been well documented all along. The Maloofs want exclusive rights as to what type of businesses are located in the area of the new arena. They want complete control to dictate how the businesses tie into the arena. They most certainly wouldn't want a business outside of the arena selling goods and services for less than what they sell them for in the arena.

Build the arena? Sure, but not on my dollar. Like I said, I could care less whether the Kings play in Sacramento, or Little Rock, Arkansas, for that matter. Many, many, many taxpayer dollars have been spent on trying to "revitalize" downtown Sacramento in the past decade or so, only to have it fall flat on their faces. Look at the Downtown Plaza for example.

If the Maloofs want to have control over the arena and surrounding areas, then put up the casino money, and they can own the property and say what goes. To suggest using taxpayers money for this is absurd.

Mike

A big part of what makes the new arena's proposed location attractive is that it is located near established businesses who would benefit from the increased traffic. There are many restaurants, bars and shops within a short walk or drive to that location. There has been no talk of shutting them down.

If the Maloof's wanted to cut out businesses in the area, they'd have no reason to build in the area, there is plenty of land around ARCO.

I realize you are one of those who doesn't care if we have an arena and sports franchise or not, so I won't win my argument with you.

It doesn't take away from the fact that sports franchises bring money to the cities they play in, and it makes sense for a city to invest in itself, regardless of whether or not someone profits.

[Robert Giacometti]

Are you voting yes on 86?

I haven't paid much attention to any of the Props...so I don't know yet.

[Chad Vander Veen]

I haven't paid much attention to any of the Props...so I don't know yet.

[MikeinFolsom]

You are right, I guess I should say "I can't possibly care any less than I do about it now?" It was said that an arena does increase traffic throughout the area thus possibly creating increased business as well. Why then do the Maloofs want to control the businesses that are located around the arena then???? So they can cash in on those profits as well? So far, all of the deals are pretty much one sided, towards the Maloofs.