PNC Field to be Replaced by New Stadium, Mall, Hotel, Museum... (Reading: sale, daycare)

[SteelCityRising]

What is everyone's opinion on today's revelation in the Times-Tribune that Mr. Cordaro had negiotated with Mandalay Baseball Properties and the New York Yankees to build a new stadium in order to entice the Yankees to come to Scranton? I have mixed feelings on this issue. On the one hand the stadium was built in the 1980s and will surely be outdated before too long (if it isn't already). A new state-of-the-art stadium should be built on the site to retain future AAA teams. However, I'm a bit skeptical about the plans that will also worsen urban sprawl issues on Montage Mountain with the addition of a new "Yankee Village" retail complex, a Yankee-themed hotel, and a Yankee museum. I'm sure this will bring many more tourists from NY and NJ into Greater Scranton, but even with the proposed additional stop for the trolley line there is no guarantee that they'll saunter into the city to stimulate its economy. Since when did overdeveloping Montage Moutain take precedence over infilling existing vacancies in Downtown Scranton? The county commissioners could have restored the New Jersey Freight Station near downtown into a historic-themed visitors' center, but instead they built that white elephant out in the suburbs (most of it is now a daycare center due to its faltering popularity). The Shoppes at Montage project could have provided much-needed economic revitalization into the Electric City as opposed to siphoning it OUT of the city limits. Reading has a lot of old warehouses that have been converted into outlet stores, and I know Scranton has a lot of older buildings that could have likewise been utilized for such a project. One such area that immediately comes to mind would be that large run-down warehouse structure near Smith's Restaurant in South Side. That old building could have been renovated into housing all sorts of outlets, which likely would have led to a revitalization of the otherwise dumpy-looking "Flats" area.

The article is quite lengthy, but it is definitely worth a perusal:

The Times-Tribune - Cordaro claims deal on stadium

It also states that Sen. Robert Mellow is outraged at Mr. Cordaro for making this announcement when there is no guarantee of state funding or Federal funding. Given the fact that our idiotic President continues to spend hundreds of billions in Iraq while claiming domestic programs are "too expensive," I'm worried that not only will this project not come to fruition, but others as well (medical school, widening of I-81, Scranton-NYC commuter rail, etc.)

[SteelCityRising]

As a follow-up to this I've also just read in today's Times-Leader that Luzerne County might be suing Lackawanna County because Mr. Cordaro made all of these promises to bring the Yankees here without keeping Luzerne Countians (who own half the franchise) abreast of the negotiations. As of right now minority commissioner Steve Urban wants Luzerne County to sue Lackawanna County for agreeing to sell the franchise to Mandalay, causing Luzerne County to lose its $10,000,000 share of the franchise without consent. Majority commissioners Greg Skrepenak and MaryAnne Petrilla say that Luzerne County will delay suing Lackawanna County until they have the opportunity to discuss the project with commissioners-elect Washo & O'Brien in Lackawanna County. In any event, it sounds as if voters in Lackawanna County made the right decision in ousting Mr. Cordaro if he had the audacity to make all of these decisions and announcements HIMSELF without informing Sen. Mellow, the Luzerne County Commissioners, or other interested parties of his negotiations with Mandalay.

Are Lackawanna Countians ready for another tax increase? It just may happen if Luzerne County decides to successfully sue you for millions for the actions of that man.

[SteelCityRising]

Someone on Talkback 16 Online also just brought up a very viable issue. Mr. Cordaro claims that when the stadium is sold to Mandalay, that revenue will be reinvested into building a new stadium so that additional taxpayer funding will not be necessary. This person raised a good question. How does Cordaro know that Luzerne County's commissioners will reinvest THEIR half of the sale revenue back into a new stadium and won't put it towards a project in our OWN county instead? If this happens to occur, expect a tax hike in Lackawanna County to finance the new project, as Luzerne County is, legally, entitled to $10,000,000 from that sale to do with as they please, whether Cordaro realizes this or not.

[NYRangers 2008]

Cordaro should just worry that he doesn't go to jail after a federal investigation for laundering the county's money.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by NYRangers 2008

Cordaro should just worry that he doesn't go to jail after a federal investigation for laundering the county's money.

I'm simply outraged by his actions. No matter how much "good" you THINK you're doing for the county, there's still other parties that MUST be involved; you can't just snub checks and balances to go it alone. Now he's put Lackawanna Countians in the position for yet another future tax increase if and when Luzerne County decides to file a lawsuit.

[weluvpa]

Business's and stadiums and museum's have no place in the pay to playground of Scranton. Can you imagine the hit the city would take on that debacle? The taxes will always encourage development outside the city, always! If you want them to see the city as a attractive place to be you must first make it a FINANCIALLY ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO DO BUSINESS FIRST then make it pretty after we have them here and have their money flowing into our tax base. YOU SIMPLY CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT BUILD IT AND HOPE THEY WILL COME. We must get them here and then give them reasons to stay.

[scrantonluna]

Luzerne is a silent partner when it comes to PNC field, the same as Lackawanna is a silent partner with the Arena and the Pens. I'm sure luzerne wants a taste of the pie, but we're not digging in the arena's pockets, are we?

[WasPA]

^^^^If Luzerne County has an investment in the stadium/team it is entitled to standard protections of its investment or whatever the basic agreement called for within the origins of the deal. No more-no less......of Lacakawanna is somehow not living up to those terms or abusing the arrangement, then legal remedy is called for....

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by WasPA

^^^^If Luzerne County has an investment in the stadium/team it is entitled to standard protections of its investment or whatever the basic agreement called for within the origins of the deal. No more-no less......of Lacakawanna is somehow not living up to those terms or abusing the arrangement, then legal remedy is called for....

I suppose you could argue that lackawanna was simply 're-investing.' In reality, should this go through, it would be using the worth of the franchise to both ensure future participation and grow profits. I think WBs biggest beef is not being involved in the process, and a little political grandstanding as well.

[WasPA]

On the other hand, owing to inexplicably secretive deal making (rarely a good idea) the whole thing could backfire when a more responsible deal requiring less esoteric pledges could have been forged with broader support from everyone concerned, including Luzerne County.....support that could come in very handy under this tricky circumstance.

As this stands, Cordaro made promises that might not be keepable, in secret, exposing the team, both counties and fans to a failed deal rather than a pie-in-the sky bonanza with no real traction. And who needs a replica of Yankee Stadium? Jeez. A good team needs no extra gimmickery to attract patrons. And the present stadium is pretty nice and not so old, let alone obsolete.

I note that none of this type of controversy surrounds the Arena, which was a cut/dried deal, operates well in the black and has the Penquins as a very desirable/uncomplicated tenant minus the extraordinary burdens apparently demanded by the Yankess in exchange for their willingness to land in Scranton. I'd say that Lackawanna has gotten the better deal in its participation in the arena......