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The downsides are that 1. Those 10 million people are going to a sporting venue, and not doing other things downtown, for the most part, so they're just adding congestion and aggravation and 2. The sporting venues are displacing other, more urban-focused uses, like residences, hotels, offices, retail, restaurants and nightlife.
If all that mattered was bringing people downtown, might as well demolish Center City and build the airport and KOP mall there. Then you will get 60 million people downtown. Hey, what's the downside?
Thats an extreme argument. While I agree you dont plop down a sports venue in the middle of downtown, but in a strategic part of the periphery I think it can be successful. Its a different type of amenity than a park or museum but certainly adds to the mix.
The downsides are that 1. Those 10 million people are going to a sporting venue, and not doing other things downtown, for the most part, so they're just adding congestion and aggravation
You see congestion + aggravation . I see vibrancy + enjoyment. And most importantly I see $$$$$$. Dont be daft in thinking that an additional 10 M people a year in Center City wouldnt be a fiscal windfall.
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Originally Posted by NOLA101
2. The sporting venues are displacing other, more urban-focused uses, like residences, hotels, offices, retail, restaurants and nightlife.
Center City is fabulous but you are giving Center City too much credit. I already gave you an example of the proposed downtown Phillies Ball Park at a vacant parking facility for US Postal Service. 30th + Walnut. Blown opportunity.
The Flyers/Sixers/Concert Arena should be in Center City as well. The Gallery ( 10th + Market- a failed Indoor Mall in middle of Center City is finally being phased out.Perfect spot for a downtown arena. But instead they are planning on redoing the Gallery Mall into a discount outlet mall.
You see congestion + aggravation . I see vibrancy + enjoyment. And most importantly I see $$$$$$. Dont be daft in thinking that an additional 10 M people a year in Center City wouldnt be a fiscal windfall.
Center City is fabulous but you are giving Center City too much credit. I already gave you an example of the proposed downtown Phillies Ball Park at a vacant parking facility for US Postal Service. 30th + Walnut. Blown opportunity.
The Flyers/Sixers/Concert Arena should be in Center City as well. The Gallery ( 10th + Market- a failed Indoor Mall in middle of Center City is finally being phased out.Perfect spot for a downtown arena. But instead they are planning on redoing the Gallery Mall into a discount outlet mall.
You see congestion + aggravation . I see vibrancy + enjoyment. And most importantly I see $$$$$$. Dont be daft in thinking that an additional 10 M people a year in Center City wouldnt be a fiscal windfall.
It wouldn't be a benefit if those people are displacing other uses (which they will be).
Again, how does Center City benefit from me driving a car to a stadium downtown, and then leaving after? In such a scenario there are no benefits, only costs. I'm displacing other uses and adding congestion.
There are slight localized benefits if I go to a meal or grab a beer locally afterwards, but most people don't do this, and leisure spending is fixed anyways (people don't eat more food or make more money if they go to a sporting venue) so there's no net regional positive overall. And a city could accrue these local benefits regardless of stadium location (not like people won't drink beer if they're going to the sports complex, but will if going to center city).
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