Eminent Domain in Downtown Orlando / Another "NIMBY" situation

[annerk]

Originally Posted by EditorJul

Absolutely this. Having better/more reliable/less expensive ways to get tourists from the airport to the convention district, and having better ability to move people safely around the convention district would be a much better use of tax money if you want to drive up local income by increasing revenue coming outside the state. I don't care how big a soccer fan you are, you're not likely to fly cross-country just to attend a game in Orlando because Orlando's soccer stadium/soccer team is soooo awesome. You would be likely to fly cross-country for a professional convention, stay in a hotel for several days, eat out while you are there, and maybe even bring some touristy stuff home for the house sitter/kids/co-workers.

Spending taxpayer money to fund a soccer stadium that will, at best, be frequented by some local residents who will spend their finite resources there instead of other ways in the same city is the definition of selling rocks to one's self (and then paying a tax on selling rocks to yourself).

Convention attendees spend on average approximately 200% over what leisure travelers to the area spend. This is the market we need to encourage. http://f.tlcollect.com/fr2/512/73754...rism_short.pdf