Westgate City Center Up for Auction (Phoenix, Glendale: crime, casino, tax)

[azriverfan.]

I hate to say we told you so but to those who thought the Coyotes' situation would have no impact on Westgate, think again! As I said Glendale residents, it's important you get the Coyotes to remain otherwise Westgate is going to be another Metroplex. Even the developer sees the writing on the wall and wants out. Hopefully, Glendale wakes up and sees that passing on that casino and not securing the Coyotes might not be in their best interest.

The developer (Ellman Cos) blamed the national recession and uncertainty surrounding the future of the Phoenix Coyotes staying in Glendale for the complex's struggles.

Read more: Glendale's Westgate City Center scheduled for auction

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

As I said Glendale residents, it's important you get the Coyotes to remain otherwise Westgate is going to be another Metroplex. Even the developer sees the writing on the wall and wants out. Hopefully, Glendale wakes up and sees that passing on that casino and not securing the Coyotes might not be in their best interest.

I don't think it's good to hold Glendale residents and taxpayers hostage to benefit sports teams, shopping center developers, and casino operators.....this Westgate failure is more about the economy, ego, and earlier business decisions....

yes, Glendale benefits from the sports presence to an extent, but don't include Westgate as a necessary link for a thriving city economy...

[Finger Laker]

yeah - who gives a crap about tax revenues, all the assorted licenses and fees that go with such businesses and increasing the land value of the surrounding area and increasing future development fees

[Bondurant]

I don't think anyone argues about Glendale keeping the Coyotes. The issue is going about it legally and not sticking a $100 million bill for a potential failure with the taxpayers. There's a reason why a guy that can write a check for everything wants a subsidy.

[Finger Laker]

Business & leverage

I could cut a $100 for an apple, but I would rather not

For what it's worth the bill has already been stuck to the taxpayers, Ellman made his cash and will be fine, Moyes wasn't smart enough to completely game the system and glendale is going to have to deal with a mess regardless

No option is going to be pleasant

There is no stack of sunshine, candy and roses at the end of this path

[ibarrio]

Glendale should let the Casino come in as planned.

[MotleyCrew]

I thought that center had so much promise and always loved the atmosphere down there. Hope the restaurants don't fold. Sad times

[Valley Native]

The failure of Westgate has nothing to do with the recession. We've been hearing this so called recession being used as a scapegoat for over three years as to why nothing is getting accomplished. It was utterly foolish to put this thing way out in the west Valley in an area where cotton fields still dominated the landscape. You don't build a sports/entertainment venue out in the middle of nowhere, make empty promises to develop the land around it which never gets done, and expect it to somehow be a success. Worst of all, it has forced many people to drive long commutes to attend NHL games or concerts.

Quit using tax/bond money to try to keep the Coyotes in Glendale. Move the team to back to downtown Phoenix, let Westgate crumble, and give the land back to the snakes. Enough whining from west Valley residents that they never get anything out that way. Westgate was a good concept in a very poor location, pure and simple!

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

yes, Glendale benefits from the sports presence to an extent, but don't include Westgate as a necessary link for a thriving city economy...

No one is arguing that. However, youve invested so much money into it, that it would be foolish to see it erode because your city council is incompetent. The last thing you want to do is see that area become blight and draw crime to the area.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

The failure of Westgate has nothing to do with the recession. We've been hearing this so called recession being used as a scapegoat for over three years as to why nothing is getting accomplished. It was utterly foolish to put this thing way out in the west Valley in an area where cotton fields still dominated the landscape. You don't build a sports/entertainment venue out in the middle of nowhere, make empty promises to develop the land around it which never gets done, and expect it to somehow be a success. Worst of all, it has forced many people to drive long commutes to attend NHL games or concerts.

Quit using tax/bond money to try to keep the Coyotes in Glendale. Move the team to back to downtown Phoenix, let Westgate crumble, and give the land back to the snakes. Enough whining from west Valley residents that they never get anything out that way. Westgate was a good concept in a very poor location, pure and simple!

I hate to agree with this response because I feel bad for Glendale and West Side residents but its true. That location hurts the Coyotes and West Gate and I think even they know deep down that this is true. Even during the Superbowl and the BCS championship game, people spent their money in other parts of the Valley and just saw the game in Glendale. I'm a Cardinals season ticket holder and I couldn't give away my Monday Night tickets because no one wants to drive to Glendale on a Monday after work. I went to one MNF game and it took 90 minutes from downtown to Glendale due to traffic. Never again, I tried to give my MNF tickets the following year and no one wanted them. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to get people from the Central and East Valleys to drive to Coyotes games after work. On the weekends it's not bad at all and hence the reason the Sunday NFL games work in Glendale but during the week, it's a challenge to drive to the West Side.

I want Glendale to succeed. They need to bring in the casino and allow the Indian tribe to co-own the Coyotes alongside Hulsizer. They need to stabilize the area. The last thing I want is for Westgate to turn into Metroplex II. It still has a lot of promise.