Pens to Stay in Pittsburgh
Posted March 13th, 2007 @ 12:22pm by Erik J. Barzeski
Carey and I are attending a Penguins game this Friday. I booked the tickets when the whole "Pens might be leaving Pittsburgh" talk started to get serious. However, I'm very happy to see that this probably won't happen: the Pens reached a 30-year agreement with state and local officials.
Fuck Ed Rendell, though. It's rare that I swear on this blog, let alone at someone, but I've done it, and he deserves it. Twice. Fuck Ed Rendell.
P.S. It takes almost three years to build an arena? Really?
Donate Life
Posted 13 Mar 2007 at 4:19pm #
Took over two years (including demo) to build the Xcel Energy Center (current home to the Minnesota Wild). See Minnesota Wild Timeline. Doesn't seem like three years is all that far off, depending on issues with land acquisition, etc. Glad to see that Pittsburgh won't lose it's NHL team, since I lived through that storm here in Minnesota. Great too, to see that Pittsburgh will be in the playoffs for the first time in a few years.
Posted 13 Mar 2007 at 8:07pm #
Two honest thoughts:
(1) I hear this new arena in Pittsburgh might cost us in hard-working citizens of Erie the tax relief the new gambling laws promised us. Is that true?
(2) Why the comment about taking 3 years to build a class arena from scratch? Do you have proof that it should only take 1 year? 2 years?
You have a right to your opinion - but in this case it isn't anything I consider worth it - as a fellow Erieite paying taxes out of proportion to those in just about any stae, or as a Buffalo fan who doesn't give a crap about any sports franchises in Pittburgh that supposedly need my money.
Posted 13 Mar 2007 at 8:33pm #
[quote comment="40043"](2) Why the comment about taking 3 years to build a class arena from scratch? Do you have proof that it should only take 1 year? 2 years?[/quote]
I just didn't think it'd take that long. Heinz Field and PNC Park were constructed in less time.
[quote comment="40043"]You have a right to your opinion - but in this case it isn't anything I consider worth it - as a fellow Erieite paying taxes out of proportion to those in just about any stae, or as a Buffalo fan who doesn't give a crap about any sports franchises in Pittburgh that supposedly need my money.[/quote]
I live in Millcreek, and our property taxes and income taxes are rather reasonable, I'd say. Then again, Millcreek isn't millions of dollars in the red like Erie, are they? Admittedly, my understanding of local politics, taxation, etc. fast approaches nil.
As a sports fan, I'd hope you would recognize that having a good team in your area is a good thing in general. After all, it gives you the chance to see the Sabres in two nearby arenas (or three if you want to drive to Columbus). Plus, general interest in a sport is a good thing (and something the NHL sorely needs).
Posted 13 Mar 2007 at 8:36pm #
No, the arena in PIttsburgh will not cost any the people of Erie or the people of PA in general.
From the Post-Gazette about state funding of the arena:
The new Pittsburgh arena will be financed by a bond issue with annual debt service payments of $21 million. Of that, $15 million a year will come from gaming, he said, $7.5 million from slots license winner Don Barden and another $7.5 million from a new entertainment fund paid for with gaming dollars.
Rendell, during a press conference before tonight's game, mentioned that gaming revenues are much higher then expected (Don't quote me - I think he said they budgeted $1 billion but if they base new expectations just on the 4 casinos that are opened - read not counting Pittsburgh or Philly casinos), they expect $1.8 billion.
I'd say you will see property tax relief.
Posted 14 Mar 2007 at 5:22pm #
With Pittsburgh out of the way, it's now time to cease all this talk of my Nashville Predators packing up and leaving town!