In lands far away…more stadium debate, issues we share and those we don’t…
greatergreaterwashington.org Feb 18, 2009 9:03 am
How to create a successful urban stadium
by Cavan Wilk
DC United intends to build a new 24,000 seat stadium in Prince George’s County. This is a golden opportunity for our region to gain another vibrant, regional, walkable, urban, Metro-adjacent, transit-oriented development. Except on game days, stadiums have been centres of un-activity for the past sixty years. However, they don’t need to be like that and haven’t always been that way. In fact, with proper design and context, they can be major activity centres. Equally important, they can serve as anchors of vibrant neighbourhoods that generate tax revenue in perpetuity.
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(Feb 18, 2009 10:59 am) In reply to the post Mike licht says: “I recall reading that the “most successful” publicly-funded stadiums return taxes at the rate of the average veterinary clinic.”
Cavan Wilk became interested in the physical layout and economic systems of modern human settlements while working on his Master’s in Financial Economics. His writing often focuses on the interactions between a place’s form, its economic systems, and the experiences of those who live in them. He lives in Wheaton, Maryland.
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The two stadium proposals before city council are about more than sports. They’re about building Ottawa…
### Ottawa Citizen April 6, 2009
Back to the beginning on a new stadium
By David Reevely
We’ve got a really strong package of reporting on the competing stadium proposals in Tuesday’s paper [see below], but here are some quick preliminary thoughts.
The [city] staff report is three quick slaps across the face for anyone who’s been getting starry-eyed about the prospects for rebuilding Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne or putting up a new soccer venue in Kanata. The Kanata stadium is by far the simpler and easier one for the city, and probably the more profitable, but it doesn’t happen to solve the city’s immediate problem … which is what to do with Lansdowne.
This ain’t gonna be cheap, no matter how much we might wish it were, and lots of cities have gotten themselves deep into trouble by pretending they can build great big things without having it hurt.
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The following story attracted 91 comments…
### Ottawa Citizen April 7, 2009
Lansdowne proposal scores higher, but council must decide if we need a stadium at all, city report says
By Jake Rupert and Patrick Dare
Monday was not a good day at city hall for two private-sector proposals for developments that include outdoor stadiums.
A much-anticipated city staff report found going with either could cost taxpayers big — $150 million over 30 years, including borrowing costs for just a stadium, and up to $300 million over the same period if extras aimed at public use are added. The numbers are higher than expected and gave sticker shock to some city council members, who must now decide what to do.
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### Ottawa Citizen April 15, 2009
Why a stadium matters
By Maria Cook
City council is poised to decide which of the two stadium proposals to endorse. Both will cost millions and affect the shape of Ottawa for decades to come. The Citizen reviews the proposals and explains why the buildings are more than just sports facilities.
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### tsn.com 4/19/2009 2:36:45 PM
The Sports Network (Canadian Television): Blogs
Suitor: What’s to debate over two Ottawa Stadium Proposals?
By Glen Suitor
It seems like the debate has gone on for months. In Ottawa, everyone and his brother have weighed in on the two stadium proposals that are currently awaiting a decision from city council. If you don’t live in the Ottawa area, I’ll outline the short versions of the two plans…
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Eugene Melnyk expresses profound disappointment in failure of Council to share his vision for a world-class open-air stadium
### OttawaSenators.com Apr 22, 2009, 6:32 PM EDT
Melnyk issues statement to City Council and citizens of Ottawa
Senators Sports & Entertainment owner Eugene Melnyk issued the following statement to City Council and the citizens of Ottawa:
“A full and proper revitalisation of Lansdowne Park and the construction of a new open-air stadium are both defining, city-building priorities for Ottawa. Both represent powerful and necessary catalysts to drive our economy, bolster civic pride and define Ottawa as a world-class city.”
We all need to keep in mind that stadiums represent a challenging business model. If it were easy, our city wouldn’t be wrestling with the stadium predicament it currently faces… Stadiums are complex businesses requiring an arsenal of very specialised expertise with an understanding of the long game.
“Today’s decisions by Council suggests its first priority is to take action and deliver meaningful steps towards an appropriate community-focused revitalisation and greening of Lansdowne Park… And while I continue to disagree with the strategic placement of a stadium at Lansdowne Park adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage designated Rideau Canal, I have too much passion for this city to stand in the way of a project that will create positive and significant change.”
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What if? Dunedin... 