okay, I'm confused. Are we voting on this or not? I was under the impression that we needed to pass it one of two ways, either through property taxes or the hotel/motel tax?

(06-29-2012 07:29 PM)randaddyminer Wrote:  okay, I'm confused. Are we voting on this or not? I was under the impression that we needed to pass it one of two ways, either through property taxes or the hotel/motel tax?

Maybe I'm causing the confusion.

I thought we were also looking at a 18-20K seat arena. Maybe I am so ecstatic, I don't know which way is up anymore. Which would explain why my coworkers nod in agreement.

Mista, or someone clear it up?

My understanding is that El Pasoans will vote yes/no for funding of the stadium from the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT). It is my understanding that if the HOT vote fails then the city will issue Certificate of Obligation Bonds, which do not require voter approval. So either way the stadium will be built it is just a matter of who is going to pay for it.

The baseball stadium is a done deal. Foster and Hunt bringing a team to El Paso was contingent on El Paso building a downtown stadium. This has been voted on and passed by City Council. At this point, actual construction is contingent on Foster and Hunt officially announcing their purchase and relocation of a AAA ball club. Formalities I assume at this point.

The Quality of Life bonds are going to be split up (I believe). The multipurpose arena is one vote, city upgrades such as parks and streets is another, and I believe the MLS-ready soccer stadium is yet another. Like the baseball stadium, we wouldn't actually build a soccer stadium unless El Paso somehow got a MLS franchise.

(06-29-2012 07:50 PM)stanman505 Wrote:  My understanding is that El Pasoans will vote yes/no for funding of the stadium from the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT). It is my understanding that if the HOT vote fails then the city will issue Certificate of Obligation Bonds, which do not require voter approval. So either way the stadium will be built it is just a matter of who is going to pay for it.

stan the man is correct.

Quote:In the approval, council also passed a resolution calling for the stadium project and asking for a hotel occupancy tax increase from 15.5 percent to 17.5 percent to finance it. The hotel tax increase will go to voters for approval in November. If voters reject the hotel tax increase, the city will have to find alternative ways to fund the stadium.

well that is good news

The 18-20K arena is what I think will bring the biggest concerts and acts into town.

Cirque Du Soleil had a hard time fitting in the Don.

At any rate, this is great stuff all around.

I also can't wait for the Red Parrot Expansion Bond, to be known affectionately as El Pajaro Loco.

(06-29-2012 08:15 PM)RUNVSFD MINER Wrote:  The 18-20K arena is what I think will bring the biggest concerts and acts into town.

For me, the key word is multipurpose. Think outside the box and build it right so that wrestling, boxing, Britney, George Lopez, and the Broadway shows can all easily use it.

(06-29-2012 08:15 PM)RUNVSFD MINER Wrote:  I also can't wait for the Red Parrot Expansion Bond, to be known affectionately as El Pajaro Loco.

Check my Facebook status. I'm making donations to said foundation when my status shows me "bird watching."

I'm glad that El Paso is going to build a baseball park downtown. Let's not fool ourselves however an believe that this is going to change the economy of the city. It's simply a relocation of funds from one part of town to another.

I would prefer city council just be straight with the voters and tell the truth. The stadium is going to be an expense for the city but it would be nice to have triple a ball.

They don't need to pretend like this is going to revitalize downtown or turn our fortunes.

Don't insult our intelligence.

(06-30-2012 09:58 AM)Fitbuddy Wrote:  I'm glad that El Paso is going to build a baseball park downtown. Let's not fool ourselves however an believe that this is going to change the economy of the city. It's simply a relocation of funds from one part of town to another.

I would prefer city council just be straight with the voters and tell the truth. The stadium is going to be an expense for the city but it would be nice to have triple a ball.

They don't need to pretend like this is going to revitalize downtown or turn our fortunes.

Don't insult our intelligence.

Noone is saying this one thing will change downtown on its own, but it is one component that adds a quality of life item that would contribute to it.

Jeez man, I'd hate to be around you during the holidays. Especially around cutlery.

As a 37 year old, I rarely make a night of going out downtown. Once that ball club is up and running, I'm grabbing Shy, Randaddyminer, and Run, and we are catching a game, a brew, some chow, and then some bird watching.

(07-01-2012 12:25 AM)mistabinks Wrote:  As a 37 year old, I rarely make a night of going out downtown. Once that ball club is up and running, I'm grabbing Shy, Randaddyminer, and Run, and we are catching a game, a brew, some chow, and then some bird watching.

That will definitely work.

But if you invite FitBuddy, we may all end up on the ledge of the Wells Fargo building yelling out how life sux, as we get ready to do a 20 story bellyflop.

(07-01-2012 12:37 AM)RUNVSFD MINER Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 12:25 AM)mistabinks Wrote:  As a 37 year old, I rarely make a night of going out downtown. Once that ball club is up and running, I'm grabbing Shy, Randaddyminer, and Run, and we are catching a game, a brew, some chow, and then some bird watching.

That will definitely work.

But if you invite FitBuddy, we may all end up on the ledge of the Wells Fargo building yelling out how life sux, as we get ready to do a 20 story bellyflop.

I say we lock fitbuddy in city hall, and throw away the key

(07-01-2012 12:42 AM)randaddyminer Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 12:37 AM)RUNVSFD MINER Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 12:25 AM)mistabinks Wrote:  As a 37 year old, I rarely make a night of going out downtown. Once that ball club is up and running, I'm grabbing Shy, Randaddyminer, and Run, and we are catching a game, a brew, some chow, and then some bird watching.

That will definitely work.

But if you invite FitBuddy, we may all end up on the ledge of the Wells Fargo building yelling out how life sux, as we get ready to do a 20 story bellyflop.

I say we lock fitbuddy in city hall, and throw away the key

If the 'stray bullets' don't get him the wrecking ball will!

(07-01-2012 12:14 AM)RUNVSFD MINER Wrote:  

(06-30-2012 09:58 AM)Fitbuddy Wrote:  I'm glad that El Paso is going to build a baseball park downtown. Let's not fool ourselves however an believe that this is going to change the economy of the city. It's simply a relocation of funds from one part of town to another.

I would prefer city council just be straight with the voters and tell the truth. The stadium is going to be an expense for the city but it would be nice to have triple a ball.

They don't need to pretend like this is going to revitalize downtown or turn our fortunes.

Don't insult our intelligence.

Noone is saying this one thing will change downtown on its own, but it is one component that adds a quality of life item that would contribute to it.

Jeez man, I'd hate to be around you during the holidays. Especially around cutlery.

The Memphis downtown AAA baseball stadium was first, then vacant buildings around it suddenly found use or were razed for better ventures, restaurants / bars either emerged or the existing ones saw bumps in revenue, ....it's how this stuff works if done right.

(06-29-2012 03:23 PM)randaddyminer Wrote:  just picked up this from the times

el paso times clue?

you click on the link and it will take you here

http://www.elpasopadres.com/

I don't think it is that big of a secret who the team was going to be.

Not going to be the Diablos?

(07-01-2012 10:36 AM)STexMiner Wrote:  

(06-29-2012 03:23 PM)randaddyminer Wrote:  just picked up this from the times

el paso times clue?

you click on the link and it will take you here

http://www.elpasopadres.com/

I don't think it is that big of a secret who the team was going to be.

Not going to be the Diablos?

No. Everything indicate Padres. Although I think it has a nice ring to it.

I also assume the Tiguas own the name now. Maybe they could shift the Diablos to Las Cruces (if it can support NMSU along with them).

I was reading the Arizona paper on-line, and Tucson seems like it just didn't support the team much at all. It also doesn't seem Escondido CA has a chance of taking the team. But it also looks like Memphis is looking at it too.

I don't deny that this is going to make a difference for the surrounding area. I'm simply saying that it isn't going to be new money. It's going to be the same people who go to the Northeast to see the diablos. Only now they are going to go downtown to see this team.

I currently see the diablos and I will also see this team when the stadium goes up. I'm just being realistic here. It's not that big of a deal.

Just look down the road at Phoenix. That park has been there since the 90's and there still isn't much to do downtown Phoenix.

Maybe I am a little negative about things but living in El Paso, how can you blame me. This city has had more than it's share of blown opportunities.

(07-01-2012 01:43 PM)Fitbuddy Wrote:  Maybe I am a little negative about things but living in El Paso, how can you blame me. This city has had more than it's share of blown opportunities.

Tell me you see the correlation with the bolded items above...

Those two things are responsible for holding the city back.

Somehow some people don't see how they are related.... But then the same individuals wonder why we have been in the situation we've been in.