Pro-Arena posts/essays here.

[Admin]

This is for members to post their Pro arena thoughts. I will forward an e-
mail to councillors to let them know this thread exists.

There will be no debate here. Only your opinion. Posters who violate this rule will be suspended for the duration of this exercise.

[lobbdogg]

I am for the arena. This is an opportunity for the city to do something bold for downtown. No better way, than to bring an entertainment district downtown.

Not only will existing businesses benefit, but new businesses will move into downtown to take advantage of more people being down there.

Given where Rexall currently is now, it provides no benefit being in a residential/industrial area of the city. Lets retain some of the patrons of a hockey game/concert/other in the downtown area and start making downtown the place to be.

Even though I'm a huge Oilers fan, I want to see this get built more for the revitalization part of it, rather than a new place to see the Oilers play. Although, that will be great as well.

Lets get this done!

[Chris83]

Simply put, this is Edmonton's best chance to step up and invest in a once-in-a-generation catalyst for our downtown.

[jagators63]

just get it approved, $ 100 mil can wait.

[Montrosian]

There is a cost to being successful in this world. If we want to be successful at this goal of becoming a world class city, then have to start putting our money where our mouth is. I support this project and quite frankly, I would be very, very disappointed if it does not become a reality.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

The downtown arena will not be a be-all/end-all magic pill for downtown revitalization, but it would be an important cornerstone for it.

The other ingredients for a revitalized downtown arena district are already in place. Let's look at the proposed site at the Baccarat Casino, then see what's nearby:
- adjacent to nLRT line (under construction)
- proposed wLRT/seLRT and current sLRT/neLRT nearby
- LRT hub at Churchill Square is nearby
- major roadways include 101 St and 104 Ave
- arena traffic less than rush hour volume
- ten thousands of parking spaces in nearby parkades, meter street parking and parking lots
- dozens of restaurants, bars, fast food and pubs nearby
- 2 blocks from large shopping mall plus adjacent office towers with high-end retail
- short walk from burgeoning 104 St strip
- adjacent to major employment nodes (downtown core, government centre), many employees go to arena events after work
- short walking distance to major hotels: Sutton Place, Delta, Chateau Lacombe, Coast Renaissance, Westin, Chateau Lacombe, Hotel Mac...y'know, where the opposing teams, headlining performers and out-of-town fans will be staying
- nearby residential areas. As a downtown resident, I look forward to walking to a hockey game or rock concert.
- if its way too cold, partial pedway access to most of the above

There's other factors that will contribute to downtown revitalization - new RAM, possible high-speed rail station, LRT extension, Walterdale Bridge replacement, more residential infill, new office towers, plans for the Quarters and Lower Rossdale among others.

But besides being a cornerstone for downtown revitalization, a new downtown arena can transform what's already there:
- more pedestrians in the evening, which deters seedier elements
- It could make those existing restaurants and bars even busier at night, and up the demand for more to open
- Shops and malls could stay open later due to increased evening pedestrians.
- Empty retail spaces could fill up.
- Demand for hotel rooms in the downtown could increase as out-of-towners opt to stay at downtown hotels instead of suburban motor lodges, prompting more highrise hotel development.
- Many office workers would stay downtown beyond 5 PM if they're going to a game or gig after work.

This has been seen in other cities: Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, LA and Columbus.

Rexall Place failed at revitalizing its area for the following reasons:
- is in the middle of an industrial area
- little or no walkability
- concrete bunker surrounded by massive parking lots
- one LRT line
- one quasi-freeway
- other major crossroad is grade-separate from arena, and was a high-crime drug/hooker stroll for several decades before its recent transformation into a trendy/artsy strip

Do it, build it now.

[Channing76]

I was at the greyhound station downtown last night, and I took a few minutes to look around. In my head I imagined what that area could look like in a few years and it got me very excited for the city and its future. I think this arena is going to be a catalyst for a brighter and more vibrant downtown.

[The_Cat]

I don't think any arena deal will ever be perfect, but I think this one will allow the risk to be spread out among all parties.

I also think that for the $2 million per year that the City is paying to market itself, the city has to come up with a comprehensive marketing strategy. What is Edmonton's brand?

[Mla]

This project, in combination with other downtown initiatives, will help bring thousands of people to the core on a nightly basis. The entertainment district is not for the Oilers or even Mr. Katz. It is for Edmonton and Edmontonians so that downtown can be a more livable and vibrant place to work, shop, and live. Downtown is everyone's neighborhood and it's time we started moving it in the right direction. It is time we brought our downtown back into the 21st century again and suttee acting like a capital city.

[kevin.drew]

I am pro arena at any cost.

[kcantor]

As forwarded to council and others:

Most of you know my thoughts on a downtown arena already but I thought I would still share the attached correspondence with Premier Designate Alison Redford.
*
I hope you will take the time to read it as well (it’s not that long) because I think it is important to consider the current discussions about the fate of a downtown arena in Edmonton in the context of city building and not simply in the context of “a deal”.* While “the deal” is important, what is perhaps even more important is what can be illustrated in the following exchange.
*
It started with this letter to the Edmonton Journal:
“Re: "Halloween deadline for arena deal will be tricky to meet; City land purchase best option for making sure project moves forward," The Journal, Sept. 28.
I have been following the arena saga since the beginning. That was over two-and-a half years ago and still no final decision has yet been made.
City council is to have a decision, hopefully final this time around, by Halloween, yet city manager Simon Farbrother believes it will be difficult to meet that deadline.
The city can't risk putting off this important final decision any longer.
The Oilers' lease with Rexall Place is scheduled to expire in 2014, and by then a new arena must be built or else we will risk losing our beloved franchise to another market.
Currently, I am studying urban planning at the University of Waterloo, after leaving my northern Alberta home of 18 years.
I have always planned to move to Edmonton after I graduate with my degree, yet I am unsure of where the city will be then in terms of livability.
A new arena downtown will only benefit the area, bringing more life and vitality to an area that badly needs it.
I am aware of the glaring element stalling this progress: the $100 million currently missing from the equation.
I believe that either the provincial or federal government will step up to the plate, or else Daryl Katz will have to increase his current $100 million to cover this.
If the decision is made to not approve Katz's arena, I fear that it will be tough for Edmonton to retain the younger generation that I am a part of, unless life is brought to the downtown core through means other than a new hockey arena and adjoining entertainment district.
As an urban planner in training, I believe that this is a chance that cannot be passed up.
A decision must be made by Halloween to approve this project, or else we risk losing the greatest hope to revitalizing the downtown core this city has seen in years.
Harrison Sheremeta,
Waterloo, Ont.
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal”
*
It was picked up “on line” with the following all too typical Edmonton responses:
*
“That man who wrote that is completely off the mark...what grounds does he base his information on??”
*
“He obviously doesn't represent the interests of the city as his current geographical location would identify!”
*
And that’s where and how we too often would have left things so this got added to try and add some perspective:
*
“it's his current geographical location that actually does make his letter so pertinent and so important to the discussion. this is exactly the sort of demographic we need to attract and keep. this isn't about a hockey team or an arena - this is about city building and if we're not successful in building a city that will be attractive this demographic regardless of where they currently reside, we won't be able to attract and keep enough taxpayers to pay the bills that will need paying even without an arena.”
*
And guess what?* That elicited this:
*
“I agree with you 100% Ken. I only said that in jest as my geographical circumstance is similar. To be honest, as much as people like to throw around the threat ... and as someone who is a 'creative-class' member (hate the term, but Richard Florida's concept has merit), and currently weighing career and urban relocation options...these types of things definitely come in to play. They are not the be-all and end-all, but the sum of their collective parts can add serious sway to where 'creative-class' members choose to establish themselves and set up shop.

When people here in Ontario ask about Edmonton, I am a bit of a booster at times. I say it's a great place to be in the summer, it has a high standard of living and great economic opportunities, and it isn't nearly as bad as the Ontario-bias portrays it as. (Just as Alberta likes to paint Ontario). I also go on to say it is a city with a lot of potential, but often paired with inaction, pessimism and self-defeatism. Not to say Edmonton hasn't made strides in the past 10 years, as it has. But it always seems on the cusp of so much more, but continually held back. There is a lot more to say here, but I'll leave it at that for now.

So do projects like this matter in attracting and retaining demographic-specific 'human capital'? I would say absolutely.”
*
Which segues right back to the attached which includes the following:
*
“Things like arenas and parks and cultural facilities are as important pieces of infrastructure as hospitals, schools, long-term care centres and roads if not more so.* If we can't attract and retain the human capital that wants things like arenas to be part of their lifestyle, how will we ever pay for the other pieces?* How do we put a price on Stantec moving to Boston or CWB moving to Toronto or PCL moving to San Jose because the real resources they need – the human capital - don’t want to move here or stay here?”
*
The real decision that must soon be made isn’t about an arena, it’s about a city.
*
And the real decision shouldn’t be made based solely on how much a downtown arena might cost, it needs to made based on how much it will cost not to have a downtown arena.
*
Thanks,
*
Ken
*
Dear Premier Redford,
*
Please allow me to start by congratulating you on becoming Alberta’s 14th Premier and our Province’s 5th consecutive Progressive Conservative Premier.
*
There are many challenges facing all of us as we move forward but there is one in particular I would like you to consider in its broader implications for the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta before taking a public position that would be easy to take and difficult to reverse once taken.* As you know, a new downtown area for Alberta’s capital city has been under discussion for some time and continues to – hopefully – proceed to fruition.* I would like to take this opportunity to discuss why I feel that way and why I feel it is important for that to take place.
*
Talking about not providing any provincial support for a new downtown arena in Edmonton - regardless of the form that support might take - might make for good sound bites but it would be wrong.* Like the Winspear and the Art Gallery of Alberta and the Citadel and the Jubilee and the new Royal Alberta Museum and the River Valley Alliance and other cultural infrastructure, a successful downtown arena facility should be an important part of the urban fabric that will make Edmonton attractive, not just for its hockey team but for the myriad of other events that are hosted in successful arena developments and for the tens of thousands of people for whom they are important.
*
It's much less about a hockey team than it is about having the infrastructure necessary for Stantec and Worley Parsons and CWB and ATB and Peacehills Insurance and AIMCO and Qualico etc. etc. etc. to be able to attract and retain staff who increasingly make their career decisions and their choice of where to live around the quality of life they will enjoy with their families, not solely on their job options.* Without the ability to attract and retain that human capital as well as financial capital, we might as well pack it up and extract our resources until they are gone and close up shop.* This is not an approach to our ongoing viability that I could support and I don’t believe it is one you are in favour of either.
*
Things like arenas and parks and cultural facilities are as important pieces of infrastructure as hospitals, schools, long-term care centres and roads if not more so.* If we can't attract and retain the human capital that wants things like arenas to be part of their lifestyle, how will we ever pay for the other pieces?* How do we put a price on Stantec moving to Boston or CWB moving to Toronto or PCL moving to San Jose because the real resources they need – the human capital - don’t want to move here or stay here?
*
Not being prepared to support the “hard to support infrastructure” as well as the “easy to support infrastructure” is just the “easy way out”.* That’s the way our federal government chose to take when deciding on the Portrait Gallery of Canada and on EXPO 2017 and, while we may not be able to directly measure it, the loss to our lives and those of our children are always going to be poorer for their choosing to take the easy way out.* The arena shouldn’t get a blank cheque but it shouldn’t get the blanket dismissal some would like to give it either or we will all be the poorer as a result.
*
These kinds of things are important for the province as well as for the city and their benefits go far beyond “supporting a hockey team”.* I would hope that continuing discussions on this matter – regardless of their venue – will continue to provide you and your government with the additional perspective that would see the real implications – and the error - of trying to compare different forms of infrastructure based on one type being more important than the other.
*
We don’t – or shouldn’t - say we won’t build schools because we need hospitals.* We don’t – or shouldn’t - say we won’t build hospitals because we need roads.* We don’t – or shouldn’t – say we won’t build roads because we need long-term care centres.* And we shouldn’t say we won’t support things like museums or arenas because “other types of infrastructure” are more important either.* They’re all important.
*
No one would try and bake a pie without apples “because the crust is more important” and no one would try and bake a pie without a crust “because the apples are more important”.* In some respects it’s a little like discussing potholes and the need to eliminate them before all else but I for one don’t care how smooth the roads are if there is no place worth going to at the end of the day.
*
Thanks,
*
Ken

[IanO]

People know our, DECL's, and my personal opinion.

[Tyrel]

A downtown arena will be a positive development for the entire city. I agree with many of the reasons posted by others and do not want to inundate the forum with more of the same.

It feels as if much of the opposition to the arena is concerned with how much it will cost the city. As a consumer, I really don't like to spend money so I think I can understand why some individuals are opposed to any of their tax dollars going to such a project. But I also imagine what things would be like without tax dollars going to public projects. No Art Gallery. No museum. No Citadel theatre, Jubilee auditorium or Winspear. No LRT. No hospitals, schools, roads. Would we even have a city? A province? A country?

If we only focus on how much things cost, we'll never want to spend anything. But if we think about what we can achieve together, great things will happen.

[deedub35]

I endorse a new downtown arena. A lot of naysayers say that it is something that they will never use so it doesn't justify the cost. Well there are a lot of things that were built, are building, or are going to be built that not everyone will use. I'll probably never step foot in the new Terwillegar Rec Center or upcoming Commonwealth Rec Center. I'll probably never use the revamped Queen E Pool. I'm not an art lover so I'll probably never go in the new Art Gallery. When I visit Edmonton I'll never be in Riverbend and drive a newly twinned Rabbit Hill Road. I'll probably never use the LRT either. But these are all things that a city needs to be well rounded and grow. The new downtown arena will be a big leap forward for Edmonton.

[IanO]

October 25, 2011
Hon. Mayor Mandel and City Councillors,

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today, and for taking the time to gather additional feedback on the arena
entertainment district proposal.

I am here to speak to you today on behalf of the Downtown Edmonton Community League. As your are all most-
likely well aware, DECL has been actively involved in the arena debate since May 2010, from our involvement in the
AED rezoning to our on-going participation in discussions relating to the urban design and community integration
aspects of the arena project.

At this time, DECL would like to reiterate a couple of points as it relates to the potential impacts of this project on our
neighbourhood, as follows:

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to remind Council of our support for the proposed CRL funding of
downtown catalyst projects, including the downtown arena project (in our letter dated August 29th). The current
funding arrangement would be very beneficial to downtown, assuming many Capital City Downtown Plan catalyst
projects be funded. Given what our downtown contributes fiscally to the City, we feel this is an appropriate
expenditure for the future of our civic, social and cultural heart of Edmonton.

Secondly, if funding is approved, the success of this project hinges on good urban design “best practices” and
thoughtful architecture. With the amount of money proposed to be spent or financed by Edmontonians, we would
expect no less.

Lastly, the money to be set aside for the pedway over 104 Avenue should instead be used to improve the street level
pedestrian realm.

“The publc realm is the lifeblood of the city”
- Greg Smallenburg, Reclaiming Lost Spaces Lecture, April 21, 2010, Edmonton

"If you plan for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic."
- Cynthia Nikitin, Project for Public Spaces Lecture, October 18, 2011

In closing, we are very supportive of the City's desire to provide a funding model for the Capital City Downtown Plan
catalyst projects, including a portion of funding to the proposed arena entertainment district. The continuing
revitalization of our downtown hinges on funding for catalyst projects and careful attention to good urban design and
architecture – something all Edmontonians can get behind!

Sincerely,


Chris Buyze, President
Ian O’Donnell, Chair, Development Committee

[jizzaldo]

I support the arena.

[edTel]

Following is my letter to Premier Redford which I intend to forward to all Edmonton and area MLA's as well. I can only support the arena if the missing 100M is found outside of City of Edmonton taxpayers having to cover this. We have been told that infrastructure money from the province is available but why should we have to at the same time take away from other worthy projects. Calgary had it share of provincial funding for the Olympics back in 1988 which were only two weeks long. With that it built a Saddledome and other venues which have had a lasting impact on the community. Now its our turn for the province and federal governments step up to the plate. I listened to councillors Batty and Krushell extol the many benefits of the arena for the city last night on 630 CHED. If council and citizens really believe this than we need to make our voices heard and let our MLA's and our Premier know how we feel...

Dear Premier Redford,

Can you please confirm if the City of Calgary received approximately $30M each from federal and provincial funding to offset the cost of building the Saddledome in Calgary for the 1988 Winter Olympics as is published in the following Alberta Government website... http://www.archivesalberta.org/exhib...ddledome2.html

Assuming that the previous figures are correct, why do we in Edmonton have to beg for $100M to upgrade our antiquated arena and replace it with a new one which will hopefully add life to our downtown core as did the Saddledome do for Calgary in replacing the Corral with it? The Calgary Flames needed a new arena to remain viable in the NHL, well we in Edmonton are now in that same position having the second oldest arena in the league.

I realize that our request is not tied into a major event such at the Winter Olympics but the Saddledome was used for only two weeks during these games and then was left as a legacy for the City of Calgary to host its NHL team and other sporting and enterainment events. That does not make our request less important, in fact our request is for much more than a hockey arena, it is for your government's crucial support of a badly need vision for downtown revitalization of the Capital City our fine province.

Kind Regards,

[IanO]

Thank you Mr. Mayor and Councillors,

I admire your commitment to the democratic process today.

Let me start by saying that I am a fan of the Edmonton Oilers

I am a fan of the Downtown

But more importantly, I am a fan of this great city.

That I take great pride in telling people where I live, why I choose to live here, and how great Edmonton is today and can be tomorrow.

Unfortunately, this is the same city that I have witnessed the majority of my friends leave to the Vancouvers, Torontos, and dare I say the Calgary’s, of the world.

Friends that graduated from the Univeristy of Alberta with great talents and prospects.

Friends that could not find enough reasons to keep themselves here, even with a great economic outlook, for they saw a city that simply was not providing them with enough of a comparable lifestyle relative to other options they had before them.

This debate is not about an arena, so much as it is about an investment in our future. A future that is exciting and one filled with great opportunity. A future filled with diverse entertainment, intellectual, and cultural options and amenities. A future that requires both a private and a public commitment to it.

I ask you today to give support to moving not only this project forward, but moving this city forward.

Thank you

[24karat]

I totally support the arena. MY hope is that it will be built, and that the design will be iconic. I want to see the downtown area alive, vibrant and a fun place to be, with activities and events that will attract visitors from all over the world.

[bolo]

I'm all for this deal, and I could care less about going to hockey games and concerts. I think the logical realization from this investment will be the sought after re-vitalization of downtown, which I do value. And as an investment where most of the city's contribution is guaranteed to be paid back with the rest projected to be paid back via the CRL, I think it's a definitely a no-brainer as far as the city is concerned. The vast majority of city infrastructure is built with zero expectation of monetary return, this one will mostly be paid off in the worst case, with a tremendous social and fiscal upside if projections are realized.

[MikeK]

I'm a supporter of the downtown arena, even though I don't go to any concerts, nor have I attended very many Oilers games. I'd like to see downtown Edmonton a better place to be, and while the arena's no silver bullet, it'd help IMO. Already, we hear a couple of major non-fast food restaurant chains looking to set up shop in or near downtown, so there's likely going to be an increased influx of various businesses geared toward entertainment and the like. Also, hopefully, the new downtown arena will mean an increase in the downtown population growth rate.

[lat]

I fully endorse this project.

To call this merely an arena project is, however, not doing it justice. It would be more aptly named a Downtown Revitalization Catalyst project, the kernel of which happens to be an arena. A project of this magnitude is in almost the same league as the City Center Airport Redevelopment project, and many of the reasons for supporting that project also apply to this one. As such, I would hope that the city councillors that understood the value of proceeding with the City Center Airport redevelopment will understand the value of proceeding with this redevelopment.

This is a very rare opportunity to change the momentum of our downtown into an upward spiral that will lift all of Edmonton higher, as opposed to the unrelenting downdraft we have been fighting against for decades.

[soycd]

I hope the arena is built downtown. I feel this is an important part of the revitalization of the city center as are the RAM, AGA, Winspear, the Citadel as entertainment/cultural venues that can contribute to building a vibrant heart of the community.

Is this an issue about money and potholes or an opportunity to create something wonderful for the people of Alberta's capital city?

If this opportunity is squandered I hate to see what the alternative outcome is.

[moahunter]

I fully support the Arena project. Having visited cities with downtown Arena's, and cities with suburban Arena's, IMO there is no comparison. MTS in Winnipeg shows how much life an Arena will bring to downtown. Other Canadian cities (e.g. Quebec City), would jump in a heartbeat at so much private funding, for what will be a facility used by most of the public for one event or another.

I think no matter what deal is negotiated some will complain that a better deal could be done. It has to be a win-win for everyone though, I think the proposed arrangement achieves that. A big step forward for Edmonton's downtown.

[The_Cat]

I'll be speaking at City Hall tonight.

[Perspective]

I am pro-arena if it can/promises to re-vitalize downtown. I need a guarantee that it will - in fact would rather the "district" be made before the arena to ensure spinoffs

[Jeremy]

When we moved to Edmonton, we bought a house. It was a good house, strong foundation, with good walls and a new roof.

But it was not our home. Not yet.

So, we painted the walls, bought some new furniture, hung up some pictures. It cost a bit of money, but it was worth it.

Because now our house was also our home.

What does this have to do with an arena?

It comes down to the question of whether or not you want to live in a city that's simply a house, or one that's actually your home.

Because sure, we could stop after building the sidewalks, streets, overpasses and so on that are the foundation, walls, and roof of our city. We could stop at "good enough", and have a house to be satisfied with.

But then, it would be no different than if we lived in a house, with un-painted walls, no furniture, no pictures on the walls.

What an uninspiring place to live that would be.

What a boring place to show the world.

And of course, forget about convincing any new room-mates to move in with you.

I believe, as I think many others do, that it's better to live in home, than merely a house.

[millwoods]

I'm looking forward to this project going through. This is a major capital project folks. The overall investment of Arena coupled with CRL specific infrastructure improvements are going to radically change this city's downtown core. Couple all of this with ongoing projects (quarters CRL, Walterdale bridge renovations, Fed bldg/centennial plaza and overall Legislature grounds mater plan, Capital boulevard project, & Norquest/Grant Mcewan expansion.

[The_Cat]

What I said to Council tonight:

Over the past few years, I have followed the arena debate with great interest. My position is that I support the Arena District for many of the reasons already mentioned, like economic development downtown. However, I feel that the additional arguments deserve consideration.

(1) Addressing urban sprawl – Edmonton is 35 years away from developing all of its land within the city limits. There are greater costs associated with urban sprawl, including utilities, road maintenance, snow clearing and transit service. One solution is encouraging urban renewal in established areas of Edmonton, including downtown. Edmonton is currently building LRT to NAIT, and is expected to build to the southeast and west of our city this decade. Approving the Arena District will send a message that the city is serious about downtown redevelopment.

(2) Downtown Revitalization – Downtown has $360 million of proposed public projects to be financed with the Community Revitalization Levy, including the $45 million share of the arena, within the Community Revitalization Zone. These projects include Jasper Avenue revitalization, and a $12 million subsidy to the first 1,000 housing units built in the Warehouse District. In return, the development in the zone is expected to yield $1.2 billion in CRL revenue over the next 20 years. Without the arena, the scope of these public projects, and the return on revenue, will be greatly reduced.

(3) Attracting and retaining workforce – Edmonton’s economy is one of the strongest in Canada and will be expected to remain strong as Edmonton serves as a hub for many of the capital projects in Northern Alberta and Northern Canada. This economy will need to attract and retain an educated workforce to move the economy forward. By providing economic, educational and cultural opportunities similar to other mid-sized North American cities, more people will be encouraged to live and grow in the Edmonton area.

In conclusion, I believe the arena is more than just a venue for hockey or concerts. Approval of the arena will show the city’s commitment to the three points I just illustrated. To members of city council, I encourage you to consider these arguments as you make your decision on the Arena District.

[ThomasH]

I am pro-arena, Edmonton needs to be able to compete against Calgary in the global economy. A new downtown arena is just a piece in the puzzle. However, this piece is an important one.

[CalanTheHobbs]

Personally, I love city life. I love vibrancy and density. I've lived in Vancouver for a short period of time and I spent all of my time downtown (live, work and play.) There was always some place to go, some thing to do, and everyday seemed different and exciting. I fell in love with that urban life.

Although Vancouver was an incredible experience, I came back to the city I love: Edmonton. The reason I chose this city was because of the big future plans our city has. The Expo was ambitious, although it didn't materialize. The downtown revitalization excites me. This council's homeless plan is almost visionary and is a positive aspect for me, as I want to raise kids in a city that is safe and has stable social programs. The transit plan is incredible. And the plans for the ECCA are exciting - I hope one day I can buy a home and raise a family in a modern and sustainable community like those planned. I also hope that our city can embrace it's arts and entertainment community by developing the core with this in mind. The arena district is this catalyst.

The arena district is visionary, but it's not just an arena. The city's downtown urban plan includes the entertainment area. It will be intertwined with the growth of the core. Our council and administration made strides to make sure an arena is not out of place in the downtown. There has been a lot of thought and consultation to make this work for the entire city. That vision is important. That vision excites me as a citizen who wants to build a home, a business, and family here.

Without such a district, I question Edmonton's ability to think big. I question whether or not private enterprise will even consider our city. I question whether or not the Quarters and downtown redevelopment, the ECCA lands, the homeless plan, and transit plan will face the same demise. I also question whether or not this is a city I want to be part of.

I love this city and I love it's potential. Edmonton has always been quiet but proud. We have a lot of talent and savvy and smarts here. This arena district combines our strengths. The design process is something I can't wait to take part in. With the amount of business support around this, our community is ready to take these big steps. We don't need an Expo, but we do need a vision.

I support this council and I support it's vision. I also trust that the process will be done right. Let's go ahead with this district!!!

[Admin]

I am closing this as the vote is in. We can discuss/debate the results in the other threads.