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I know a lot of friends and supporters have questions about my vote yesterday. Perspective would vary in part depending on what people think we were voting on. The actual motion was to endorse a design concept and approve a very specific updated framework to fund and lease out the arena. It is more or… Read More
What happened yesterday? Essentially, the City and the Katz Group will resume negotiations, but only after we set some new conditions for how those negotiations will take place. It’s a small, cautious step forward for everyone. I felt I could support that, but it doesn’t mean I’m on board for everything in the Oct 26,… Read More
The idea of a new arena downtown is not dead, but round one of negotiations is now over. Round two can now begin in earnest and from my study of American arena deals in mid-size cities it takes at least two rounds to find a deal everyone can live with. I think this is actually… Read More
Yesterday Council received an in-private update on the Katz Group’s changing position. The flavor of their concerns is reflected in John Karvellas’ letter that was released publicly yesterday. The letter focuses on coming to terms on cost overruns but as I said to the media yesterday (link updated) the disconnect with Council is over several… Read More
[What follows below are my remarks from today’s vote on the revised negotiated framework to design and build a downtown arena.] I’m sold on what a new arena could do for our downtown and our city. But I also believe there’s a better deal to be had than the one before us. I think the responsible… Read More