[noodlenoodle]

I was actually reasonably impressed with the survey, except the chintzy (but understandable) character counts for feedback, the definitions and info were well written and reasonably thorough. It'd have been nice to get a declining character count a la Twitter to make sure I didn't get cut off in the middle of a sente

[sdimedru]

I was actually reasonably impressed with the survey, except the chintzy (but understandable) character counts for feedback, the definitions and info were well written and reasonably thorough. It'd have been nice to get a declining character count a la Twitter to make sure I didn't get cut off in the middle of a sente

http://rupyb.com/images/gallery/rupy/118_I-see-what-you-did-there.jpg

[Coldrsx]

A lot of buzz and thoughts going around about the arena and how it should manifest itself.

[DKaz]

I just thought of something... build the arena with a retractable roof, They could have multiple outdoor games a year. Might increase the cost of the arena by a hundred million or two though.

[Coldrsx]

^no. way too much $$$

[rapid_business]

yup, not going to happen.

[Harrison]

That's what commomwealth is for.

[yegyyz]

According to the RFQ, I think tomorrow, Friday, is the announcement of the short list of arena architects.

[Coldrsx]

I keep hearing Cala.... for the lead

[Coldrsx]

What I would like to see 104ave (south side) from 101st to 109st to look like eventually

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/4988461221_794f3bab33_o.jpg
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/4988461221_794f3bab33_o.jpg)

[rapid_business]

Spadina (incl. a bit of chinatown) & The Entertainment District?

[RTA]

^^ An excellent example of how you can have a major and wide arterial with street front presence and activity without silly pedways and winter gardens.

It's totally bizarre to me how many people are afraid of 104 Ave. Afraid to cross it, afraid to congest it, afraid to give it some activity, afraid to give it some visual interest...

[mick]

I keep hearing Cala.... for the lead

as in Calatrava? i know people have it in for the starchitects these days, but i'd still be excited to see what he comes up with, especially with a virtual blank slate and little in the way of existing architectural context to fit into. Although, something with a nod (not an overdone metaphor) to the industrial/rail history of the area would be cool.

[Shodan]

Arena proposal could change downtown's bleak northern border
Roadways defined by railway lines leave no room for pedestrians, street life

David Staples
Edmonton Journal

Friday, November 05, 2010

The major design challenge for the proposed Edmonton arena district is to bind the city's fractured downtown, pulling together what more than 100 years of rail and road construction has firmly pulled apart...

For more on this issue with Ian O'Donnell of the Downtown Community League visit The Edmonton Commons at edmontonjournal.com
© Edmonton Journal 2010

Copyright © 2010 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.

http://www2.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=91e8f1e4-d30d-4bb3-a4d8-1eb6f02009ee&sponsor=

[Coldrsx]

A downtown arena can be a jewel for Edmonton, but only if best practices are followed

By DAVID STAPLES FRI, OCT 29 2010 COMMENTS(1) THE EDMONTON COMMONS

Filed under: arena
City hall is interested in what we think about the Edmonton's next big shouting match, the coming debate over the Katz Group's proposed downtown arena district.

Four public meetings will be held in November on the topic, while an online survey is now posted at the city's website. I eagerly filled out the survey. As a reporter, I've been following the arena story closely for five years now, interviewing the main players and visiting two successful American arena districts, in Los Angeles and Columbus, Ohio.

The research has allowed me to learn about the best and worst practices for arena district development, and I had those practices in mind when I answered the survey questions.

http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/commons/archive/2010/10/29/a-downtown-arena-can-be-a-jewel-for-edmonton-but-only-if-best-practices-are-followed.aspx

[Coldrsx]

as in Calatrava? i know people have it in for the starchitects these days, but i'd still be excited to see what he comes up with, especially with a virtual blank slate and little in the way of existing architectural context to fit into. Although, something with a nod (not an overdone metaphor) to the industrial/rail history of the area would be cool.

uh huh

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the arena stakeholders meeting last night and what a night it was. Great small session workgroups going over thoughts about funding options, positives and negatives of the arena, ideas, and more.

We had a very productive session with the majority supporting the project but with conditions on where revenue would go, where CRL boundaries would be, and what this facility should include to positively benefit the immediate community.

[mick]

I hope Calatrava would throw a hissy fit worthy of the tag, starchitect, if Katz and Co. try to push that ridiculous pedway on him. In other words, I would hope he gets input into the master plan, not just the arena form.

[Rogie]

^^ An excellent example of how you can have a major and wide arterial with street front presence and activity without silly pedways and winter gardens.

It's totally bizarre to me how many people are afraid of 104 Ave. Afraid to cross it, afraid to congest it, afraid to give it some activity, afraid to give it some visual interest...

I agree. But to me (having lived in both Edmonton and Toronto), the difference is speed. 104th is essentially a high-speed urban thoroughfare. Who wants to walk along a street when cars are whizzing past at 60, 70 km/h?

Spadina, on the other hand, has always been chaotic, and never can you drive down there at speeds greater, than, say 30. It makes for a much different pedestrian experience, parking experience, and all that encourages street-front development. The streets where pedestrian traffic and street-front life have died in Toronto are all one-way, higher speed thoroughfares.

[SHOFEAR]

I hope Calatrava would throw a hissy fit worthy of the tag, starchitect, if Katz and Co. try to push that ridiculous pedway on him. In other words, I would hope he gets input into the master plan, not just the arena form.

I just have an image of these guys (starchitects) circle jerking over vista's (like entering the site from the pedestrain overpass) but not really giving a shit about how it integrates.

[240glt]

I'd much rather get an arena designed by a group like HOK than some starchitect more interested in stroking his ego than providing a good product

[mick]

I imagine a group like HOK will be in on the project one way or another (see Wembely Stadium, which was designed by Foster but which HOK implemented etc). HOK has been involved in every major stadium in the past decade, and I feel they're a bit over done. As I said, the 'iconic' out of context ego stroking has been the knock on strarchitects. But, frankly, if we get all of Calatrava (i.e. he's fully engaged in the entire project - which they can contractually require - rather than simply buying his name), I'd love to see what he could produce. On the other hand, my first choice is a hungry up and comer/canadian.

[Coldrsx]

We need Edmonton Live in our arena district, not L.A. Live plunked down in Edmonton

By David Staples Fri, Nov 5 2010 COMMENTS(0) The Edmonton Commons

Filed under: arena

arena district pedway

If the design is right -- if it really transforms Edmonton -- the arena district should proceed. But that is one big if . . .

Ian O'Donnell is the chair of the Development Committee for Downtown Edmonton Community League. It's a big title but it's also a crucial job right now, as O'Donnell is already becoming one of the most influential critics of the Katz Group's arena district plan.

O'Donnell is one of a large group of downtown boosters who recognizes the tremendous potential for the district, but who has so far been unimpressed with one of the main aspects of the Katz Group's plan, the notion of putting a massive pedway over the traffic chasm of 104th Avenue. The pedway would bridge the arena on the north side of the avenue with the restaurants, shops and hotels of the downtown proper on the south side.

http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/commons/archive/2010/11/05/a-tour-of-the-proposed-arena-district-present-day-urban-waste-land-with-ian-o-donnell.aspx

[S_B_Russell]

^Dude, are you name checking yourself?

[Coldrsx]

name check?

[noodlenoodle]

You're surprised? C'mon. This is Cold we're talking about. How many articles did/does he post regarding his employer without disclosure?

Not to discredit or downplay his contributions to the forums and the community in general. Just something that's always rubbed me the wrong way. Whenever I wade into discussions that get close to my dayjob I always try and disclose my employer and source of info.

[Coldrsx]

Fine line... fine line and it would compromise some of what i can contribute here kids.

[noodlenoodle]

Hey, it's a personal call for everyone & while I wouldn't make the same call as you I can understand your reluctance. Like I said, I appreciate your contributions immensely. I'm not gonna spread leaflets or burn anything on your lawn here, but it IS a source of bias, and completely undisclosed to the casual forum contributor/reader.

It's not like it's a huge secret where you work, anyone with the motive to read through the forums would piece it together ASAP.

[240glt]

It's the EFCL I'd worry about. They get uppity whenever one of their league directors starts shootin' off without their express consent & whatnot. I hold the same position as Cold for The Parkdale league, & got a nastygram from the EFCL regarding some opinions I had expressed on C2E.

But F the EFCL, they're all a bunch of busybodies and miserable old cranks anyways

[mick]

I'm disappointed by Black's comments regarding the winter garden. It seems that everytime it's brought up with a Katz official, they repeat the same line: we need to get people across the street quickly and efficiently without impacting traffic; we can make a pedway that'll be different from all others (I'd love them to present an example of what they consider a successful pedway). What's wrong with impacting traffic for 15-20 mins before and after events? Events are typically held off-peak traffic hours, and, if things are planned well, most people will be using transit to get to the event itself. Hell, it's like they think people can't cross a street.

[RTD]

So is this arena any closer to being approved or not???

[CMD UW]

^the next 12-months will determine that...

[MrOilers]

...we need to get people across the street quickly and efficiently without impacting traffic...

Why are they worried about impacting traffic at all? Think about who this arena is for. It's for people, not the traffic passing by.

There are already sets of lights on 104 Ave. Just put in a couple of wide crosswalks and give an extra few seconds for the pedestrian crossing lights (and a couple of traffic cops to help out), and there will be no problems with traffic or pedestrians.

[RTA]

I agree. But to me (having lived in both Edmonton and Toronto), the difference is speed. 104th is essentially a high-speed urban thoroughfare. Who wants to walk along a street when cars are whizzing past at 60, 70 km/h?

Spadina, on the other hand, has always been chaotic, and never can you drive down there at speeds greater, than, say 30. It makes for a much different pedestrian experience, parking experience, and all that encourages street-front development. The streets where pedestrian traffic and street-front life have died in Toronto are all one-way, higher speed thoroughfares.

Exactly. So make 104 Ave. more pedestrian friendly. Building along it with less setback is a start. Narrow it if possible, even. If it is a barrier to making downtown pedestrian friendly, a barrier to building more street activity, and a barrier to pushing downtown's boundaries further north, then make it less of a barrier. Any attempt to just work around its existence as a barrier is doomed to fail, because it will still be a barrier.

[Shodan]

Arena advocate has misgivings about plan for 104th Ave. pedway

David Staples
Edmonton Journal

Friday, November 12, 2010

One recent fall day, I went for a walk downtown with Ian O'Donnell along 104th Avenue to get a better idea of O'Donnell's critique of the proposed arena district area...

dstaples@edmontonjournal.com
© Edmonton Journal 2010

Copyright © 2010 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.

http://www2.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=c407c348-27f1-460c-b798-ae204ee32c27&sponsor=

[Hallsy's Toupee]

I sought out O'Donnell, 30, because he is a downtown resident, the chair of the development committee for the Downtown Edmonton Community League and one of the most influential critics of the Katz Group's arena district plan.

Cold's got da power!

[rapid_business]

So they reprinted the blog post he put up online last week? Ha.

[Coldrsx]

So they reprinted the blog post he put up online last week? Ha.

Indeed. It apparently had some good traction internally.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

I attended tonight's session plus a break-out session.

Highlights:
- most people in my room were in favor of the downtown arena but lots of concern about the funding.
- ideas I contributed to the group: Katz and City must operate as a partnership on downtown arena and district; cost-sharing plus revenue-sharing for a Katz/City partnership on everything from beer to tix to parking; opportunity for infill and downtown revitalization; revolving naming rights (Telus for 2 years, Brick for 2 years, etc); retail and resto-bar attached to arena where rent will help pay for arena; parkade under arena will be a license to print money for Katz/City partnership; no pedway; is 18,000 seats enough?
- other great ideas include lottery and gambling revenue; IPO or being able to buy shares in development
- Scott Hennig was in my group, and reiterated his position. He did nod in approval to my funding ideas.
- despite the rambling of one or two people, session was well-behaved. One gentlemen said he attended a session last week and things were very heated.

[Coldrsx]

"revolving naming rights (Telus for 2 years, Brick for 2 years, etc)"

DO NOT LIKE

As for partnership, I think that is how it will end up in some sort or another.

18,400 seats if I recall was the RFQ, plenty

[Hallsy's Toupee]

"revolving naming rights (Telus for 2 years, Brick for 2 years, etc)"

DO NOT LIKE

Why not? It's another way of getting more corporates involved, and revenue can be used to help pay off the arena. May not be much but every little bit helps (said the old man as he pissed into the ocean). Besides, the arena names change as often as we change underwear anyway, may as well profit from it.


18,400 seats if I recall was the RFQ, plenty

I'm just worried that 30 years from now we'll be going through this same exercise again because the arena is "too small"

[240glt]

^ I dunno.... arena names don't change that often. Saddledome just changed and I can't even remember their new sponsor.... We don't need to confuse people like that every two years.... besides as long as one company is paying for the rights it doesn't really matter, as long as the money is coming from somewhere

[SHOFEAR]

Why not? It's another way of getting more corporates involved, and revenue can be used to help pay off the arena. May not be much but every little bit helps (said the old man as he pissed into the ocean). Besides, the arena names change as often as we change underwear anyway, may as well profit from it.

Katz recognizes the value in naming rights....Rexall Place in Edmonton, Rexall Center in Toronto, Katz Group- Rexall Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research at the university....there is no way he would give that up. It's silly (and a non starter) to suggest otherwise.


I'm just worried that 30 years from now we'll be going through this same exercise again because the arena is "too small"

No. In 30 years we will be beginning this debate again. Renovate, build new, etc...These aren't 18th Century concert halls. The demands and expectations of sports spectators aren't static. 30 years ago we would never have expected new arenas to have the kind of facilities they do now...we cant begin to imagine what will be considered modern in 30 years.

[Xelebes]

On 18th century concert halls - they were replaced often on a generational interval. Patronage being the biggest reason. The idea, I think, is to keep arenas around as long as possible, finding new purposes for them when it currently no longer meets the needs of whatever. For example, devoting the Coliseum for lacrosse.

[240glt]

^ which is why it is vitally important for future uses of Rexall to be considered as part of this whole debate. Filling a hole somewhere and creating a hole somewhere else is not acceptable.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

OK...
"Rexall Place Sponsored by The Brick"
"Rexall Place Sponsored by Coca-Cola"

But in all seriousness, revolving naming rights is just an idea that I have little hope in seeing happen, but I wanted to throw it out there regardless.

[noodlenoodle]

Ugh. Sounds supercheap.

[christopherj]

OK...
"Rexall Place Sponsored by The Brick"
"Rexall Place Sponsored by Coca-Cola"

But in all seriousness, revolving naming rights is just an idea that I have little hope in seeing happen, but I wanted to throw it out there regardless.

Revolving naming rights makes no sense at all. If a company pays $10 million for 5 years, do you think they will pay $10 million for 2 years? No, they'll pay $4 million for two years.

[Coldrsx]

Naming rights on certain things do NOT change very often... please do not use Rexall/Skyreach/bob's scaffolding place as your metric.

[Xelebes]

Also, dividing up the naming rights would put a downward pressure on what you could get from naming rights, due to the fleetingness of it. The longer the naming right, the more value it brings per year. I fear, auctioning it every two or five years is going to not meet our expectations.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

I am surprised that you urbanist geeks aren't burning me at the stake for daring to suggest that they....{gasp}...build a parkade under the arena!

[mick]

Really, urbanist geeks are all about underground parking. When it came to the parking issue, it seemed to me the argument was that given how much parking was available in the nearby CBD, it didn't really matter if the arena itself had much parking.

[Harrison]

...Rexall Place, brought to you by the Brick, and sponsored by Totem Building Supplies. Inside, enjoy a gourmet meal at the Loblaws-Walmart Business Lounge maintained by Epcor Utilities.

Sponsorship I say, SPONSORSHIP!

[Coldrsx]

I am surprised that you urbanist geeks aren't burning me at the stake for daring to suggest that they....{gasp}...build a parkade under the arena!

They will be putting a parkade under the rink for around 300 cars if i recall... with a second parkade on 104ave with main floor retail on the SWC of the site.

[Shodan]

Arena project only the beginning
Committee believes future groups could benefit from design

John MacKinnon
Edmonton Journal

Friday, November 19, 2010

It's a toss-up which major construction project will be completed first: the Oilers, the Eskimos or the proposed downtown arena district...

jmackinnon@edmontonjournal.com
© Edmonton Journal 2010

Copyright © 2010 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.

http://www2.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=45046cc1-04b6-4a5b-a17b-4c147eef61a9&sponsor=

[Coldrsx]

^another article bang on!

[CMD UW]

"One of the great things about Edmonton is it's got incredible potential because it's still a young city," Fris said.

I absolutely agree with her on this comment. In fact, I agree with all of Anneliese' comments. Well written column to boot.

[Coldrsx]

Oilers' aggressive lobbying on arena project sets wrong tone

Too bad that attitude hasn't found its way onto the ice of late

By Paula Simons, Edmonton Journal November 20, 2010 7:46 AM Comments (7)



* Story
* Photos ( 1 )


Conceptual image of the proposed downtown Edmonton arena district.

Conceptual image of the proposed downtown Edmonton arena district.
Photograph by: Katz Group, edmontonjournal.com

EDMONTON - Patrick LaForge called me at home the other night.

The president and CEO of the Edmonton Oilers wanted to know what I thought about the proposed downtown arena.

Golly. It might have made me feel pretty special to have him call me at home, personally, to ask for my input to this important public policy question. Especially when I don't recall ever giving him my home phone number.

[BLACK STAR]

My response to PS.


Sommmons Quote:
"In other words, the Oilers didn't just invest money in their own poll. They spent money, as a lobby group, in an attempt to influence the results of the official city survey"


Honestly Simmons.....What a non story.

Lol.. this is what happens in a process like this. There is nothing wrong with this approach what so ever. The good readers of this article are inundated by advertising as soon as they open this page. They are asking us to buy this gizmo or that gizmo. The city of Edmonton,..The province of Alberta...and the Canadian Govt all advertise with the Journal to educate or sway you're opinion or the way you will vote...it turn controlling billions of dollars spent.

Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/Oilers+aggressive+lobbying+arena+project+sets+wrong+tone/3860415/story.html#ixzz15qzRzTCb

[CMD UW]

^I know. She obviously doesn't understand that 99.9999% of groups lobby for support. Everything from the private sector to the public and in between. Do you think that the organizers of major events such as the Fringe or Heritage Days don't 'lobby' for support / funding. Come on Paula, wake up.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Football festivities prompt support for downtown arena

http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101128/EDM_greyarena_101128/20101128/?hub=EdmontonHome

[Coldrsx]

^...excellent.

[RTD]

Has anyone seen this yet?

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=fr&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http://fr.canoe.ca/sports/nouvelles/hockey/lnh/archives/2010/11/20101130-231821.html

[dancinb]

^ are they maybe talking about a farm team? it's hard to tell with the mashed up translation. or maybe the article's title means that the oilers are in town to discuss a coalition to get money from the gov't.

[RTD]

I read the translation, and I'm pretty sure they are indeed talking about the Oilers moving to QC.

[240glt]

That article makes almost no sense in its translated form

I would be very suprised if that was actually the case. Even with our team sucking, we still support an NHL franchise much better than QC could

[yo-youyi]

That article makes almost no sense in its translated form

I would be very suprised if that was actually the case. Even with our team sucking, we still support an NHL franchise much better than QC could

I believe they're meeting QC's Mayor to discuss potential funding of their respective arenas

[Airboy]

I read another thread, that indicated the Oilers brass was going to talk with QC about funding the QC arena. I don't see the Oilers moving as well the NHL needs to sign off on any move. Besides the Oilers would go south before they go east.

[Coldrsx]

The Oilers Are Not Moving

[hilman]

The Oilers are not moving and are rallying other groups to urge the Feds to fund their respective arenas. That is a very poor job of translating to say the least.

[Jasper and one o nin]

The google translation application translates word for word and does not decifer the context of each sentence. I would read anything into that article.

[Jasper and one o nin]

http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101201/edm_quebec_101201/20101201/?hub=EdmontonHome

[Jasper and one o nin]

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/12/01/16387081.html

[Jasper and one o nin]

^ lets put it this way. Katz wants to have a new arena for the Oilers to play in. He has committed to at least 100 million dollars, perhaps 200 million. The bulk of the funding has to come from somewhere else. Having officials talking to possible future NHL Cities, whatever the context may be, will add to the political pressure. The Oilers can deny all they want, but their goal is create speculation. To put it another way, if a new arena is to be built and funding is worked out, there is no question the Oilers are staying put. But a smart businessman needs to hedge his bets - or at least create the perception of it.

[Coldrsx]

For Christ's sake people...


“We’re doing all we can, ” said Lowe. “We’re talking to a lot of people, including Mayor Labeaume, to see where we are, where they are and if we can brainstorm together.”

Translation - they need funding, we need funding.

[rapid_business]

Yup.

I love how the original story uses "a former captain" from their QJ team as a reliable source and expert on the matter. :haha:

[SHOFEAR]

Translation - they need funding, we need funding.

Reality - They get funding, we don't.

[Coldrsx]

^Katz should say 'Well, just watch me'.

[sdimedru]

holy over-reaction batman - the hockey world needs to chill out

[Airboy]

"Quebecore Media" Welcome to the world of Fox News North

[Coldrsx]

REXALL SPORTS CORPORATION STATEMENT REGARDING QUEBEC CITY VISIT

“Edmonton Oilers’ President and CEO Patrick LaForge, President of Hockey Operations Kevin Lowe and Katz Group CFO Paul Marcaccio met today with Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume and others. Our representatives are on a fact finding mission to gather information on the Quebec arena project, the contemplated funding model and that City’s discussions with other orders of government. Patrick, Kevin and Paul hope to learn from the Quebec City experience and bring back insights that will help move the process forward here in Edmonton. We remain focused on our efforts to develop the funding structure required to enable the Edmonton Arena District project to proceed. Today was a convenient date for the meeting in Quebec City since the Oilers are already in nearby Montreal to play the Canadiens and our group is with the team.”

- Bob Black, Executive Vice President
Sports & Entertainment
Katz Group

[CMD UW]

When I read this article today I chuckled...and kept on reading.

[Coldrsx]

Reports and Presentations on Proposed Downtown Arena Coming to City Council

December 02, 2010

The proposed downtown sports and entertainment facility will be discussed at City Council on December 10 and again in mid-January 2011.

The agenda for the December 10 Council meeting includes:

A presentation by Northlands.
The responses to the questions asked by the mayor and councillors about a potential downtown arena. The questions were posed by City Council during the July 21, 2010 Council meeting, which also featured a presentation by the Katz Group, owners of the Edmonton Oilers.
A verbal briefing on the initial, early themes from the analysis done to date of the City’s public consultation (information sessions and online questionnaire) held in November.
On January 17, 2011, City Council will consider a number of reports also responding to motions from the July 21, 2010 Council meeting, related to the proposed sports and entertainment facility:

A business model framework for the financing and operating of a downtown sports and entertainment facility, including the benefits and risks of a Community Revitalization Levy.
An assessment of the potential impacts on City operations, infrastructure and investments of a new downtown sports and entertainment facility.
An assessment of the potential impacts of a new sports and entertainment facility on Edmonton Northlands and the future of Rexall Place.
A final report on the public consultation held in November including an analysis of the 28,000 responses to an online questionnaire.
On January 18, 2011 City Council is scheduled to hold a statutory public hearing on the rezoning application for the lands (north of 104 Avenue and west of 101 Street) proposed by the Katz Group for an arena and entertainment district. This hearing deals only with land use.

All written reports will be available as part of the meeting agendas at Council and Committee Meetings. Members of the public can register to speak to any item on a Council agenda, following the directions at that link.

http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/news/reports-and-presentations-on-p.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CityOfEdmontonNews+%28City+of+Edmonton+%3A%3A+News%29

[Tower Crane]

It worries me that there is no real timeline to the desired project, I guess after December's done we should get some direction. I'd really like to get a few tower cranes set up there.

[Coldrsx]

^oh... there very much is from one side. fall 2014.

[mick]

Downtown arena would revitalize Jasper Avenue: report

Funding could come from new levy, ticket tax

By Andrea Sands, edmontonjournal.com December 3, 2010 12:03 PM Comments (13)



* Story
* Photos ( 9 )


An artist's rendition of the Katz Group's initial proposal to build new arena in downtown Edmonton.

More Images »

An artist's rendition of the Katz Group's initial proposal to build new arena in downtown Edmonton.
Photograph by: supplied, edmontonjournal.com

EDMONTON - A proposed downtown arena district will boost Edmonton’s downtown and help revitalize Jasper Avenue, according to a report to city councillors released Friday morning.

The proposed site north of 103rd Avenue and west of 102nd Street was chosen because it is the best spot for a sports and entertainment district that includes an arena, said the report from city administrators, who cite a 2008 analysis by international architectural firm HOK Sport.

“By attracting more people and investment to the downtown, the proposed sports and entertainment district would act as a catalyst for the redevelopment of the area, including the North Edge, Downtown, McCauley and The Quarters neighbourhoods,” the report said.

“Arena development will increase overall pedestrian numbers, activity and demand for amenities and services within the downtown core — including Jasper Avenue. Given Jasper Avenue’s proximity, direct access to LRT, and status and Edmonton’s signature main street, it is expected that the development of the sports and entertainment district will compliment and support the continued revitalization of Jasper Avenue.”


Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/Downtown+arena+would+revitalize+Jasper+Avenue+report/3924453/story.html#ixzz17509XMdK

[oiler-dude]

REPORT: OILERS NOT LIKELY TO GET NEW RINK BY 2014 DEADLINE

THE CANADIAN PRESS
12/3/2010 6:02:27 PM

EDMONTON -- Even if the Edmonton Oilers get taxpayer help to fund a new downtown arena, they likely won't get it built by their 2014 deadline, new documents show.

City officials confirmed Friday that construction timelines and surrounding shops and offices that would go with the rink would make such a deadline "challenging."

"I think it's everybody's target to get something built by 2014," Simon Farbrother told reporters at City Hall after releasing documents detailing answers sought by councillors deciding whether to help fund the $450-million rink.

"(But) I think probably all parties assume if we're able to pull a deal together that works for everybody, an extension of that lease (at Rexall Place) for a year or six months or whatever -- we'd be able to do that."

Steve Hogle, spokesman for the Katz Group, which owns the Oilers, wouldn't say if the Oilers would agree to a lease extension at Rexall or whether the missed deadline could be a deal-breaker.

"We won't even get into that today," Hogle told reporters.

"Those conversations are continuing with the negotiations between the city and Katz Group."

READ MORE: http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=343996

[CMD UW]

^I like Steve, he's a great guy. I think that if all of the parties work together and remain transparent throughout the process, they'll reach a deal to make the 2014 deadline. But there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered. It should be an interesting first half of 2011.

[Shodan]

‘Sports mortgage’ could fund Edmonton’s downtown arena
Leaked proposal calls for selling seats in advance, eliminates tax dollars and Katz money

By Gordon Kent, edmontonjournal.com
December 6, 2010 11:03 AM

EDMONTON - Player agent Ritch Winter and partners say the city should use a “sports mortgage” to fund a new arena without tax dollars or $100 million promised by the Katz Group.

In a letter to councillors obtained by The Journal, they propose selling arena seats in advance that the purchasers might own for 40 or 50 years, then using that money to help build the new facility...

More to come ...

gkent@edmontonjournal.com

© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/Sports+mortgage+could+fund+Edmonton+downtown+arena/3934501/story.html

[Shodan]

Northlands should pull out of the arena deal for the good of all

David Staples
Edmonton Journal

Friday, December 10, 2010

Northlands has so far failed to bring any grant money or investment capital to Edmonton's downtown arena project, but the booster group still wants to operate the new arena and to keep taking millions in profits from concerts and other non-hockey events...

dstaples@edmontonjournal.com
© Edmonton Journal 2010

Copyright © 2010 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.

http://www2.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=f9bf1a88-50df-42b0-8731-29b3a6162511&sponsor=

[Coldrsx]

BRA.......... VO


Northlands vows to keep running Rexall

Says it would compete against downtown Edmonton arena if it had to

BY GORDON KENT, EDMONTONJOURNAL.COM DECEMBER 10, 2010 1:19 PM COMMENTS (1)


STORYPHOTOS ( 1 )



Rexall Place
Photograph by: Ryan Jackson, edmontonjournal.com
EDMONTON — Northlands will continue running Rexall Place if it isn’t involved in operating a new downtown arena, president Richard Andersen said Friday.

Although studies they have conducted show having competing arenas of this size wouldn’t be feasible, Northlands needs the $6.2 million it earned last year from non-hockey events at Rexall Place, he told city council.



Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Northlands+vows+keep+running+Rexall/3959298/story.html#ixzz17k8LGfAd

[Hallsy's Toupee]

CHED has a somewhat different slant:

http://www.630ched.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1325366

During Friday's city council meeting, Northlands laid out its vision for Edmonton, saying having it as the management team for a downtown arena would be what's best for the community.

Northlands president and CEO Richard Andersen says the not-for-profit society subsidizes the Oilers in Rexall Place, investing $4.7 million in upkeep and operations. It also has taken a money-losing concert business, and turned that into a multi-million-dollar profit in the last 12 years. But, it's community involvement that's key.

"If you hear nothing else in this part of the presentation, please let me be clear on this "One of the most important aspects of the Northlands business model is we deliver a social return on these investments back to the community. We're very different from that of a strictly profit-motivated private business."

Anderson says Northlands is very highly respected and rated by industry experts.

He says Edmonton isn't big enough for two 17,000-seat arenas. But, he admits it might wind up that way. Anderson has met four or five times with Katz Group leaders, but not Oilers' owner Daryl Katz, himself.

[MrOilers]

This scenario will end up just like the problem with the 2 airports in this city, except with arenas.

Stupid Northlands.

[CanadianCentaur]

Christ, the fact that Northlands want to keep Rexall Place running even with a new DT arena makes my blood boil. :hell:

[Coldrsx]

In reality we all know they are just positioning themselves for leverage in this whole debate... there is NO WAY 2 rinks will happen.

[rapid_business]

How does a similar situation with Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver work now? Does it get used for anything? Has it been retrofitted at all?

[Coldrsx]

^The giants play there along with smaller to mid sized concerts and events. It works but is somewhat underused.

[Shodan]

Northlands needs to offer funding ideas to deserve place in future arena
Expertise in running facilities won't be enough to stay in game

David Staples
Edmonton Journal

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Northlands may well still be a master of hosting entertainment and sporting events, but when it comes to the arena business, it no longer has much game.

That became clear during Northlands' presentation to city council on Friday on the proposed $400-million downtown arena project, especially when Coun. Amarjeet Sohi quizzed Northlands president Richard Anderson on the key issue of the arena deal, the key issue of any business deal for that matter: Who is going to put up the money?...

dstaples@edmontonjournal.com
© Edmonton Journal 2010

Copyright © 2010 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.

http://www2.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=6d9866af-0860-4b32-be39-df90e1e904a3&sponsor=

[rapid_business]

/\ Staples last article came off a little hostile (although I still would agree with it's content), but this one really nails it. What does Northlands bring to the table? Why should they be included? If they can't bring cash, the home-grown experience claim is rather weak.

[CMD UW]

^Exactly my thoughts.

[Coldrsx]

Edmonton’s downtown arena decision should be made by April: Mandel

‘It can’t go on forever’

By Gordon Kent, edmontonjournal.com December 15, 2010 5:02 PM Comments (13)



* Story
* Photos ( 5 )


Mayor Stephen Mandel

More Images »

Mayor Stephen Mandel
Photograph by: Larry Wong, The Journal, Edmonton Journal; With files from Jennifer Fong

EDMONTON — Edmontonians should know by next April whether the city will build a downtown arena for the Oilers, Mayor Stephen Mandel said Wednesday.


Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/Edmonton+downtown+arena+decision+should+made+April+Mandel/3983587/story.html#ixzz18F0kLs6L