All these so-called politicians are always saying, "it's a bad deal." BS! What do they know of a bad deal to a good deal. Wasn't the original Roger's a "Bad deal?" Anti business thinking again, go ahead Tim, move the Oil out of town. We don't deserve them, we don't deserve nice things, we don't deserve a performing arts center, we don't deserve the old Coliseum torn down and replaced with new housing, we don't deserve Ice District Village, we don't deserve new residential towers in the Village, we don't, we don't, we don't - with this Motley Crue of a bunch of dim wits.

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Histrionics aside, I'm with Knack on this one. It is a bad deal. I would be much more in favour of funding more residential units for ALL developers through some kind of tax break or other mechanism. Why should OEG receive so much taxpayer money, when the Westrichs and Pangmans etc of the city get nothing, while they're actually building housing units RIGHT NOW, as opposed to some frequently-delayed and obscure project that keeps being pushed back?

I want my tax money to go to the Winspear, the Starlite Room, the Princess and Paramount Theatres. Those institutions, and others like them, desperately need funding. Do we need another mid-sized venue? Sure. Is OEG's a priority? I don't think so.

That's how you create vibrancy: using public money for the greater good for the biggest impact possible—not just for a mercurial billionaire and company that while yes has injected much-needed life into the city, has also rested on their laurels a bit for many years.

It's risky, it's unpopular for some, but it's the right decision. Advocate for a better deal.
 
I'll counter the "bad deal" crowd with the argument that this is another important piece in the revitalization of downtown. Katz and OEG have laid out plenty of funding in establishing the entertainment district and the support elements that go along with it. You want to reverse the progression towards a more beautiful and socially integrated downtown with picking apart development pieces one by one. The City will own this facility with OEG in charge of operations (imagine if the City had that role instead of a Private Entity). If this goes down to defeat -- and I strongly believe that it will not -- then it becomes another loss akin to the defeat of the Aerial Tram that Council murdered. I hope that it is so roundly defeated that it has a spill-over effect on Knack's chances of becoming Mayor, which should he win that position would be another loss for the City of Edmonton
 
Watching online. Speakers are done. Questions of administration at 1:30 then motions or amendments.
 
Anyone who thinks they can renegotiate this deal is living in la la land. The province aka the UCP control the yay or nay of the CRL. If anyone thinks the CRL extension will go forward by fundamentally changing the deal the province wants, then I would love to know what kool-aid you're drinking.

The city is backed in to a corner, for sure. But better take the deal now and at least get some funding to help DT, or watch the deal fold and complain why Calgary gets everything. FFS.

From Janz, I get the theatrics. But Knack should know better. He's playing games, using flawed logic, trying to secure the progressive vote. Remember, Iveson? He was against the arena deal as a councillor but ultimately embraced it, because he was running for Mayor and he knew, politically, he had to.
 
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I'll counter the "bad deal" crowd with the argument that this is another important piece in the revitalization of downtown. Katz and OEG have laid out plenty of funding in establishing the entertainment district and the support elements that go along with it. You want to reverse the progression towards a more beautiful and socially integrated downtown with picking apart development pieces one by one. The City will own this facility with OEG in charge of operations (imagine if the City had that role instead of a Private Entity). If this goes down to defeat -- and I strongly believe that it will not -- then it becomes another loss akin to the defeat of the Aerial Tram that Council murdered. I hope that it is so roundly defeated that it has a spill-over effect on Knack's chances of becoming Mayor, which should he win that position would be another loss for the City of Edmonton
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I was leaning towards Knack for mayor, but right now am questioning his judgment. If the city is foolish enough to scuttle this, the provincial money for this will also likely be gone and we will get nothing.
 
It's a very interesting lens watching councilor's in this moment with knowledge of their upcoming political plans.
 
whattheheck said:
Anyone who thinks they can renegotiate this deal is living in la la land. The province aka the UCP control the yay or nay of the CRL. If anyone thinks the CRL extension will go forward by fundamentally changing the deal the province wants, then I would love to know what kool-aid you're drinking.

The city is backed in to a corner, for sure. But better take the deal now and at least get some funding to help DT, or watch the deal fold and complain why Calgary gets everything. FFS.

From Janz, I get the theatrics. But Knack should know better. He's playing games, using flawed logic, trying to secure the progressive vote. Remember, Iveson? He was against the arena deal as a councillor but ultimately embraced it, because he was running for Mayor and he knew, politically, he had to.
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An event centre isn't the same as Rogers Place and a hockey team. The politics aren't the same. The public isn't enamoured about an event centre like they were with the only pro sports team (and the threats to move it) in town.

The provincial money wouldn't be gone. It would flow to other things as required; it might just not be as showy as this. Arguably, there are better things tax dollars can be spent on in times of need and that is the argument that many are making. Clearly many here believe the event centre will further revitalize downtown though given the commentary about Knack and others. Definitely uplift for OEG; uplift for other areas downtown is a red herring. Too bad there isn't more meat in the docs for the Village, because I think Council would be more receptive if the focus was primarily on more housing.
 
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