New arena will cost us
by Lori Barrett | July 28, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Posted in baltimore politics, real estate, sports
While I was away, plans for Baltimore’s new arena were officially announced. The site and size of the replacement venue caused some controversy over the past months, but local officials ultimately decided to build an 18,500-seat arena on the site of the current 1st Mariner Arena.
The decision to build a larger, “major-league”-sized arena is an interesting one, considering that the NBA and NHL have all but laughed in our faces when asked about moving a franchise to Baltimore. To that end, the president of the Baltimore Development Corp. said: “We need a state-of-the-art arena because whether we have a major-league team in Baltimore playing basketball or shooting hockey pucks, this is a major-league city and it deserves a major-league arena.”
Even if we can’t fill it to half-capacity?
A venue of less than 17,000 seats lacks the ability to draw an NBA or NHL team here, but would cut the $300+ million price tag in half. Considering that the current 14,000-seat arena rarely even approaches capacity (averaging 8,000 for family-oriented events, and even less for Blast and Mariners games), is that extra cost justified?
Before you answer that, keep in mind that most of the $300+ million will be paid for with public money.
Mayor Dixon seems to think the price is worth it, believing that the new arena will revitalize the West Side area. (Wasn’t the same thing said about the Hippodrome?)
Dixon said: “We are making a big investment in the west side. It reminds me of the area in D.C. with the [Verizon] Center. That whole community has changed, with people more willing to walk around down there.”
So you’re paying for the thing — let’s hear it. Are you ok with $300 million in public funds being directed toward a shiny new arena? Or maybe, perhaps, the money could be better spent elsewhere?
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July 28th, 2008 at 2:40 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Of course, this is going to get built, but new mass transportation solutions, housing situations and roads are being ignored.
As someone who doesn't really care for sports, and seeing how the Orioles can't seem to fill the seats for a game, even at the price level they have, I can't see this going over too well.
And by the way, anyone remember the Baltimore Bandits? No? I didn't think so.
July 28th, 2008 at 4:52 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
"It's Baltimore Bandits hockeeeeyyyy, come on out! We've got you surrooounded!"
July 28th, 2008 at 3:31 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Baltimore is not going to be able to support a NHL or NBA team, heck you can't even get 18,000 people to attend a Oriole game.
Putting this arena in the exact same spot as the old one is stupid beyond belief. Why won't the city listen to Ed Hale?? Was he not willing to sleep with the mayor or buy her Choo's?
Speaking of Madame mayor I wonder how much of this $300 million tax dollar extravaganza will end up in her freezer?
July 29th, 2008 at 12:33 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Just when I think you're a total douche...you break out posts like this one. Total message board gold my friend. Good on ya.
!
July 28th, 2008 at 3:39 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
I think it's unfair to compare a potential NBA or NHL team to teams such as the Blast or Mariners as the leagues are completely different as far as national scale goes. Even comparisons to Orioles is unfair as baseball has had an attendance slump in general for many, many years now.
I notice no one mentions the Ravens. there's a reason... every damned seat there is season ticket... or whatever their name for it is (private seating license or something like that).
given it's proximity to both mass transit and Camden Yards, the site is, in all actuality, probably the best. I hope they come up with a glorious facility that can actually attract a team. If not, then it's a waste.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:28 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Wow you really are a smart one aren't ya. The reason i didn't mention the Ravens is they only play 8 games a year at home!!!!! of course they are going to sell out 8 games.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:09 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
yeah, well, my mommy says I'm smart, so I guess so... :-P
I don't get how the number of games makes a difference. MLB, NHL, NBA and NFL are THE major sports leagues. Period. They are the comparisons to one another. And there ARE NFL teams that DO NOT sell out home games. So, yeah, even just playing at games at home, it's possible to not sell out. Not to mention, you point out Orioles (and other, smaller teams) have a hard time drawing 18,000 fans... and you question if an NBA or NHL tema can do it. Raven's draw close to 70,000... so, yeah, it's possible.
July 28th, 2008 at 6:32 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Now, Lori as much I enjoy your columns, I have to say that you are the most pessimistic person about baltimore I have ever seen. Being a news media that can change the way we think about baltimore, you sure do not help. Duh, a new arena would be a amazing thing for us. It would bring money, entertainment, and social aspects to baltimore. We dont attract things now because its just not be enough. Like only1 said, you cant compare our attendance figures to those if we had a NBA or NHL team. Being the great city that we are and with the many great improvements (harbor east,convent. ctr, west side development), i know we can attract more and more events besides a game team. Concert tickets are going up and more goers are tired of having to go to dc or philly to see a show, just because artists dont want to waste their time with the capacity of our arena. We dont need to waste the time and money if we are not going to do it big. We spent so much money trying to accommodate everyone needs with the ravens stadium and we didn't build a stadium that could been better and bigger. Now, with all this said i do feel we need to take our time, and really think how we want to do this. We should us the best resources and space. Maybe a Platinum l.e.a.d certified arena. now that would be cool and attract some people
July 28th, 2008 at 6:33 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
ohh...hope your vaca was fun
July 29th, 2008 at 3:25 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Building in the same location will negatively impact the cash flow into Baltimore since no events can be held while the new venue is being built. It is not a smart plan to rebuild in the exact same location.