Good morning list! Like many folks on the list, I am intrigued by the leveraged bonding Twins stadium plan that's moving through the legislature this session. I don't want to focus on the merits of the plan but rather let's assume that it passes. The state issues bonds with the Twins non-refundable gift and a ballpark is approved somewhere in the state. If it passes then there will be a competition to host the ballpark site between various municipalities (Mpls, St. Paul, Bloomington, BP etc...). Let's assume we want the ballpark if it is built and we don't want a year round downtown food and beverage tax (something I am really against). I'd love to hear some creative funding ideas to attract the ballpark to our fair city.
With the state doing the bonding I think there are some real opportunities to put together something that is attractive to the Twins but more importantly attractive to the residents of Minneapolis. Bear in mind we have millions of square feet of commercial space being built and becoming vacant and I think the Twins staying in Minneapolis would be a great sell to businesses looking to relocate or expand. I have heard from others that we have not done as well as we have needed to in growing living wage jobs in the city and I think that attracting those employers to Minneapolis is very important. (yes I know stadium jobs are not living wage jobs, we need to think beyond the physical stadium itself) If you don't want the ballpark, fine, delete this post and move on to the next. If you're against the stadium being built at all, same goes. I have many reservations about the stadium and especially the viability of Major League Baseball long term. The fact is that it's looking like this may very well pass so I think it's important to look at how that may affect us here in Minneapolis. I've got my own ideas but they're really in the germination stage so I will participate in my own exercise in the near future but not right now. Have a great day! Scott Persons Lyndale Neighborhood (not subject to redistricting) Ward 8 (subject to redistricting) SD 61B (recently redistricted) _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
