Index of SPPS Budget Discussion http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/spps-posts.html _________________________________________
On Sun, 7 Mar 2004, Paul Skrbec wrote: > Now that I have my own small business about 2.5 miles away from Xcel on > West 7th Street, I have a much better perspective. During the Winter > Carnival, with the Ice Castle and all the activity down there, we saw no > noticeable increase to our business. The same goes for just about any > other concert, event, Wild game, etc. Simply put, we are just too far > from downtown to realize any tangible benefit from a structure like > that. Since I happen to live near the 2-3 block stretch that got all the benefit, I'd have to agree. Yes, there is a benefit there. But Jeeze Louise, the section that it's concentrated in is so very small. It can't be that large overall. > The benefits for us have come in largely intangible things. Since the > opening of the Xcel Center, people from Minneapolis and surrounding > suburbs are more familiar with St. Paul in general because they have > been here or have a reason to come here periodically. I will also agree with that. I can tell people from anywhere that I live "near XCel Center" and the fear of that wacky 'hood with all the diagonal streets just melts. > In short - is the Xcel a good thing? Yes, I believe it is. Would a new > stadium in DT be 'more good'? I don't think so and am still waiting for > someone to change my mind from a social, community AND financial > standpoint. I agree totally. We crossed a threshold with Xcel. But that does not mean doing it up 2-3 times as much on top will gain anything more. I could be wrong, of course -- I thought it'd be a stretch for Xcel to be worth it, and I'm convinced it is worth it now. I have yet to see anything convince me it's a net gain to have a whole lot more building (one that has fewer total dates, might I add, with the concert prospects pretty limited). Erik Hare [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.comcast.net/~wabbitoid/ Irvine Park, West End, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA, North America, Earth Fine Amish furniture, cedar chests, and crafts http://www.harmonycedar.com _____________________________________________ SPPS Budget Reduction Forum - Feb. 23-27 Co-Sponsored By NEAT: http://www.stpaulneat.org/ _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
