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Is Phoenix really going to plunk down $150 million on the Suns arena?

The city of Phoenix can’t afford to hire enough police officers to patrol the streets but it soon could be shelling out $150 million to keep the Phoenix Suns happy.

This, without bothering to ask the city’s voters whether they want to make a major upgrade to Talking Sticking Resort Arena.

Several city sources tell me there’s a push on to get the deal done by the end of the year.

Talk of an arena deal has ramped up inside city hall this month — ever since Kate Gallego, the leading candidate for Phoenix mayor, announced she would not support putting city money into a new or improved arena for the Suns.

“While I intend to be a partner with the Suns on the many great things they do for the city, it is not in Phoenix's best interest to invest in an arena," she said Nov. 8.

Taxpayers get hosed if the deal passes.
Since then, the City Council has met privately twice to discuss an arena proposal. It’s unclear whether the votes are yet there to approve the project. Given that acting Mayor Thelda Williams' council seat was not filled when Greg Stanton resigned as mayor, it would only take four votes to kill the deal.

What is clear: taxpayers are about to get hosed if this deal goes through.

By law, the city must get permission from voters to build a new arena. But plunking down $150 million to “refurbish” an existing arena?

No public approval needed — at least, as far as city leaders see it.

City Manager Ed Zuercher, who I’m told is pushing the plan along with acting Mayor Thelda Williams, declined to comment, saying the negotiations are confidential.

But others have told me that the deal is now on track to be finished before year's end, to avoid becoming an issue in the mayoral runoff election.

Is this what voters wanted?
Councilman Sal DiCiccio said he thinks the city can go forward because the voter-approved ordinance says only that public approval is needed before building a new sports facility.

“I believe legally that we can do this,” he said. “The real question is whether or not the intent of the voters was to do that and I don’t know that. I really don’t know.”

Under terms of the deal, I’m told the city would put in $150 million up front, with another $2 million a year for maintenance. The Suns would kick in $80 million.

This, in a city that can't afford to fill potholes.

The arena vote is expected to take place in early December — ramming it down the city’s throat before a new mayor is elected.

This, for fear of losing the team in 2022, when the Suns can opt out of their lease if their digs are deemed “obsolete.”

“What we’re really saying is we’re not going to hire police, we’re not going to hire firefighters, we’re not going to fix the streets,” one city leader told me. “We’re going to refurbish the arena.”

This, so you can watch lousy basketball. That’s assuming you can pay what it costs for a seat to watch lousy basketball.

bwgood77 wrote:Yeah, if they move it out to Scottsdale, or on the Indian reservation, that's probably a good thing. Scottsdale people would probably be more likely to go if it was closer, plus, they probably have more money for it, collectively speaking.

grumpysaddle wrote:I don't live in Phoenix, so it doesn't affect me. Does the team even profit at this point? The arena looks 80% empty most of the games. I doubt upgrading the facilities is going to bring anyone else in. That's just a lot of wasted money. I hate when cities use tax dollars to pay for privately owned sports teams' arenas.

bigfoot wrote:Then add in all the snowbirds and transplants that have moved to Arizona and that creates a crappy atmosphere for the team until they start winning again. Roughly 30% of the normal Arizona's are native born. All the other crazies come from different states and give Arizona a bad rep.

RaisingArizona wrote:Driving by Talking Stick Resort today, I couldn't help but think that's the perfect location for a new arena.

wheezy wrote:

RaisingArizona wrote:Driving by Talking Stick Resort today, I couldn't help but think that's the perfect location for a new arena.

Area around there is all going up in a hurry too.

bwgood77 wrote:

wheezy wrote:

RaisingArizona wrote:Driving by Talking Stick Resort today, I couldn't help but think that's the perfect location for a new arena.

Area around there is all going up in a hurry too.

Where is that exactly? I think north Scottsdale, or if there is still room in central Scottsale, maybe a bit further east than Scottsdale road or Hayden...would be nice.

Kerrsed wrote:

bwgood77 wrote:

wheezy wrote:Area around there is all going up in a hurry too.

Where is that exactly? I think north Scottsdale, or if there is still room in central Scottsale, maybe a bit further east than Scottsdale road or Hayden...would be nice.

A deal has been reached that will keep the Phoenix Suns at their downtown arena for the next 20 years. The $230 million deal includes the city kicking in $150 million from a sports and facilities fund paid for by a hotel and rental car tax on tourists.

Kerrsed wrote:

A deal has been reached that will keep the Phoenix Suns at their downtown arena for the next 20 years. The $230 million deal includes the city kicking in $150 million from a sports and facilities fund paid for by a hotel and rental car tax on tourists.

https://www.12news.com/video/news/230-million-deal-will-keep-the-phoenix-suns-in-downtown-phoenix/75-debdafd7-2770-4183-8268-73d8db0bffec

WeekapaugGroove wrote:

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Interesting he's says they are the worst in the league. I knew they weren't great but didn't think the worst.


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