Highly recommended reading! Bit hard to find, it is available from Amazon.ca
http://youtu.be/JenP-QEraAY
http://youtu.be/HYzCHLdVoxA
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Modern Day Urban Planning
In the most recent CJ editorial (near the end of Sept.), once again voicing endless support for this project, stating, economic benefits “More jobs will spring from the TBECC itself and from adjacent downtown business”, & “Typical arguments were heard again”. The argument of economic benefit has been debunked several times by true urban planning experts, however I see it is fit for repeating? The consultants don’t even claim their “Projections” to be accurate enough to guarantee, yet they are preached as gospel? I’d like to present a few quotes from the book “Convention Center Follies by Heywood T Sanders, Professor of Public Administration at the University of Texas. Mr Sanders is regarded as “one of the nation’s foremost urban development experts”, I think he has loads of credibility!
Here are a few quotes that are quite interesting to say the least!
Preface, Page xii
“The imperative to boost downtown development and create a sense of “momentum” did not evaporate for big-city business leaders during the 60’s and 70’s. Rather, it led them to focus on new fiscal schemes that could build grand convention centers, stadiums and arenas independent of city fiscal resources or the preference of city voters.”
Chapter 1, Page 17, paragraph 5
“The Phoenix case neatly exemplifies the dynamics and results of contemporary convention center development. A proposal for a new center or a major expansion appears to bubble up from a longstanding policy stream, often focused on downtown development and revitalization efforts. The idea comes buttressed with a seemingly compelling logic: the convention center is now old, competing cities have expanded and added more space, and expansion will bring enormous benefits in terms of spending, tax revenues, and job creation. A consultant study (or series of studies) documents the “need” for a larger convention facility, describes the expansions and additions of competing cities, and presents a highly precise forecast of expected performance and economic benefits. Local business leaders endorse the plan, and it receives an enthusiastic reception on the editorial page of the local newspaper. And with little or no opposition, the plan receives the formal approval of the local mayor and city council.”
Chapter 1, Page 35, Paragraph 2
“Without any direct public vote, the “deals” to finance the center were shaped by state-level politics. There, the deal-making was effectively distributive and geographic, with enough benefits for enough benefits for enough parts of the Commonwealth and local legislators to succeed. The fundamental “deal” for Philadelphia’s center and its subsequent expansion were thus constructed in a remarkably narrow and constrained field, with serious public discourse and debate effectively limited and avoided, built on the unquestioned assumptions and presumptions of consultants who presented no record of their earlier forecasts’ accuracy and no evidence of expert knowledge beyond the contention that they had done many such studies before.”
I find the line, “it receives an enthusiastic reception on the editorial page of the local newspaper. “ is certainly the case based on local editorials.
Here is the CJ's Editorial
LU sports a good fit at event centre
"Thunder Bay’s proposed event centre took on new life this week as city council agreed to make Lakehead University its primary tenant. LU’s popular Thunderwolves men’s hockey team provides thrilling — and clean — action on the ice at the aging Fort William Gardens. A modern, new rink surely will draw even more fans to a brand of hockey that is fast and exciting. Typical arguments were heard again at council, and in letters in today’s Chronicle-Journal. The event centre will cost too much to operate. It will not draw as many patrons as predicted. We need to spend the money on other things. Yes, the facility will result in an annual cost to taxpayers. So does every other public facility. That is the nature of such things. They are built by the public for the public good and to raise the standard of living in the community. Must we never pay to enjoy ourselves and instead plow our taxes only into core services like road building — to which the city has committed millions in extra money. Most major communities have built for themselves some kind of spectator facility in which to relax and enjoy sports and entertainment. There are a quarter of a million people in Northwestern Ontario alone. This one will have the added benefit of a convention centre to take advantage of myriad conferences and conventions that now seek enjoyable and convenient locations to bring hundreds or thousands of people to spend time and money. Hotels are going up all over Thunder Bay because it is hard to get a decent room most nights. Thunder Bay is already a destination. With its award winning tourism promotion to launch a new campaign for a fine event and convention centre, the returns will offset some of the costs. Local construction jobs will continue the employment surge created by the adjacent waterfront development still under way. More jobs will spring from the TBECC itself and from adjacent downtown business already growing by leaps and bounds in the entertainment district. This is a good thing, not something to be feared and jeered. With Ottawa having strangely refused to fund its share if a professional sports franchise was involved (strange because it’s done so elsewhere in Canada) LU is the next logical main tenant. Already a partner in the project, the university can confidently build its hockey franchise anew. What, though, about a women’s hockey team? Surely in Canada where women rule the hockey world, it is time to build a women’s Thunderwolves team. Critics argue the men’s team will play just 20 games on the event centre ice. If we create a women’s team we’ll double the games and grow the local hockey fan base considerably. LU’s other sports, particularly its basketball program, regularly fill the university Fieldhouse. Key games could well be moved to the event centre which would easily compete to host provincial and national university championships in all sports. We’ve spent $4 million studying the event centre concept to confirm it is viable. Every reliable measure of citizen opinion has been in favour of the project. With LU on board, and costs somewhat reduced by cutting out 500 seats, TBECC remains a desirable addition to our community."
Here are a few quotes that are quite interesting to say the least!
Preface, Page xii
“The imperative to boost downtown development and create a sense of “momentum” did not evaporate for big-city business leaders during the 60’s and 70’s. Rather, it led them to focus on new fiscal schemes that could build grand convention centers, stadiums and arenas independent of city fiscal resources or the preference of city voters.”
Chapter 1, Page 17, paragraph 5
“The Phoenix case neatly exemplifies the dynamics and results of contemporary convention center development. A proposal for a new center or a major expansion appears to bubble up from a longstanding policy stream, often focused on downtown development and revitalization efforts. The idea comes buttressed with a seemingly compelling logic: the convention center is now old, competing cities have expanded and added more space, and expansion will bring enormous benefits in terms of spending, tax revenues, and job creation. A consultant study (or series of studies) documents the “need” for a larger convention facility, describes the expansions and additions of competing cities, and presents a highly precise forecast of expected performance and economic benefits. Local business leaders endorse the plan, and it receives an enthusiastic reception on the editorial page of the local newspaper. And with little or no opposition, the plan receives the formal approval of the local mayor and city council.”
Chapter 1, Page 35, Paragraph 2
“Without any direct public vote, the “deals” to finance the center were shaped by state-level politics. There, the deal-making was effectively distributive and geographic, with enough benefits for enough benefits for enough parts of the Commonwealth and local legislators to succeed. The fundamental “deal” for Philadelphia’s center and its subsequent expansion were thus constructed in a remarkably narrow and constrained field, with serious public discourse and debate effectively limited and avoided, built on the unquestioned assumptions and presumptions of consultants who presented no record of their earlier forecasts’ accuracy and no evidence of expert knowledge beyond the contention that they had done many such studies before.”
I find the line, “it receives an enthusiastic reception on the editorial page of the local newspaper. “ is certainly the case based on local editorials.
Here is the CJ's Editorial
LU sports a good fit at event centre
"Thunder Bay’s proposed event centre took on new life this week as city council agreed to make Lakehead University its primary tenant. LU’s popular Thunderwolves men’s hockey team provides thrilling — and clean — action on the ice at the aging Fort William Gardens. A modern, new rink surely will draw even more fans to a brand of hockey that is fast and exciting. Typical arguments were heard again at council, and in letters in today’s Chronicle-Journal. The event centre will cost too much to operate. It will not draw as many patrons as predicted. We need to spend the money on other things. Yes, the facility will result in an annual cost to taxpayers. So does every other public facility. That is the nature of such things. They are built by the public for the public good and to raise the standard of living in the community. Must we never pay to enjoy ourselves and instead plow our taxes only into core services like road building — to which the city has committed millions in extra money. Most major communities have built for themselves some kind of spectator facility in which to relax and enjoy sports and entertainment. There are a quarter of a million people in Northwestern Ontario alone. This one will have the added benefit of a convention centre to take advantage of myriad conferences and conventions that now seek enjoyable and convenient locations to bring hundreds or thousands of people to spend time and money. Hotels are going up all over Thunder Bay because it is hard to get a decent room most nights. Thunder Bay is already a destination. With its award winning tourism promotion to launch a new campaign for a fine event and convention centre, the returns will offset some of the costs. Local construction jobs will continue the employment surge created by the adjacent waterfront development still under way. More jobs will spring from the TBECC itself and from adjacent downtown business already growing by leaps and bounds in the entertainment district. This is a good thing, not something to be feared and jeered. With Ottawa having strangely refused to fund its share if a professional sports franchise was involved (strange because it’s done so elsewhere in Canada) LU is the next logical main tenant. Already a partner in the project, the university can confidently build its hockey franchise anew. What, though, about a women’s hockey team? Surely in Canada where women rule the hockey world, it is time to build a women’s Thunderwolves team. Critics argue the men’s team will play just 20 games on the event centre ice. If we create a women’s team we’ll double the games and grow the local hockey fan base considerably. LU’s other sports, particularly its basketball program, regularly fill the university Fieldhouse. Key games could well be moved to the event centre which would easily compete to host provincial and national university championships in all sports. We’ve spent $4 million studying the event centre concept to confirm it is viable. Every reliable measure of citizen opinion has been in favour of the project. With LU on board, and costs somewhat reduced by cutting out 500 seats, TBECC remains a desirable addition to our community."
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