And the more people that are brought into the Louisville area,the more crime and drunks roaming the streets. Gee whiz dosent Louisville have enough of that allready?

quote:

Originally posted by Angel:
And the more people that are brought into the Louisville area,the more crime and drunks roaming the streets. Gee whiz dosent Louisville have enough of that allready?

That's what I call the Mayberry mentality. 'Oh my gosh. If we change things, we might not like the way things will be.’ We're always going to have some crime and we're always going to have some drunkenness. Do you really want to use this as an excuse, Angel, to keep growth in Louisville stagnant and let other cities pass up by? Get real! Growth will also provide more funds for police and schools. Louisville will not become Sodom and Gomorrah.

The reports I have heard point to the arena only being used 52% of the time and less than that for Freedom Hall.
Based on other cities, the investment in a new arena has not paid for itself much shown a profit for the cities.
Finally, how would you address what is already an inadequate parking situation in downtown Louisville? Not to mention the traffic?

quote:

Originally posted by ZOO:
The reports I have heard point to the arena only being used 52% of the time and less than that for Freedom Hall.
Based on other cities, the investment in a new arena has not paid for itself much shown a profit for the cities.
Finally, how would you address what is already an inadequate parking situation in downtown Louisville? Not to mention the traffic?

I don't consider that to be at all unusual for a sports or entertainment venue. How often do you think that the Louisville Palace is open and booked???

As for parking, you've got lots of parking garages within a four block area. You're not going to be able to 'park at the door' with any sizable sports facility.

Traffic is already a problem at Freedom Hall, ZOO. Have you been to a U of L game while the Kentuckiana flea market or other activities are going on? Why should the problem magically disappear just because we're getting an updated facility???

My guess is that it may need a small subsidy to keep going. I think that subsidy will pale in comparison with the taxes and other revenues it will generate.

Freedom Hall is an embarrassment. The sooner we can get this arena built the better.

I remain skeptical that an arena will net any financial gains. But time will tell.
Regarding the parking.... did you not see my posting on the Bat's game? I had to park over 5 blocks away and the stadium was not even half full. I hate to think how far away I would have had to park if it had been a sold out game.
I just don't see how to accomodate the masses that will surely come to this incredible new sports venue (yes, I am being sarcastic).
Yes, traffic can be bad AT the fairgrounds but it does not clog the whole area like happens downtown.
If the city absolutely MUST have another sports arena to sit idle much of the year, the least they can do is not put it downtown where it is already over congested and insufficient parking.