The first good Penguins idea so far
I’ll admit it: I just don’t care about the Penguins debate. I’m not a hockey fan, I don’t believe that they bring much economic development to the area, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Luke Ravenstahl and Dan Onorato take the heat if the Pens leave. (Yes, I’m a Peduto fan. Given the declared preferences of most of the other authors on this blog, does this surprise anyone?) All of that not caring aside, former County Councilman Mike Dawida has the best idea I’ve heard so far: let the fans buy shares in the team. If they did this right, it could be the biggest fundraising opportunity the sports world has ever seen. (It’s of course no coincidence that Mr. Dawida is proposing this good idea at the same time that he’s running for City Controller, but I see nothing wrong with that.)
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While I am a Pen fan, as a city resident and tax payer I don’t want to see ANY public money go into stadiums and arenas. There are so many other things we can use that money for. It makes no sense that we are about to loose most bus service but we can afford an arena? I think we as voting citizens need to reevaluate our priorities.
The business of entertainment is one area where government should stay out. If a new arena is so important than let the private sector figure out a way to pay for it.
I’m curious, Pensfan. Do you feel that no tax money should go to the local arts then?
The RAD fund sends a good bit of money to the museums, the symphony, the ballet, and many other local arts organizations. I believe the zoo receives money from them also. They are all forms of entertainment. Should we cut them off in the name of propping up the Port Authority?
All of the Arts organizations and museums are not for profit. At the end of the day no one is making a profit off of the Carnegie Museum. If the Pens were a non-profit organization, I would feel differently. But that hockey team exists to make money, thus I don’t think tax dollars should be used to help someone else profit.
Well, Pensfan, you should be against public dollars being used for the arts, since there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in the Cultural District that clearly make money on tax money redirected to that area.
I’m also curious what you might think of this situation…let’s say the Pens ownership said “you know what? We’ll build our own arena, and no one else can use it.” So now what happens? The city is left without an events center. No concerts, no Sesame Street on Ice, etc, etc. If there’s one building the city/county/state should get behind, it’s a new arena because it’s truly multi-purpose. I can understand being against Heinz Field or PNC Park, which are sports facilities first and foremost. But an arena? Sure, the Pens ownership benefits, but so does the entire downtown area.