[Mpls] Re: stadium

[freealonzo at mn.rr.com]

Ron Leurquin wrote:

Last week I asked the forum what we gain from building a new stadium 
that we do not now have?  Is that gain equal or greater than our 
investment?  What does Carl stand to gain?  Is that gain equal or 
greater than his investment?  Anyone want to try and take 
that on?

Dean Here:

O.k. my last post on the ballpark then I'm moving on to more friendlier 
sites like bat-girl.com.  But this is how I would answer the first part 
of Ron's questions.

What do we gain?  How about a modern ball park that has seats that face 
home plate, a place where you can go watch Major League Baseball on a 
gorgeous July evening and not feel bad because you are indoors.  A 
place that isn't sterile and plastic -- where you can invite your out-
of-town friends to come watch a game, instead of always going to their 
City.  A ballpark that allows the Twins to be more economically stable 
so that payroll increases don't have to fall entirely on the back of 
increased ticket prices or force them to relocate to Las Vegas or 
Portland.  A ballpark that is integrated into the City's downtown 
fabric and is complementary to and supports local restaurants, bars, 
shops, housing instead of being isolated by roads, parking lots, and 
industrial buildings.  Is that gain equal or greater than our 
investment?  I can't quantify it, but I know that it will exceed my 
0.0015 increase in taxes investment many, many times over.

Dean E. Carlson
Ward 10, East Harriet