Comments on Advance Indiana™: Ballard Being Played By Indy Elites

When I looked at the all brick new Colts stadium t...

2007-12-10T22:27:00.000-05:00

When I looked at the all brick new Colts stadium the other day, the palace that makes the Roman Coliseum pale in comparison, I could only say, "what have we done?" Super Bowl? Damn straight we better get at least that out of the pain we're extracting from all of us taxpayers to erect this monument to excess. We're paying for it, if we're going to be screwed let's at least get the party.

For a large city like a Chicago or Miami to host a...

2007-12-10T10:01:00.000-05:00

For a large city like a Chicago or Miami to host a superbowl, the effects might not be that great. But for a mid-sizes city like Indianapolis, the chance to host the superbowl and to showcase our city to all of the corporate execs that it attracts (that would not otherwise come to Indianapolis)is invaluable.

Challenging the $300 million windfall is this from...

2007-12-09T21:12:00.000-05:00

Challenging the $300 million windfall is this from the Dallas Morning News:

But some economists say such figures, which include multipliers as money gets recycled through the community, overstate the impact.

Allen Sanderson, an economics professor specializing in sports at the University of Chicago, says the impact is as little as 10 percent of what boosters claim because so much money is spent with suppliers or companies that aren't local.

"The money doesn't all stay in town," he said.

The predictions also don't take into account how much spending would have occurred in the area anyway and how much it costs to host the event.

"The Super Bowl is a party, not an investment," Mr. Sanderson said.

You can promote the convention industry in Indiana...

2007-12-09T17:50:00.000-05:00

You can promote the convention industry in Indianapolis without hosting a Super Bowl. To hear those folks talk the fate of Indianapolis' future as a convention destiny totally rests on hosting a Super Bowl. Originally, it was just a larger convention center, which they are getting. The RCA Dome will be torn down, notwithstanding the $75 million in debt on it so they can have the convention center space they say we need. By the time it is built, you can bet they will be complaining about the size of that space.

Obviously there are those that do not realize how ...

2007-12-09T17:45:00.000-05:00

Obviously there are those that do not realize how many conventions are held here and how many are unable to book because of unavailable dates or they are too large to fit into the old convention center....now that it is larger......more will come but we are a convention destination..I agree the weather, lack of oceans etc make it less attractive but the central location in the country and the numerous interstates make it a prime city.

While a Superbowl in Indianapolis could be a great...

2007-12-09T14:36:00.000-05:00

While a Superbowl in Indianapolis could be a great boost during a very slow time of year in the Indianapolis convention business, the economic impact is significantly decreased by the NFL's demands for tax breaks etc.

The corporate money and effort would be better spent attracting a organization that will commit to have multi year events in our city and perhaps move its headquarters like the NCAA or Bands of America.

How about a soccer governing body that would hold regional, national and international games in the Lucas Oil Stadium in the Colts off season?

While a Superbowl in Indianapolis could be a great...

2007-12-09T14:35:00.000-05:00

Well stated commentary by Advance Indiana, again. ...

2007-12-09T12:44:00.000-05:00

Well stated commentary by Advance Indiana, again. I suspect that the Indy Elites mostly live in Carmel and don't pay the taxes they help foist on Marion County.

"Without them and the $3.56 billion the tourism an...

2007-12-09T12:39:00.000-05:00

"Without them and the $3.56 billion the tourism and hospitality industry pumps into the local economy, Indianapolis would be just another decaying post-industrial city surrounded by former cornfields of two-story tract homes full of people with nothing to do."

I am not sure what the $3.56 billion consists of, but I do know (according to Stats Indiana (http://www.stats.indiana.edu/profiles/pr18097.html), the total earnings from accomodations, food service, arts, entertainment, recreation and retail trade only made up 9.4% (3.4 billion) of the total earnings in Marion County. And of course, the average wages of these sectors are amongst the lowest. Obviously, only a portion of that is attributable to toursim.

What Ketzenbeger should be doing is providing a real analysis of the minor role that the convention center, etc. actually play in the local economy and contrast that to the percentage of subsidies (tax abatement and tifs, etc. provided to this sector of the economy.

I have to tell you, Indianapolis will NEVER be tho...

2007-12-09T11:43:00.000-05:00

I have to tell you, Indianapolis will NEVER be thought of as a place to hold a convention. So why a Super Bowl? The city is a third level convention city. I can tell you it is the place you go when there is no place left to go or you have a tie to motor racing, farming, or headquarters in, the city. You will never hear, "Where should we hold our next meeting?" "I know, Indianapolis!"

NOT!

Didn't Ballard indicate during the campaign that h...

2007-12-09T11:23:00.000-05:00

Didn't Ballard indicate during the campaign that he supported efforts to bring the Superbowl here?

"...correctly noting that Peterson was a master of...

2007-12-09T11:22:00.000-05:00

"...correctly noting that Peterson was a master of economic development." - Huh?

Hosting the Super Bowl did Detroit a lot of good.T...

2007-12-09T10:33:00.000-05:00

Hosting the Super Bowl did Detroit a lot of good.
They lost their ass and it's still the hellhole it was before they hosted it.

10:11, I'm sorry but you are completely full of s....

2007-12-09T10:25:00.000-05:00

10:11, I'm sorry but you are completely full of s..t!
Was the reason Peterson was ran out of town on a rail because HE didn't land the Super Bowl?
Who the hell cares??????????

If Ballard blows the bid for the 2012 Super Bowl t...

2007-12-09T10:11:00.001-05:00

If Ballard blows the bid for the 2012 Super Bowl then he should be run out of town on a rail...I know it is unconventional but he should use many of the Peterson people who put on the impressive presentation and came within a vote of getting the 2011 Super Bowl

I'm not Greg Ballard but I certainly know when som...

2007-12-09T10:11:00.000-05:00

I'm not Greg Ballard but I certainly know when someone draws a line in the dirt and dares me to cross it. Katzenberger's column today was not his usual diatribe,it was a threat! This speaks volumes about these gutless bastards in the Downtown Klan that don't have the balls to meet face to face with Ballard to try to advance their "world vision" in his presence. No, it's easier for the Downtown Klan to use Katzenberger as their hired gun.

Ballard stated that the days of Indianapolis being ran like a country club are gone. This city has incredibly serious issues that have to be addressed and our so-called "business leaders" can't see anything beyond their own pitiful little elite club and their own bank accounts?
If it Katzenberger wants a class war then by god almighty he's going to have one!
If Ballard falls in bed with these whores Katzenberger calls "business leaders" then he'll wish to hell he never put his name on a ballot!

Katzenberger may feel that he's in charge of the case holding the dueling pistols but he sure as hell won't be the one to load them.
Mr Ballard and Mr.Elite Businessman, choose your pistols carefully because the voters are in charge of the powder and lead.

"economic benefit for the City of Indianapolis tha...

2007-12-09T10:05:00.000-05:00

"economic benefit for the City of Indianapolis than either of two annual events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400, neither of which requires a multi-million dollar commitment on behalf of the local community".
which brings to mind...HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN AN INVOICE for Police services provided during these events and the Colts games and Black Expo and any other events.
And do not for a minute think that OVERTIME and MANDATORY DUTY was not used.
But instead a lot of taxpayers money was used so the above mentioned could smile all the way to the bank!

Since when did PROFIT become a four-letter word to...

2007-12-09T09:43:00.000-05:00

Since when did PROFIT become a four-letter word to Republicans?

Don't forget that the Indy Star stands to benefit ...

2007-12-09T09:36:00.000-05:00

Don't forget that the Indy Star stands to benefit hugely if the Super Bowl comes to town. The paper lost a ton of money a few years ago when the Colts were supposed to go to the Super Bowl and didn't. The paper had already purchased hotel rooms and had huge plans for coverage/advertising.

I can only imagine the dollar signs in their eyes and those in the Virginia headquarters.

And how does this support making a bid for the Sup...

2007-12-09T09:26:00.000-05:00

And how does this support making a bid for the Super Bowl your higest priority before even taking office?

The IBJ also questioned whether Ballard would be g...

2007-12-09T09:19:00.000-05:00

The IBJ also questioned whether Ballard would be good for business, correctly noting that Peterson was a master of economic development. Of course, you'd rather call people names and whine rather than support your positions with any facts. Rather ironic given your profession.