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June 10, 2008
sarasota doesn't need the red sox
One of the more interesting aspects of the housing slump is how cities cope with the loss of property tax revenue. Here in Sarasota, the city's tax revenue skyrocketed during the boom and now is faced with huge shortfalls. Instead of cutting back the countless programs the city spent money on during that period they've chosen to raise fees on parks, parking, etc. Raising fees is always the solution since it's nearly impossible to remove a program once it starts. The city has found a way to survive the downturn, but now it wants to blow the budget.
The Cincinnati Reds have decided to move their spring training facilities to Arizona since Sarasota refused to pay for a 40 million dollar upgrade to the current park. Since the city is broke they tried to get the taxpayers of Sarasota to pay for it and the voters said no. Now a few months later the Red Sox are threatening to leave Fort Myers and are shopping around trying to find a city dumb enough to pay for a new spring training facility. Predictably there are a lot of people excited about the prospect of having the Red Sox in town. They are the current World Series champions, plus all the Boston fans in town would love to have them here. There is already a group started trying to rally support for the project.
County Administrator Jim Ley has told his budget manager to put together a $70 million funding package for a new stadium for Boston Red Sox spring training. That's $30 million more than city and county officials offered the Cincinnati Reds to keep spring training here. If the $70 million cost stands, it would make the Sarasota spring training complex one of the most expensive built in Florida.Voters have already said that $40 million was too much, but that hasn't stopped the city. Now the city is trying to find a way to raise the money. Unless there's some magical piggy bank they've been hiding all this time my opinion hasn't change on this subject.
All of the options call for hotel tax money to pay for the bulk of stadium construction, with one option calling for a one-cent increase in the tax that would generate up to $34 million over 30 years, as well as $17 million in hotel tax dollars already set aside for spring training. Even with a hike in the hotel tax, the city and county would need to come up with another $20 million.Supports of the Red Sox project claim "it will help the Sarasota economy." In a micro-sense they're right. Having the team here during the Spring is beneficial to the local economy, but it detrimental to Fort Myers. In other words, from the perspective of the state of Florida this whole move is a wash. It helps one city and hurts another. The Red Sox are the ones who are really benefiting from this move. They're trying to squeeze money out of Fort Myers by finding a city elsewhere that's willing to cough up ridiculous sums of cash. Maybe someone should tell the Red Sox that the town is cursed. Lee county thought they had the Red Sox through 2019, but thanks to a $1 million buyout clause the Red Sox are looking for greener pastures. That's how this works. They'll find a city like Sarasota to spend $70 million and then a few years later find another city. It's time that communities quit letting huge sports franchises come in boss us around. The economic cost of paying for the Red Sox's move doesn't make sense.
Posted by nemov at June 10, 2008 12:12 PM
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Comments
Respectfully sir, you could not be more wrong!
First, I think it is too early in the process to start judging a potential project in Sarasota for the Boston Red Sox. The $70 million dollar figure is something the newspapers leaked and is not accurate. They neglected to mention that there is an estimated $24.9 million in a pot of money dedicated to a new stadium. That money is derived from $17 million produced by a half-cent from the 4th penny tourist tax enacted two years ago and from $7.9 million designated by the State of Florida to keep baseball here. By the way, this money CANNOT be used for schools, police, etc. It can only be used for tourism-related activities. So, a project that looks like $70 million is actually $45.1 million. Where would this additional $45.1 million come from? Taxes, tourist taxes, private development? Who knows! Until we do know more facts, it does the public no good to get fired up.
Now, let's move on to the topic of whether or not our governmental officials should be using tax money for a baseball stadium when we need money for schools, police and libraries?
The answer is YES! We need something to bring money into Sarasota, a REVENUE GENERATOR! In the long run, the money Sarasota County collects from spring training, tournaments, concerts, etc. will pay for the stadium. Let me remind you that we are talking about the Boston Red Sox here, not the Cincinnati Reds. For all of you non-sports fans, there is a monumental difference between the two franchises. The Red Sox Nation spans the globe from the northeast, throughout the country and over to Japan. They are not only one of the most prestigious franchises in baseball, but in all of sports. We need economic development, and this is our chance!
So, even if you don't like baseball and you will never visit the stadium, think about the effect it will have on our community. Along with the arts and beaches, baseball does have a history in the community. By the way, did I forget to mention I am a diehard Yankees fan and I despise the Red Sox? However, I am able to put my personal feelings aside and realize that it would be a shame to lose out on a once in a lifetime opportunity.
To find out more about the project and to voice your opinion (positive or negative) please visit www.citizensforsox.com. Also, you can come to an open public forum on Thursday, June 12th at the Lido Beach Resort at 7:00 PM.
Sincerely,
CONCERNED SARASOTA CITIZEN
Posted by: Citizen for the Sox at June 11, 2008 12:38 PM
Cities throughout the United States have subsidized sports teams using the argument it's "good for the economy." It's a tired argument, it's a waste of money, and the city of Sarasota can foster economic development without the Sox.
In fact, many people in the city believe Sarasota is growing too fast (I'm don't believe that). I'm a huge baseball fan, but it's simple economics. The taxpayers always lose in this scenario.
One last thing... the Red Sox are hot right now because they've been winning. The Cincinnati Reds are a much more successful baseball franchise (historically) and they have large fan base as well. I'm sure the Red Sox organization realizes now is perfect time to ransom Fort Myers while their stock is up.
Posted by: nemov at June 11, 2008 12:47 PM