Arena News

[myhomenewark]

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/109505116423330.xml

I cannot understand why NJSEA are allowed to use my tax dollars to compete with a new Newark arena. Where's Schundler when you need him? The Meadowlands development is a culmination of years of favorable, and bad, tax policies favoring undeveloped land over land in need of redevelopment. And real estate development cannot help but have a large, built-in racial component to it as well (what's "desirable" as opposed to "undesirable"). New Jersey elected officials need to do the right thing and advocate for NJSEA's closing of the outdated Continental Airlines arena so that the new Newark arena can rise unimpeded. Wasn't the Xanadu project supposed to be the quid pro quo?

Act like one state New Jersey.... Let OUR CITY, Newark, rise again on an even playing field.

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

Non-Newarkers never want Newark to succeed!

[5Reasons]

I don’t care if the arena doesn’t make a dime and loses MILLIONS. I don’t care if the ONLY tenant is Shabazz’s girls team. That’s how angry I am with burbarians over this deal. Sharpe was pitching this plan over 6 years ago. If the burbarians didn’t want Newarkers to have it then, they should have had the courage to squash the rhetoric at the beginning, instead of their racist/mobile logic that they used since 1998.

But again, everyone wants to talk about the unfair terms that Newark has to deal with BUT NOONE has talked about how Newark was boxed into a corner by the burbarians in the first place. Newark had a better deal when the economy was much better and the burbarians stopped that.

But what really blows me up is that I NEVER heard the burbarians raise a peep when Newark has to take on all this unwanted crap. As long as it’s another jail, another garbage facility, another half-way house, drug treatment center, high-rise project, homeless shelter et al, the burbarians NEVER say a word. Two years ago, Candace “I’m not” Straight was running for County Exec and she was campaigning on “stopping the Sharpe James arena” at the same time she wanted to “open up a hospital for the mentally ill” in Newark. That’s the stereotypical burbarian mentality. If there’s something you don’t want, or you don’t need, give it to Newark. Of course, Newark officials are so hard up for cash, they’ll take it (Modern day step and fetch it.)

John is correct – the last offense for all Newarkers should have been that 1.2 BILLION dollar boondoggle in the swamp. They are willing to keep an arcane arena and put 200 MILLION dollars to “remodel” it and it WON’T have one team. (Just wait until Sharpe jacks SHU basketball from that dump). Then they put ANOTHER mall (like we need that) and my absolute favorite – INDOOR SKIIING. Please tell me what market researcher told them that indoor skiing would be popular in the swamp? These guys also pitched a 200 MILLION dollar swamp rail line that had more loops, twists and turns than Six Flag’s Batman rollercoaster. And, these guys had the hubris to pitch ANOTHER 50 million in highway construction.

Newarkers SHOULD NEVER think they are true residents of New Jersey. We are not. If burbarians could bomb Newark, they would. It’s just that simple.

[Doofus1]

This is what Newark is up against. People continue to rail against an arena in Newark because the money could be better spent, but no one truly complains about Xanadudu. It is disheartening.

http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/mclaughlin/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1095915114218890.xml

[myhomenewark]

Since when has there been a public outcry about providing for Newark's poor? I get so sick of this sanctimonius, hypocritcal hue and cry becuase Newark has a chance to use a little seed money to make things better. It's almost like saying I win $10,000 in the lottery and I quit my job. That $10,000 is not going to last anytime. What will I do when it's gone?

Honestly, I'm not quite sure that an arena is the best way to spend this money in Newark. However, "programs for the poor" should not be what Newark does with its money. McLaughlin needs to advocate for federal- or state-level spending for programs for the poor. Doesn't Camden have poor? St. Louis? Washington, D.C.? What about the Meadowlands district? Are there no poor there? Or have those who would be their poor been forced through our wonderful American "level playing field" to mainly reside in Newark? What's Teterboro, NJ, doing with its airport revenue? The poor are part of relationship between capitalism, immigration, racism and neglect. Why does Newark have to take its investment income to momentarily make milder this thing which is much larger than this city? Aren't all the jobs for the poor mainly out of Newark anyway? Wasn't that the whole idea behind Mt. Laurel?

It's all about power relationships and expectations of what one thinks is appropriate which oftentimes people understand better when those folks look just like them. Mr. McLaughlin needs to examine his conclusions with an understanding that he may be unintentionally biased. In other words, Newark does not need McLaughlin as its Great White Father in this instance. If he wants to father something, then do better at articulating the structural relationships that allow the urban poor to be concentrated in one area and extrapolate how we're all going to deal with this as individuals and a nation. Then maybe next time Newark gets the opportunity to build something great, a team, philanthropists, etc., won't fall away as it gets stalled when someone's wrong-headed idea of what they think they contribute to Newark and what Newark owes them. They owe us.

I'd rather see a new arena anyday than to kowtow to his paternalistic, less than objective viewpoint. :mad:

[5Reasons]

That's all the burbarians want in Newark. More jails, more drug treatment centers, more half-way houses, more, more, more of all the crap that noone else wants and would cry like girlie-men if they had to house have the sh!t that Newark takes in.

Look, I want to do my fair share for the poor. In fact, I want to do MORE than my fair share; however, what I DON'T want to do, is EVERYONES share.

It's time for Newark to get out of the business of being the sole refuge "for the poor."

[Doofus1]

Talk about the tail wagging the dog, the Ledger is clearly on a mission here. Here is an article complaining about the fact that no one has agreed to fund the expense of upgrading the old CNJ bridge for pedestrian traffic. NJT is apparently willing to pay for stairs, elevators and platform extensions to connect it to Penn Station, so all we are talking about is the bridge itself.

HELLO! THIS IS NOT A REAL ISSUE! Anyone recall the steel box with plywood floors that crossed Rt 120 for 15 years at the Meadowlands? That didn't stop fans from coming to the games. All that is needed is a 2-block paved walkway that is safe. There is no magic to this.

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-17/1096003917320890.xml

[Houseguest]

Couldn't agree with you more Doofus. I can't believe the SL is wasting ink and man hours writing anti-arena (aka anti Sharpe) articles such as that one. Perhaps the "footbridge" money, which isn't really needed, can come from the pot of gold that the STATE is using to help SUBSIDIZE Xanadudu.

By the way, the State IS virtually force-feeding this Meadowlands project down peoples throats. MANY ARE NOT thrilled about the idea of Xanadu. Here's an article the Ledger seemed to miss:


http://nj.com/news/jjournal/secaucus/index.ssf?/base/news-0/109541233371150.xml

[bqribs]

Can someone tell me why Newark needs an Arena? How will it benifit Newark residents, Essex County, or New Jersey?

[ProSouth]

Why did we need an Arena in the Meadowlands??????

[bqribs]

Why did we need an Arena in the Meadowlands??????

ProSouth, I know you know better than to answer a question with a question.

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

THE EXACT SAME REASON THAT XANADUDU IS BEING BUILT IN THE MEADOWLANDS FOR $1.2 BILLION DOLLARS. TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY, TO PROVIDE JOBS, TO INCREASE TOURISM, TO SERVE AS A FORUM WHERE HEADLINE ENTERTAINERS CAN PERFORM, TO SERVE AS A CONVENTION CENTER FOR BOAT SHOWS AND CAR SHOWS, TO SERVE AS A CONFERENCE CENTER, AND LASTLY BTW AS A HOME FOR SPORTING EVENTS! :mad:

ANY QUESTIONS???

I HAVE ONE.....WHY ISN'T THERE ANY PUBLIC OPPOSITION TO BUILDING XANADUDU WITH $1.2 BILLION IN PUBLIC MONEY?

IS IT A BLACK/WHITE ISSUE LIKE EX-GOV DIFRANSESCO SAID? :confused:


PLEASE RESPOND

[black4rob2]

I think anyone who lives in this county (Newark especially) should be in support of the arena. This development would have a huge impact on the city, county, and state in many different facets.

I don't believe that people are content with the current state of this city. From the problems with the homeless, drugs, gangs, unemployment, etc...

I really do firmly believe that an arena in the heart of the wealthiest city in this state is something that this city needs desperately to curb most of the negative around, and help bring back some of the luster that Newark used to possess.

From the amount of city jobs that will be available, the amount of revenue that will be generated from this developement, the new businesses that will follow, and of course the new security presence that will be available, are all positive aspects of this project.

Sure with every huge decision or development in life there are pros and cons, but I firmly believe that the pros surpasses the cons significantly.

What's the alternative? We used the money from the Airport to do more frivolous construction or we give it too another scum like Lucas...

The money is going to get spent anyway regardless if we want it to or not. What we should be concerned about is insuring that the construction jobs, the retail jobs, security jobs, etc...goes to local residents...We should make sure that the the revenue generated comes back to this city and county....

Imagine what newark could be like...a mini Manhattan or hoboken. Why can't we be like them? Better yet why can't we be better than them???

[5Reasons]

And please, please, PUHLLEESE, let's not forget that for YEARS the Swamp Sports and Exposition Autority lost MILLIONS of "my tax dollars" by giving them away to "rich sports owners" and yet there were no protets. No series of articles by the Fox Ledger. No radical campaigning against "stop the East Rutherford arena." The Mayor of East Rutherford's name wasn't turned into a lightly vieled racial slur. And yet all of these things have occurred in the Newark debate.

But again, the arena should be viewed quite differently by Newarkers. The arena is about whether Newark is going to continue to accept the crap and box that burbarians have neatly placed Newark in. When burbarians are dumping more jails, more homeless shelters, more garbage facilities, where's the outcry of "my tax dollars" going to Newark? Of course, there is none. As long as it's sh!t, the burbarians NEVER have a problem with it in NWK.

If our leaders weren't knee deep in you know what, and so ethically-challenged, perhaps they could make an even more forceful moral argument.

[bqribs]

[QUOTE=John James]

TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY, TO PROVIDE JOBS,

Provide jobs? doing what? selling hot dogs and peanuts
Stimulate the economy,,,,,,sure,,,,,short term during construction


TO INCREASE TOURISM,

Yeah right, everyone on earth is going to plan a vacation to Newark to see the arena


TO SERVE AS A FORUM WHERE HEADLINE ENTERTAINERS CAN PERFORM,

That can be done at PAC


TO SERVE AS A CONVENTION CENTER FOR BOAT SHOWS

Who in Newark can afford a boat, yet alone a cruiser

AND CAR SHOWS,

For Newark residents we have that on 21

TO SERVE AS A CONFERENCE CENTER,

PAC

AND LASTLY BTW AS A HOME FOR SPORTING EVENTS!

Yeah again, justt like Bears Stadium make zillions

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

state spending $1.2 billion on Xanadudu?

I know you hate Sharpe...Its okay....Critics are a dime a dozen. They offer no suggestions or solutions and just blame other folks for all of society's ills.

I'm glad Sharpe's DOING something instead of wasting the PA money by giving it out like welfare checks. Wasn't it you who always wants the people in charge to DO something?

Sharpe is DOING something...and you merely want to complain.

P.S. The NJPAC (in Newark) is not the PNC (GSP SOUTH)(You don't get out much do you? or Do you really live at the shore?)

Yawn....you bore me :eek: :D :eek:

[bqribs]

state spending $1.2 billion on Xanadudu?

Who cares about X an a do

I know you hate Sharpe...Its okay....Critics are a dime a dozen.

Mr. Mind Reader, I do not hate Sharpe. I think he has done a wonderful job getting Newark back to what it is.

They offer no suggestions or solutions and just blame other folks for all of society's ills.

No I do not have solutions. This is what I thought this forum was for. Get a group of minds together to come up with solutions.

Wasn't it you who always wants the people in charge to DO something?

What u be talkin bout?

Sharpe is DOING something...and you merely want to complain.

Ain't complaining, just asking questions.

P.S. The NJPAC (in Newark) is not the PNC (GSP SOUTH)(You don't get out much do you? or Do you really live at the shore?)

So sorry bout the typo. I don't own a home at the shore like your Mayor. I just fish there.

Yawn....you bore me :eek: :D :eek:

Sarcasm? Is that the correct word for your remark?

[bqribs]

Now that you have blown your steam off can you answer the original question? Why does Newark need an arena?

[bqribs]

One more question to you Mr. James.

With all of the new townhouse construction being done by the NHA, under the leadership of Mr. Lavishing, how many Newark youths obtained jobs? Yet alone how many took one more step up the ladder to success??

I believe Charlie Bell is in charge, making a quarter mil a year combined salary.

[black4rob2]

Now that you have blown your steam off can you answer the original question? Why does Newark need an arena?

First of all, I like the PAC, but when was the last time you ever saw a huge concert at the pac. NJ PAC is not even listed on ticketmasters as a venue.


Boat Shows: I have tons of friends from all over jersey who enjoy boats dearly, and we often go to boat shows at the javits...Not one of us live in NY. 4 of us have boats.

Cars shows: I have a car too... (Although you might not see it at a car show) Explorer Sport class of 2000.

Sporting Events: How can you compare a minor league team to a professional team?


The arena is bigger than just building a huge complex just for fun or for entertainment purposes solely. I see it as a step in the right direction as far as bringing something to this city for a change. If you take a walk through the gateway buildings that once was plagued with different organizations, its like a ghost town in there and the owners can't find new tenants to save their lives. An arena will bring big business back to this city.

I would love to see Macy's back here again, I would love to have a couple fine eateries out here. I would love to walk down the street at 10:00PM without being strapped.

I can see the arena bringing these things and more to this city. It will give this city some much needed attention from outsiders and hopefully some more dollars as well.

I agree with you, right now Newark is not the hottest tourists spot in the tri state area, but it can be. We can't lose that hope or even settle for false hope. Looking at the structure for the Renaissance Mall on Broad St, gives me that false hope every time I see it, and can't wait for it to be demolish.

But for sure we have to redevelop this area and make it more attractive to us and others coming to visit.

Just think about it, if you don't clean and scrub your house...you'll get roaches and mice. Your house will just be filthy and nasty to the point your friends and relatives don't want to come over to visit not even Holidays....That is the same thing that happens with homeless people and beggers on the streets. They are the roaches in your house and they won't leave until you clean it up. Once they are gone and your house is smelling good again...your friends will come back...you know why...they always wanted to...they missed you, but just couldn't bare to around all that filth.

I think the arena is an excellant idea. i just wish the basketball team could have been included in the deal but unfortunately not. My only problem is that the majority of newark citizens won't enjoy a hockey game as much as they would a basketball game. I know that's a stereotype, but I think I'm dead on nonetheless.

THINK ABOUT IT.

[5Reasons]

The arena, just in case no one has informed you, is part of a much larger redevelopment effort that will impact the Nwk downtown area and create a high-income district. The arena is part of a continued effort to attract more people to Newark for commerce, business and recreation. In a city that has never outlived its riot label, it is also part of a much larger campaign to remake its image.

But again, the other questions that have been raised also need to be legitimated. How come the Swamp Sports and Exposition Authority can lose MILLIONS for DECADES and no one has ever protested them? Again, to date, the "Newark Arena" hasn't lost NJ a dime. Why should we have a 1.2 BILLION dollar invenstment for the Swampolands? How come no one questions the legitimacy of the swamp? - which, to date, has NEVER produced any positive revenue for the State of New Jersey. Why should we have INDOOR SKIING in the swamp?

Again, indoor skiing is laughable, since I'm sure NO market researcher stated that that was feasbile. The demographic trend lines for such an activity would discourage it. Since 2000, the three counties that have experienced the LARGEST decline in WHITE population are Union, Middlesex and BERGEN. The two fastest growing racial/ethnic groups in Bergen are Koreans and Latinos. Now I'm not trying to stereotype but I suspect that given normal outcomes, neither group is apt to spend their hard-earned leisure dollars on indoor skiing.

And can someone tell me why we need ANOTHER mall in NJ? At that location, there would be 5 MEGA-malls within 25 minutes of it. Can you say SATURATION? Besides, malls themselves have been experiencing declines in shoppers since the emergence of the BIG BOX.

And, can anyone explain why we need ANOTHER hotel in the area? Are the hotels already in existence beyond capacity? I think not.

And, can anyone explain why we would spend over 100 MILLION dollars for a swamp rail line? What is the projected timeline when that rail line will pay for itself? Answer - THERE IS NONE.

And, can someone explain why you would invest 200 MILLION dollars to repaint the Swamp Arena? Again, no clients are projected. Only SHU basketball and I'm sure that they'll bolt to the Newark arena if given a chance.

And let's also remember how many politicians have swindled deals from the State. MY TAX DOLLARS have gone into funding a minor league hockey arena in South Jersey. Where are the protests concerning that? My tax dollars were used to fund an Xtreme Sports arena in S. Jersey. My goodness, millions of dollars being spent on burnouts with skateboards. Yet, no protests. My TAX DOLLARS are also being wasted on a soccer arena in Kearny/Harrison. First of all, who would want to play in Harrison? The team should win all of their games because the smell from the local facilities will overly distract the opponents. Besides, the soccer federation is also losing MILLIONS of dollars. Where's the protests?

The point is this: because everyone ONLY focuses on Newark, it is ASSUMED that the underlying argument is RACIST. If everyone was hawkish about everything, then it would be a little easier to stomach. But Newark has garnered a special criticism, and it can only be because of race.

Politics in NJ and America has a host of latent racial issues and the Newark arena is just the latest. Since whites can't say the N word without getting their teeth knocked out, they've found a way to play on racist sentiments using public policy issues. The costs and impact of the arena and the Nwk redevelopment effort SHOULD be a legitimate topic of discussion; however, the opponents of this arena have turned it into political football and used it to fan the underlying racists in New Jersey.

And again, I end with my prior statements. How come the burbarians don't protest when Newark has to take in all of the State's unwanted sh!t? I never see a "not my tax dollars" protests or a series of articles and commentary from the Fox Ledger when Newark gets another jail, another low-income warehousing project or garbage facility. And, of course, you won't see a protest. Simply put, the burbarians true problem with the "Newark arena" deal is that Newark isn't acting like it should. As they often say in private, "Ni$$ers need to know their place!"

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

As you advised me in the other forum, I think certain members are so anti-administration and short sighted that their comments need to be ignored.

Please ignore Jazzyken. She is very shortsighted! :D

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

Jazzy has issues! :D

[5Reasons]

John, I just get tired of the double standard. I'm tired of the Newark arena fascade being used when what people really want to talk about is race. In 2004, that is STILL the primary obsession of whites. And again, whites can't say the N word, so they've invented new ways to vent their angst, anger and hatred at blacks via the public policy forum.

Now again, I believe the Newark redevelopment effort and arena SHOULD be a legitimate topic of discussion. Surely, there are legitimate arguments to be made on both sides. There should be a thorough accounting on this matter on how it fits into the larger areas of the city's mission and vision statement. There should be legitimate discussions on what are the nonmonetary values of having an arena. However, the opponents have used the Newark arena to fan racist sentiments. In a State whose budget is 27 BILLION dollars, the Newark arena has been used as a panacea to stopping waste in NJ. Burbarians truly believe that if they stop the "Newark arena", that NJ would balance its budget.

Of course, the actors that have used this vehicle are shameless. Candance "I'm not" Straight used the terms "Newark arena" and "Sharpe James" as racial slurs. She talked about the "my tax dollars for sports" at the SAME TIME she sat on the Swamp Sports and Exposition Authority board that had LOST MILLIONS. Are you kidding me? The hypocracy is nearly unbearable.

The GOP used the term "Newark arena" in AT LEAST half of the most recent State Senate elections. Please tell me what some halfwit Senator in Salem County should be saying about the "Newark arena"? Heck, we've been pulling S. Jersey's economy for decades.

Again, a reasoned debate about redevelopment and the arena is neccessary; however, the opponents of the arena aren't into that. What they want to do is profit from the tried and true political method of playing on race.

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

Unfortunately, many opposing the arena are racially challenged and in deep denial!

[black4rob2]

Its ashame that race and economic status still plays a huge role in POLITICS

Sad to say it, but most who are for or against the Arena are all politically motivated.

2004. More like 1964!

[bqribs]

My question is simple, Why does Newark need an arrena??

[ProSouth]

Curious??? Do you live in Newark???

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

test test

[bqribs]

Curious??? Do you live in Newark???

ProSouth, I do not live in Newark. I reside in an adjoining city. I do know some things about Newark. Remember when Brothers cooked ribs on the grill inside, I also remember the Lion's Den on Springfield Ave whose ribs were better, I can even go back to the days when Sparky J's and the Jazz clubs were on Halsey St.

My question remains the same, "Why does Newark need an arena", yet alone a hockey arena.

I just feel the arena is off to a bad start, especially with the NHA (Mr. Lucas) handling the initial funding. Lucas can not manage his own household so how do you expect him to handle a major project like this.

[ProSouth]

If the NHA/Harold Lucas was not involved with the project at all would that then lend credence to an arena in Newark in your eyes???

[myhomenewark]

Two Stories in today's Star-Loser

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-17/1096436085137050.xml

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1096436025137050.xml

One talks about the Governor's proposal to have cities contribute to rebuild schools.

and the other...

Today's public hearing for the arena (one at 10a, the other at 6p)


Is Newark being set up again? I can hear it now... Schools not sports stadiums!

Again, the idea is for those who give a damn about making Newark a full-service city is to move! Otherwise, if you choose to live here, realize that the city's only purpose is to provide a sink for New Jersey's undesirables and under- or unemployed. If we develop Newark, the riff-raff will move to other communities... and then what??? Those of us who choose to remain in this city need to know that it is and will always continue to be for the refuse of respectable New Jerseyans... to be used to keep wages low, lattes cheap, grass manicured, and crime removed from the tony suburbs!

Somebody, anybody, prove me wrong.

[bqribs]

If the NHA/Harold Lucas was not involved with the project at all would that then lend credence to an arena in Newark in your eyes???

Mr. ProSouth,

I am neither for nor against the arena. I guess you would say I am standing on neutral ground. I will also admit I have a bitter taste in my mouth from first hand knowledge of how some Newark agencies conduct buisness. Newark seems to be a black thing, but what about the Ironbound section which would be greatly impacted with the arena. There are just too many double, triple dippers in Newark with little or no knowledge of pulling off a project of this magnitude.

PEACE

[black4rob2]

There are just too many double, triple dippers in Newark with little or no knowledge of pulling off a project of this magnitude.


I can agree with you about state agencies and their methods of conducting business, but can not about getting this project done.

i think that there is way too much money and publcity not to make this happen. If anything just to prove all the critics wrong.

I can honsetly say that I see this as a one of the models for other cities (and states for that matter) in the future.

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS IN THE IRONBOUND CAN'T WAIT FOR THE ARENA. IT WOULD BRING THEIR BUSINESS UP BY 20%! :D

[ProSouth]

Newark seems to be a black thing, but what about the Ironbound section which would be greatly impacted with the arena.

What about the Ironbound??? I kind of like Newark being a Black thing, don't you??

[bqribs]

[QUOTE=black4rob2]I can agree with you about state agencies and their methods of conducting business, but can not about getting this project done.

i think that there is way too much money and publcity not to make this happen. If anything just to prove all the critics wrong.

Let's assume the arena passes all hurdles and begins construction. Who do you think will obtain all major contracts? The construction buisness will be booming with boys from the shore making a 100k a year. How many of our troubled brothers will get jobs to lead them on a path to success? I am just tired of Newark being a black thing and the blacks don't get their fair do. Unless you are politically connected.

How the young folk say, "Let's keep it real".

[bqribs]

What about the Ironbound??? I kind of like Newark being a Black thing, don't you??

Yeah ProSouth,

I like Newark being a Black Thing..........but when it comes to equal opportunity is it really? Too many young brothers are lost in a city with great opportunities. Newark, believe it or not is still run by White corporate America. Not to mention some left over Adinizzo(sp) boys, or whoever that Mayor was that put Newark on the map of scandal.

[Doofus1]

This is stunning. The Sports Auhority wants to sell the racetracks to finance a new $530 milllion stadium for the Mets. Actually, I am a Mets fan and wouldn't mind a shorter trip, but IS ZOFFINGER THE BIGGEST SCUM ON THE PLANET or what? He has the nerve to criticize the Newark Arena and then propose this? Where are the state senators James and Payne? Why haven't they introduced legislation to disband the Authority? Action needs to be taken to kill the pork vehicle in the Meadowlands.

Here is the Ledger Story: http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1096518606320070.xml

[5Reasons]

Don't hold your breath waiting for the protests to arise? I can't wait for Zoff to run for governor next year. He better not set ONE FOOT in Newark.

[black4rob2]

Let's assume the arena passes all hurdles and begins construction. Who do you think will obtain all major contracts? The construction buisness will be booming with boys from the shore making a 100k a year. How many of our troubled brothers will get jobs to lead them on a path to success? I am just tired of Newark being a black thing and the blacks don't get their fair do. Unless you are politically connected.
How the young folk say, "Let's keep it real".

No Doubt let's keep it real! First and foremost these troubled brother have to begin taking some intiatives for themselves, and stop waiting to be spoon fed. Like I said before, there is just to much publicity on this project for them to screw up. With that said, if you are a black contruction worker or whatever...start doing the research now to see what it is you need to qualify for the positions. Find out when they are going to put these stuff out to bid, get your credentials in order, and put yourself in a position where you can't get turned down because of a technicality.

Do the possiblity exist that the arena people will begin construction and some shore guy will get the contract....SURE....but that will only happen if these city guys don't do what they are suppose to initially...
Now the arena people can go to the media, and say hell we did what we were suppose to do to inform the public about these contract, but they never showed up, or they showed with the wrong paperwork or qualifications....Yeah..I know you are smart because all of that would be BS and we know it...

That's exactly how this city and the state works.

With the Gov's new No Pay to Play SH!t, it will definitely make it harder for some politically connected contractor to get the job using the same methods as before.. I'm not even sure when that takes affect, but regardless there will be loopholes.

My main point is that we have got to stop blaming and pointing the fingers at other people and take responsiblity for ourselves. We have to put ourselves in the position to be successful and not wait for the opportunity to let themselves in, because its already knocked.

That's keepin it real hard as hell!!!!!

[bqribs]

NYTimes reported today that Mr. Sharpe James admitted the NHA can not handle the arena construction! Go Sharpe Go!

[Houseguest]

A BILLION DOLLAR BOONDOGGLE being force fed down NJ taxpayers throats :mad: ! By the way, they're also being accused of ILLEGLALLY starting construction on the site!! Hats off to Carlstadt:



Carlstadt sues to block Xanadu as illegal mall Saturday, October 2, 2004

By CAROLYN FEIBEL
STAFF WRITER


Carlstadt officials filed a lawsuit Friday to stop the Xanadu project, just days before developers are scheduled to sign their lease agreement.

The suit calls the project an illegal "high-tech modern shopping mall" and asserts that the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority does not have the right to allow retail development on its land or to grant tax exemptions to Xanadu.

The $1.3 billion Xanadu complex will include stores along with a ski dome, a roller coaster, and a movie theater. Developing partners Mills Corp. and Mack-Cali have not yet announced how many stores or who the tenants will be.

"This is a big mall, that's all this is," said Stuart Lieberman, Carlstadt's special counsel for the lawsuit. "The roller coaster isn't going to pay all the overhead."

The suit also seeks financial damages for the removal of the 587-acre Empire Tract from Carlstadt's tax rolls. The developers have acquired the land and will turn it over to the state for conservation.

In exchange for the $1.7 million annual tax shortfall, the sports authority has offered Carlstadt $750,000 annually for two years, with an eventual increase to $1 million after the fifth year, said Mayor Will Roseman. He called that offer "ridiculous."

"It's thievery, that's what it is," Roseman added. "They're stealing from our constituency."

Sports authority Chairman Carl Goldberg said Carlstadt's annual payment would actually reach $1.2 million after three to five years of construction.

"We're at a loss to understand their unhappiness," Goldberg said. "I will not be offering them more money."

Only 600,000 of Xanadu's 2.7 million square feet will be devoted to retail, Goldberg said. The retail component will be "ancillary" and in keeping with the sports authority's legal mandate, he said.

The two sides met briefly Monday but failed to settle their differences.

Mills Corp. spent much of the 1990s trying to build a mall on the Empire Tract but was opposed by environmentalists and residents. When the sports authority asked for bids to redevelop the Continental Arena site, Mills shifted its efforts to that site.

Carlstadt officials still talk about the millions of tax dollars they would have received if a mall had been built on the Empire Tract.

The sports authority board will vote to authorize a lease-signing for Xanadu on Monday, Goldberg said. A signing ceremony is planned for Tuesday morning, followed by a private cocktail gala that night.

"They can have their dog-and-pony show," said Roseman. "They can have their fancy cocktail party, but my taxpayers are paying for their fancy cocktail party."

[Doofus1]

Now the Giants want a new stadium at a cost of $700 million, most of which will have to be paid for by us, as opposed to a $300 million improvement originally agreed to. The Zoffinger and the sports authority sure are doing a fantastic job, aren't they? :confused:

http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1096696245137060.xml?starledger?spg

[5Reasons]

Yeah, I noticed that. 700 MILLION and no one raises any concerns about the indirect and DIRECT costs from New Jersey tax payers.

[myhomenewark]

(nt)

[black4rob2]

(nt)
(nt)

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

:mad: :mad:

[Doofus1]

First, few realize the Sports Authority is a financial loser for most of its history. Second, most taxpayers don't get the fact that the Sports Authority's losses are made up by the state from tax collections. These facts are buried by the Ledger and the Record, so only those that really pay attention understand.

[myhomenewark]

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-nj--xanaduproblems1004oct04,0,6541208.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

If this link works, it's a story about the teams being able to shut down this proposed complex on any given Sunday when a football game is in play. I believe that if the Devils remained in the Meadowlands, they would be able to shut it down too.

Amazing how this Xanadu, Bergen County's putative payoff for a Newark arena, has more of a chance to be completed than the arena which gave it life. And Continental Airlines arena remains to compete with any Newark venue!

Back in your place, Newark! In your FACE, Newark!

WHERE ARE THE ADVOCATES OF NEWARK AND WHY AREN'T THEIR VOICES BEING HEARD ON THIS STORY? What kind of interim governor will Essex County's Codey be if he allows this complex to start construction before the Newark arena? Shouldn't he fear his constituency? Are they still gonna provide the choo-choo to Xanadudu?

[Miss Tam-Tam]

Amazing how this Xanadu, Bergen County's putative payoff for a Newark arena, has more of a chance to be completed than the arena which gave it life. And Continental Airlines arena remains to compete with any Newark venue!

Back in your place, Newark! In your FACE, Newark!

Those are the Ledger's sentiments, exactly:

<<October 7, 2004, Thursday - Star-Ledger Editorial:

Putting City Oversight on Ice

The city of Newark does not have a signed deal with the New Jersey Devils. Nor does it have an estimated time of arrival for the team's $100 million share of a proposed $310 million downtown arena. Nevertheless, the Newark municipal council yesterday committed all of its $210 million share to the not-yet-done deal.

Instead of negotiating for the best deal, Newark has pushed all of its money across the table.

At the same time, the council ceded control to a commission that will be devoid of critics of the arena plan. It will consist of Mayor Sharpe James; two of his top aides; four council members selected by Council President Donald Bradley, a James ally; and two citizens. The commission will execute contracts and direct all spending for the arena and related development.

This commission is supposed to supervise the work done by the Newark Housing Authority, the redevelopment agent for this project. This is the same NHA that is being investigated for spending $400,000 on a 42-inch plasma TV and other office renovations while laying off scores of employees -- except for those related to the executive director. How bad can this deal get?

The city's nearly 12 percent unemployment rate is evidence that there are many ways for the city of Newark to use its money for the betterment of its citizens. The Newark Alliance, a consortium of private businesses, is spending $500,000 to bring in the Boston-based Initiative for a Competitive Inner City to tackel the unemployment problem. In Milwaukee and other cities, the ICIC has succeeded in identifying jobs and finding ways to train local residents to fill them.

The Newark Alliance is to be congratulated. The city is not.>>

[bqribs]

How many hockey games a year will you attend? How many on this board plan on being season ticket holders?

[Doofus1]

My firm has 4 season tickets that I can get quite often. I also buy individual games, so I go about 10 times a year. With the Arena in Newark, I will probably double that. Plus I go to most playoff games.

[jmax]

Since the arena will be in Newark, I will also become a season ticket holder. The reason I don't go to more games is because I will not go to the Meadowlands on a weeknight.