Border and Arena

There are two big files that have dominated Windsor in this term of the Mayor and Council: the border and the arena. I had this strange thought that the way the arena file is being handled is very similar to what we've seen with the border file. See if you agree:

1. In megaprojects, proponents overstate benefits and understate costs
2. Are we getting a "Port Huron" solution for the new arena but NOT getting a "Port Huron" solution on a twinned bridge, at least not so far
3. The Government wants to compete with private enterprise in a matter that is not a core function of Government
4. No one knows how much money the Government will ultimately have to pay but we all know it will be a lot more than advertised
5. No one knows exactly where the new crossing will go; no one knows exactly where the new arena will go
6. The two arenas will be a mile apart; the two bridges will be a mile apart
7. The consultant is at the borings stage with the border; the arena is at the boring stage
8. The Government is prepared to spend all the taxpayer money it can to ensure that it owns/controls the new crossing or arena
9. Government has an unfair advantage since it is a competitor of the private enterprise entrepreneur and can impact the private project negatively
10. Government action is undertaken in secret in a less than an open and transparent manner
11. Private proponents do not seem welcome
12. Beztak and Project Ice Track were chased out of town by Council; DRIC and the City (via Sam Schwaratz) chased DRTP and the Ambassador Bridge Co. away
13. Senior Levels are fighting amongst themselves on the border; Windsor and Tecumseh are fighting over the arenas
14. It is a "horse race" to see who builds the new crossing; it is horse racing at the Project Ice Track Tecumseh complex
15. Sam Schwartz wanted a Horseshoe road in Windsor; Gary McNamara got horseshoes in Tecumseh
16. Gridlock Sam was involved with the City over the border; gridlock will be involved if we have 2 arenas in the same location
17. There is underutilzation at the existing arena, the Barn, so we want to build 3 new ones; there is 58% utilization of the Ambassador Bridge and Government wants to build a new crossing
18. Overcapacity can mean financial problems or bankruptcy of a new or existing crossing or arena
19. There are threats of lawsuits over the arena decision; there are threats of lawsuits over the crossing decision
20. The Bridge Co. does not need a Presidential permit from President Bush to build its crossing; Wayne Gretzky does not need a permit from Mayor Francis to build his restaurant in Tecumeseh at the Project Ice Track Arena.
21. Were the choices in the arena and border pre-determined
22. The Spits will play at the arena; the border file makes me spit