389 replies to this topic

[Mark Carver]

You can polish a turd but it's still a turd.

The turd broke ground in December 1959.Opened the doors October 23, 1962!

 

Has been renovated in 1986 and 2003. So now can add 2021 to the list.

     

[BSLChrisStoner]

I don't love the solution... but after 20 years of false starts, something is better than nothing. 
It will be a significant improvement, and that improvement needed to happen.  I also like that they can get it done in a year.

[BSLChrisStoner]

BBJ: With city OK, Royal Farms Arena developer ready to 'hit the go button'

[BSLMikeLowe]

The real estate it sits on is probably 10x more valuable than the building, thanks to its central location and adjacent to both the metro rail and light rail stops. Demo it and you'd probably have developers pitching all sorts of projects to do there; then you can go find a larger, cheaper parcel to build a sports/entertainment arena on and have a facility that has the space and feel of something that belongs in the 21st century. But it just goes to show you can never underestimate the willingness of people to throw good money after bad.

[mweb08]

The real estate it sits on is probably 10x more valuable than the building, thanks to its central location and adjacent to both the metro rail and light rail stops. Demo it and you'd probably have developers pitching all sorts of projects to do there; then you can go find a larger, cheaper parcel to build a sports/entertainment arena on and have a facility that has the space and feel of something that belongs in the 21st century. But it just goes to show you can never underestimate the willingness of people to throw good money after bad.

Eh, I don't know about that. The area doesn't seem all that in demand.

And I guess I'm confused by your throwing good money after bad considering the arena has been profitable.

I know most want that shiny new arena, but if we're talking about bad money, especially taxpayer money, that's what that is. It will look a lot nicer inside and out, but it will mostly have the same level and frequency of attractions. Spending all that money primarily for the occasional higher level college basketball games and tourney's seems like a really poor investment.

[Mike in STL]

Taxpayers not footing the bill for this is a great thing. Some rich people wanna upgrade the building, good for them.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Taxpayers not footing the bill for this is a great thing. Some rich people wanna upgrade the building, good for them.

 

Keep in mind, they'll be the ones keeping all those profits we heard about the place making for the City. Nothing is ever free.

[mweb08]

Keep in mind, they'll be the ones keeping all those profits we heard about the place making for the City. Nothing is ever free.

The city will get some money, but ok, so you're saying they should have left it as is instead? Or are you saying they should spend a ton of money to get a little more revenue than they were getting?

Like seriously, I get the arena sucks and even after renovations won't be great, but please, any of you, go ahead and make the case that the city should spend a ton of money on an arena that will almost surely not be home to an NBA or NHL team and that will largely attract literally the same events that are already coming.

The case is that you want a nicer arena and you'd be happier about going there occasionally, probably even for some March Madness, and you'd have more pride in the city that very few on here even live in. That's the case for you. It's not the case for Baltimore. That case is poor unless some private money wants to foot the bill.

[Mike in STL]

Keep in mind, they'll be the ones keeping all those profits we heard about the place making for the City. Nothing is ever free.

I doubt if the city ran the operation they would reinvest the profits into the city in any noticeable way. It’s be for more take home cars and 4K TVs for City Hall.

[CantonJester]

The real estate it sits on is probably 10x more valuable than the building, thanks to its central location and adjacent to both the metro rail and light rail stops. Demo it and you'd probably have developers pitching all sorts of projects to do there; then you can go find a larger, cheaper parcel to build a sports/entertainment arena on and have a facility that has the space and feel of something that belongs in the 21st century. But it just goes to show you can never underestimate the willingness of people to throw good money after bad.

 

The time to do this (I agree 100% btw) would’ve been when the University of Maryland was expanding the Medical Center Campus (also the law school, come to think of it) the past 20 or so years. Basically, make the State of Maryland pay the city to take down the arena, and then go build it on cheaper land.