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That’s because we just couldn’t come up with something adequately expressing our frustration!  The IBJ hit our mailbox today with two (at least) articles which moved our blood pressure up a notch or two.

The headline on page 3 said, "NFL building space for high-rollers."  The first sentence is as follows: "The NFL is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to build a posh 15,000-square-foot, two-story hospitality area inside Union Station’s Grand Hall for this year’s Super Bowl."

The somewhat lengthy story gives details about the lavish, continuously operating shindig to be run for the benefit of the multi-millionaires for whom we have waived the payment of a lot of taxes while they take over our downtown.

Apparently some big-wigs got their noses out of joint in Dallas last year because of the way "...they were treated on their way into the annual Super Bowl Tailgate pre-game party."  Thus the need for this way-over-the-top bash, 

Our favorite part of the story is a quote from the man apparently running the show.  "With something like this, it’s all about exclusivity.  That’s a big part of the draw.  And as the league becomes a bigger business, there’s an increasing need for the NFL to take care of its biggest and best partners."  (Our emphasis.)

We do have to wonder which of those "biggest and best" committed to a billion dollar plus debt to build their playhouse.  To say nothing of the irony of the fact that this latest demonstration of "exclusivity" is also being held in a building owned by the taxpayers, for the use of which, no doubt, they’re not paying one red cent.  Maybe it’s time for someone to "occupy" Georgia Street.

The second item (page 6) asks, "What’s ‘fare’ share for transit system?"  Since we just wrote about this yesterday, questioning revenue projections, we thought it appropriate to throw in another comment or two.

After covering the (current estimate) $2.5 billion construction cost, the experts tell us that user fares can be expected to meet less than 25% of the operating cost.  That annual operating cost will be in the neighborhood of $135 million.  Pretty damned nice neighborhood - referred to in the article as "...not insignificant."

To simplify - every time a rider puts up $25 for tickets, the taxpayers will put up another $75 for the real cost of the trips.

Between professional sports generally, the Super Bowl, and rapid transit dreams, it becomes increasingly likely that local taxpayers really will not be able to afford all the benefits the downtown folks are trying to give us - always in the name of city image.

What will it take to rid ourselves of this gigantic municipal inferiority complex?

Comments

[Shermlock Shomes]

We can hope that after the Super Bowl, the High-rollers at least leave a ten-spot on the dresser for us taxpayers.

[John Howard]

I think most people are going to be shock just how exclusive the whole 'super bowl experience' will be. The regular folk will be shunned like lepers.

I remember the day Planet Hollywood opened downtown. I couldn't even use the sidewalk to get from the office to my parking garage because it was cordoned off by police.

[Purple rain]

Occupy the Super Bowl!