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LoveiseverywhereXOXO t1_j9v59al wrote

Reply to comment by KiwiStack in MLB-required upgrades to The Diamond could cost city $3.5M by PercyDovetonsils

I’d rather feed kids and improve our roads than pay for a private business’ upkeep expenses. MLB is a multibillion dollar industry, if they can’t pay for their own infrastructure why should the tax payers of our city?

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KiwiStack t1_j9v9e4s wrote

If you think Richmond not spending money on this means it’s automatically going to kids and roads, you are gonna be really bummed if ever take time to learn how government budgeting works.

Also, as stated elsewhere, Richmond owns the Diamond. Not MLB nor the Squirrels.

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LoveiseverywhereXOXO t1_j9vaypd wrote

3.5 million spent on a stadium means 3.5 million that can’t be spent on things that actually matter. As has been pointed out throughout this thread by many people, the owners of the Squirrels and their parent companies have the money, let them spend it.

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fractalflatulence t1_j9v8lpl wrote

Penny wise and dollar foolish. With the new Diamond district coming losing the team now would be devastating. The lifetime value in terms of tax revenue of the team and the business squirrels games generate and will continue to generate in the surrounding area is greater than this expense

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KiwiStack t1_j9vcntt wrote

Thank you. This is the better argument that I could have made.

I will add that if we lose the squirrels, the chances of getting another minor league team with the front office of the caliber that parney gives us is slim to none

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LoveiseverywhereXOXO t1_j9vd0m5 wrote

I’d much rather see that land used for more mixed income housing than be used for a new stadium, the diamond district would be fine without it because those are things we actually need and land is at a premium in Richmond these days.

There is no evidence that the squirrels are making the city money. In all these years of these same arguments no one has ever shown that it makes more money for the city after the expenses it costs to keep it running. Statistically around the nation these are money losing ventures that cost cities money and make private business rich at taxpayer expense. It’s bullshit.

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KiwiStack t1_j9vgqmt wrote

Funny you say that. The Diamond District will include mixed income housing and lots of green spaces.

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LoveiseverywhereXOXO t1_j9vi3gs wrote

Yes and if we don’t have a stadium there’s room for more! Nothing about the diamond district hinges on baseball other than the name

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fractalflatulence t1_j9ycdg6 wrote

>I’d much rather

yeah we get it. The thing is... and maybe no one has told you this before... the world doesn't revolve around you: some people like baseball. Some people aren't so biased they can see pros and cons to both arguments.

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LoveiseverywhereXOXO t1_j9yt3dy wrote

Cool so let’s throw millions of dollars and valuable resources away to subsidize a failing and predatory business that is a net drain on our money because you like a game for children whose owners are too cheap to pay for their own business needs. Brilliant

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fractalflatulence t1_j9yvbde wrote

$3.5M is a drop in the bucket. Throwing the baby out with the bath water to lose the team over it. ::shrug::

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