Quote:
Originally Posted by twister244
Here's another thing..... I'm also not totally sold on the idea that the stadium will create a bastion of economic flourishing in Hammond either. Not that I wish ill will on NW Indiana, but sports stadiums by themselves don't create permanent economic activity around them - Proper planning and urban design do.
Wrigleyville works so well because it has a dense urban environment around it that people naturally want to live in. And what's interesting is the sorts of things people would automatically assume would thrive as a result Wrigley Field are actually struggling and closing down there. I am seeing headlines about Draft Kings rolling back their sportsbook stuff..... Lucky Strike is closing down there. Remaining hotels and restaurants flourish because it's a cool neighborhood that just happens to have Wrigley Field - Not the other way around.
So sure, there will be some economic benefit.... But people that do go to games there will want to get the fuck out as soon as the game is done. Nobody is going to want to hang out in Hammond before or after a game.
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What would be amazing if the City and state governments in Illinois actually worked together to formalize a new economic zone or assign a new TIF fund just across the border, in Illinois, but close enough to any new stadium in Hammond, that would keep a lot of any potential discretionary income in Illinois; a nice way to circumvent any transgressive play by the Bears and Indiana...and let's be absolutely clear about this: Indiana and its current governor will do anything in their power just to spite Illinois and Chicago...even if it means using their own taxpayer money to fund a new stadium. They will literally cut their own collective noses to split their face in order to take breadcrumbs away from Chicago.