Comments on: Big news for Mesa, but

By: MesaDad4

MesaDad4 — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:33:08 +0000

I am excited about all of the opportunities a resort like this will provide for our community. While you certainly make some good points, I believe that the Gaylord hotels will bring tourists here for vacation as well as a significant amount of people for business trips and conventions. For 10 years I have traveled out of town for business and on these trips we not only work and spend money at the hotel we are staying at, but we also participate in regional events such as sports, entertainment and the arts. I have no doubt that bringing a significant amount of people to Mesa will have a positive effect on all of our local businesses. DMB has done our community a great service that will continue to pay off for years to come.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:46:58 +0000

So if the giveaways amount to $0 from Mesa taxpayers, would you consider this a success? Again, I am assuming that Mayor Smith and the other council members stick to their no sales tax giveaways pledge. Hawker oversaw two of the biggest giveaways, Waveyard and Riverview so maybe he is making that statement based on what he is used to doing in the past. I hope that the new leaders are really doing things differently and that the “give-aways” will not mean Mesa taxpayers are cutting checks.

By: Jim Ripley

Jim Ripley — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:30:22 +0000

Joe,
Sure it will benefit the city, particularly the tax spenders at city hall. The city depends on sales tax receipts to pay the bills and naturally works very hard to keep the revenue coming. From that vantage point, the city doesn’t gain a whole lot from places like Boeing, MD Helicopters and Pearson, one of the nation’s largest producers of educational software, which a couple of years ago pulled out of Mesa and moved to Chandler without Mesa having a clue. No question that landing a Gaylord conference center is quite a coup for the city, and I applaud Scott Smith for his leadership. But when the “give-aways,” as former Mayor Keno Hawker described the incentives package, are put on the table, Gaylord has to be kept in perspective. My perspective is that the hotel’s contribution to a community’s economic and social well-being won’t be as great as Intel’s in Chandler, General Dyanimcs’ in Scottsdale or Boeing’s in Mesa. We could all learn a lesson from Chandler’s focus on high-paying jobs.
Jim

By: JoeK

JoeK — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:11:43 +0000

People staying under the roof have no benefit for the city? I stayed in the Gaylord Texan in Dallas (Grapevine) and never left the site. I went to all five of the restaraunts/bars, and went to the night club on-site. I bought items at the little convenience store . . . when I checked out, I got the bill and everyone of the charges carried a sales tax. How does that not help the local infrastructure?

By: HR

HR — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:17:31 +0000

This is great. It will be a huge help to Mesa in all aspects.

By: AbWel

AbWel — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:10:22 +0000

While tourism is cyclical, hotels don’t shut down during the shoulder months — like any industry, they plan on it and find ways to keep employees employed and income flowing. And Gaylord’s golf course, restaurants, amenities and surrounding businesses most certainly will be frequented year-round by local residents.

It’s also important to note that not every Arizona resident is qualified to work at Boeing or Intel and might prefer or even need the flexible hours, good benefits and variety of positions offered by a giant like Gaylord in the service industry.

Even though light rail won’t drop off right near our airport, it’s bound to draw people into other parts of the Valley to see the well-known sites in Tempe, Glendale, Scottsdale, etc, as well as places close to the resort center in Mesa. I think this is a huge step in the right direction for Mesa and despite the few “ifs and buts” associated with growth and progress, it’s going to be one giant positive for Mesa and the Valley.

By: EastValleyChamp

EastValleyChamp — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:13:59 +0000

This is an absolutely ENORMOUS positive for Mesa and the East Valley!! And to come out with a project of this magnitude during times like this… Other cities would give their left nut for half as much (Glendale doesn’t have any left, so that’s probably why they didn’t get anything).

I love how Jim Ripley assumes that everyone will fly in to Sky Harbor and drive over to the resort… Did he forget that there’s a FREAKING HUGE airport next door that is growing everyday? When this project comes out of the ground in three-four years, they’ll be even more flights and airlines to choose from.

As far as public funding is concerned, they’re using a CFD which means a property tax on those who choose to live there. Perfect fit. Its being done all over the US.

Go GAYLORD! Go MACERICH! God bless DMB!

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:24:36 +0000

the Tribune headline writer needs to be fired. Worst description ever. This isn’t the Grand Ol Opry. They just happen to own it.

By: AuntFlo

AuntFlo — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:51:53 +0000

Let the Grand Ole Opry guy stay in TN. Let’s have somebody modern build a resort. Who needs another grand ole opry? NOBODY, that’s who.

By: steve

steve — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:24:05 +0000

i wouldn’t set a single toe inside a “joe bob” entertainment facility.