Photo credit: Sportico
Scottsdale Mayor says he won't support new arena proposal for Coyotes
In yet another stumbling block for the Arizona Coyotes, the mayor of Scottsdale has said in no uncertain terms that he does not support a new arena deal in his city.
In an op-ed released by Scottsdale mayor David Ortega to news outlets in Arizona today, Ortega told the Arizona Coyotes they aren't welcome on a parcel of land on the northern edge of the city. In his statement, Ortega said Coyotes' owner Alex Meruelo rolled out "the same fantasy renderings used in the Tempe mega arena and mixed-use site proposal, which was resoundingly defeated at the ballot box" in Tempe."The prospect of a rookie developer attempting to buy Arizona State Trust Land with absolutely no infrastructure on the Phoenix side of the 101/Scottsdale Road intersection at the doorstep of Scottsdale is not feasible, or welcome.
Why? The dream Coyote retail components sit too close to the retail lions of Scottsdale. The Greater Scottsdale Airpark area commercial giants have infrastructure and access in Scottsdale. The bare Arizona State Trust Land at the edge of Phoenix has no frontage roads and water and sewer lie miles away to the west. And as a condition of sale, the 100 acres of property must develop entirely the 64th Street off ramp for access."
Why? The dream Coyote retail components sit too close to the retail lions of Scottsdale. The Greater Scottsdale Airpark area commercial giants have infrastructure and access in Scottsdale. The bare Arizona State Trust Land at the edge of Phoenix has no frontage roads and water and sewer lie miles away to the west. And as a condition of sale, the 100 acres of property must develop entirely the 64th Street off ramp for access."
The plan, which was officially made public yesterday, boasted a 17,000 seat arena, which also featured a practice facility and headquarters for the Arizona Coyotes staff.
Ortega stressed the Coyotes' previous stint in Scottsdale is another major reason he won't support the plan.
"As Scottsdale councilman in 2000 and now as mayor, I have seen the inside dealings when the Coyotes suddenly left Scottsdale in 2002, and recently as they vacated their former home ice in Glendale in 2022. The team is struggling at Arizona State University Mullet Arena, at less than 90% capacity."
This seemed like a last-ditch effort for Meruelo and any hope of keeping the Coyotes in Arizona. Relocation seems more like a sure thing every day.
| POLL | ||
April 8 | 189 answers Scottsdale Mayor says he won't support new arena proposal for Coyotes Do you think the rejection of this proposal is the end of the Arizona Coyotes? | ||
| Yes | 151 | 79.9 % |
| No | 23 | 12.2 % |
| Not sure | 15 | 7.9 % |
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