El Paso to Model Most Expensive Minor League Arena in the Country
Experts say the
Allentown, Pennsylvania PPL Center costs spiraled out of control, tax scandal,
corruption and FBI involvement
This is part 1 in a series looking at the PPL Center in
Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The City of El Paso has used a $180 million dollar estimate for
the Downtown arena that they wish to place on top of the Duranguito
neighborhood after its demolition.
In their public outreach they have used the PPL Center in
Allentown, Pennsylvania as an example of success.
However, a closer look is needed.
City of El Paso
Estimates for Costs Are Often Wrong
First, whenever the City of El Paso puts out an estimate,
you have to use the Arrieta-Candelaria-Wilson
Algorithm of Estimated Costs.
We don’t know the exact formula for this algorithm (they probably don't know it either),
but we are sure the fuzzy math lady who so brilliantly, along with Joyce
Wilson, in estimating the costs of Southwest University Park, knows the exact
formula.
However, it’s safe to say that doubling the cost of the
Downtown Arena is close to what the Arreita-Caldelaria-Wilson algorithm is.
So, we’d say about $360 million.
City Using Allentown's PPL Center as a "An Example of a Successful Downtown Location."
 |
| Above, City of El Paso used Allentown PPL Center as Successful Example, not knowing the problems, FBI investigation, spiraling out-of-control costs. |
However, we look into the PPL Center and it was not what it seems.
Lesson in Disaster
and Out-of-Control Spending: PPL Center, Allentown, Penn
In the planning, for the PPL center, Allentown estimated
that it would need 3,500 parking spaces for their 10,000-size arena. After it
was built, they found out the actual number was 4,200.[i]
Skeptics of the Allentown PPL Center had said downtown was
the wrong area for the PPL Center.
The PPL center ended up being an 8,500 – seat facility as
reported by The Mourning Call [ii].
Other differences were that the PPL Center was part of a riverfront
development. I’d assume the riverfront is much more appealing than our
riverfront here in El Paso.[iii]
Scott Kraus and Matt Assad say the PPL Center cost $177
million, but The Morning Call would
correct this later. However, they say that the pitch was originally for a hockey
arena, which was supposed to cost $80 million, but it “morphed” into the PPL
Center at a cost of $177.
In 2011, the PPL Center was sued by a group of suburban communities
“unhappy that their resident’s local earned income taxes would have been siphoned off to help finance construction.”[iv]
To be continued…
[i] McEvoy,
Colin. “Allentown prepares for parking, traffic for hockey arena opening.” The Express-Times, September 5, 2014,
updated January 2, 2015.
[ii]
Kraus, Scott and Assad, Matt. “Arena opens, symbol of hope for better
Allentown.” The Morning Call,
September 10, 2014.
[iii]
Ibid.
[iv]
Ibid.
