Reply #86: I care, since he's using public money for it.

[Spike from MN]

And apparently lots of other people care too which is why Pohlad and Co. won't allow a referendum on the issue.

As shown by links in my previous posts, there would be no net increase in economic activity and hence no new revenue to reduce the cost of the stadium. This is especially true in the case of the Twins since the stadium where the they currently play is also located in Hennepin county. And it may not matter to you but it obviously DOES matter to a lot of people which is, again, why they won't allow a referendum.

If the point it to provide a ballpark, Pohlad can certainly do that. Nothing is stopping him. But he obviously doesn't care about a stadium. All he cares about is getting rich off public money. It's not the first time so maybe it's just a habit with him.

And if you think the new stadium is going to be the best thing since sliced bread, you might want to read this LTTE:

Twins fever -- smell it!

In answer to Dale Connelly's April 28 commentary ("Every ballpark needs a signature symbol; here's ours"), I rather agree. I think it's very important that people remember that the proposed new Twins stadium is next to the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC).

I worked at Hennepin County Department of Environmental Services for a year and a half, right next to HERC. During the summer -- heck, all year long -- the stench of garbage coming from that facility was enough to make me want to vomit. You never get used to it. Let's keep in mind that fans at Twins games would be smelling that for three hours at a time.

Why would anybody want to smell rotting garbage for three hours at a time, and why does Minneapolis think putting a Twins stadium downwind of HERC is a good idea?

I'd be less likely to go to a game if the stadium were there, and I suspect many others, after one experience with the stench, would conclude the same.

Here's the link:
http://www.startribune.com/stories/563/5383772.html

Ugh. Doesn't sound like such a great deal after all, does it? Uh, maybe you'll want to think about taking your son to a Saints game instead. ;) Hmm...sounds like the agreement comes with a built-in argument for a new stadium in some other location 10-20 years down the road. Call me a cynic but somehow that doesn't surprise me. Between the smell from HERC and the lack of a roof, you can count on having this same discussion again a few years down the road.