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Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019
9-11 a.m. / Talking Stick Resort Arena / 201 E. Jefferson Street
Hosted by the City of Phoenix. Park for free at the Jefferson Street Garage located at Third and Jefferson streets. Click here for more info.
Friday, Jan. 11, 2019
2:30-4 p.m. / Majerle’s Sports Grill / 24 N. Second Street
Hosted by Downtown Phoenix Inc. with presentations by the City of Phoenix and Phoenix Suns. Q & A session at the conclusion. Click here for more info.
There are four other public meetings held throughout Phoenix – click here to find additional times and locations.
• Since opening in 1992, Talking Stick Resort Arena has hosted more than 40 million guests for professional sports games, concerts, family shows, and more – with an annual direct economic impact of $182 million to the City, county and state, according to the City.
• The building’s infrastructure is now 26 years old and basic things like the roof, plumbing, electrical and mechanical equipment need to be replaced. The City of Phoenix owns the arena and is obligated to repair it.
• Over the years, the Suns have paid over $300 million in operating expenses, which include capital improvements; rent to the City for use of the building; daily operation, show bookings and maintenance – which would continue until at least 2037 under the proposed agreement.
• For the arena to continue operation, some renovations will need to be made whether the anchor tenant (Phoenix Suns, who pay rent to the City) contributes to the project or not.
• Under the proposed agreement, the City’s investment in renovations is capped at $150 million – the Suns will pay $80 million up front, plus all overages.
• The City’s portion is paid from the Sports Facilities Fund, comprised of taxes from rental cars and hotel rooms – funded primarily by tourists instead of local taxpayers.
• Even if the arena is not renovated for basketball, the City will need to pay millions to renovate its property, to support concerts and other major events.