Public vs. Private University Stadiums Processes...You Get It?
I've always loved the new stadium debate...
It has hit every town big and small over the past decade. And no one..no one is unscathed with forming an opinion on whether or not to support a new stadium in their local area.
Well, if you're into the stadium arguments, add to this case to your discussion arsensal. Stanford University's stadium expansion is all completed and they're ready to go with a home opener on Saturday...Check out "Time to Take off The Bubble" by Michelle Smith of SFGate.
What should you find interesting?
Look at the speed of the development process...Nine months!
Stanford's AD, Bob Bowlsby, who arrived from Iowa last year, says it all when comparing public and private funding for new stadiums expansion projects.
"It's nothing short of a miracle, what's happened here in the last nine months...I can tell you without any hesitation whatsoever that if this project was undertaken at a public university, that it wouldn't have gotten done in 10 months and it would have been $300 million, if it was a penny."
According to Smith's article, Stanford spent a third of that. The university financed the project largely through the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) Investment Fund with donations from alumni and "friends" of the university with real estate development tycoon, John Arillaga spending $30 million.
Now, look at public school development projects...Check out the whereabouts on Cal's stadium redevelopment project.
3 years, 3 Phases, $125 Million.
Of course, you shouldn't be surprised that the process would be different. Yet, when you look at fundraising projects that are sped through the development process, there's always that private benefactor with the funds driving the process...Look at who helped out Cal's senior athletic director for development, Jim Bartko, during his time at University of Oregon and the Autzen Stadium $91 million redevelopment project. Damn, I have to give Phil Knight credit for that one...Saavy and classy.
Now, public universities, please take the above case as a lesson. Stop the blending of public funds and campaign drives for stadium expansions. If you don't have a major benefactor in your arsenal, stop dipping into these multi-million dollar projects without one. You're gumming the process and you have to remember for the long run...The arms race will never stop. Wait until the addition the following decade.
It's time to say enough with the public financing and mixed funding on for state university stadium expansions...Not only do they deplete fundraising efforts and funds for activities that generate social welfare, but the projects take too long.
Got to give it up for Stanford...Now, will the benefactors please step forth and continue for the public schools?
(By the way, those columns at the North end zone are tight-tight.)
Soap Boxin'
IronDog
It has hit every town big and small over the past decade. And no one..no one is unscathed with forming an opinion on whether or not to support a new stadium in their local area.
Well, if you're into the stadium arguments, add to this case to your discussion arsensal. Stanford University's stadium expansion is all completed and they're ready to go with a home opener on Saturday...Check out "Time to Take off The Bubble" by Michelle Smith of SFGate.
What should you find interesting?
Look at the speed of the development process...Nine months!
Stanford's AD, Bob Bowlsby, who arrived from Iowa last year, says it all when comparing public and private funding for new stadiums expansion projects.
"It's nothing short of a miracle, what's happened here in the last nine months...I can tell you without any hesitation whatsoever that if this project was undertaken at a public university, that it wouldn't have gotten done in 10 months and it would have been $300 million, if it was a penny."
According to Smith's article, Stanford spent a third of that. The university financed the project largely through the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) Investment Fund with donations from alumni and "friends" of the university with real estate development tycoon, John Arillaga spending $30 million.
Now, look at public school development projects...Check out the whereabouts on Cal's stadium redevelopment project.
3 years, 3 Phases, $125 Million.
Of course, you shouldn't be surprised that the process would be different. Yet, when you look at fundraising projects that are sped through the development process, there's always that private benefactor with the funds driving the process...Look at who helped out Cal's senior athletic director for development, Jim Bartko, during his time at University of Oregon and the Autzen Stadium $91 million redevelopment project. Damn, I have to give Phil Knight credit for that one...Saavy and classy.
Now, public universities, please take the above case as a lesson. Stop the blending of public funds and campaign drives for stadium expansions. If you don't have a major benefactor in your arsenal, stop dipping into these multi-million dollar projects without one. You're gumming the process and you have to remember for the long run...The arms race will never stop. Wait until the addition the following decade.
It's time to say enough with the public financing and mixed funding on for state university stadium expansions...Not only do they deplete fundraising efforts and funds for activities that generate social welfare, but the projects take too long.
Got to give it up for Stanford...Now, will the benefactors please step forth and continue for the public schools?
(By the way, those columns at the North end zone are tight-tight.)
Soap Boxin'
IronDog
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