The DePaul stadium saga continues

[xu39]

The UC offer may or may not always be there...

I'm not trying to be difficult here, but why wouldn't the offer always be there?

Who else is Reinsdorf going to get as a regular tenant? Since the UC opened around 1995, the only regular tenants have been the Bulls and Hawks.

I think the UC option is always going to be there for DePaul if they want it.

[Mr. Neutral]

And I'm not trying to be difficult, but I live here, I know this situation well, I know the sites well, and I know why they would or wouldn't work. You're not paying attention to what I'm telling you.

Who else would Reinsdorf get as a regular tenant from October-June? Let me see--the Bulls for 41 home dates plus playoffs, the Blackhawks for 40 home dates plus playoffs, the college and high school games they currently have there, the many concerts they have there, along with other events, etc.

And I guess I have to say this for the 3rd time, but it was reported in both Chicago papers that DePaul was only offered 4 days in February, a prime CBB month, and they were all the ***** dates that weren't otherwise accounted for by other events, ALL of which will draw more than the 5-6,000 than DePaul is drawing now, if that.

Please, please, please don't keep going back to something that you're not nearly as familiar with as I am. This is taking up way too much of both our times.

[xu39]

I am not questioning your understanding of this situation, and I am listening to what you are saying.

I honestly feel like you are not listening to what I am saying.

Maybe I am nitpicking, but all I am saying is that the UC option/offer will most likely always be there for DePaul. In 18 years, the UC has had two regular tenants, I don't see that fact changing.

I am not arguing whether or not the UC option is a good option, I am simply arguing that it is an option.

As you pointed out, there are pretty severe constraints that DePaul would have to deal with at the UC, but again, it is an option that will most likely always be there, that's all I am saying.

[Mr. Neutral]

but all I am saying is that the UC option/offer will most likely always be there for DePaul.

And I'm saying "so what?". It's a crappy option, and if DePaul goes that route, it will only confirm that they're too lazy or gutless to do what it takes to get it right.

[xu39]

but all I am saying is that the UC option/offer will most likely always be there for DePaul.

And I'm saying "so what?". It's a crappy option, and if DePaul goes that route, it will only confirm that they're too lazy or gutless to do what it takes to get it right.

Ok, now I think you are understanding what I am saying.

Again, I am not arguing that the UC is a good option, I am just arguing that it is an option.

And I do acknowledge that maybe I am nit-picking.

The article says: "The school has overplayed its hand, turned down an offer that would have helped its athletic program and now must compete for property that will attract other bidders."

That quote simply is not true. DePaul doesn't have to do anything. They can stay at the Allstate Arena, they can play at the UC, or they can maybe play at McCormick Place.

Are any of those 3 options good options? No. But, they are options.

By using the word "must", the above quote makes it sound like the UC option is no longer available, and that simply is not true.

[pyro]

Mr. N - I agree with you 100% on this. Roeder is a real estate hack for the Sun-Times who focuses on the deals and developers, not what's always best for the site or the people living there. The article makes a better case for private money coming in and developing a hotel and entertainment center, along with a data center. Whoever develops the site is required to keep the old America Book Building. Developing that site for a data center would have great historical synergies placing the 21st century equivalent of the early 20th century means of communication in the same structure. Chicago had many independent book sellers south of the Loop once. Now it could have the same for the early 21st century.

On the other hand, DePaul needs to follow the Xavier blueprint. OSD's story of a benefactor coming in to partner with Xavier and make the Cintas Center happen is the same thing that Mr. N refers to when he says that DePaul needs to go to the alums, raise the money, and build it. DePaul has a much larger alumni base than Xavier. Take a look at all the business leaders who went to DePaul. There's some serious money on that list. With a smaller base, Xavier has been able to build a top 20 program financially according to Forbes. Make no small plans, as the opportunity may never come again.

Finkl is the best choice, but it won't be easy. Chicago aldermen created a manufacturing zone to protect businesses like Finkl in the late 1980's. Today, residential development is not allowed in that part of the Clybourn Corridor. Zoning is controlled by aldermen, who run their wards like little fiefs. Finkl in currently in Ward 43, but will be in Ward 2 by 2015. So, DePaul needs to work with developers and business partners now and get the political machine in motion (among others, former Mayor Richie Daly went to DePaul). Zoning and building permits are the epitome of Chicago back room deals controlled at whims of the local alderman. If you read the comments under any article about Finkl and DePaul, you will see locals urging Michelle Smith, the current alderman, and Mayor Emmanuel to get the deal done. Perhaps they should start adding Cardinal Francis to the list. A little divine intervention couldn't hurt.

[Mr. Neutral]

Yes, 39, DePaul could stay at the Allstate or take up the UC on its offer. They could also decide to play in Des Moines IA or a local grammar school gym, or even outside! Those are equally available options, but are such stupid, useless options that they're really not options at all. For the life of me, I can't figure out why you continue to argue that something is mathematically possible while conceding that they're bad choices.

I COULD quit my job tomorrow, I COULD give all my money away, and I COULD go sleep in an underpass. Just because I CAN doesn't mean there's any realistic chance I will, or that it would be even remotely a good idea. Plus, you simply don't have the knowledge of what's going on here in town that guys like pyro and I do.

[muskieman]

Yes, 39, DePaul could stay at the Allstate or take up the UC on its offer. They could also decide to play in Des Moines IA or a local grammar school gym, or even outside! Those are equally available options, but are such stupid, useless options that they're really not options at all. For the life of me, I can't figure out why you continue to argue that something is mathematically possible while conceding that they're bad choices.

I COULD quit my job tomorrow, I COULD give all my money away, and I COULD go sleep in an underpass. Just because I CAN doesn't mean there's any realistic chance I will, or that it would be even remotely a good idea. Plus, you simply don't have the knowledge of what's going on here in town that guys like pyro and I do.

I will be up in a U-Haul van to get a piece of your money! First Dibs!

[olsingledigit]

Yes, 39, DePaul could stay at the Allstate or take up the UC on its offer. They could also decide to play in Des Moines IA or a local grammar school gym, or even outside! Those are equally available options, but are such stupid, useless options that they're really not options at all. For the life of me, I can't figure out why you continue to argue that something is mathematically possible while conceding that they're bad choices.

I COULD quit my job tomorrow, I COULD give all my money away, and I COULD go sleep in an underpass. Just because I CAN doesn't mean there's any realistic chance I will, or that it would be even remotely a good idea. Plus, you simply don't have the knowledge of what's going on here in town that guys like pyro and I do.

Neutral you cannot go live in an underpass. The Indy LHS Four are expecting quarters in the Neutral luxury palace near Wrigleyville when we come up for the Depaul game.

[Masterofreality]

So now Rahm Emanual proposes to spend $100 million in public money, get DePuke to chip in $100 million and then get a naming rights deal to build a new basketball arena at McCormick Place for 18 games a year- to allow DePuke to play their games "in Chicago".

A) McCormick is not much closer to Lincoln Park than Rosemont.
B) The Cubs can't get any public money to enhance Wrigley even though they play 81 dates a year and support a bunch of surrounding businesses.
C) Public money to support a private institution? Uh.....

Hard to see this going very far.

http://www.suntimes.com/20088232-761/ex ... place.html