Arizona Coyotes' proposed development makes Tempe better. Vote yes

It is crazy how information gets translated about a project.

Fear is more effective than the real info.

The truth is that there is a reason why the mayor and city council voted 7-0 in favor of the Tempe Entertainment District (TED) and of the Tempe Development Review Commission.

In addition, four former Tempe mayors and a number of former council members, the chamber of commerce, Tempe Tourism – the list goes on – count themselves as supporters of the proposed project.

I would highly encourage you to look at all information about the TED deal at www.tempe.gov/TempeEntertainmentDistrict.

Coyotes are giving Tempe $40 million

Simply put, this agreement was a hard battle won.

The mayor and council were not always on the same page during the process. It was a battle to protect the city’s best interest, and to get a deal that puts absolutely no money on the taxpayer unless they choose to visit the complex and spend money.

We sat through several meetings and invited financial experts outside of City Hall to help us understand and comb through all the points until we landed on a deal that satisfied all seven people on the City Council who had different concerns and viewpoints.

Another view: Voters should turn down Coyotes' deal

With that said, I saw a deal that got scrutinized more than any other deal I have seen in my 15 years on the council.

This is not a handout to a billionaire or anyone else. Period.

To the contrary, the owner of the Arizona Coyotes will be giving $40 million to the city upon the project start date and using more than $600 million of his own money.

I’d like to emphasize that the $40 million can and will be used at the city’s discretion to support city needs.

Downtown is the right place to grow

I was born and raised in Tempe.

I have lived in every ZIP code in this city. I am proud of the city we have created with the guidance from all past and present councilmembers.

Why do people choose to live here? We have everything a city needs (great schools, parks, pathways, churches, a university, sporting events, a vibrant downtown, the lake and all the activities around it).

We are a landlocked city, and we must maximize the land we have by identifying and executing the best use of it.

Downtown Tempe is the primary place where we can expand this opportunity. A bustling city that has everything you need produces revenues to provide crucial needs and services, such as roads, infrastructure, trash pickup, public safety and public works.

In other words, the core services the city is charged with providing.

We aim to increase additional services, most notably affordable housing, crisis response for homelessness, mental health and addiction treatment. This project will maximize that opportunity.

Cleaning the landfill is not that easy

Could this land be left as is or used for something else? Sure, but at what cost?

And this cost will surely come from you, the taxpayer.

I keep hearing that “this is not a toxic landfill,” and if it is, it “only contains construction materials.”

Fact is, we don’t even know what’s under the 46-plus acres that must be remediated – and no one does until it’s remediated.

Brief history: Of the feud behind Coyotes deal

If the trash material in there endangers the water table, then the city – that is, the taxpaying resident – will be on the hook for the cost.

Costs that would come at the expense of  other core services the city provides.

Are you comfortable taking the gamble? Will someone else come along with another development who has the money to do this?

Another city could lure this project if we say no

Speaking of fears, this is mine: Should voters reject this deal, another city could swoop in and lure the project away.

In my opinion, we constructed a deal that other cities would pursue if given the chance. We made sure the city of Tempe does not get left holding the bag.

We saw Glendale’s deal. This deal is different.

Yes, we are giving the developer tools through tax abatements to help them remediate the land. These tools can and have been used in other cities.

The developer chose Tempe because this is the right place in the East Valley. We should be proud that we were able to attract a project of this magnitude that will not only generate revenues for our city, but one that’s willing to foot the costs of land remediation – to the tune of $72 million, no less.

At the end of the day, this is a solidly good deal for Tempe and its taxpayers. I have been in every single meeting, and that’s truly the best and honest assessment I can provide.

Propositions 301, 302 and 303 that encompass the Tempe Entertainment District deserve a “yes” vote in the May 16 special election.

Joe Navarro, a native of Tempe, has served on the Tempe City Council since 2008. Reach him at joel_navarro@tempe.gov.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tempe's deal with Arizona Coyotes is a win for taxpayers. Vote yes