(11-12-2015 08:19 AM)EverRespect Wrote: (11-11-2015 10:59 PM)FearTheLion Wrote: If they had put Colonial Downs in the more populated areas south of the HR Tunnel, that wouldn't be the eyesore and obvious waste of precious dollars that it currently is.
You have to put the large attractions where the people are. It just makes too much sense. Now getting the 7 cities to think about their mutual benefit is another story entirely. And I am going to be shocked to see the voters really support this community investment.
I agree that Norfolk/Virginia Beach are the best place, but we really are not one region. Even as an avid ODU fan, I simply can't make 90% of the weeknight basketball games. Wherever you put an arena, a significant portion of the area will not be going to regular events. Getting to the Oceanfront is over an hour trek for anyone in Porstmouth, Suffolk, or the Peninsula. Is it the best place? Possibly. But including Portsmouth, Suffolk, and the Peninsula as part of the same metro area is a bit deceiving and should probably end. You aren't going to get Newport News to pony up tax money to build something in Virginia Beach or Norfolk that doesn't really benefit those tax payers much. We would be no more likely to attend an even there than if it were in Richmond, which is about the same travel time when you factor in traffic. "7 Cities" is two regions, not one.
Why is it deceiving?
The metro area is massive land wise.
Per Wikipedia it is
Hampton Roads: 526.8 sq mi
For comparison:
New York City: 468.9 sq mi
NYC Metro: 13,318 sq mi
Houston Texas (City): 627.8 sq mi
Houston Texas Metro: 10,062 sq mi
Charlotte NC (City): 297.7 sq mi
Hell, my real-estate buddies consider San Diego / LA to be or soon to be a single metro area.
I can understand if you are debating as to what Hampton Roads really covers.
There are several lists that you can find defining our region.
The most common is the 7 cities:
Chesapeake
Hampton
Newport News
Norfolk
Portsmouth
Suffolk
Virginia Beach.
You can argue that HR does or does not include as far out as Williamsburg, Franklin, Isle of Wight.
Personally, I don't think I would make it out to the new Arena. I don't like going out to the beach area.
The food is over-priced, the quality is usually ho-hum, and it's way too busy in the summer for my liking.
Then again, I don't understand the draw to Town Center either.
So having said that, I think the Ted will be fine.
In, fact once Patriots Crossing is complete there might be even more people making it to the Ted for events as it would be an easier drive for a lot of people.