Public Subsidies

Long Island City

Post-Mortem: Why Amazon Canceled the Queens HQ2

New York City and State offered up nearly $3 billion in incentives to lure Amazon and its 25,000 high-paying jobs to Queens only to see the tech company cancel their plans after local opposition materialized. Was their retreat too hasty?

February 17, 2019 - The New York Times

Atlanta

Tax Deal Paves Way for Atlanta's Gulch Mega-Project

The city of Atlanta approved its largest development project since the 1960s back in November, but still needed the school district to sign off on a funding plan to help for the $1.9 billion in public subsidies that will support the project.

January 9, 2019 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Detroit, Michigan

Little Caesars Arena as Catalytic Development

In exchange for generous public subsidies, Illitch Holdings, owner and developer of the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, promised large-scale economic development.

September 26, 2018 - Detroit Free Press

Houston, Construction

Houston Requires Community Benefits for Development Subsidies

Houston joins cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, and Minneapolis in demanding a greater return on public dollars.

June 8, 2018 - Next City

Miami

David Beckham's Big Idea: A New Soccer Stadium in Miami, With Zero Parking Spaces

A group led by David Beckham is working to build a stadium in Miami that would house a Major League Soccer team. There are two twists (besides Becks): the stadium would require zero public financing and the stadium would build zero parking.

May 28, 2017 - Miami Herald

Big Development Investments Expected to Follow New Detroit Red Wings Arena

Developers are predicting that the new $627.5 million arena to house the Detroit Red Wings, paid for with both private and public money, will spur another $596 million of investment in the neighborhood.

February 2, 2016 - Detroit Free Press

Detroit Strikes Deal to Move Red Wings Stadium Forward

A plan to build a new, $450 million hockey arena along the Cass Avenue corridor near Downtown Detroit has already faced criticism for its generous public subsidies. The City Council recently made sure the public will get something in return.

May 1, 2015 - Detroit Free Press

New Detroit Red Wings Arena: Plenty of Public Subsidies; Few Public Benefits

One writer takes issue with the city of Detroit's decision to subsidize a $450 million arena plan for the Detroit Red Wings. The Ilitch family, owners of the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings, are worth $3.6 billion.

July 24, 2014 - Deadspin

Atlanta Braves Country

On the Land Use and Transit Implications of 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame'

The decision of where to locate ballparks, and to what extent the public should subsidize that location, can have ripple effects throughout the land use and transportation systems of a region.

March 7, 2014 - Cities That Work

Philly's Ugliest New Building Shows the Folly of Public Subsidies

Philadelphia Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron has the knives out for a new hotel built in Center City, calling it the 'worst new architecture' in the city. Worse yet, we all helped pay for such awful design.

August 19, 2013 - philly.com

Unveiling the Municipal Subsidy Hall of Shame

Daniel Denvir's article will have you thinking twice about whether your elected officials should be dedicating public resources to support the newest mega-project in your city as he explores "Great Moments in the History of Boondoggles."

May 31, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

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