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Amanda Butterfield Reporting A lot of residents aren't happy with Salt Lake County Mayor Corroon this afternoon, after he supported a new proposal for a ReAL Soccer stadium in Sandy and they're making sure he knows it.
The last two proposals Mayor Corroon has not supported -- this latest one he does. But according to the feedback his office has been getting about it, his constituents don't agree with him.
"You should have gone with your first instincts and axed this thing from the beginning. It's going to be a waste of money."
"I see you sold your soul... so to speak. I hope you and your county cohorts can live with yourselves."
"[You] have no business using millions of dollars for Checketts."
That is what the majority of the emails and phone calls received by Mayor Corroon sound like. According to his office, 68 percent of the feedback is against the stadium, not happy about last night's vote.
One emailer writes, "I don't know what you and the rest of the council are thinking..."
Well, here's what the mayor says.
Mayor Peter Corroon: "This is not a public give away; this is an investment that will bring a healthy return both directly and indirectly."
Here are some of the finer points how: ReAL must contribute 7.5 million dollars towards a soccer complex where youth tournaments can be held. It is expected to bring in millions of dollars of revenue.
Mayor Corroon: "That amount is projected to bring in over millions of dollars over the length of agreement. That's one of the biggest reasons I support this proposal."
The county will get 50 cents of every ticket to stadium related events, and the county will get to use the backs of those tickets for promotions. ReAL will also contribute one million dollars a year to tourism, and will promote literacy by reading to kids in libraries and donating tickets to kids who use the library.
And ReAL will have to stay here at least 30 years. If they don't, they'll owe the county 10 million dollars.
Mayor Peter Corroon: "Even if the team fails, or leaves, the county still will have benefited."
Though the majority of emails are against the stadium, as one voter puts it, "Absolutely Against," there are those like Tom Brand, Jennifer Barnes, and Grant Glasscock, who "support the stadium, very much."
Construction at the site is expected to start this fall. It should be ready to play on by 2008.
