03/26/04  Letter to Dallas County Commissioners

To:  Judge Margaret Keliher
       Commissioner Jim Jackson
      
Date:  3-25-2004

SUBJECT:  New Stadium "Economic Impact"  --- Debate Required

RE:  Dallas Morning News:  Cowboys promise jobs from new stadium by Dave Michaels (3/24/04)

Hello County Officials:

It is imperative that you respond to the completely absurd remarks made by some "Rob" guy who represents the Cowboy organization.  His data base is certainly way off from that of Mr. Zimbalist and countless other recognized experts who realize the true outcome of the in-process stadium folly. 

The economic impact "Rob" discusses is a pure pipe dream.  He does not even define the location for the proposed stadium prior to spouting his numbers. Has he studied the disastrous Houston situation?  Are his numbers "over and above" those revenue estimates that are already being derived from the current UT-OU games, existing Cowboy events and an imaginary Super Bowl event that may or may not ever transpire in Dallas, Irving or wherever? 

Is he factoring in the loss of convention business in his numbers?

Let's face it.  Without a location defined, there is no acceptable environmental, traffic, economic or other study that "Mr. Rob" can truthfully pass along to the Dallas County taxpayer.  All his made up "blather" reminds me of the same type of jargon used to propagate the 2012 Olympic package for the Dallas area (page upon page of blatant misrepresentations) which were recognized by the USOC early in the process.

Additionally --- look at the deterioration and lack of maintenance at the Cotton Bowl, Texas Stadium, Reunion Arena, the Dallas Zoo, and on and on.  Just what entity is going to maintain the new "Jerryville"?  Who is going to pay for that?  Will that be contained in ANOTHER bond package?

Prior to the County entering into something that will lead to a cumbersome tax on Dallas residents and loss of convention and other business, a good debate is in order.  Prior to the debate, I suggest someone define just WHERE THIS JERRYVILLE monstrosity is to be situated.  Also... all the formal environmental, traffic, economic impact studies (accurate) must be placed on the table, and not covertly hidden in an attorney's briefcase. 

REMEMBER --- concurrent events within the site area will all contribute to the results of  impact studies discussed and required above.  I am informed that not a shovel of dirt will fly on the project, election or no election, until the EPA approves certain studies which affect the region.  With that in mind, I would watch the process very carefully.  Why spend thousands of dollars on an election to find out that the state or federal government  may halt the project?

Regards,

Rad Field