NO GAMES CHICAGO-2016 Olympics-Myth #1 Economy

[wellyes]

I agree that the Olympics are not necessarily a big tourist draw and they aren't guaranteed to break even, but it is possible to garner some economic benefit if the games are planned and managed well and the site is feasible to begin with.

The problem with the games generally comes down to the long term management of venues, infrastructure, and security costs. If you have to build white elephants and write a blank check for security you will be in trouble.

[wellyes]

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson was newly elected when he made those statements. It's not hard to see why he is politicking about the village. Was it it over budget? Yes. Did the previous administration sign a deal that exposed the city to undue risk? Yes.

But to suggest that the Athlete's village is a $1 billion debt is completely disingenuous. The village is the last waterfront development in the hottest realty market in Canada. Those units will sell and the investment will be recouped.

[kunz99]

Thank you to the No Games people and all Chicagoans who let the IOC know that Chicago did not want this mess! Now, lets get rid of Daley!

[rubicxcibur]

For God's sake, you people in Chicago should have used the Olympics to upgrade your infrastructure, like Barcelona did -- it's an invesment. That cattle car that you call public transportation is an embarrasment. I'd be ashamed to put anyone on the train from O'Hare to downtown. You are not a world class city, you just lost your chance to possibly become one.

[kibjohn]

I can totally side with you, rubicxicur. I am a current resident in Chicago and I'm pretty fucking glad that we didn't win the Olympic bid in the first fucking place. I knew it all along that if we won that bid, all it was is that it will bring absolute trouble to the city. Hell, Chicago is already in the red zone. Along with that, when you come to think about it: every other major city around the world has venues set up, while Chicago didn't.

[kibjohn]

(Continued)

It's bad enough that Chicago has spent WAY TOO MUCH money into trying to tear down Michael Reese Hospital to try to build an Olympic village there. Along with that, they wanted to build a "temporary stadium" in Washington Park (in which it is in a predominantly African-American community) to have it ready in 2016, and then tear it back down once the Olympics were finished. That's excessive taxing up our asses (esp. to the residents who lives around Wash. Park).

[kibjohn]

(Damn character limit BS on YouTube)

Plus, what the fuck ever happened to stuff like creating more jobs in the city, improving public transit, fixing up the fucked-up public school system? Chicago, let alone, ILLINOIS, is a place where it's more people playing politics than to fix the city up. Thank fucking God, Chicago did not win...and why? Because main emphasis was all about Mayor Daley's political gain! I can't wait for Daley's dethronement. It's time for a REAL change!

-kidThunder

[allgoraro]

The truth hurts.

[miguelr44]

the best hotels, restaurants, shopping, 2nd largest airport, the most diverse population and the amazing people. the IOC made a huge mistake.

[miguelr44]

For the critics comparing chicago to the atlanta games, first off chicago has the most balanced economy in the nation, 4th most important business center in the world according to mastercard. Chicago also recorded the greatest number of new or expanded corporations 7 years straight. Also the second largest business center.According to U.S News World&Report is ranked top in national universities.Public transportation gallore, Also host 35 million guest yearly. Amazing architecture, meuseums,pizza

[NoGamesChicago2016]

Are you serious the most balanced economy?? We are over 250 million in debt. We are in debt almost every year. Including last year in which we had a HUGE TAX HIKE that put us in the #1 spot in sales tax. Also a tax hike on everything down to bottled water.

I highly doubt we are the most balanced economy in the nation. WOW if we are the most balanced economy this country is in major trouble.

[thepax29]

There's pizza? Well, shit. If we'd only known...

[saltypork3]

You're dumb

[chi0505]

Dont matter where games are held. USA will still kick everyones ass...

[petesasauce]

mmm...mmm...mmm. Barack Hussein been stupid!  mmm...mmm...mmm.

[chi0505]

At least all the trash will stay out of this country. (USA) Keep your scum and dieases out of here.

[Dems4Lunch]

I don't want Chicago representing the United States. Crime, gangs, murders, corruption, and political thugs like Obama. Thank goodness the world is wising up to this useless prick.

[seand67]

Great video. I remember many local businesses in Atlanta left 'holding the bag' when the 1996 games ended. Lots of GREED...apartments converted into overpriced condos, etc. The Atlanta Braves did get a new stadium, but the city was left with a "W.T.F. ?" attitude.

[40172]

I am beginning to see some hope...now the rest of the world is starting to see what a big failure this President is!

What an embarrassment he is to the USA!

2012 will be here soon,... lets prepare for change...of the President that is!

[miguelr44]

you are a goddam fool, what have you done to better this world......lets hear it. you pompous white trash republican, lets prepare for change and rid of the cancer that plagues the U.S starting with you. I definitely believe in a higher power that saved us from sarah palin-pahlin. Its devious demons like you that welcome failure to the nation just to slander your commander in chief. Just remember punk your president is a black man, more man than you will ever be.

[Dems4Lunch]

O dumb fuck ain't my President. Name one accomplishment Obama has done? Name ONE? I happen to think Bush was a Good President. If Bush was such a "devious demon" why hasn't Obama reversed any of Bush's "Failed"policies? If the war was such a huge mistake why hasn't Obama pulled out within 6 months of being in office like he promised. Your President is just a ton of Lies, and deception. Thank goodness he ain't my President. I don't acknowledge him as President of this now third world country.

[miguelr44]

i called you the cancer along with your delusional bird brain.bush a president? Ha ha, good laugh, more like bush the puppet. It sure will take a miracle for YOUR commander in chief to undo dick cheney, rumsfeld mess. In my opinion these pigs deserve to be hung, I call em pigs cause they made the nation a pigsty for them to roll in.

[LetMeScreamLoud]

Number one: Barack Obama was elected by MAJORITY of people. If you do not accept nation's decisions then you are NOT part of this nation. Since when minority gets to dictate to majority? Bush was good president huh? Bush destroyed everything he could. How could you pull out of Iraq now when a lot of terrorists will gladly take control over land full of oil! You can not just leave, it was better not to get there is first place

[saltypork3]

You can't be serious. What did Bush do that would qualify him as a good president?

[jch450]

I "survived" Atlanta and 1996 Olympics. Let me tell you. It sucks. Trains packed like sardines. Snotty ass foreign people coming in to trash talk your city. no where near the money they tell you. And when its done the taxes you end up paying to build all the venues hurts. In general it sucks. And they budget a few billion and it ends up being 8 or 9 times that in real expenses. Then you are EXPECED to donate thousands of man hours for free to the games. BAH. Be glad you lost.

[seand67]

Yes, I understand exactly what you mean about Atlanta's 1996 Games. They tried to convert a conservative Southern American city into an International Stage....FAIL!

[julianhpike]

This would be a disaster for the CTA. Brown Line upgrade isn't even finished; and the system as a whole has difficulty just dealing with normal traffic. Our sales tax is already the highest in the nation with mounting shortcomings six years in advance without any indication of a recovery. Just do the math. It is that simple.

[TedLillyfan15]

well of course its always doom and gloom no matter what the news is with fox. "no we can't do this...we have to do that." what a ton of closed-minded supersticious fucks.

[anatali1]

The reality is that Obama cronies are the only ones that will benefit from this taxpayer timebomb

[xnothingbutthetruth]

they also are comparing apples to oranges in this video.. - they had 70% of seats vacant in the greece summer games .... your point? I have a feeling you'll see no vacancies in the seats for chicago.. - it's just not even a true comparison.

go FOX news... keep spreading the ignorance to your base

[xnothingbutthetruth]

And the repugs are at it again... they'll even fight for the olympic games to be in someone else's country if Obama is for it...

Yes it is in the US interest to get the games, you tools are just using it for partisan games..

[gaguilarq]

I've seen on Spanish TV, that most of the Americans, living here, Do Not want the games to be held in Chicago. First I was surprised, because the great mayority of Spanish people, really want to have the games here in Madrid. That support and desire comming from the people, and the fact that we are prepared, is what keeps our good hopes up!

[mach3moe]

gaguilarq, The biggest reason the citizens of Chicago did not want the olympics is because of their distrust of the city's leadership. It is a great city that is slowly crumbling under the weight of democrat leadership. I fear us Chicagoans will be apologizing for unleashing Obama on the nation/world for many years to come.

[GotKaiser]

O god...its FOX NEWS....if thats the source of opposition...i say CHICHAGO 2016!

[Chicagogal850]

it will bankrupt the city coz they are going to build the venue big , they do not have a huge money to build.

[Chicagoathletics]

I SUPPORT CHICAGO 2016

[duck1988]

Your organization could start looking legitimate by spelling Olympic Village right.

[Desertdn]

Need a 2- or 3-minute video for all five "myths" to post for my friends on my page.

[xj2yzz]

And if it fails the city pays the balance.

[tankhard12]

If or when?

[xj2yzz]

Its over,if the olympic games loses the city pays the balance.

[lauriehorror]

I feel like what it comes down to is...

Olympics = money we don't have.

Im sure tourism will help, but the debt will still be massive. Taxes will go up (as if they aren't high enough already) and we'll all be unhappy afterwards.

[xj2yzz]

History shows a profit is made when the circus comes to town,but the circus does leave.

[elleanor07]

i lived in nurses residence rigtht where olympic statdium is put I use to have lake michigan view but I worked so much it didnt even matter

[detroitmetro101]

with everything i said there should be some readjustment of how city money should be spend.........with 2.8million people we should have proper funding for our roads, schools and officers there no excuse......we should have the same public facilities or even better than cities like toronto who have less economic activity than chicago

[detroitmetro101]

chicago will get national support from washington dc and it should if it wins the olypmics becouse all the other candidate cities get support from their national government........we (americans) are the only country that doesnt nationally support the olympics even though we are a leading glabal team.......its an embarrassment

[detroitmetro101]

chicago sitting in a country of over 300 million people is not the same as canada or greece....and china has over 900million people under poverty..........so chicago will see alot off national visitors....for one....and when did fox news start to care about minority rights.......lmao

[detroitmetro101]

millenium park....a park that is nationally and internationally known.......bringing chicagoans together in one place seen all over the world on nov 4th.....i think it was worth the taxpayer money

[kunz99]

Not at the expense of neighborhood parks in Chicago.

[BVictor21]

Parks were chosen so that there wouldn't be a displacement of individuals from there homes.

[fightourfuture]

also, the moronic arguments here are centered on the time during the olympics. Yes, the few weeks of the games will be a hassle, but the new rail lines, highways, and media attention will help for decades.

Go have a pessimism conference elsewhere. Have you downers heard of a truck stop called Atlanta? Hmm I wonder what happened to it.

[kunz99]

It is now a truck stop with a bunch of Olympic venues that are rarely used.

[BVictor21]

Well, seeing as if Chicago were to get the olympics, many venues would be held in existing structures like McCormick Place, the United Center and the UIC Forum; while other facilities that would have to be build would be temporary like the stadium.

[samayghee]

No, the Olympics requires all new venues. That's why Athens has 21 empty venues, and San Francisco's bid was rejected for trying to use Candlestick Park and the Oakland Coliseum.

[BVictor21]

No, they don't require new venues for everything. If a city doesn't have a certain facility, then I can understand the need to build it. The United Center would be used, McCormick Place would be used and the UIC Forum would be used. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum which opened in 1923 was used in the 1932 & 84 games. San Francisco's bid was rejected because it wasn't as good. If your theory were true, our bid would have been rejected also.

[BVictor21]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[fightourfuture]

Do you fools think you can stop this? Since you like to waste time and money, can I join you somewhere at a poker table?

[dbctv]

Olympics again in the US... Boring...

[kunz99]

Park district funds are definitly used for Millenium Park upkeep! Check with the Chicago Park District. As for other parts of the country being underfuned, that is true, but only Chicago is looking to spend billions it doesn't have for the Olympics. The Gage Park field house is padlocked about five days a week. The reason given by the Park District is insufficient funds to keep it open. Anyone who thinks that Chicago is not the most corrupt city in this nation is asleep!

[NoGamesChicago2016]

PH and Victor can you guys keep it civil. It is one thing for people to debate, but I don't want swearing and name calling on my video comments.

[thatdudej13932]

No 2016 for Chicago. Do not believe the Lies. The opportunity sounds great . The Truth is the jobs will mostly go to non-chicago residents and any other monies will be devouired by our pay to play legions.The political machine in Chicago is well Greased and working well.Rod was not alone,Ryan was not alone. If you dig past the Buffers you may be surprised.

[taxnoone]

Daley is a crook and anyone backing him is a fool.

[WorldTravelTV]

If the No Games Chicago people wanted to be real good concern citizens, they would propose ideas that would help out Chicago's communities other than oppose a plan which at this point holds merit .

[BVictor21]

You see worldTravelTV, the No Games people lack vision and ideas. They're almost like the current state of the republican party, blast your ideas, but have nothing to offer in return.

[WorldTravelTV]

If I'm not mistaken, no other Olympics has received private funding as Chicago has. No other Olympics has build a 'temporary' stadium as Chicago is planning to do. No other city is using the majority of its infrastructure already in place, unlike all the other Olympics such as London which have had to revamp an entire section of the city. (lower Wharf)

[kunz99]

No other city has the deep seeded political corruption that Chicago has!

[WorldTravelTV]

Thats based on your opinion, I can say New York City is the one, or Mexico City, or Beijing.

[BVictor21]

You keep talking about the political corruption of the city! But maybe you should be looking at the state.

Edgar hated Chicago. Ryan had the Illinois First program which did help infastructure, but it wasn't nearly enough and Blago was a total douche who really didn't do anything for the city.

Most other cities in no way, shape or form can truly stand up to Chicago. Granted, we have out issues, but we do our best at getting things done.

[taxnoone]

Doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a differant result is one way to define insantiy. Therefore to trust Dicky Daley and his band of pirates to be honest in handling the Olympic Traveling Scam is a perfect example of insanity. To allow them to continue their looting of public funds is a case of aiding and abetting.

[thatdudej13932]

That is a TRUE Statement!!!!

[kunz99]

The No Games Chicago people had a forty minute meeting today with the IOC. I'll bet Mayor Crook shit his pants when he heard this!

[BVictor21]

Actually i'm pretty sure he didn't. What exactly does he have tobe fearful about?

[Kngkyle]

Go Chicago!

[chicagoguy19]

GO CHICAGO 2016

[chicagoguy19]

As an IOC member said.. "we except protest in every city....if there is not, then there must be something wrong " Im amember of the chicago 2016 volunteer team and our numbers for our "city wide celebration" on aprl 2 are going to far outweigh the support against it

[NoGamesChicago2016]

2 million more people visited Athens the next year not per year. The Olympics gave them massive debt. They were left with an 8.6 billion dollar debt (7b Euro).

Two summer games in twenty years. Overall the Olympics leave debt. Look at Chicago's record of going overbudget on major projects.

Millennium Park Budget 150m total 475m

325m over the budget

Dan Ryan Budget 550m total 950m

400m or 72% over

City workers are getting laid off but Daley wants to risk money on 3 weeks of games.

[Skyscraperjunkie]

First off, its not fair using Millennium Park as an example. The park was completely redesigned into something far more elaborate than what was planed before. Its like starting off with constructing a 2 bedroom ranch house and finishing with 6 bedroom mansion. Of course its going to cost more.

Second, I noticed how you guys conveniently left out cities that did make a profit on the Games, like LA in 1984.

Third, this is more than 3 weeks of Games. Some Olympics folks will be in town 6 months!

[kunz99]

You can definitely use Millennium Pork as an example! Daley went way overboard on this, and it cost taxpayers over one hundred million dollars. This Olympic scam will cost taxpayers in the billions! Besides all that, Chicagoans don't want this!

[Skyscraperjunkie]

Way overboard? God forbid we do something with a little vision in this city. Chicago has a history of doing grand things, and Millennium Park has become the most successful new urban public space in the country. It has been written on and studied by folks all over the world. The park spurred construction of luxury residential high-rises right nearby which pay a ton of property taxes. Between new development, leasing the garage below and increased tourism the city made a net increase of money.

[kunz99]

Millennium Park costs the Taxpayers millions for upkeep every year, at the expense of neighborhood parks,which many are in a state of disrepair. Chicago has a history of doing grand things? How about starting a history of doing the right thing! How about a "vision" of good schools, modern public trans, affordable housing, and zero corruption in City Hall! Let us fix our problems now, instead of billions for the Olympics!

[BVictor21]

There's a new plan for the central area called Chicago 2020 which addresses some of these issues. It's hard to accomplish everything you mentioned when the federal government has decreased funds for thins in favor of spending elsewhere. There's never going to be no corruption in city hall. It's government, and it'll be forever present. I must say though, even though there's corruption, at least things tend to get done. Look at other metro areas that have been stagnant in terms of progress.

[Skyscraperjunkie]

No Millen. Park doesn't cost the taxpayers "millions" in upkeep. The upkeep is largely paid for by endowments from the private donors who helped fund construction and by the garage lease. The development it fueled around the park has funneled no less than $5 million into both the afforadbale housing and Chicago Public Schools trust funds. Have you seen the new school construction occuring in multiple enighborhoods? Have you seen the 52 new or renovated library branches built in the last 10yrs?

[Skyscraperjunkie]

The Olympics will bring new investements to the neighborhood parks, new afforadble housing as well as additional private investment that can generate millions in new tax revenues. Dyet School in Washington Park will be getting a brand new Olympic size swimming pool, while Douglas Park will be getting the other pool after it is taken apart and moved.

[ph133710101]

Jebus Cripes! Do you work for Daley? Are you trying to be serious?

CHICAGO HAS USED $100 MILLION OF TAXPAYER MONEY SO FAR FOR THE BID PROCESS ALONE!

Yet we have a $250 MILLION budget shortfall! DOES THAT MAKE SENSE!?!?!??!?!?! DOES IT?!?! GOT AN ANSWER?!?!?! HUH!?!?!?

FOOLS!!

[Skyscraperjunkie]

No, I do not work for Daley and yes I am being serious. I follow development in Chicago closely, hence my user name.

As for the $100 Million in tax payer money used for the bid, I would be happy to read a source on that if you could provide a link. The bid is 100% privately funded and if that is a lie, then perhaps you should tip off the IRS to a violation of the Chicago 2016 organization's 501c3 status.

[BVictor21]

I'm willing to allow them to spend my tax dollars. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money.

And no, you really can't use Millennium Park, especially if you aren't going to be honest about the full effects of the development.

And to correct you, most Chicagoans do want this, it's mainly people who lack vision that don't.

[NoGamesChicago2016]

Great let them spend your money, but I do not want them to waste my tax money.

Deficit every year, highest sales tax in the nation, and city workers getting laid off.

You say only because the design was changed, well the Olympics is over 7 years away you don't think they will change their plans. Project after project goes over budget.

Dan Ryan budget 550m total cost 950m

400 million over or 72%

Not lack vision just see our history.

You must work for Walsh or something.

[BVictor21]

Then MOVE... Of course the designs and plans will change, what's been presented has been conceptual, and I hope they change. I hope they become bigger and bolder.

I know our history.

No I don't work for Walsh, can't stand them as a matter of fact. I'm just ready for bigger and better things. Yes, we have the highest sales tax, but currently the state has one of the lowest income taxes. Taxes pay for goods and services, or didn't you know that?

[kunz99]

You do not no the history of this city, and I doubt you pay taxes or fees here!

[BVictor21]

I've live in this city since coming out of my mothers womb as has my father before me, so i'm pretty sure I've paid the taxes and fees that I'm supposed to.

And I know the city history quite well. It's kind of one of my passions. I don't claim to know everything, but I know my share.

[BVictor21]

Yes, I know the games are over 7 years away. And I also know that designs will change. In fact I'm hoping that they do. I want them bigger and bolder, as everything has been pretty underwhelming thus far.

The Dan Ryan did go over budget, but I'm also sure that you're aware of the fact that the rebuilding of the expressway was a state project not a city one. The city has no jurisdiction. Also,, Walsh way underbid the project, which is what they always do, to get the job.

[ph133710101]

A small minority of Chicagoans want the games - the rest live in the suburbs. The only city dwellers that actually want the games are those connected to Daley. Like yourself. Try not to lie you fool. Why are we bidding on the games when we wont pay the cops more, have a $250 million budget deficit, millions of dollars in a CTA Budget gap, yet you trust these crooks to get the games. You idiots deserve this shitty city.

[BVictor21]

No, you truly can't use Millennium Park as an example. That space has more than paid for itself with the additional construction revenue brought in over the past 5 years.

The park was redesigned and enhanced several times. The private sector kicked in about $250million. It has created international press and a new iconic space for all to visit.

So what if it costs us some money. The city & region will benifit as a whole. Most Chicagoans want it. It's the mis-educated that don't.

[kunz99]

Millenium Park was Partially built with taxpayer dollars, and is maintained with taxpayer dollars. This is done at the expense of neighborhood parks. You don"t have to go far in Chicago to find a neighborhood park with a padlocked field house!

[BVictor21]

It's actually not at the expense ofother neighborhood parks. An endowment fund was also set into place for the maintenance of the park. Also, money from Lollapalooza is used for other parks. If there is a padlocked fieldhouse, you should speak with your alderman about the reasons why.

[BVictor21]

Chicago isn't Athens. From what I understand, all of the games that have been held in the U.S have been successful. Yes Millennium Park was over budget, but you forgot to mention all of the design changes involved and the nearly $200 million in private investment as well as all the tourest and new development dollars that the park has helped to attract.

[NoGamesChicago2016]

Wow 3 games in 20 years. That does not mean every games here will make money. Atlanta made a small amount and LA did make a nice amount Utah's money, after they split was very small.

Those cities do not have the same kind of construction that goes overbudget time after time.

If I get work done on my house and they go over budget and are late I would not keep hiring the same companies with no bid contracts.

Daley is a crook and that is why so many people around him get convicted.

[BVictor21]

Good for you and your house, but we're talking about something that can benifit the larger parts of the city.

I'm not worried about Daley and his felon friends. He's helped to transform this city over the past 20 years. Granted everything hasn't been positive, but the majority of things have been.

[Nowhereman1280]

Also, let me note that a US Summer Olympics has NEVER lost money, even the 1904 St. Louis games ended with a net profit of $1 million for the city...

[Nowhereman1280]

So this video says that the number of people visiting Athens increased by 2 million a year after the Olympics... Yep, 2 million more tourists a year won't help the economy...

[BVictor21]

The No Games Chicago people suck. Get the hell out of Chicago then.

[atfreema]

Why don't you move to Beijing?

There's an cool looking empty stadium for you to look at.

[BVictor21]

Because the stadium that's to be constructed in Washington Park is to be temporary. You may not know the definition of the word temporary, but here it is, directly from the dictionary; "lasting for a short time only; used for the time being; not permanent"

[atfreema]

Yeah we don't even get a stadium, Daley spent half a billion on that seven years ago and we can't use as the main one for the games. ha ha

The point is, if you think Olympics make a city amazing why haven't you moved to Beijing? They spent way more than Chicago can hope to.

It's not a lack of vision as to why people don't want this, it's a _different_ vision.

[ph133710101]

Why don't you pay all their taxes then? You enjoy that kind of thing. Every time I buy something you can pay the fucking 10.25% tax on it. Potholes still wont be filled, schools won't be funded, CTA won't be funded, Cops won't get funded. Yea, great town to be in, you can keep it.

[BVictor21]

Blah, blah, blah. # years of rough winters and car whores like yourself do damage to the roads. People always want city cservices, then complain about paying for them. TYPICAL... There will be infastructure funding and wall as security funding from the feds. I will keep it and you can leave. There is also a major Central Area Action Plan that you are obviously not familiar with. It addresses many of your concerns. I suggest you brush up on it.

[NoGamesChicago2016]

Paying for city services is fine. It is the wasteful spending which leads to higher taxes that I am upset with and want stopped. Needed services are what gets cut.

Americans are now learning that if you can't afford, it don't buy it. People are in so much debt because they wanted the finer things in life and didn't have the money. So they put it on their credit card. That is what our city does. Can't afford it, build a deficit, raise taxes to close the deficit, rinse and repeat.

[BVictor21]

Servies are being cut all across this country, not just Chicago. One reason for this is that the federal government used to pick up tabs for more than what they have been lately and everyone has paid for that.

Americans should have learned years ago to live within our means, but so many of us are materialistic and greedy. I've always been fairly good at budgeting.

Our city functions much better that other major cities. Ask the people of Detroit or Cleveland or Pittsburgh.

[DigitalNativesMedia]

I think this is an extraordinary video Dave!! Its not to long or dictatorial and its not to brief and general.

APRIL 2ND, 2009 - Federal Plaza - 5pm CHICAGO RESIST THE OLYMPIC BID