Arizona Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall said “we’re maybe at the 5-yard line” for a deal that would fund stadium renovations at Chase Field.
Leaders from the club, the governor’s office, Maricopa County and state lawmakers are scheduled to meet this week and discuss the legislation, which continues to work its way through the Arizona Senate.
“We’re going to bring all the parties together,” Hall told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Thursday. “We’re going to get the state, county, city and team together and just make sure we’re all on the same page with what the language looks like, and then hopefully there’s no opposition. The governor seems to be behind it. The Senate president seems to be … I think we’re inching along.”
HB2704 — a tax recapture bill that would reinvest sales taxes collected at Chase Field back into the ballpark — passed in the House on Feb. 26. The bill has not experienced the same momentum in the Senate, but it passed through the Senate Finance Committee on March 24.
The legislation has faced pushback, notably from the city of Phoenix for diverting public funds. It has gone through various amendments, such as a cap on public contributions, the removal of income taxes being diverted to the ballpark and the county having to contribute as much as the city. Maricopa County Board of Supervisors chairman Thomas Galvin has opposed the amended version of the bill, which he laid out in an op-ed for AZCentral.com.
“Legislation to use sales tax revenue from all purchases and transactions at the stadium seemed promising, and Maricopa County did not oppose it initially,” Galvin wrote.
“However, an amended bill would scoop up tax revenue beyond the stadium, impacting taxpayers who don’t visit Chase Field and eating into Maricopa County’s general fund. If we can get back to a version that’s closer to the original bill, there may be the political support necessary to get the legislation passed and signed into law.”
Chase Field is owned by the Maricopa County Stadium District, and the Diamondbacks’ lease runs out in 2027. The club has claimed the ballparks renovations would cost between $400-$500 million, and the team would commit $200-300 million of its own money. The bulk of necessary upgrades involve infrastructure, such as the HVAC system.
Thomas Galvin proposes new approach, which Derrick Hall calls a possibility
In his op-ed, Galvin — who addressed Chase Field during his first speech as chairman in January — suggested a new approach to stadium ownership and operation in the state.
The Suns’ arena is owned by Phoenix, while the Cardinals’ home at State Farm Stadium is managed by the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority.
Galvin proposed a unified taxing district to own and operate the facilities, similar to the Cardinals’ accommodation but on a larger scale.
“It could be governed independently, professionally managed and funded through a smart blend of user-generated revenue and public-private partnerships that put a low burden on taxpayers,” Galvin said. “Rather than reinvent the wheel, Arizona could build on the tourism authority’s success.”
AZSTA is a private-public partnership that involves a tax recapture mechanism the Diamondbacks used as inspiration, along with contributions from the Cardinals. Maricopa County voters approved Proposition 302 in 2000 to create it. AZSTA also provides financial support to the Cactus League.
Hall called Galvin’s idea a good one but one that will take time to orchestrate.
“For us to be under one umbrella, it seems like it’s probably going to have to be the effort and push by the state because that’s one common thread that we all have,” Hall said. “The state is really putting forward a strong effort for us.
“I think it’s a realistic possibility, for sure.”
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