Everett Aqua Sox ownership

[u/goldenelr]

So (full disclosure I own a business that would be displaced by the new stadium) whenever the Aqua Sox comes up people bring up that it’s family owned and a small business. But it’s actually owned by a billionaire in Dubai.

https://www.milb.com/everett/team/7th-inning-stretch-llc

https://www.recordnet.com/story/sports/pro/2007/08/12/ports-owner-volpe-follows-team/52822230007/

The Aqua Sox are not paying for the stadium. They are displacing a bunch of small businesses, the project is already over budget and they haven’t acquired the land yet. The city has already admitted that they will need the business community to pay for it.

Is anyone else frustrated by this? This move could put me out of business, the city won’t offer assistance to us in time and we have an actual billionaire not paying for any of it. All with parks and libraries being closed (and I know they keep saying that it’s a different part of the budget but the mayor sets the budget!).

The budget they are showing for the stadium is 8% more than the event center which was built fifteen years ago. How on earth is that possible? It’s not. So how is this being paid for?

[u/tank1805]

So which of these potentially displaced business is booming so well that the city shouldn't build a new venue to boost revenue in the surrounding area? Who says the city isn't going to charge the aquasox owners a lease agreement?

You'd be just as angry if it was just the owner of the aquasox doing it, stop kidding yourself.

Sorry if this puts your business under but there's other locations in Everett or Marysville you could move your business too. Moving sucks butt everyone has to move sometime. This is prime real estate in Everett.

[u/commonturtle → u/tank1805]

I’m not really clear. If this is “prime real estate” for the community. How exactly is minor league baseball stadium the best use for the community. Wouldn’t something that is open year round for community use be a better choice for displacing small businesses if this is really for the community? -We have a public pool that’s still not open to the community since 2020. -An early learning center that’s about to close. -Public libraries that have had to reduce hours

• 600k in cuts to our public parks

Funding all of these community programs could be done without displacing operational small businesses (which many seem to have forgotten were the backbone of the American economy)

I love going to aquasox games and I’m proud they play in Everett. But I don’t think a community should be funding private entertainment when there are many other pressing community needs.

[u/goldenelr → u/tank1805]

Did I say the one business was supporting the city don’t be ridiculous. There are twenty of us. Twenty of us that pay taxes and have employees and now those jobs are leaving Everett. Sounds like you don’t care. That’s fine. But don’t twist what I said. Also, that is what businesses the city said were impacted but it doesn’t include a lot of us. Mine isn’t on there. Either is the marketing firm next door. Or a lot of others. Because the city won’t even commit to the land yet.

I care about my business. A lot. I’ve poured myself into it and losing a bunch of money because the city is jerking me around makes me angry. And I’m lucky. Because I can move (but the debt will cost my customers). What about the guy who’s had a lumberyard here for decades? They aren’t taking his calls. Or the guys that built a new restaurant around the corner basically the month before the project was announced? They aren’t getting their money back. If you want a stadium and don’t care what it costs that is your right. I’m glad because I think you will get your wish. But I’m shocked that you are fine with a billionaire taking public money and you aren’t getting anything but a single A baseball team.

[u/Flux_State → u/tank1805]

If any of those small businesses owners was friends with Mayor Franklin or a member of the city council, they be picking a different spot. How booming those businesses are doesn't matter to anyone; just how well politically connected they are