City councilman wants Phoenix to focus on problems, not downtown arena

PHOENIX — A city councilman said Phoenix needs to spend taxpayer money on fixing problems, not a new arena.

“I’m against spending taxpayer money on a stadium,” City Councilmember Jim Waring said Tuesday.

Waring addressed the issue after Mayor Greg Stanton again reiterated his support for a public-private partnership to build a new home for the Phoenix Suns and, possibly, both the Arizona Coyotes and some Arizona State University teams.

Though Stanton said he would not raise taxes to fund the venue, Waring said the city’s taxpayers already have enough on their plate without funding a new arena.

“This is at a time when the city manager is proposing tax increases on your property when there’s already been a tax increase on your water bill,” he said. “How much are citizens supposed to do?”

Waring said the council is torn on the issue.

“I think support for that among councilmembers is mixed,” he said.

Stanton has long been advocating for a new arena in downtown. Talking Stick Arena, the home of the Suns, is one of the oldest venues in the National Basketball League and he has expressed a desire to see the Coyotes return to downtown, where the team originally played.

In June of 2015, in the midst of the Coyotes’ legal battle with Glendale, Stanton said the Suns were willing to share their home with the NHL team, if necessary.

Stanton also pointed out at the time that the new arena would host nonsporting events, just as Talking Stick does.

“I know when people think of (an arena), they assume it’s for the sports teams, but that’s not always the case. Talking Stick Resort is used 200 nights a year for concerts, festivals and other activities.

“You need a competitive building to host all of those events, including sports events.”

KTAR’s Lauren Grifo contributed to this report.

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