Organizers and City can’t reach agreement on who should pay or how it should be paid.
Shame.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/11/21/BAGGNFRLF71.DTL
Idiots, the event generates $10.2 million in revenue and they’re complaining about $90k?
not a surprise. that’s what happens when you elect a parade of fools to the board of supes…
Playing devil’s advocate, the $10.2 million figure is economic impact to the city as a whole, not necessarily the “city” itself. The $90 is a direct hit to the city budget, the millions of dollars generated is spread across many different facets not benefitting the “City of San Francisco”.
That being said, I can say that not figuring out a way to save what has become a world-class event does indeed speak volumes about the wonderful Board of Stupidvisers of SF.
The City has never been known as a very biz friendly city has it? Just ask BoA and many other large businesses who bailed from the City. If SF wasn’t blessed with such a beautiful location they would probably be bankrupt.
There is one Supe in particular who has been against this from the beginning and has done everything he can to muck it up. Unfortunately, we can only vote for the one Supe in our area. He is not in mine.
clm
daly or peskin? not sure either is qualified to mow my lawn.
Based on the quotes in the article, I would say it would be Peskin.
Something along the lines of SF’s participation in the “Tour de California” as having the same net effect as the Grand Prix.
Yeah, um, okay. Whatever you say.
Daly.
Cathy:
Any idea what the current hotel city tax rate is? I think typical rates are around 7.5 - 8%. Just a back of the envelope guess, but $10/night room tax x 3 nights x 2500 rooms (I haven’t the foggiest clue as to how many people come into town for this event) =$75,000 revenue. It would seem that the city would break even at worst, depending on the number of visitors and factors such as city tax on restaurant meals, car rentals, taxis etc., or are there additional costs to the city involved?
For what it is worth, I haven’t made any sense of the SF city council actions in twenty years.
I’d say the vast majority of people coming into the city would not be staying in the hotels. More people from the 'burbs in all three directions, so they are just there for the day and maybe they buy lunch.
clm
I really hate this city. Good thing I live over in God’s Country on the right side of the bridge (and over the right bridge). 
The comment about corporate welfare just steams me up.
Well, that is probably true but I for one come up there each year for the event. I spend money on a flight, hotel (taxed for the city), restaurants, BART, Cabs, shopping, etc. I usually make it a three or four day stay.
I’m really disappointed that this event has been canceled as it showcases the city so well. It’s a World Class City with a World Class Event and it’s just sad to see it leave. I won’t be making the trip for the city stage of the Tour of California-so I guess that nixes the statement by the supervisor in my case.
I guess this frees up some more money for the French trip this Summer though ;-). I might pimp you for some info as you seem to be the World traveler especially to France.
Yes, extremely short-sighted by our stupid leaders. But I have a couple of ideas about France! Or, the Giro.
clm
"I’d say the vast majority of people coming into the city would not be staying in the hotels. More people from the 'burbs in all three directions, so they are just there for the day and maybe they buy lunch. "
Well, I could see where that might make a difference in city revenue, but then the question is how and where is that $10 million spent?
The City has never been known as a very biz friendly city has it? Just ask BoA and many other large businesses who bailed from the City. If SF wasn’t blessed with such a beautiful location they would probably be bankrupt.