A Presentation by: Jager Parks Jonah Wilder Jon Deza

Redskins Training facility, Richmond VA

Preconceptions of the facility Obviously if the city is spending so much money on the facility it must be worth it right? So what do you know already of the facility?

Background Information The facility is located 2.9 miles NW of VCU The city of richmond pays the redskins 500,000 dollars a year so that they will use this facility It was built in 2013 Owned by Bon Secours and the City of Richmond

Why is it here in the first place? The redskins aren't even our football team

Economic impacts The city spent $10 million dollars on building the facility alone, and an additional $4 million dollars paid to the team in hopes of making the surrounding economy boost. Financial structure of the deal affects all taxpayers, not just those who attended camp or root for the team on Sundays. The Redskins are paid $500,000 a year by the Richmond Economic Development Authority.

Current uses Redskins Training Physical Therapy Center Event Space

Tourism Increase of visits to the science museum Decrease of visits to local restaurants Yearly decrease in Training Camp Attendance

Potential uses Event space (2nd floor) Sporting Events VCU Football???

Local Resentment “Absolute boondoggle to spend money on this when the roads and school(s) physical plant is in terrible shape,” “A billionaire owns the Redskins; let him build his own damn facility.” 74% think Richmond’s investment in Redskins Training Center hasn't been valuable. A poll conducted by 559 participants Only 8 percent of respondents agreed with this statement: “Year-round, the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Camp is being used appropriately.”

How has it impacted the surrounding areas While there are some select businesses that benefit from the facility those are only the ones in direct proximity to it, for most businesses this place has either diverted customers or actually caused a loss Food Trucks intending to make a profit from the foot traffic have been losing profit since they built a dining facility in the training camp, and foot traffic has been decreasing.

Impacts of the Redskins training facility on Richmond · Has cost the city 10.5 million dollars while giving them very few benefits · Many businesses are negatively affected by the facility as the traffic is throwing off many potential customers · There are a select few restaurants who have benefited from the facility because their proximity encourages fans to eat there · The economic figures are way higher than what was originally estimated to cost · Despite high maintenance cost it is still a source of revenue with roughly 150,000 annual visitors to the facility · The admission to the facility is free so most revenue is from the pro store meaning that for the most part it goes to the redskins and not the city · The money generated for the city is basically just taxes · The businesses that benefit from this even if only slightly are hotels and attractions such as museum that aren’t in the facility meaning places like restaurants are kind of out of luck · The redskins told the city it would give them $500,000 annually when in reality upkeep for the facility cost the city $200,000 and they still haven’t received money from the team · Food truck that set up outside the facility report losses the majority of the time they are there · The nearby museum of science is benefiting because of proximity to the facility · The place is leased for five grand a year when the property is worth ten million dollars · If the place were to be sold to the team the revenue would be given to the school system which desperately needs money

Bibliography O'connell, J. (2015, July 30). As Redskins practice opens in Richmond, new questions about the deals that brought them there. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/digger/wp/2015/07/30/as-redskins-practice-opens-in- richmond-new-questions-about-the-deals-that-brought-them-there/ Oliver, N. (2016, March 30). Richmond payment to Redskins climbs to $360K going into fourth year of training camp. Richmond Times Dispatch. Retrieved from http://www.richmond.com/news/local/city-of-richmond/article_978e7368-34d1-5c58-86d1-d44030bb8229.html Paras, M. (2016, July 28). Attendance down as Redskins open training camp in Richmond; team not releasing numbers this year. Richmond Times Dispatch. Retrieved from http://www.richmond.com/redskins-xtra/article_fc75d64a-d61c-5d03-b5c3- 8a2ef54a8ca4.html Phillips, M. (2016, June 22). Second floor of Redskins training camp facility being converted to wedding and event space. Richmond Times Dispatch. Retrieved from http://www.richmond.com/redskins-xtra/article_dfad85b8-1412-55a3-a278-8077a4808edb.html