When the possibility of imposing a surtax on all Cactus League games to finance new facilities in Mesa, Arizona for the Chicago Cubs went off the table – thanks to folks like Bud Selig and Jerry Reinsdorf – the city and state were left scrambling to figure out how they could keep Cubs Springing in Arizona.
Kudos to Mesa, as they’ve now taken it upon themselves to figure out a way to come up with financing.
Mesa officials announced a new financing plan on Thursday that will help build a new Spring Training home for the Cubs. The plan is part of a major effort to keep the Cubs from relocating its facilities to Florida, a move that would be a major blow to the local tourism economy.
Funds for the $84 million plan will come from a proposed increase in the city’s bed tax on hotel rooms and also will draw some of the city’s special funds, The Associated Press reported. While property and sales taxes will not be directly affected, the sale of some city-owned property in Pinal County could net revenue to replenish the special funds. cubs.com.
If you recall, Mesa’s exclusive ability to retain the Cubs was put in jeopardy when the Arizona legislature failed to come up with a financing plan earlier this year. The Collier County, Florida folks are eager to jump back into the fray.