Groups supporting and opposing Tempe's $2.1 billion deal with the Arizona Coyotes sparred over the merits of the deal during a debate on Tuesday night, squaring off on topics such as the deal's economic impacts and benefits for Tempe to the tax breaks that the Coyotes are slated to receive.
The back-and-forth grew pointed at times, with Tempe City Council member and paramedic Joel Navarro showing his frustration over claims that the 46-acre project site isn't currently a safety hazard, and opposition leader Dawn Penich-Thacker redoubling her attack on Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo as a "corrupt billionaire."
At its core, the messages of both sides were clear: The opposition wants to "start fresh" with a new project idea for the site, while Coyotes arena supporters want the public to "vote yes" and insist that the deal is a slam-dunk opportunity for Tempe that won't arise again.