PHOENIX — Now that five public meetings on the deal to renovate Talking Stick Resort Arena are over, what's next?
The Phoenix City Council is expected to vote on the $230 Million deal on January 23. The deal to fund renovations at the city-owned arena would see the City of Phoenix paying $150 Million, and the Suns $80 Million.
Five votes are needed to pass the deal. The arena sits in Councilman Michael Nowakowski's district. He told ABC15 he attended all but one meeting, and noted most people who attended were in support of the deal.
"80%, or plus, were in favor of it, once they understood that it wasn't a new tax," Nowakowski said. "That is a city-owned facility that we are responsible for the upkeep of it."
Nowakowski told ABC15 he remains undecided on how he plans to vote. He is seen as a key vote in the process, and is the councilmember who requested five public meetings.
"It's so important to have transparency," he said.
Nowakowski says he is still seeking clarity on how the $230 Million will specifically be spent, and which side is funding what projects.
"I understand the elevators, escalators, those are big ticket items that need to be repaired," he said. "I want to make sure that we see an itemized item of the restaurant repairs that are our responsibility. The scoreboard, what (is) our responsibility? Is it the infrastructure? Is it the wiring?"
The city council is expected to vote on January 23. ABC15 asked Nowakowski when he expects to make up his mind.
"Hopefully before the 23rd," he said. "If I don't get all this information by the 23rd, I'm going to ask for more time."
ABC15 is reaching out to council members to see how they all plan to vote.
Mayor Thelda Williams issued the following statement:
“Based on the overwhelming support from the public that we heard at five public meetings this week, and my belief that this is the absolute right thing to do, I will be voting yes."
