By Joshua Bowling | Arizona Republic (Photo via Press Release)
Glendale says it won’t renew the lease of one of its most high-profile tenants. Now, the Arizona Coyotes’ neighbors will have to wait and see if business takes a hit in the team’s absence.
Glendale on Thursday announced it was cutting ties with the NHL team after the upcoming season, which starts in October. The plan is to put millions into renovations at Gila River Arena and pack it year-round with “more impactful” events.
City Manager Kevin Phelps touted the decision as a savvy financial move for the city, the entertainment district and the nearby business owners. A city-commissioned economic report shows that concertgoers tend to spend twice as much as hockey fans on retail and dining in Westgate Entertainment District.
Coyotes President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez in a statement said the decision will “primarily damage the small businesses and hard-working citizens of Glendale.”
