Can Fenn broker a deal?

The Spec's John Kernaghan reports:

'The man tapped to solve the Pan Am stadium standoff is uniquely qualified, business and political leaders say.

Michael Fenn, former Burlington city manager, has the skills to get to the heart of the dispute -- a development issue in the west harbour area that has scared off the Tiger-Cats -- said Terry Cooke, his former boss.

"He is the most gifted public servant I have ever worked with," said Cooke, adding Fenn is now interim CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute.

The city and Fenn would not confirm he is the facilitator expected to be presented for approval to a special meeting of city councillors this morning.

Cooke, president and CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation, said Fenn understands how a public-private partnership works.

He said Fenn was a key figure in cutting a deal that saved taxpayers big losses at the airport.

Fenn served as city manager in Burlington, where he lives, was named interim president and CEO to help fix eHealth Ontario, was founding CEO of Metrolinx and deputy minister of Ontario Ministries of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Cooke said Fenn loves sports and understands the business of sports and has a reputation of being calm and fair.

Businessman Ron Foxcroft, who had a hand in bringing the career civil servant to Hamilton from Burlington, said Fenn has the ability to see the needs of both sides of the negotiating table.

"He's highly skilled, cool and pensive. His whole career has been in situations where he had to juggle egos."

Tim Dobbie, who followed Fenn as city manager in Burlington, said he is a quick study who will drill down to the essence of the development issue and get a fast read on any alternative sites the Ticats may suggest.'

What do you think. Can the highly-regarded bureaucrat broker a deal? Is a deal even possible?

Comments

[Kathy Hagan]

Bob Young lost all credibility with me when he waited so long to make his objections known. He is attempting to bully our already weak council and lo and behold threats to move the Tiger cats play into this coercion. Go ahead and leave the West Harbor Stadium on the agenda and ignore Mr Young.
I believe this negotiator { Micheal Fenn} knows Hamilton's needs and will broker a deal including the present Pan Am stadium proposed location.

[Allan Taylor]

I'll give it to you if you underwrite $5M in losses the Cats incur each and every year so they don't move and if you install a $5M scoreboard in the new stadium

[Tom Robertson]

Allan...What kind of tenant gets paid by the landlord to use the space. I will become the tenant and pitch a tent at centre field for 10% of the money the Cats are expecting from the taxpayers.

[Allan Taylor]

Tom
You obviously are letting your hate for Bob Young colour your world. The Ticats are nothing more than tenants. The city is a landlord that is looking to rent a building. If the city doesn't have a suitable building or the rent is too high the Cats will look elsewhere. Everyday stuff. You need to quit your misguided campaign. Without a tenant there is no need to construct the building. The logical conclusion is that the city needs to satisfy the needs of the tenant or decide against construction. This is normal buisness practice.

[Tom Robertson]

There is no way Mr. Fenn will be able to broker a deal when Bob Young continues to act like a spoiled child and ups his threats if he doesn't get his own way. Now he has threatened to move into a joint venture in Bronte with the Argos. My advice to the Halton taxpayers would be to stay away from this man. A strong City Council would walk away from further negotiations with him and carry on with their plan to build a Pan_Am stadium at the west harbour giving Mr. Young the take it or leave it option of participating in the taxpayers investment.

[Markalanwhittle]

If Michael Fenn can revise history, he may be able to find a win-win solution?

Since us taxpayers are footing half the bill, I would like to see the mandate he was given, the specific parameters, so the public can follow his logic going forward.

Welcome to Hamilton, get used to it.

[Peter Michael]

Does it really matter if a deal is even possible at this point?

Given stadiums are often completed late and over budget, does this one even have a chance at being ready for the Commonwealth Games?

How long until the government decides to Burlington which might not be a bad idea?

[Peter Swire CMA]

From my perspective, a deal may be very difficult to achieve if not impossible.

You have the City which wants to reinvent the north-west corner of the lower City. The catalyst would be a new sports facility for the Games which can be a new home for the Tiger Cats.

Unfortunately, you can't get there from here! The road capacity is not designed for 15000 cars in a one hour time slot. Parking - forget it!.

Haven't people noticed that if you cannot get to a place easily and cheaply they will not go there? Ask the owners of stores in Jackson Square and they will tell you the free parking at Limeridge directs traffic there even though Jackson Square is closer.

Hence the valid reason for the Tiger Cats to say that this is not an acceptable location. So, do we build the Games site elsewhere to satisfy the Tiger Cats? That would frustrate the urban planners. Do we put the site as planned and see the Tiger Cats fold or the City subsidize the Cats to come to the new stadium with free rent? The taxpayers would like to fund a white elephant! Or, do the Cats leave town?

Both sides want to do the right thing but unless the City makes a fundamental change in its vision, there is no way a concensus can be achieved.

[Steve Sheen]

No Idea,But if he does then maybe he should be our mayor.

[Donald J. Lester]

"Can the highly-regarded bureaucrat broker a deal? Is a deal even possible?"

If a deal is brokered it will be on the backs of the tax payer....

[Vod K]

Sounds like he knows his stuff.

In the end will depend on the Cats and the City.

Would he not take the position if he didn't feel he could be successful?

[t8]

So how much?