A lot of newer buildings are LEED certified, or are going to be LEED certified. I can't remember what the newest buildings are in the league but CONSOL Energy Center is fairly new and it is LEED certified. Bell center is LEED certified. I would be slightly surprised if Detroit's building isn't also being built to fulfill environmental standards.
I don't see an iphone App as a "technological marvel" or anything. They could have implemented that in Rexall if they wanted to.
I'm not saying its bad that they have these things, I'm saying great, good for them. But I'm not blown away thinking "wow, the future is here! good thing we spent a billion tax dollars!"
Detroit funding breakdown: $285 million of the $650 million cost will be public, with $365.5 million in private funding
".. a glass roof will be erected between [other] buildings and the arena itself. The roof will form an indoor "street" that will serve as the arena's concourse. The concourse will remain open year-round, even if an event is not occurring inside the arena, allowing it to also be used as a venue of its own. The eight-story arena will be built as a bowl, with its ice surface 40 feet (12 m) below street level, and a projected seating capacity of 20,000. Also planned is a 37,300-square-foot (3,470 m2) practice rink inside the arena. Graphics can be projected on the arena's roof, such as the Detroit Red Wings logo on game days, or other content depending on the event. The skin of the arena bowl will also be capable of displaying graphics. Christopher Ilitch described the design of the new arena as being "revolutionary", and believes that it may influence future arena designs in other cities."
Just sayin', if the competition is "which city paid more public dollars for a less innovative arena design?" we might have won!
PS: I'm simply raising the issue I'm not educated enough on either arena to make a judgement, for the time being
We'll see when they open up.
