Part 7/14:
Now, in 2025, the crisis is reaching its boiling point. Interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, climbing to 5.5%, have doubled or tripled monthly debt payments on variable-rate loans. Meanwhile, visitor numbers have declined by approximately 35% from 2019 peaks, and spending per visitor has dropped. Construction projects like the Sphere are hemorrhaging millions each month, failing to generate sufficient revenue to cover sky-high interest costs.