While I support a new events center and agree with Mr. Christensen that it should be downtown – I am still on the fence about how important getting the facility done immediately is. However with the new casino in Lyon county being built we better turn up the jets a little;
If we do this right, we can pay for the events center like Omaha did, with modest increases in lodging, entertainment and booze taxes. We also could use naming rights, parking fees and other user fees. Downtown also can use existing tax increment financing and possibly green tax breaks such as Cherapa Place took advantage of. This way, the people who use and benefit from a downtown events center pay the bulk of the project’s cost, which to me is the fairest way to go.
Isn’t it ironic how a sophomore in HS can sum up an Events Center proposal in one paragraph while it takes politicians and task forces months to say nothing and go nowhere.
I couldn’t resist to post this awful song;
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S0oRfoR0Z0&feature=related[/youtube]