As I said back in December, we can remodel the Arena and make it a better useable facility without building a new events center. And it seems I am not the only one who thinks so;
As the city of Sioux Falls continues developing its plan for a new events center and a future public vote, Jamison is working on an alternate plan in case voters balk at the idea. He thinks residents might support a downtown convention center, a recreation center at the current convention center, and a remodeled Arena.
While I don’t agree entirely with Greg’s plan, I will say we agree on remodeling the Arena, and I am not the only one. Greg and I had a very lengthy phone conversation on the topic several months ago, so this isn’t something he cooked up overnight from the advice of a knee-jerking blogger. During the phone convo Greg assured me that him and I are not the only ones who think this is a good idea. While I do agree that building a new Convention Center downtown is a great idea (maybe next to Cherapa) I would ‘tweak’ his rec center idea just a bit.
But Jamison said he’s heard from residents who want an indoor pool and from private sports clubs wanting more space. He thinks there is support for his approach, which would be a private-public partnership where both the city and private sports clubs invest in the convention center to transform it into a recreation center.
I agree, there should be private partnership, BUT I think the only public involvement is gifting the Convention Center to the private groups and let them remodel it, own it, run it and subsidize it on their own. I would even go farther and let them be exempt from property taxes and allow them to use the city owned parking lot at no charge. I think it is time the city finally pulled that bandaid off and stop holding the hands of special interest club sports that want handouts from the city.
This quote from Greg also stood out in the story;
“I believe during these economic conditions, it is better to remodel the Arena than to build a brand new events center,” he said.
That was actually the focus of the convo we had. Greg actually confessed to me that it is the job of the city to take care of infrastructure and city services first in this economic downturn. He pretty much said this exact same quote to me. Some used to be hard on Staggers for saying things like this, and accused him of not being ‘visionary.’ I think anyone who uses taxpayer’s money wisely to provide better services to citizens is truly a visionary. I think when we have people suggesting we use fruitcake to fill potholes, we have to question how city funds are being used.
But these two statements in the Stormland TV News version of this story shows just how out of touch Councilor Jim Entenman and Mayor Huether are;
“I agree with Greg, we are short a lot of those facilities in our city. There’s no doubt about it. However, the previous two task forces have identified a need for an events center too,” city council member Jim Entenman said.
Notice what Jim said, “task forces identified a need.” Not the citizens. This still hasn’t been brought to a vote. And I have often asked, “What are they afraid of?” Failure? Not according to Huether;
Mayor Mike Huether says the city needs to stay focused on an events center. Huether told KELOLAND News, “Effective leadership will keep us focused on the goal at hand, and that’s building a new events center.”
Effective leadership would have been developing a funding solution for a proposed EC first, and put it to a vote. If approved, move forward with location and design. The events center planning is like a merry-go-round that won’t let the citizens on for the ride. Real leaders listen to the public. They don’t ramrod their ideas down citizen’s throats, that’s not leadership, that’s fascism.
I’m impressed that someone in city administration has some common sense. Huether’s dimension is a SciFi goal designed and built without a location and venue. We’re going to need a new mayor in 2014. Jamison’s the man if he vows to repeal Home Rule Charter, restore council checks/balances, and install a citizen friendly government. It would be nice to live in a democracy and become recognized as an all american city. I envy and miss the midwest values all around us we lost during Munson and Huether.
I couldn’t wait for you to pick up this story. I’m absolutely for remodeling the existing space.
I would vote against any proposal for a new Events Center for many reasons, but keep Huether’s name off of any plague at the entrance is quickly moving up the list.
Trust me. When Greg told me I’m not only one who supports this idea, he is right. Greg has been working on this proposal for months and has done his homework. Can he sell it to the public? Not sure, but it is nice to see some ‘other ideas’.
PS – I am also impressed that Greg and his cousin are willing to dedicate personal time to the endeavor instead of asking taxpayer’s to drop a cool million for a plan that may fail in the ballot box.
Like I posted before; we are already in a multi-year, multi-million remodel of the Arena just to keep the doors open. You can only do so much with a 50 year old structure before you hit a point of diminishing returns. The band aid approach has failed us repeatedly over the years.
For fux sake, Bemidji, Minnesota has just opened up a spankin’ new $50 million, 4000 seat Events Center which has one tenant: it’s college hockey team. Bemidji is the same size as Mitchell and even they found a way to get it done. They took all of 6 years from concept to proposal to vote to design to construction to opening up.
Hell, they even found a corporate donor to plunk down $2 million for the naming rights. Take a wild guess who and here’s a hint: It wasn’t Mayo Clinic
http://bemidjievents.com/
I spend about twenty hours a week with senior citizens. Jamisons idea, or whoevers, is what resonates with them. Mark my words, this IS the group that will settle this issue. Their grandchildren could get what they want, IF they can be pulled away from their I-Pods long enough to go to the polls.
@Poly43
And that’s what we’re trying to accomplish. Get the young voters out there, especially with my help. If remember right, more than 50% of Sioux Falls residents are over 55, and it’s exactly the reason why Sioux Falls has such a “convenience store” lifestyle (via Sy). This is something that young voters are interested in, trust me they are. It’s just urging them to go out and vote is what BID also wants to accomplish, and we will.
Well, I will gilve Hildy credit for getting the youth vote for Huether, but it cost a pretty penny. Will BID be willing to spend over $200,000 on a get out the vote campaign?
If remember right, more than 50% of Sioux Falls residents are over 55, and it’s exactly the reason why Sioux Falls has such a “convenience store†lifestyle (via Sy).
That percentage is a little too high. I remember reading about the demographics of registered voters in SF being close to 25% for age 62 and above. And this “convenience store” lifestyle? Maybe you and/or Sy would care to elaborate? Not sure exactly what you’re driving at.
This is something that young voters are interested in, trust me they are. It’s just urging them to go out and vote is what BID also wants to accomplish, and we will.
You and mayor mike do have something in common. You do.
I agree with Sy and Carter, they have the votes, they just have to get those people to show up to the polls. I’m afraid Ellis is right about the voting power of the ‘Stagger’s brigade’
The Convenience Store lifestyle is the Parking Debate. People don’t think there is parking downtown, when really there is. It’s scattered, which is even better for a big venue like this because you won’t have everyone leaving the same area/lot at one time. And it also exposes people who park in those scattered lots to retail and marketing exposure from what they walk by. Pretty much the “display window” effect. We want visitors walking by other stores, attractions, and restaurants, and not just hop in hop out to the Arena like they do now at the current site.
I also use the phrase to describe the mindset that if it isn’t the quick and easy route, it must not be worth it.
If you buy all your items at Get N Go so you don’t have to deal with the hardship of going to a HyVee you end up paying for it through the nose, kinda like the quick and easy route on the Events Center will also be more expensive one.
I have often chuckled at my friend Earl’s analogy of real estate values; They should be based on how close you live to a liquor store.