2011

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE (LATEST) EVENTS CENTER STUDY

l3wis May 3, 2011 27Comments

There is no doubt in my mind that the best place to build an Events Center is Downtown, but like I have said in the past, that is me just being selfish, because that is where I would like to see it. As many people have pointed out, we could almost build it anywhere in Sioux Falls (as long as it is within the city limits) and it would do well. I do however think the Arena location is a BAD location. As Quadir Aware pointed out last night at the city council meeting the Phillips Avenue Diner has had more of an economic impact then the Arena has had at it’s current location (okay, he was being sarcastic, but it was funny).

There needs to be some serious discussion about location before we break ground. And I hope the Build it Downtown group, or any ANTI- Arena group works hard at preventing it being built at the Arena location.

FUNDING

This is the most important facet of the project. A funding source or sources have to be presented to the public before we vote on it. And I say sources, because I think the public deserves options.

Why are we only depending on the mayor’s office and his finance director to come up with ONE funding source? We have hired all kinds of experts to tell us about a location and naming rights but why wouldn’t we hire an expert to advise us on the most important facet of the project? As I told a city councilor yesterday, “Citizens need to have funding options when they go to the ballot box, we don’t have that now.”

Here is what I see, but like I said above, we need to have an expert advise us on other options;

1) The Mayor’s proposal; Bonding, cash reserves, private donations (While I don’t think his idea is entirely that bad, I’m afraid that the private donations will fall thru and the taxpayer’s will be caught holding the bag.)

2) A five-year sales tax increase (This is something other cities have done, and it has worked FOR THEM. You also have to keep in mind these cities have had a resident at their facilities and the tax increase ended after the five-year period. I have a feeling that the tax increase WOULD NOT end after the five-year period. There is nothing stopping future city councils from continuing the tax increase AFTER the bonds are paid off. Tax increases NEVER go away. Don’t fool yourself.)

3) State Funding (This is something that I think is a very good option. Why can’t the state loan us a good chunk of the money? Or for that matter GIVE US THE MONEY? There are two factors here. First off, Pat Costello, former SF city council chair sits on the Governor’s staff as economic development director, why isn’t he involved? Secondly, remember, the first four pennies collected in taxes in SF goes directly to Pierre. Not only would a new Events Center have economic impact on the city, it would have a HUGE impact on the state. They need to be involved.

4) Federal Grants and Loans (Not much to say here, except that it is worth looking into.

5) Public investment bonds (This is something Staggers brought up during the mayoral campaign. While this could be complicated, it could raise a good chunk of dough).

6) Corporate entertainment and advertising tax (this is something we need to tap into)

TRANSPARENCY and ACTUAL COSTS

This is where I think the Mayor has really dropped the ball. Big time. While people debate location, funding and ballot language, as a big anti-censorship and First Amendment supporter, I have been extremely disheartened by the process. Not just with the current EC study, but with past ones also.

Not releasing reports and studies before they are presented to the public is not wise, it seems the mayor’s office is hiding something. But the biggest problem I have is with the actual costs presented. Let’s remember, the Pavilion has costed taxpayer’s almost $50 million dollars so far – this is a 1,900 seat facility that was supposed to cost us $21 million, at the most. I would hope that we have learned something from that process, but maybe we have not? The mayor is low-balling this project so he can sell it to the public. It is dishonest and sketchy. But you have to remember where Mr. Huether came from, he was in charge of marketing one of the most predatory credit cards in the nation. Do you think he is going to be honest with the public about the actual costs? Nope. But the citizens and the council can force him to be. Citizens can file complaints with the open meetings commission. You can also file complaints with the ACLU and the NCAC (National Coalition Against Censorship). We can talk all we want about the other factors of the Events Center, but lying to citizens about the actual costs is COMPLETE FUCKING BULLSHIT! I told a councilor yesterday, the $100 million dollar cost is LUDICROUS at best.

The public needs to take action, and they need to keep pressuring the Mayor’s office. As one of Huether’s directors, Darrin Smith, pointed out yesterday at the city council meeting, “He reads the blogs.”

Good.

I suggest citizens get more involved. Start a Facebook group, start a blog. These are things you can do for FREE. No matter your position on a new events center it’s important to remember, transparency in the process will be the most important factor. And if the mayor’s office uses dishonesty to sell this project, it will fail, and it will fail huge.

IMO

Where do I stand on the project? I will be voting against a new events center. I don’t think we need it. Like I have said in the past, what makes SF great is public safety and our FREE parks system. A new events center won’t make much of a difference. BUT, if a majority of voters approve it, I will be behind the project 100%.