Update: The Events Center ‘Ticket Conversation’

1. Build it and they can’t get tickets!

2. I am watching that City Link program right now.

   Terry Torkildson, general manager for SMG Sanford Premiere Center, just said he thinks the rippling in the building’s exterior paneling makes it more visually interesting.

   Are there any other taxpayers out there who think this is an irresponsible statement coming from the GM for the EC given that this is an issue which is currently being litigated??!!!

   Also recently, the Mayor in a Listening and Learning session talked about the TAX DOLLARS which are being used to make it possible for all of these concerts at the EC. These are dollars THAT ARE PART OF THE $115 MILLION WHICH VOTERS APPROVED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING.

   Tracy Turbak, Director of Finance for the City, at a recent City Council meeting was asked how many dollars are being used for this purpose and how much of the $115 million was still left. Director Turbak refused to answer (by giving his standard answer of, “I don’t know”). I noticed he didn’t offer to check into it and get back to the Council (and the taxpayers) and, unfortunately, the Councilor did not ask for written clarification.

   Given that both consultants for the EC (CSL and AECOM) stated that at most Sioux Falls could expect only 2 to 3 major concerts PER YEAR, I think the taxpayers deserve an answer to these two questions:

   Since it’s opening in September 2014, how many tax dollars have been used to incentivise, subsidize, backstop all previous and upcoming concerts?

   Exactly how much of the $115 million is left?

   Since our public servant, Turbak, is unable to provide our elected Councilor answers to these questions maybe the local media can find out!

3. I have a feeling this is why we have NO audio on this video online. The siding.

4. At least they didn’t remove it like they did the pre planning feb 2013 when meridith Larsen asked Schmitt if he should recuse himself on the walmart vote. Schmitt says heck no.

   If these taxpayer funded goofs would just tell the truth they would get more done.
   Now you can’t even get bids on a bridge project because of what they are trying to do to Dalsin

   The more they allow yes men such as tork into highly visible jobs the dumber and more numb we will all get while our rights are stripped and our pocket books emptied. So went Rome

5. While going from point a to point b last night, I caught a small snippet of our good mayor on knobes show. The ten minutes I listened to was about our mayor pitching for a bill in Pierre that will allow cities and towns across the state to increase sales tax. mmm really wants this to pass. Another penny per dollar on an already cash strapped citizenry.

   Wonder what he needs it for? According to him and his rubber stamp council, we’re swimming in cash.

6. Have heart, Sioux Falls. Rapid City mpney pushers are wanting to ‘outdo’ SF with a 180 million $ event center. But pay parking and door entry fees are part of the untold future of any low and mid income people who would want to attend something at this center. Not to mention the many years of no other worthwhile civic projects that would not take place as this project will forestall them.!

7. No matter what happens with the event center, it still looks like the front end of a semi trailer. The city doesn’t worry about upkeep of these buildings they only worry about getting them built. As far as tickets go, I have a hunch once the novelty wears off, there will be plenty of tickets available. So far there hasn’t been a concert that I would pay a plugged nickle to go and see.

8. I like how Rex got together 5 of his friends for the event. I wonder which one of these guys was the person who originally tipped Rex off about the bad siding? (Remember, Rex was the one who brought up in a council meeting that it looked bad.) I will leave these wise old men with a Chinese Proverb;

   “To tell only half the truth is to give life to a new lie.”

9. I’m agreeing with Joan. The newness will wear off. You still get better cheaper entertainment in Omaha & Minneapolis. Rapid will build a bigger better more regional EC. Brookings has a sports center now. The Sanford Center is Premier because it’s a preemy with insurmountable birth defects.

   After a few years, it will be declared a light reflecting issue for airplanes coming into FSD. Birds will fly into it. It’s biggest benefit will be blocking or reflecting drone signals. A future mayor will be looking for reasons to tear it down because construction was inferior.

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