Orlando and todays 1.1 Billion dollar vote today

Fine Vol · 07-26-2007, 08:08 AM

LAW, HOHEN, HAT live closer to the story than most so I would like your opinion on this issue especially. I believe 5 people will vote today on a 1.1 billion dollar renovation that includes a new O-rena for the Magic on I drive, a brand new performing arts center and a renovation for the Citrus Bowl. Much of the money spent would come from the tourist tax that you pay in O town. Magic will give 12.5 million and raise 12.5 from NBA. Good Idea, bad idea?

MG1968 · 07-26-2007, 01:29 PM

taxpayers, whether they're tourists or not, should not bear the burden of accommodating sports franchises. The NBA is worth billions of dollars and they can only manage to scrape up 25 million of 1.1 billion??

allvol123 · 07-26-2007, 01:31 PM

Agree with MG.

**hohenfelsvol** · 07-26-2007, 01:51 PM

The 1.1B isn't just for the NBA arena. It's renovating and upgrading downtown, a new football stadium to replace the old Citrus Bowl and the NBA stadium. The NBA arena is one part of the three and probably will be second or third in the cost of the projects.

Cities give business tax breaks and buildings to operate all the time. It's how they lure businesses to the area which in turn results in jobs. Some do better jobs then others in that area.

Haven't read enough up on these projects to give a strong opinion but do know I wish they would clean up downtown and either renovate or build a new Citrus Bowl. Both will tremendously improve Orlando Metro. So I'm in favor for at least two of the three pieces of the $1.1B project.

**TuskALoosa** · 07-26-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fine Vol

LAW, HOHEN, HAT live closer to the story than most so I would like your opinion on this issue especially. I believe 5 people will vote today on a 1.1 billion dollar renovation that includes a new O-rena for the Magic on I drive, a brand new performing arts center and a renovation for the Citrus Bowl. Much of the money spent would come from the tourist tax that you pay in O town. Magic will give 12.5 million and raise 12.5 from NBA. Good Idea, bad idea?

All of VolNation has a vested interest in this.

**hohenfelsvol** · 07-26-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuskALoosa

All of VolNation has a vested interest in this.

Less of a car ride for me. You will have to drive up to Nashville though.

Fine Vol · 07-26-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuskALoosa

All of VolNation has a vested interest in this.

Probation says what? Good pick up though.

**lawgator1** · 07-26-2007, 03:17 PM

I have mixed emotions. Here are a few thoughts.

It does piss me off that area residents are being asked to pay higher taxes in order to, in part, build a nicer facility for a pro basketball team that has languished in its own mediocrity for 8 years. The team has literally done nothing right in that time and it is hard to justify spending $1.1 billion, part of which goes to a building they are a big part of, and they are only throwing in about $90 million, wiht side projects.

Doing anything to the Citrus Bowl, other than blowing it up, is a waste of time. It is located in a crime-ridden area with no parking. If they think that the NFL will bring a big game here, or that they can host Blue-Grey or something, they are nuts.

On the flip side, if the greater Orlando area wants to ever take that next big step, they need to commit resources to such projects in general. That plus public transit are the only hope for this overly-congested, middle income tourist area.

I'd be hard pressed to vote for it right now, given other priorities. But I can't fault the long term hopes of those that support it. I hope they are right, but fear they are wrong.

CSpindizzy · 07-26-2007, 05:53 PM

Have all of the parks and studios around there fit the bill. Let them all bid on their names to be displayed on the sides of the buildings.