The proposed improvements to the Greensboro Coliseum complex have been floating around alternative media for a couple of weeks now, and the N&R did editorialize on Sunday, saying Coliseum director Matt Brown and the City Council “should look before they leap into more debt and long-term commitments of tax dollars.”
But just today the local paper of record runs a big front-pager breaking down the proposed $60 million in improvements, half of which would be paid for with a bond on the November ballot. The bond funds would go toward War Memorial Auditorium renovations, which have twice been rejected by voters.
Note hotel occupy taxes are slated for renovation of the Canada Dry building for a “possible location of Greensboro Visitors Center, Convention and Visitors Bureau,” not to mention improvements to the aquatic center and the White Oak Amphitheater, both of which Brown played sleights of hand with the council and citizens. Ironic that the aquatic center was pitched as a huge economic development tool, yet the size of the concourse was underestimated.
Liberal members of the City Council –which means all of them with the exception Trudy Wade —are expressing skepticism now, but there’s no bigger coliseum backer than Mayor Robbie Perkins, so look for this to be on the ballot in November, adding a little local heat to a red-hot 2012 election. It’s going to be fun.
