The Charlotte Business Journal does a good job of covering the local business community, but I wish it hadn’t strayed into hagiography while bestowing its business person of the year award on builder Pat Rodgers.
While lauding her firm’s involvement in the $52 million ImaginOn project it seems important to mention that the project started off as a $25 million contract with Mecklenburg County in 2003 and included at least $10 million in cost overruns. This outcome does not all accrue to Pat Rodgers’ responsibility by a long shot, but important perspective is lost by leaving such facts out.
Then we have the matter of another publicly-backed project, the Catawba River Whitewater Center, which also features Rodgers Builders in a primary role and which will also cost more than expected. The price tag for the center — as of last week — is $32 million, up from the expected cost of $25 million. The county and the city of Charlotte are both underwriting loans on the project, in effect betting that the project will make enough money to pay for itself. If not, taxpayers will pick up the tab.
“I know it sounds corny, but there’s a responsibility to give back to the community,” Rodgers told the Biz Journal. “This community has been so good to Rodgers Builders.”
No doubt.
