Chief
08-30-2007, 07:24 AM
JEFFREY MIZE, columbian staff writer
February 7, 2001; Page C1
Tom Jacobs isn't wildly enthusiastic about Vancouver's plan to build a downtown convention center and arena, but he doesn't think the issue will galvanize him or others in east Vancouver. "I'm kind of like most of my neighbors," said Jacobs, co-chairman of the Cascade Southeast Neighborhood Association and a diligent city hall watcher. "I'm not that excited about the project. From where I live out here, it wouldn't have much impact on me personally."
Jacobs said he doesn't believe his neighbors would howl if the city council approves the $60 million project.
"They haven't gotten upset over the parking garages," he said, a reference to Vancouver's past downtown deals. "I don't think they're going to get terribly upset over building a (convention center) and a sports arena either."
That sentiment could change quickly if the project bombed and Vancouver, faced with a $36 million to $43 million bill, were forced to raise taxes or cut services to make annual debt payments.
"As long as the city doesn't get in a financial difficulty, I'm somewhat indifferent to it," Jacobs said. "But I would get energized if the city really got in a bind and had to cut services."
The city council set into motion Monday a schedule that will culminate with the council taking a final vote in mid-April.
Most observers expect that vote will be 5-2 or 6-1. Councilwoman Jeanne Lipton is a definite no, and Councilman Jack Burkman remains on the fence.
Larry Patella, one of the project's most persistent critics, said there is "no doubt whatsoever" the council will approve the project.
"I don't want to use the word arrogant," he said. "But I don't think the city should tie a $43 million debt to Vancouver citizens without their vote. That's a lot of money."
Patella said Citizens for Common Sense, a group formed to oppose the convention center-sports arena project, will use the referendum process to force a public vote.
"We're very committed," he said. "As a matter of fact, we are going to meet later on in the week and draft the first step in it, to go ahead and initiate that referendum."
Patella said his group will take action as soon as the council votes to remove limitations restricting the Vancouver Public Facilities District's role.
The council, when it created the district in late 1999, handcuffed the district by saying its purpose was to study the project, not to actually build it.
Once the council removes that limitation, opponents would have 30 days to collect signatures from 2,947 registered voters in Vancouver. The council then would have to reverse its decision or put the matter before voters to decide.
But Brent Boger, an assistant Vancouver city attorney, believes state law precludes opponents from tapping referendum provisions in the city charter.
Boger said he researched the issue a year ago and determined that referendum powers are pre-empted when the Legislature delegates a specific authority to city councils, in this case the ability to form public facilities districts.
Boger, however, wasn't comfortable releasing his draft opinion.
"I want to go back and look at it again," he said.
Patella said his group doesn't draw the same conclusion from the Washington Constitution or state law, but he conceded it has not consulted an attorney.
"If we need to, we will," he said.
Cause for resentment
Ralph Peabody, another member of Citizens for Common Sense, believes the convention center-sports arena project will increase sentiment that Vancouver isn't listening to its residents.
"It's almost like the council doesn't think the citizens, the taxpayers, are smart enough to understand the package," Peabody said.
"They are almost like our mothers and fathers, and they have to take care of us. I resent that kind of leadership, if you can call it leadership."
Alex Veliko, chairman of the Vancouver Neighborhood Alliance, said many residents wanted a chance to vote on the project.
"I think there is a feeling of alienation," he said. "How deep it is, how widespread, I don't know. I don't think anybody knows."
Veliko personally supports downtown development but believes a public vote is warranted on such a large project.
City officials have repeatedly rejected having voters decide. Their official position: No additional taxes are needed, so there is no reason to have a vote.
What's in a name?
We know one building would be called the George Propstra Convention Center.
Propstra, founder of the Burgerville chain and Vancouver's leading philanthropist, agreed to pay $2.5 million last year for naming rights to the convention center.
But we're still not sure what name would be slapped onto the 6,500-seat arena should Vancouver build both structures south of Esther Short Park.
In fact, Jerry Jenkins of Renaissance Resources Group doesn't like "arena" and routinely chastises The columbian for not using "special events center" or "events center" instead.
Jenkins, who has spent more than four years working on the project, prefers events center because concerts, ice shows, circuses and other attractions would be held there not just sports competitions.
Steve Burdick, Vancouver's economic development manager, also favors special events center. Sports teams would account for only 20 percent of the total projected hours of use, he said.
Of course, this whole issue would be moot if Jenkins finds someone to pay for naming rights to the "events center."
Then it would be called whatever his or her checkbook desires
February 7, 2001; Page C1
Tom Jacobs isn't wildly enthusiastic about Vancouver's plan to build a downtown convention center and arena, but he doesn't think the issue will galvanize him or others in east Vancouver. "I'm kind of like most of my neighbors," said Jacobs, co-chairman of the Cascade Southeast Neighborhood Association and a diligent city hall watcher. "I'm not that excited about the project. From where I live out here, it wouldn't have much impact on me personally."
Jacobs said he doesn't believe his neighbors would howl if the city council approves the $60 million project.
"They haven't gotten upset over the parking garages," he said, a reference to Vancouver's past downtown deals. "I don't think they're going to get terribly upset over building a (convention center) and a sports arena either."
That sentiment could change quickly if the project bombed and Vancouver, faced with a $36 million to $43 million bill, were forced to raise taxes or cut services to make annual debt payments.
"As long as the city doesn't get in a financial difficulty, I'm somewhat indifferent to it," Jacobs said. "But I would get energized if the city really got in a bind and had to cut services."
The city council set into motion Monday a schedule that will culminate with the council taking a final vote in mid-April.
Most observers expect that vote will be 5-2 or 6-1. Councilwoman Jeanne Lipton is a definite no, and Councilman Jack Burkman remains on the fence.
Larry Patella, one of the project's most persistent critics, said there is "no doubt whatsoever" the council will approve the project.
"I don't want to use the word arrogant," he said. "But I don't think the city should tie a $43 million debt to Vancouver citizens without their vote. That's a lot of money."
Patella said Citizens for Common Sense, a group formed to oppose the convention center-sports arena project, will use the referendum process to force a public vote.
"We're very committed," he said. "As a matter of fact, we are going to meet later on in the week and draft the first step in it, to go ahead and initiate that referendum."
Patella said his group will take action as soon as the council votes to remove limitations restricting the Vancouver Public Facilities District's role.
The council, when it created the district in late 1999, handcuffed the district by saying its purpose was to study the project, not to actually build it.
Once the council removes that limitation, opponents would have 30 days to collect signatures from 2,947 registered voters in Vancouver. The council then would have to reverse its decision or put the matter before voters to decide.
But Brent Boger, an assistant Vancouver city attorney, believes state law precludes opponents from tapping referendum provisions in the city charter.
Boger said he researched the issue a year ago and determined that referendum powers are pre-empted when the Legislature delegates a specific authority to city councils, in this case the ability to form public facilities districts.
Boger, however, wasn't comfortable releasing his draft opinion.
"I want to go back and look at it again," he said.
Patella said his group doesn't draw the same conclusion from the Washington Constitution or state law, but he conceded it has not consulted an attorney.
"If we need to, we will," he said.
Cause for resentment
Ralph Peabody, another member of Citizens for Common Sense, believes the convention center-sports arena project will increase sentiment that Vancouver isn't listening to its residents.
"It's almost like the council doesn't think the citizens, the taxpayers, are smart enough to understand the package," Peabody said.
"They are almost like our mothers and fathers, and they have to take care of us. I resent that kind of leadership, if you can call it leadership."
Alex Veliko, chairman of the Vancouver Neighborhood Alliance, said many residents wanted a chance to vote on the project.
"I think there is a feeling of alienation," he said. "How deep it is, how widespread, I don't know. I don't think anybody knows."
Veliko personally supports downtown development but believes a public vote is warranted on such a large project.
City officials have repeatedly rejected having voters decide. Their official position: No additional taxes are needed, so there is no reason to have a vote.
What's in a name?
We know one building would be called the George Propstra Convention Center.
Propstra, founder of the Burgerville chain and Vancouver's leading philanthropist, agreed to pay $2.5 million last year for naming rights to the convention center.
But we're still not sure what name would be slapped onto the 6,500-seat arena should Vancouver build both structures south of Esther Short Park.
In fact, Jerry Jenkins of Renaissance Resources Group doesn't like "arena" and routinely chastises The columbian for not using "special events center" or "events center" instead.
Jenkins, who has spent more than four years working on the project, prefers events center because concerts, ice shows, circuses and other attractions would be held there not just sports competitions.
Steve Burdick, Vancouver's economic development manager, also favors special events center. Sports teams would account for only 20 percent of the total projected hours of use, he said.
Of course, this whole issue would be moot if Jenkins finds someone to pay for naming rights to the "events center."
Then it would be called whatever his or her checkbook desires