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| I was asked questions about the Pensacola Civic Center's future in a recent interview with the media.... |
So what's next for the Civic Center? This was the question I was asked recently by Inweekly Reporter Jeremy Morrison. I have no idea whether or not an article will come from the wide ranging conversation we had on this topic--hopefully one will.
I express doubt about whether or not there'll be an article because I have had two equally long conversations with Inweekly regarding IP and Perdido Bay--and no article has yet to appear in the Inweekly so far as I have seen on those topics either.
But because the Civic Center, and what to do with it going forward, has been such a focus for me personally since I have been a commissioner--I'll just go ahead and post what this discussion entailed in the event that it does not appear in the next issue of Inweekly--because it is a topic of importance.
"So what's going on with the proposal to replace the Civic Center" was Jeremy's first open-ended question. My answer went a little something like this: "There is a group of individuals that have brought a series of proposals to leverage the opportunity to use Triumph Gulf Coast funds, along with their own organic resources and current TDC monies the BCC are already utilizing, in order to build a new event center AND a field house. There was a previous plan that included new-market tax credits, but that plan could not garner three votes from commissioners and it failed" was my first response. Then I continued "This group has refined their proposal, and it will be about $80 Million total, with an anticipated injection of up to $30 Million from Triumph which would be requested after the construction is completed (this group would finance the planning and construction upfront). The debt service and operations of the new facilities would come from the money we are currently using for the Civic Center yearly--which amounts to $2.8 Million in TDC funds--or "Bed tax" dollars.
"Why do you think this is a good deal?" was the essence of his next question. To which I gave the following qualified responses--after stating to him unambiguously that I had yet to see the finished, final proposal and that my final opinion would be based upon a thorough analysis of THAT SPECIFIC DEAL. But based upon what is known now-here are the reasons I believe this project has great merit:
1. It requires no new revenue from the County's LOST or general fund
2. It will be financed and construction will be managed with a guaranteed completion timeframe by the P3 partners who brought the plan
3. If Triumph balks and does not approve money toward the deal--there is no deal (no obligation)
4. If approved by Triumph Gulf Coast and the Escambia BCC, the project will provide a field house AND a new 6500 seat event center-which will better accommodate events like Pensacon.
5. The field house part of the project will attract indoor events during our cold weather months which will help us bring in outside dollars and spending in hotels, retail, and restaurants during the historically slowest portions of the year. This plan also gives our community a second sheet of ice which increases availability for youth hockey, figure skating, and public ice skating--all of which generate revenue.
6. The project allows us to build in the existing Civic Center footprint with no loss of this venue during construction (i.e. construction occurs and the current Civic Center remains open until the new facilities are ready for use--at which time the new facilities open and the current Civic Center closes simultaneously)
7. This project, if approved, would require neither an increase to the current 4% bed tax, nor a reduction in that portion of our increasing bed tax revenue yearly that is dedicated to tourism promotion.
8. It is my understanding that the new proposal includes a large parking structure that the City of Pensacola will pay to construct.
What if any, are the problems and challenges with this proposal? Was Jeremy's next question..to which I gave the following issues as challenges:
1. A new study must be conducted to show the economic value of the project and that it meets with the criteria established by Triumph Gulf Coast for funding from that entity.
2. Under state law, the BCC must advertise this topic and invite additional submissions from unaffiliated but potentially interested entities before we can simply move forward with the currently interested party that has expressed desire to submit a new, revised unsolicited proposal for replacing the Civic Center. (that's a mouthful)
3. The proposal must withstand the scrutiny of the BCC, the media, and other community leaders before it will realistically move forward.
4. Another concern that is loud and prevalent is that the new event center will seat significantly fewer people than the existing Civic Center (6,500 versus around 10,000)
5. There is a legal concern that under the TDC legislation, continued utilization of existing bed tax revenue for a new or replacement facility may not be permissible.
What happens with the Civic Center if this latest deal does not get done? Was the final question Jeremy asked. My answer was pretty straightforward: "If we don't do this, then my feeling that I have repeated frequently is that we need to bond the existing amount we are spending yearly on the Civic Center ($2.8 Million) from the TDC for 20 years and use this to generate about $20-30 Million. Then we need to utilize these proceeds to renovate and modernize the existing Civic Center so that we can get another 20 years out of this facility. New marquee, new scoreboard, LED lighting, new restrooms, soundproofing, new luxury boxes, modernized climate control systems, new seats, new optimized seating layouts, new ice plant, new boards for the hockey, all of the above, the whole kit and kaboodle-whatever we need to do to get another 20 good years from the building" was my response. "We have got to fish or cut bait, we've kicked the can long enough and it is way past time for us to take action on this" Is how I finished the interview.
THE PRESENT FACILITY IS FINE,NOT A BAD SEAT IN THE BUILDING,FOOD IS GOOD AND PRICE OK,RESTROOMNS CLEAN AS IS THE ENTIRE BUILDING, SOUND IS NOT GOOD, PARKING GOOD,WE NEED MORE IN THIS COUNTY THAN A NEW BAY CENTER.
ReplyDeletePensacola literally loses out on acts due to the age of this facility. The grid in the top of the building can’t handle heavy things hanging from it. Pretty much anything more than the current scoreboard and it’s a no-go. Storage is essentially maxed out.
DeleteI, and others who currently work in the building/have worked there in the past, have had roaches fall from the ceilings of the offices onto desks.
There plenty of other things wrong with the building. It’s not in complete shambles but it’s far from “fine.”
We need ice full time!
ReplyDeleteI think that the new facility will not only support the current activities that happen at The Bay Center, but the addition of a field house will allow more youth sport programs to expand and become great development programs. I have been attending the Bay Center events for 11 years and have never seen the seating full, except for $5 ticket night for the Ice Flyers. A new, modern 6500 seat arena seems to be all that the area needs. This needs to be built quickly or else the expenses of the Bay Center will drive certain sports and other activities away from the area for good!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah fish or cut bait stop kicking the can. Use TDC money cept the P 's heading the new deal and paying certain commish. Watch him spiel another narrative from the so called haha fiscal conservative.. 321
ReplyDeleteOur community is growing quickly and the new residents want to have options for their kids. Our area would thrive if given a new center where hockey tournaments, indoor lacrosse tournaments, figure skating competitions, broom ball leagues and numerous other sports could be hosted. Our youth hockey club travels all over the US to go and play tournaments or attend camps at facilities that are packed with activities every weekend. We are spending money in other communities, hotels, restaurants and stores when we are out of the area. Why not build a new facility that could host numerous events and have a management team that wants to keep the facility busy? Our leaders seem to wait until it is necessary before things get taken care of, i.e. our highway system. Let's be do this before it is too late.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the North end and do not go there. Dump the entire thing. Don't spend another dime of tax money there. It's been a waste of revenue the entire time. The 2009 tax watch told you that. 10 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI also live in the north end of the county. But I am a season ticket holder for the Pensacola Ice Flyers. My granddaughter and her friend love to ice skate every chance they get. So I am all for keeping what we have as a last resort, but I like the idea and what I have read regarding building new. Please don't take the ice and therefore Hockey away from us.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm reading right you want to reduce the number of seating from 12000 to 6500 on a town that is busting at the seems..... I may be wrong but that's what I read..... That does not make sense
ReplyDeleteCommissioner, a question that popped into my head as I was reading your blog, what happens to the old Civic Center once the new buildings are completed and in use? That was not spelled out in your article. Or, is the City going to build a parking garage in its footprint? Will the City-County share the parking fees obtained by paid parking in that facility? If not, why not? There is strong sentiment that the City needs to be financially involved in this endeavor as well.
ReplyDeleteA concern, which has been raised by others, why would we downsize the capacity in the new building? Much has been said about touring acts not wanting to stop in Pensacola due to condition and size of the venue. I'm not knowledgeable in how accurate these statements are but you gotta stop and wonder about it.
Will the management of the new facilities be performed by the same company that manages the existing center, or will the 3P partnership manage that?
If the Triumph Board denies the request, how fast will the BOCC act to obtain the bond to rejuvenate the existing center?
Will the City of Pensacola be asked to partner with the County on financing the rejuvenation costs and operating costs if the old is to remain in place? Since the downtown area businesses reap the benefit of ancillary spending during events the City should be our capable partner and interested in continuing to reap financial benefits from same.
Just a couple of questions that I have and hope you can clarify matters on those. Thanks.
Michael P McCormack